2004 Ford Explorer Problems and Repair Histories
2004 Ford Explorer problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys
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Ford Explorer
2004 Ford Explorers for which no problems have been reported are not displayed. So the 2004 Ford Explorer problems and repair histories you see here should not be used to infer car problem frequency.
For 2004 Ford Explorer problem frequency, check the Car Reliability Survey result. For the problems behind the score, check the 2004 Ford Explorer problems and repair histories that follow it.
Ford Explorer Reliability through December 31, 2012
General NotesModels and statistics marked with an asterisk (*) have very low sample sizes. These results, visible only to logged-in members, provide only a rough estimate of car reliability.Any result under 20 repair trips per 100 cars is likely a result of the small sample size, and should be expected to increase to 20 or so in future updates.
New models often start out with high repair rates, and then improve as the manufacturer identifies and addresses common problems. MethodologyOnly successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
| Year | Make/Model | Trips/Year/100 Cars | Compared to all models for the same year | |
| 2004 | Ford Explorer | 15 Explorers, 9.3 months of data per Explorer, average 89300 miles Small sample size. Join or 15 Explorers, 9.3 months of data per Explorer, average 89300 miles Small sample size. sign in to view |
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Non-members can see only ten 2004 Ford Explorer problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
Repair costs are in local units.
2004 Ford Explorer
Engine not specified
| Ford Explorer in Alabama, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2010 | 73000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2011 | 89000 | 0 | The right rear main axle seal on the Ford explorer xls is leaking oil. Not yet fixed. |
| Jul | 2012 | 92000 | 25 | From previous rear axel leak, I changed the rear axel oil with w-mart 85-140 synthetic, added 4 ounces tranny stop leak and the LS additive. Rear end has stopped leaking and is much quieter. 92,000 miles |
2004 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV
239-horsepower 4.6L V8 5-speed automatic RWD
| Ford Explorer in Virginia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2007 | 0 | I had a problem with the limited slip differential package. The vehicle was still under warranty so it cost me nothing. | |
2004 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV
239-horsepower 4.6L V8 5-speed automatic AWD
| Ford Explorer in Michigan, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2008 | 0 | ABS sensor | |
| Sep | 2012 | 105000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2004 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV
239-horsepower 4.6L V8 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range
| Ford Explorer in North Carolina, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2011 | 34000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2011 | 35000 | 0 | Pump seal on the transmission replaced under dealer warranty. |
| Mar | 2013 | 47000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Ford Explorer in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2009 | 718 | Short in wire harness leading to fuel pump. Harness cost $28 CDN. Remaining cost, diagnoses and labour. | |
2004 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV
210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD
| Ford Explorer in Florida, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2010 | 61000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2011 | 70000 | 200 | THERMOSTAT HOUSING LEAKED |
| Feb | 2013 | 76500 | 0 | radio volume broke |
| Apr | 2013 | 77000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Ford Explorer in Alabama, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2010 | 102000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2011 | 104000 | 400 | replaced right rear wheel bearing |
| Ford Explorer in Wisconsin, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2010 | 90000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2010 | 95000 | 5300 | The car was shaking at idle. |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2004 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV
210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic AWD
| Ford Explorer in Connecticut, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2009 | 800 | Replaced rear axle (limited slip) for the second time under warranty. ALso replaced radio subwoofer, and front wheel bearing. | |
| Jul | 2009 | 4300 | Replaced transmission. I had reported hard shifting and other transmission problemds to Ford since the vehicle was new but they did not fix it. After the factory extended warranty (75K miles) ran out, the transmission failed entirely. | |
| Aug | 2010 | 107000 | 200 | The rear limited-slip differential started chattering again on slight turns. It has done this repeatedly since delivery. The temporary "fix" is to replace the rear lube with new 140W synthetic lube and add the special XL3 friction modifier. |
