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 61 through 70 of 359.00

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  No Complaints - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By Moorebuilder - April 16 - 7:59 am

  Bought this Explorer in 05 for the third row seats and 4-wheel drive in Michigan. The v-8 is an exceptionally smooth powerplant that has not given us any trouble. The traction control system is nice for the icy roads, and I feel very good that my wife and kids use this vehicle as their daily driver with all of the airbags, the 4wd, traction control and overall heft of the vehicle. We also tow a 22 boat with it and it makes an excellent tow vehicle. (The towing package spoils us) Overall, I havent had to take it to the shop yet and I do standard maintenance on it myself.

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  Great value ! - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By MIKE E. - March 14 - 7:56 am

  Bought in jan.2008.The only issue was a recall on transmission clunking in reverse...dealer fixed over a year ago for free, no problems since.For the price you get a lot of features and room to haul a lot of stuff on vacation, or a trip to the home improvement center.Excellent in snow even with the cheap tires I have on it right now... a lot of other vehicles were getting stuck this winter while I drove right around them no problem!Not as good as Toyota/Honda but I hear that the new Edge and Flex are now on par with them.Great overall truck for thousands less than the competitors...just do the maintenance and you should have no problems.

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  John - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By John R. - March 8 - 9:56 am

  This car is the worst car I have ever owned. There is over 10,000 dollars of repairs sence I purchased this car. The transfer case went bad twice. The Shift differencial twice. Front and upper ball joints. The break system had to be completely replaced. Roters worp. The rear end had to be rebuilt after 30000 miles. The transmission slips. The rear window and locking system had to be replaced. The rear trunk plastic cracked.The leather seats cracked after 4000 miles. It rides rough. I only get 11 miles to a gallon, 12 on a trip. The speekers crack. Ford Motor company, you ought to be ashamed of your self for putting a product out like this. If it wasnt for the extended warranty I would be in big trouble.

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  What a Riot! - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By rangeroo - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Exceptional power,great transmission, 5sp. Automatic, (so far)Great Handling.Pulls middle sized enclosed trailer (7x12)very efficiently. Have owned MANY sport utes (FourRunner,Pathfinder,Tahoe,Expedition, Blazer,etc. and this New Explorer is definitely rated at the top of the list. This is a radically different vehicle compared to the old Explorer.Of course we all hope the New Explorer stands the test of time...

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  ford - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By TonyD - February 27 - 2:00 am

  The ride is fanatastic. Prior SUV was a Jeep Grand Cherokee, it rode like a truck with bricks for shock absorbers.

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  Best Explorer I ever had - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By Doug - February 23 - 9:02 am

  This is my 4th Explorer that I have had since 1995. It is the best one yet, not that the others were problems. I bought it with 10000 miles on it and it now has 141000 miles and is going strong. I try to change the oil every 4000 miles and take care of it. My brakes lasted 75000 miles and the tires were changed at 90000 miles. At 131000 miles I got a tune up and changed the transmission fluid. A wheel bearing went out at 135000 miles. Other than that everything else in the car is the same as when I bought it. This SUV seems like it will run forever. I keep thinking of getting another 2004 with less miles, but this Explorer has been so good, I dont think I will. 21mpg on the highway

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  Key doesnt start this vehicle. - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By rickyb - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Gas mileage is poor. Turning is unsteady as front wheels thump when sharp turning is necessary. I have had to have this vehicle towed to the dealer because the key lost its program. The key needed to be reprogrammed. The tow truck driver had towed other 2004 Explorers with the same problem in my area. Otherwise it is very much functional for my needs.

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  Explorer 2004 v8 - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By Mkirby - February 22 - 10:00 am

  nicely put together and incredibly safe

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  Defective Rear Differential Design - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By Joetta Campbell - February 15 - 3:31 pm

  Ive had the rear differential/pinion gears replaced 3 times, but the loud whine from the grinding rear-end gears continues to return after a few thousand miles. I was finally told that this is normal, and wouldnt pose a problem, but the grinding noise has now gotten too loud to drown out with the radio. My research into this problem has led me to discover its a very common problem due to Fords design flaw (the soft aluminum housing expands at a different rate than metal gear assembly). Ive also learned the rear end will eventually seize just pray its not on the expressway with your children on board. After 1yr/12000 miles, youre stuck paying >1.5K for another temporary fix. Too bad enforcement of consumer protection was gutted in 2001, as the well-known rear-end design problem of these vehicles has gone unchecked. Ford should be forced to recall these vehicles, since it is a safety issue when the rear-end seizes up eventually.

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  Another great Ford product - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By Don - January 31 - 12:50 pm

  I have owned this vehicle for over 5 years now and have had no major problems. It is serviced by my dealer every 5000 miles and washed and cleaned regularly as it should be. I have had no paint(black) or fading problems, in fact my dealer just detailed it and it looked like it did when it was purchased 5 years ago. I did have the plastic panel on the rear tailgate freeze up and crack at 52800 miles, but Ford and my dealer took care of the problem since it is a Ford design flaw.The vehicle is fun to drive and is usually the vehicle that is taken on longer trips and up until recently, we owned a full size Mercury, but this vehicle is much more fun to drive. My wife has no objection to driving.