Problems with 2004 Ford Explorer VISIBILITY

While closing the rear window glass hatch the driver side hinge broke allowing the window to fall out on that side. the rear glass hatch window is heavy and could have easily broken the hinge side allowing the glass to fall off the vehicle. a previous ford recall on the very same component covered vehicles up to 2003. the exact same problem is occurring to this 2004 vehicle. contacted ford and they are not willing to help owners out. had the vehicle been traveling at highway speeds and the hinge let go, there would be a very high probability of property damage and a very high probability of personal injury to others on the road. *tr

The rear lift gate window of my 2004 ford explorer exploded while the vehicle was parked. according to the ford dealer, this apparently is something that is known to happen. *tr

Leaving work at end of day, pulled out of parking space and rear glass shattered. the edges of the back hatch pulled away from the truck and curled up causing the glass to blow into the truck. a crack in the plastic of the hatch (which i have seen on many of this year model) has not been recalled and i have emailed ford many times about this problem for fear of water getting in behind the panel. my belief is that water did get behind the panel and that is what caused the plastic panel to pull away and blow in the glass. luckily my children were not sitting in the 2nd or 3rd row seating or this would have been a much larger problem. i believe ford should have this problem addressed and recalled before someone gets seriously hurt from that flying glass. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. the contact stated that after opening the rear glass lift gate window, the two plastic hinges attached to the window fractured causing the window to fall and separate from the vehicle. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 141,500.

Upon opening the rear glass hatch, the passenger side of the hinge broke when fully open and the window fell down, hitting me in the head. the panel below on this same window to the left of the ford logo plate had also cracked about 6 months ago. *tr

While opening the smaller window in the back of the car, the window started to fall. luckily there were two people to catch it. i noticed the passenger side hinge was broken. we usually take our infant around to the back of the car while we load things. fortunately, we had already buckled her in. had the glass fallen or we not paid attention , it could have seriously injured her or us. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. the contact stated that the rear liftgate glass unexpectedly shattered without accessing the door. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 69,000. ...updated 04-10-14 *bf updated 04/22/14

My 13 yr old was loading groceries while the window was popped up it fell w/o warning severely hurting her head rt bracket on upper window broke can cause serious injury. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. the contact stated that none of the windows were able to be opened when engaged. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the fuse needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. the manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. the failure mileage was unknown. ...updated 05/29/13 *bf

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. the contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the sun visor became detached. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 148,000 and the current mileage was 154,000. *tr

The rear window hinge pin (passenger side) has corroded and broken allowing the window to fall off of the rear tail gate. i noticed the broken hinge before using the lift gate which has prevented it from falling off thus far. i have read that this is a very common problem on this vehicle and ford will not own up to the problem. *tr

After a day of shopping i pulled into my driveway and parked my suv. i went to open the rear window hatch when the left side came apart from the vehicle and landed on top of me. fortunately the right side of the window was able to stay intact while my husband was able to run to my aid to lift the door up. i am four months pregnant and my three year old son was standing by my side. i have read that many complaints about this issue have been made to the ford corporation regarding this problem but they continue not to rectify the issue at hand; while leaving vehicle owners helpless when this situation occurs. i read that this was a good avenue to report this issue since ford continues to ignore the problem and wonder if my husband would not have been in shouting distance what would've happen to my son, unborn child and myself!!!!! *tr

The rear liftgate window hinge broke off and the entire rear window fell on my wife. the hinges are made of a white type of metal that has corroded and sheared off. the pins inside apparently broke and it didn't appear to be falling off, it just came off. the window hit my wife in the arm and leg. we were lucky it wasn't one of our kids closing the gate at the time or that they weren't inside when it happened or this could have been a lot worse. after searching online for information about this issue i found thousands of complaints about this exact issue and hundreds of post of injuries incurred from this. ford recalled other vehicles with the same issue with the same part and yet the 2004 was never included. something needs to be done. a part over time shouldn't break off and cause a safety hazard. *tr

Rear hatch window hinge (left side) broke and released the glass while driving. window fell to one side. i had to make an immediate emergency stop. it was difficult to prop window to a safe position and lock down. it must remain locked down until i can fix it. *tr

When closing the rear window hatch, the left hinge that holds the glass completely let go of the glass. fortunatley my husband was the one closing it and was able to catch the glass before it broke the other hinge and pulled the glass off completely. the right hinge was also bent, as the window will now not sit level to be put back into place. this should be recalled, as there is a large hazard of th window falling. what if my daughter had been standing underneath as usual, or he had not been able to catch the window and it broke and sen "exploding" glass pieces everywhere. i see that this appears to be a very widespead issue when looking through complaints. also, the tailgate in my explorer has also experienced the same mysterious crack that so many other vehicles have had. one day it was fine, then it was cracked. could these issues be somehow releated? or is the entire hatch just full of flaws. *tr

This issue involves the driver side sun visor. the plastic piece on the left side of the visor that holds it in place on the ceiling has broken off. when you hit a bump or dip in the road the visor falls down and blocks your view to see what is going on in front of you. this is a real safety concern to me. i don't want to hit someone or something because of this. i am asking for a recall to be issued. thanks *tr