| Nov | 2010 | 108000 | 50 | Replaced bad tire pressure warning sensor inside the tire/wheel assy. They have a long life (5 yr) battery, but that wasn't the problem. Road Salt had corroded the metal cap that screws on to the metal stem to add air to the tire. Junk. |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Ford Explorer in West Virginia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2009 | 61000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2010 | 61000 | 200 | replaced intake manifold twice under warranty with $100 per visit |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Washington, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2010 | 61000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2011 | 64000 | 0 | First, backup sensors stopped working. Then engine idle was very rough, diagnosed as failure of manifold gaskets, common for this year of truck. |
| Ford Explorer in Iowa, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2008 | 45000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2011 | 108000 | 0 | All 4 wheel bearings were replaced along with back brake pads |
2004 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV
210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range
| Ford Explorer in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2012 | 80000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2012 | 80000 | 110 | Rear U-Joint replacement. Only lessened shudder / chatter from rear end. Shop said probably also needed a new differential, though outright failure could be years away. |
| Sep | 2012 | 80000 | 0 | Shudder / chatter from rear. Needed a new exhaust system (or at least some new pipes/clamps). |
| Ford Explorer in Wisconsin, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2010 | 87000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2011 | 97000 | 678 | Bad bearings Heater Blend motor broken, had to disassemble dash to access it |
| Apr | 2013 | 119000 | 605 | Front axle seal and rear bearing rear hatch hinges replaced |
| Ford Explorer in Indiana, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2008 | 82000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2010 | 131000 | 1000 | Gear (or sprocket?) at the head of the drive shaft was severely damaged requiring immediate replacement. |
| Dec | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Wisconsin, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2011 | 96000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2011 | 98700 | 3200 | Transmission completely inoperable. Sway bar connecting links broken, repaired by owner |
| Jun | 2012 | 102000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Ford Explorer in Kentucky, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2009 | 66000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2010 | 80000 | 180 | Front Pinion Seal Replaced (Leaking). Also had Rear differential oil replaced (Maintenance) |
| Oct | 2010 | 86000 | 700 | Rear wheel bearings howling - New bearings installed, TSB. Rear Differential Seals Leaking - New Seals installed, TSB. |
| Jun | 2011 | 92000 | 20 | "creaking" sound when going over speed bumps. Replaced front sway bar bushings with aftermarket ones that could be lubricated via grease gun |
| Jul | 2012 | 107000 | 250 | Rt wheel bearing found loose during brake pad replacement Found upper ball joint boot cracker on RT side |
| Jan | 2013 | 110000 | 150 | Car would not turn over when attempting to start |
| Mar | 2013 | 110000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Ford Explorer in Maryland, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2007 | 0 | Transmission slipping. Warranty repair. | |
| Jan | 2009 | 375 | Gas level sensor replaced. Had to drop the tank. | |
| Jan | 2010 | 0 | First oily leak ever. It's the CV boot. Mechanic said to let it get worse before repairing. Mechanic could hear front left and right rear bearings starting to make rrrhing noise but decided to let them get worse before replacing. | |
| Feb | 2010 | 552 | Replace heater hose, flush radiator fluid and replace. Hose rubbing up against AC unit for 6 years finally rubbed a hole in it. Used dealer shop. | |
| Oct | 2010 | 137300 | 1500 | Replaced left front wheel bearing. Also got new Fireston Destination Tires and new brakes. Car now makes a road whirring sound from 35 mph to 45 mph. Had differentials and transfer case drained and refilled including friction modifier. |
| Dec | 2010 | 138000 | 845 | Replaced alternator and emergency brake shoes. |
| Feb | 2011 | 138000 | 2300 | Replace rear differential |
| May | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2004 Ford Explorer 4-door
6-cylinder automatic 2WD
| Ford Explorer in Florida, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2012 | 69000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2012 | 82000 | 870 | Brake repair, specifics not known. |
2003 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV
210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range
| Ford Explorer in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2013 | 85560 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2013 | 85560 | 0 | upper and lower ball joint replacment for certification right pass window inoperable |
| Ford in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2009 | 63860 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2009 | 64480 | 230 | Air conditioning was recharged. |
| Mar | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
Expert 2004 Ford Explorer Repair Advice
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What People Are Saying about Problems with the 2004 Ford Explorer
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