Problems with 2004 Ford Explorer STRUCTURE

The area on the back hatch underneath the glass cracked in a straight line. i came out of my house after a cold morning and that's what i found. *tr

Rear panel below rear window cracked.*ak

On 11/23/2006, my wife, put something in our 2004 ford explorer via the rear hatch when the drivers side glass hinge broke. the glass remained in tact, but to be able to close the hatch i had to remove the two struts. this appears to be similar to recall #04v442000 on the same model vehicle in 2002. *jb

Dt*: the contact stated the window hinge in the rear lift gate fractured, and then the weight of the window fractured the second hinge. the vehicle was taken to a service dealer and the manufacturer was notified. the manufacturer informed the contact the vehicle was not included in recall #04v442000 regarding the structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments, although the failure was the same.

Bubbling and blistering of the paint from the hood of 2004 ford explorer. *tr

The hinge on the rear tailgate window came apart unexpectedly. i had popped it open using my keyfob release button to load some bags into it and the hinge immediately failed. the window itself twisted and was hanging by the 2nd hinge that hadn't failed and the gas shocks that enable the window to stay open without holding it. i was able to fit it back together to close it. the following day, i contacted the dealership to order parts. what i was told was that there was a recall on the 2003 but no the 2004 model. i was actually able to pick up a recall pack that contained both hinges. the parts manager sold them to me @ cost because this is apparently a common problem. there were no injuries, however, if one of my children had been standing nearby it is quite possible that the would have gotten hit by the glass as it came down. finally, i walked away about $20 poorer (because i repaired it myself) and with several scratches on the paint around the hinge and the back tailgate. *nm

Paint is peeling on the roof of my 2004 ford explorer. went to the dealer where i bought the vehicle and had them look at it. they said i"n 6 years i am only the 2nd person to have this problem" and "that it is not covered under warranty". they would not acknowledge a manufacturer defect or problem. i am just writing here to get this information on record, because it is my understanding that this is not an uncommon problem and that this is very typical with ford vehicles. thank you *tr

The left hinge on the glass hatch failed during a normal closing operation. the light aluminum casting failed as a result of metal fatigue causing the full weight of the hatch to fall on my wife. the ford dealer claims this failure is not covered under nhtsa recall campaign number 04v442000 and that my wife must have brutalized this truck. the replacement parts that i purchased from the dealer and installed are clearly much heavier castings. the issues concerning campaign number 04v442000 still exist on this 2004 model year vehicle. i have the old parts and pictures comparing them to the new ones. *nm

A crack appeared above and below the ford emblem on the back flip up window at approx 50,000 miles. *tr

Rear liftgate glass hinge failed and glass struck me in arm and chest as i lowered glass. *jb

I bought this 2004 ford explorer in 2006. the panel below the back window was loose. they sent a glass dealer out to fix it. they just put hot glue or something to mend it for the time. needless to say it's 1/2 falling off now. *tr

A large crack has formed on the rear lift gate panel right next to the ford emblem. the crack runs vertically and runs the length of the panel which is several inches. this crack is not due to any physical damage and appears to expand/contract in different outdoor temperatures. this panel supports the glass in the rear lift gate. *tr

Dt: the contact stated there was nhtsa recall campaign 04v442000 regarding hatchback hinge and attachments. the vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, it is not included in the recall due to the vin. the contact took the vehicle to an independent repair shop but no repairs were made. *ak updated 1/25/2006 - the hinges sheared off and the hatch on the liftgate fell off when opening. the part has been replaced but fords replacement hinges have not been modified to correct the problem. ford refused to pay for repair. *nm

1. opened the back hatch glass 2. the left hinge broke and the glass fell. i was able to catch the glass to keep it from falling. i pushed the glass back up and was able to get the glass closed and latched. my left shoulder has been hurting since the incident. *jb 3. i took the truck to the dealer and they replaced the hinge bracket. they replaced both the left and right hinges.