I had to have the heater blend door replaced on my ford explorer. the cost was over $1000.00. the entire dashboard had to be removed. i know that a tsb was issued by ford on this problem,many owners have had the same problem as i did. this is an engineering/manufacturing defect that is not only costly to repair,but in my opinion can cause the windshield to fog up while driving because you can not control the heater function. this can lead to a poor or non visibility situation and could cause an accident. please look into this problem to avoid any possible accidents. i have read numerous reports from other owners online regarding this problem.please contact ford about this potentially hazardous problem and issue a recall notice. the blend door is not strong enough to withstand the blowers air pressure. thank you for your help in this matter. *tr

The hinges that hold on the rear window are starting to break. the 02 and 03 model explorers were recalled for this but ford refuses to issue a recall for the 2004 models even though this appears to be a huge issue affecting a large numbers of explorers. i have caught it before total failure but many people have had the glass come loose and injure them. it is a huge safety issue. *tr

On 19 apr 2012 while opening the back hatch window, the passenger side hinge of the window failed. when this occurred the driver side hinge was bent and the hydrulic lifts popped open the window rather rapidly which could have severely injured me if it hit me. i was unable to close the window myself so i could drive again. a bystander helped me out to close it. after reading other reports and complaints online, this is not an isolated incident for 2004 ford explorers. *tr

Rear window hinge fractured causing glass to fall off of rear door. this is the same problem as the 2002-2003 ford recall #04s20. ref nhtsa campaign id number 04v442000. ford does not include the 2004 explorer in their recall but the problem is the same. i have heard of other 2004 explorer owners having the same problem and the service manager at the dealer who replaced the hinge said it is a common problem on the 2004 model year. i feel that the problem extended into the 2004 models and should have been included in the recall of the 2002-2003 models. *js

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. the contact stated that heat no longer flowed through the vents and she was unable to defrost the windshield. as a result, her vision was obstructed while driving. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and they informed her that the blend door needed to be replaced. the vehicle had not been repaired. the manufacturer was notified and they offered no assistance. the failure and current mileages were approximately 36,000. the vin was unavailable.

A year ago my rear left window hinge broke. cost to repair $50 for part. now the right rear window hinge broke cost now has increased to $80 for repair. rear panel cracked when heat wave occurred. ford says no recalls for each issue. this seems to be an issue on this model of ford. ford holds no recall for both issues. *kb

While at work my rear lift gate window exploded. at first site i thought it was vandalism but nothing (car chargers/cd's/ road side kit etc) was taken. after further investigating, things just didn't add up nor were consistent with the site of my destructive rear window and uplifting of the panel underneath the shattered glass (which was mostly on the ground as opposed to being inside my vehicle.) *tr

The hinges that hold on the rear window are failing and i cannot open the rear window because i am afraid that it will fall off. other year explorers were recalled for this very reason and i cannot understand why the 2004 model was not recalled. the parts are the same as they were in other years. *tr

While loading groceries, i noticed the hinges to my rear window were cracked. i quit using the window in fear of it breaking. the cost to replace the plastic hinge is completely outrageous! i also had a friend call today and his hinge broke, thankfully the glass did not break. ford knows the hinges are defective. why would a major company like ford overlook this problem and take a chance of many law suits due to their negligence? there are over 1600 complaints recorded. how many more is needed for a recall? ford needs to stand behind their product. i hesitated buying this ford because my first ford caught fire while i was driving it. thirty years later i still think of all the bad stories and now, i want my chevy back. *tr

Http://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/explorer/2004/accessories-interior/supports_for_sun_visors_cracked.shtml the sun visor clip has broken and i am unable to use the visor, it just dangles. it can cause an accident. one needs to be able to use the visor for sun protection. i feel ford should do a recall because so this is happening in too many vehicles so there has to be a manufacturing problem. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

Cracked panel below rear window. also, rear window appears loose. *tr

The hinge on the glass hatch broke as i opened the hatch. there was no damage to the hatch hinge prior to this. *tr

The rear passenger window hinge broke causing the glass to fall on top of me and hit me in the head and knock me down to the ground. *tr

I have a 2004 ford explorer, about a month ago i noticed the plastic hinge for the back tailgate glass was breaking off. after visiting several ford used car lots, i seen several explorers with the broken hinge and realized this is a very common problem. i have contacted ford and expressed my concerns, but they are standing by their product. i recieved an estimate of $360 to repair the hinges, but being a single parent of four there is no way i could afford to have this repair done. i hope that ford will step up and recall this issue but no luck yet. *tt

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. the contact stated that the sun visor came off of the mount causing it to obstruct the drivers visibility. he also stated that as a result of the heat in the vehicle the plastic mount started disintegrating. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who made advised him that there were no recalls related to the failure and stated that the visor assembly needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vehicle was repaired. the failure and current miles were 115,000. updated 08/19/11

Pin on rear hatch window broke,which can cause window to fall out. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. the contact stated that the rear window on the hatch shattered. the contact looked at the hatch and found a crack on the metal piece of the hatch directly underneath the window. the contacts insurance company inspected the vehicle and said it was a defect. the manufacturer told the contact that this was an isolated incident and the rear window was not under warranty or recall. the failure and current mileage was unknown.

