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 1 through 10 of 359.00-
Ford exploder - 2004 Ford Explorer
By Glenn.t - September 9 - 9:57 amA quick review of my 2004 Ford Explorer . Purchased used in 2011 . Comfortable ride . Once it hit 120,000 thats were things started to go down hill. Ball joints , power steering pump. Wheel bearings. Head lights . Turn signals. And most recently , a transmission. Dropped around 7 grand total in repairs to keep on road , the last 18 months. Gas mileage is down right crappy . My advise would be not to buy one of these ford exploder.......
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Loved it at first, but disappointed with the poor quality - 2004 Ford Explorer
By arizonapants - May 10 - 11:29 pmWhen I first got this vehicle, I really liked it. After 8 years and 85,000 miles, I am ready to move on. Too many small problems like the visors that keep breaking, the cracked plastic on the back hatch, and a couple expensive repairs that should not have been necessary. I take good care of my vehicles and do all the maintenance. Its just some poor build quality starting to show through. Almost every 2004 Explorer has had these same problems and Ford will not acknowledge them nor address them. Its too bad because other than these annoyances it really is a nice vehicle.
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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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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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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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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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Mixed Feelings - 2004 Ford Explorer
By tagco - December 29 - 2:00 amWhile I have not had any mechanical trouble with my Limited 2wd, I have numerous problems with fit and workmanship. The combination of DVD and Sunroof does not seem to be a winning combo. There does not seem to be enough support for the DVD system, as a result there are numerous creaks, groans and rattles right above my head. The hatch and hatch windows plastic panels are also loose and I have shored these up with foam pieces jammed around the panels. The ride is much rougher than I anticipated. Overall looks and features are great, however I am extremely disappointed in the ride and workmanship of the interior.
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CRAP - 2004 Ford Explorer
By Mad - October 19 - 2:59 pmWeek #1 I had to return vehicle to dealer because the tranny slipped. Over the course of 4 years (till the warranty expired) it was back 8 times due to tranny probs. It was not until I got the States Attorneys office involved did Ford repair it. Since then Ive had to have a rear differential/axle seal replaced, the left rear wheel bearing is shot and now I cannot drive it because the harmonic balancer imploded! Ford say that they cannot sell a replacement because there is a National shortage....approx 5,000 suvs need the part and non are avail (manufacter went belly up). I found one in a junk yard! Oh yea, the cruise control was a recalled and replaced. Still doesnt operate.
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Ford Explorer Trouble? - 2004 Ford Explorer
By JoeLyn - September 18 - 2:08 pmThis is the second Ford Explorer that we have owned. Im not sure that there will be a third. Our 2004 explorer has had the timing chains replaced, the paint is coming off in sheets from the top, the heater would not work until we had work completed on it, now we just replaced the valve lifters. Whats next???? We are heart sick. Does Ford not back their vehicles any better than that. My husband and I planned to wait until later to buy a new vehicle. It probably will not be a Ford. Too bad, I have always like the style of the Explorer.
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interior is great, mechanically its junk - 2004 Ford Explorer
By danny - July 17 - 11:46 pmneeded a SUV for the family loved it for the 1st 3 years,then the transmission, the rear lift gate, the CD player, the brakes, the back seat all went to hell. Ford wont recall and repairs are to expensive. Have always been a Ford guy, no more, going with toyota or Nissan, maybe a GMC. Would not recommend this vehicle to anyone, the transmission is not reliable at all. Although the interior is comfortable and easy to use, mechanically its not worth it