On three separate occasions my ford explorer 4door sport trac has stalled, because my teenage children have accidentally bumped/kicked the inertia control device for fuel shut off while the vehicle was moving/driving. this device has its own push start button to restart fuel operations once the vehicle stopped. i was on the beltway 495 doing 65 mph the last time it happened. i had to make an emergency pull off and almost got hit by a tractor trailer on two occasions. on 11-18-2005 the dealer failed to cover this device saying there was nothing wrong with it. however the technician stated he has seen several cars returned for the same thing. *nm

Plastic body part just under rear lift gate has cracked in the middle. local ford dealer said they were aware of a problem, but ford has declined action. this vehicle had approx. 30,000 miles when noticed. ford should have to fix it. *tr

Dt: while driving on september 16, 2005 the abs failed. when this occurred it caused the consumer's vehicle to almost hit another vehicle. the abs, maintenance, and four wheel lights came on and blinked when he lost the brakes. a diagnosis test was performed, and it showed that there was a problem with the speed sensor. the dealership replaced the speed sensor in the rear which was called asy-t. the fuel gauge broke. it showed the fuel tank level was higher than what it really was. the driver's rear window motor had to be replaced. the cover over the hatchback handle had to be replaced. also, had to replace the weather stripping. there has been a repair done to the four by four unit. there were multiple problems with the vehicle. *ak

Ford 2004 explorer paint bubbling at front of aluminum hood. clearly a defect. took to dealer where the body shop manager said he repainted 70 so far this year but ford will not take care of it. asked to meet with the district supervisor. set up a meeting when he would be in town. he would not even come out to talk to me and sent someone else out to tell me ford will not fix it because in my warranty it reads, "rust must permanent from the inside out". i argued that it is an aluminum hood and will never rust! i then wrote ford motor company and have never heard back from them. i keep checking for recalls and have seen nothing to date. my wife and i see many of the same vehicles with this same problem all the time. shame on ford!! i would like to see something taken care of with this. this is clearly a defect and not something any of us consumers ever did to make this happen. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. the contact stated the plastic lining under the tailgate window was cracked. the manufacturer was contacted several times but would not provide any assistance. the dealer advised they were aware of the failure however they were not liable for the failure without a recall. the contact stated that every year and model of his vehicle that he has observed exhibits the same failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileages were approximately 52,000. updated 07/23/10*jb

We have experienced multiple problems with the electrical systems of our 2004 ford explorer along with other miscellaneous problems. the electrical problems have not been corrected to date. in november 2006, the rear window of the liftgate broke off the hinge. we were told there were no recalls for this problem and had to pay for this repair out of our pocket. today, january 16, 2007 the frame of the rear liftgate cracked in the middle. *nnm

The consumer experienced a problem with the cruise control. the consumer would set the cruise control and then it will shut down by itself. the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer who as of today, was unable to find a defect. *jb the failure resulted in a life threatening situation when the vehicle reached speeds in excess of 100 mph on it's own while hitting the resume button in cruise control. the vehicle had been in to the dealer for the repair of the braking and tire pressure gauges, throttle control, transmission slippage, cruise control, traction control default, general computer defaults and the rear trim piece at the liftgate opening was distorted. *sc

While driving smoke began coming from the engine compartment, the engine bogged down and the engine stalled. *nm the engine ran roughly and smoke emitted from the vehicle. since the repair the consumer noticed a hissing noise coming from the air conditioner. air coming through the windshield was the reason for the noise coming from the air conditioner. the winshield was removed and resealed. *tc *jb

Paint is coming off drivers running board. i have owned this vehicle for only 3 weeks. *ak

Othe vehicle was received on 2/16/2004, on 2/18/2004 the drivers side running board broke when i stepped onto it when entering the vehicle on the drivers side i stepped up onto the running board and it cracked at the seam causing me to fall back into the driving lane. the dealer replaced the drivers side running board on 2/24/2004. on 2/26/2004, the passenger side running board crack in the same place, this was only the second time someone entered on the passenger side of the vehicle. i am waiting for the dealer to replace this one. should this happen while there is traffic moving near the vehicle a person could fall back and be struck by another vehicle.*ak

I have a 2004 ford explorer xlt and i was closing the rear hatch when the hinge pins snapped and luckily i was holding it when it broke. if there was a problem with other vehicles then i think there should be a recall on all 2004s. *tr