| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2004 Ford Explorer repairs by problem area
Engine (23%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (23%)
Brakes and Traction Control (5%)
Suspension and Steering (22%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (23%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (0%)
Other (2%)
Chart based on 132 repairs.
2004 Ford Explorer repair cost distribution
$2500+ (4%)
$1000 - $2499 (11%)
$500 - $999 (14%)
$100 - $499 (34%)
< $100 (37%)
Chart based on 113 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2004 Ford Explorer
Engine not specified
| Ford Explorer in Indiana, United States Oct 2013 - Oct 2014 | |||
| Aug 201482900 miUS $900 | The front wheel bearings were replaced, but the vibration persists. The technician was unable to successfully find the problem. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Alabama, United States Dec 2010 - Jul 2013 | |||
| Dec 201189000 mi | The right rear main axle seal on the Ford explorer xls is leaking oil. Not yet fixed. | ||
| Jul 201292000 miUS $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 | ||
| Ford Explorer in Michigan, United States Dec 2013 - Dec 2014 | |||
| Dec 2014192000 mi | Loud rhythmic whirring sound coming from the rear end of the truck. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Nebraska, United States Dec 2013 - Jan 2015 | |||
| Dec 2014147000 miUS $1500 | These 5R55S transmissions are junk. It keeps grinding lots of shavings into the pan and the o/d comes on flashing on & off. Then it doesn't want to stay in o/d. It's a sealed trans w/ no dipstick. Wish I could find a rplcmnt unit that came w a dipstick. | ||
| Jan 2015147000 miUS $800 | 5R55S sealed-up transmissions are a bunch of junk! | ||
| Ford Explorer in Ontario, Canada May 2009 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Jun 200964480 miC $230 | Air conditioning was recharged. | ||
2004 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV
239-horsepower 4.6L V8 5-speed automatic RWD
| Ford Explorer in Virginia, United States - Dec 2007 | |||
| Dec 200730000 mi | I had a problem with the limited slip differential package. The vehicle was still under warranty so it cost me nothing. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Indiana, United States Mar 2014 - Mar 2014 | |||
| Mar 2014106000 miUS $30 | EGR value was bad and had to be replaced | ||
| Ford Explorer in South Carolina, United States Jun 2016 - May 2018 | |||
| Aug 2016112000 miUS $300 | Leak in cooling system | ||
| Oct 2016115300 miUS $450 | Replaced both rear wheel bearings | ||
| Apr 2017120000 miUS $500 | Diverter flaps broken. Removed broken diverters and replaced then. | ||
| Ford Explorer in South Carolina, United States Apr 2014 - Apr 2014 | |||
| Apr 2014219000 miUS $40000 | The transmission went out. The car will not shift in reverse or go out of first gear. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Jalisco, Mexico Oct 2015 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Jan 201748560 mi | Replaced driveshaft and U-joint. Someone had tried to make an inexpensive repair in the past by installing a stainless steel clamp with built in screw for tightening around the u-joint boot. | ||
| Jul 201749600 mi | Drive shaft vibration at 100 k/h (60 MPH)---though not as bad as before replacement. Apparently this is a problem with this model Ford. Live with it and trade for another vehicle. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Arizona, United States Mar 2014 - Jan 2015 | |||
| Jan 2015118000 miUS $2200 | Oil filter adapter gasket leaking. Manifold hose leak, and actuator door broken. | ||
2004 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV
239-horsepower 4.6L V8 5-speed automatic AWD
| Ford Explorer in Michigan, United States Nov 2008 - Jun 2016 | |||
| Jan 200814000 mi | ABS sensor | ||
| Aug 2014109300 miUS $800 | Defroster vent | ||
2004 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV
239-horsepower 4.6L V8 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range