I purchased a 2004 ford explorer from a toyota dealership on 1/28/11. the car was a certified / warranted vehicle. i was assured by the toyota salesman that any problem with the car would be fixed under the warranty. several problems which the car has include: mismatched tires, inoperable sunroof, leak in the differential seal & noise in the differential. i had the car inspected at a ford dealership & was told these problems needed repair. the toyota dealership has not returned numerous phone calls, emails & when i brought the car back to them, i was told all these repairs had been fixed & later found out that nothing was done. *tr

The sun visor on the 2004 ford explorer has a weak bracket that holds the visor. if the bracket fails, that can cause the driver to lose control and have an accident. *tr

The tail gate on the 2004 explorer should be recalled,it will only get worse and lots of people will die when the back windows just start falling out. every explorer i see it like this! built ford tough..lol.....i guess it's ok for a few hundred to die until ford maybe recall it, it's there responsibility!!!!!!! i will never buy another ford till this gets fixed. think of all the lawsuits in the making ford..bad business!!! fix my found on road...before you get sued...my back window will fall out soon and guess who`s getting sued. fix your junk ford you lied to me quality is job 1000 making money and lying is job 1..your sickling boycott ford i already have 3000 plus with this problem just wait ford you'll get yours... *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. the vehicle was experiencing an intermittent failure in which the headlights, radio and windows stopped functioning while driving at any speed. the failures persisted for a duration of approximately 1-5 minutes. during the failures, the power door locks and instrument panel lighting also did not function. the vehicle was not taken to have the failures diagnosed. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 97,000 and the current mileage was 98,000.

Back glass hatch fell off in my hands could have really hurt someone. *tr

Defroster heat control failed, couldn't see through windshield. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. while examining the vehicle the contact noticed a crack on the panel below the rear window. the vehicle has not been diagnosed and there were no prior warnings. the current and failure mileages were 89000. updated 01/03/11

1. panel below rear window cracked nov 2009; crack is located to the left of ford emblem and is the length of the panel. ford refused to repair free of charge; we did not repair it. 2. this morning tailgate glass blew out while car was parked in our garage and thankfully no one was near it when it happened as glass flew everywhere. car had not been driven for over 24 hrs. *tr

Defective rear window hinges on my 2004 ford explorer. i rarely use the window hatch and today i am sorry i did. while opening the rear window it fell on to my head. the brackets on the window broke. i am waiting for my mech. to help me remove the window so i can bring it into to get repaired. i own a 2002 ford explorer and it had a recall for the same thing. so why not the 2004, it is the same hinge. *tr

I have a 2004 explorer and i lifted the glass hatch today and it broke and began to fall on my head, luckily i reacted and grabbed it before it knocked me out. i had to get help because it was to heavy for me because i have a bad back, had surgery and was afraid that i was going to re damage. i had to have my husband come up there while we held it because struts would not fold it in. took it to ford and am being charged a diagnostic charge to diagnosis it i am not sure that is needed, and parts are going to be $155, and i was told that they are not responsible for the window if it breaks! parts are not available they said they will order. i have no car, no warranty, and a sore back from another problem ford is aware of but refuses to accept responsibility for. thank god it did not hit my 11 year old in the head or neck this could be very dangerous even deadly. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. the contact stated that the rear window panel was fractured. the vehicle was taken to three repair facilities where the contact was advised that the rear window panel would need replacing. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 28,000 and the current mileage was 28,990. updated 12/01/10. *lj updated 12/07/10

Defective clip/hinge in sunvisor assembly of 2004 ford explorers, breaks and cracks with normal use due to faulty design. safety hazard due to the fact that once it breaks to a certain point the sunvisor will hang in drivers view and impede vision. a large amount of people are having the same problem i am having. some of their comments can be viewed at http://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/explorer/2004/accessories-interior/supports_for_sun_visors_cracked.shtml to begin your investigation. luckily ours came apart when the car was stopped, but someone using the visor to increase visibility may not be so fortunate. *tr

While attempting to close the window on hatchback, the window hinges broke. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. the contact placed the gear shifter into reverse to drive and noticed that the transmission would hesitate before engaging. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technicians replaced the solenoid in the transmission. after the repairs were performed, the contact continued to experience the failure. there was also an abnormal grinding from the rear of the vehicle. the dealer replaced the rear end bearing, three rear axles, the pinion bar and seals and a shaft kit was installed. the dealer also advised that the failure was caused by an over torque by the manufacturer. in addition, the contact stated that the driver and passenger side sun visor joints were failing sporadically and causing the visors to obstruct the contact's vision of the roadway. the sun visors were not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 49,000.

Rear window hinges on 2004 ford explorer broke. *tr

Sun visor anchor based of 2004 ford explorer cracked and fell out, causing plastic pieces to fall on face, and making visor fall in front of line of sight while driving on highway . using sun visor is now not possible. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. the contact stated that the fiber glass fitting under the window next to the tailgate began cracking and was becoming progressively worse. the owner had not contacted the dealer. the current and failure mileages were approximately 57,000.