Overview & Reviews
Ford's AdvanceTrac electronic stability control that was previously available on V8 models only is now available on all models, except the XLS and XLS Sport and all AWD models. The NBX version now comes standard with the off-road package and "NBX" tailgate badging, and can be ordered with a moonroof. Limited and Eddie Bauer models get a quad bucket seating option when equipped with the third-row bench, which adds second-row buckets and a floor console. Family buyers of the 2004 Ford Explorer should note that the optional rear air conditioner no longer requires the purchase of the third-row seat. Finally, a tire-pressure monitoring system is now standard on XLS Sport and higher trim levels, and a rear cargo shade is optional on XLT, Eddie Bauer and Limited models.
- Excellent ride and handling characteristics for a truck-based SUV, strong optional V8, comfortable cabin with user-friendly layout and seating for up to seven, good crash test scores.
- Dull cabin design with some low-grade materials, low resale value, confusing controls on highline models, lousy fuel economy.
User Reviews:
Showing 11 through 20 of 359.00-
Ford Tough - 2004 Ford Explorer
By jerguyntx - January 4 - 3:30 pmAside from the throttle body being replaced the day after I bought my vehicle (Bought Used @ 31,000 miles) has been a great vehicle. Replaced brakes and tires around 67,000 miles now reaching 100,000 miles and the only thing that has happened is the replacement of the Temperature module (Leaking Radiator fluid). Doing a lot of city driving so Im maxing about 14MPG, but get 21 - 21.5 on long trips. (Austin to Dallas) I cant fault my explorer in anyway. Paid it off in 2011 two full years early. Kudos to me. :-)
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Explorer poor choice get a pilot or something - 2004 Ford Explorer
By tabbies - December 21 - 6:07 pmBought used in 09 w/ 80k+ miles. Now 105k. Poor fuel economy I avg. 15 city, 16-17 highwy(67-77mph) UGLY interior. Its fine @ first but look at it for a while and you be sickened. Speaking of sickening the tire noise @ high speeds is very. My kid had a stomach bug, and one or the other tire noise or ugly interior finally made him give. I was about to follow suit. Heat failed, leaving us w/ 1 georgia winter and no heat. Drive/powertrain= reliable, luxurys(audio is funky too)=not. It WILL get u from place-to-place, but w/ @ a high price(not $). Dont recommend. (shifts are jerky but u get used to it, easy to maneuver, no cargo room w/ seats up, stick with 1.5-3k rpm for best perfor/effici
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NOT Getting My Moneys Worth Anymore - 2004 Ford Explorer
By wnyfordguy - January 14 - 1:07 pmSince my 1st review 1 yr and 8 mos ago, it has cost over $4500 to maintain this SUV. Dont get me wrong - its still very functional & great to drive. Its never left me stranded. But only 15k miles more (67k) of soft driving turned it into a money pit. Best ($$$) Goodyear Fortera TripleTred tires only lasted 29k, lots of brake work, rear bearings (fronts went at 50k), and last & certainly not least, just got a rebuilt tranny. Ive owned 12 Fords since 1984, not one a lemon, but this comes the closest. Dont buy one of the 02-06 models unless you have $$$ to spend on repairs.
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Ford vehicle - 2004 Ford Explorer
By Kathy - November 26 - 2:00 amI purchased this vehicle w/40,000 mil. on it. Had to return to dealer within 1 month with transmission problems. The transmission has had problems ever since. All the dash lights keep coming on from abs, airbag, 4wd to engine light. Rear end problems as well as bearings. I loved my first explorer which was a 95 and I never replaced a thing, drove it to 200,000 mil and it still ran. This vehicle is a lemon, I hate it. Cant wait to replace it. Side mirrors dont work, back up alarm doesnt work, tranny slips, noisy and has been to the garage 2 times for quitting and not re-starting. I know many people with the same problems as mine. I feel the ford quality has really slipped!
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Great Vehicle to own - 2004 Ford Explorer
By R. Ferguson - November 3 - 2:00 amFun to drive on road. handles like a sport car, and would not change a thing on it.
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Takes a lickin - BUT doesnt keep tickin - 2004 Ford Explorer
By Artanis68 - October 10 - 2:00 amWe bought this car new and noticed around 80,000 miles things started to go wrong shortly thereafter. 2003 & 2004s are notorious for the ball joints going bad fast. We spent $700 on the front end and then around 109K the back differential going bad. Many Ford forums will tell you that after 80K miles your going to have a lot of expenses as things will begin to go bad in these cars FAST. I personally experienced this as ours started to go downhill very quickly. Traded it in for a Toyota 4Runner - a car that will go well past 100K miles and keep on tickin.
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Good overall SUV - 2004 Ford Explorer
By Gearz - September 18 - 2:00 amIve had my Explorer for about half a year now and am impressed. It has 122,000 miles on it, the engine doesnt leak, no wear on seats/plastic pieces, and still goes straight down the road. Like with any vehicle if it is taken care of from new, you will not have many problems. Mine is like new after 122,000 miles!
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Transmissions & Rear Differentials - 2004 Ford Explorer
By Rusty - August 18 - 2:43 pmI purchased my 2004 Explorer Limited V8 new and have had it back at the dealer more often for repairs than any vehicle I have ever owned. It needed a new rear differential at 32,000 miles, a new transmission at 58,000 miles, and now another new rear differential at 68,000 miles. 68k miles in 7 years isnt exactly hard driving and I havent ever towed anything. Ford covered the first rear rebuild but the other repair payments came from my ever shrinking wallet. The dealers service guys are like "oh, yea, those things break all the time". Well, they shouldnt. When will Ford honor its commitment to its customers - "At Ford Quality is Job 1" was their slogan, wasnt it?
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Body build needs quality control - 2004 Ford Explorer
By commentator - July 7 - 4:44 pmThe upper part of the tailgate cracked by itself. It cost $350 to get it replaced. The service guy said this happened quite often. Hope Ford will improve body build quality. Please dont change the exterior look. Everybody loves the outside look, but each complains about the gas mileage and minor body problems. Id like to buy a new Explorer but am waiting for good news about the body build quality and better gas mileage. Is Ford considering a hybrid version?
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used better - 2004 Ford Explorer
By rey - March 1 - 4:54 pmBy now some of the interior plasic parts are giving out like sun visors or driver seat parts, important stuff. Drive train noises like either bearings or rear end oil. After all it does have 165,000 miles and these things are expected, however ive had Nissan and Toyota whan I was thinner and small vehicles dont work but they lasted forever, its just good for BASIC transportation. Rough ride and cheap.