| Ford Explorer in Missouri, United States Jan 2013 - Mar 2018 | |||
| Jun 2013184000 miUS $40 | Recharge | ||
| Dec 2014184000 miUS $1500 | Changed CV joint Repaired transmission | ||
| Apr 2015184200 miUS $600 | Charged ac There was also a new front end tie rod and ball joint installed. | ||
| Apr 2016189300 miUS $175 | New oil filter housing | ||
| Apr 2017198000 miUS $50 | Replaced blend door actuator | ||
| May 2017198000 miUS $60 | Replace blend actuator | ||
| Ford Explorer in California, United States Sep 2012 - Mar 2014 | |||
| Aug 201294600 miUS $3040 | A belt in the transmission broke, which required a complete rebuild. | ||
| Mar 2014105000 miUS $1600 | Starter failed, and the flywheel had to be replaced as well. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Ontario, Canada - May 2009 | |||
| May 200988040 miC $718 | Short in wire harness leading to fuel pump. Harness cost $28 CDN. Remaining cost, diagnoses and labour. | ||
| Ford Explorer in North Carolina, United States Apr 2011 - Jun 2018 | |||
| May 201135000 mi | Pump seal on the transmission replaced under dealer warranty. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Pennsylvania, United States Jun 2017 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Oct 2017149000 miUS $90 | Replaced left rear CV Axle | ||
| Jan 2018161 miUS $35 | Replaced two failed idler pullies | ||
| Jun 2018176000 miUS $10 | Oil filter housing gasket | ||
| Ford Explorer in Wisconsin, United States May 2016 - Jun 2021 | |||
| Jun 2018124000 miUS $185 | Replace 2 fan belt idler pulleys | ||
| Ford Explorer in Michigan, United States Sep 2008 - Jun 2015 | |||
| Mar 201493000 miUS $500 | Front sway bar links Cat back exhaust | ||
2004 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV
210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD
| Ford Explorer in Georgia, United States Jan 2013 - Oct 2014 | |||
| Aug 201377300 miUS $100 | Alternator died. Replaced. | ||
| Oct 201378200 miUS $270 | Dirty Solenoids Remove clutch pieces from resevoir Replace Fluid | ||
| Feb 201485100 miUS $150 | Thermostat housing cracked. Replace housing. | ||
| May 201488000 mi | Battery died | ||
| Oct 201493000 miUS $20 | Fuel Pump Relay had to be replaced. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Oklahoma, United States May 2014 - Sep 2015 | |||
| Dec 2014151000 miUS $287 | Front drivers side wheel bearing went out. Seems to be a common failure. Also discovered the ball joints are bad. Will get them replaced next month. | ||
| Feb 2015153600 miUS $458 | Passenger side wheel bearing | ||
| Aug 2015161100 miUS $100 | Alternator went bad | ||
| Sep 2015164000 miUS $160 | Overheating. Replaced water pump and thermostat. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Alabama, United States Dec 2010 - Jan 2011 | |||
| Jan 2011104000 miUS $400 | replaced right rear wheel bearing | ||
| Ford Explorer in Florida, United States Aug 2010 - Sep 2016 | |||
| Sep 201170000 miUS $200 | THERMOSTAT HOUSING LEAKED | ||
| Feb 201376300 mi | radio volume broke | ||
| Jul 201482000 miUS $230 | tie ends for sway bars | ||
| Oct 201482200 miUS $750 | upper and lower ball joints | ||
| Ford Explorer in Wisconsin, United States Aug 2010 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Sep 201095000 miUS $5300 | The car was shaking at idle. | ||
2004 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV
210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic AWD
| Ford Explorer in Iowa, United States Oct 2008 - Jun 2014 | |||
| May 2011108000 mi | All 4 wheel bearings were replaced along with back brake pads | ||
| Ford Explorer in Washington, United States Nov 2010 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Jun 201164000 mi | 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 Connecticut, United States Jun 2009 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Apr 200971000 miUS $800 | Replaced rear axle (limited slip) for the second time under warranty. ALso replaced radio subwoofer, and front wheel bearing. | ||
| Jul 200980000 miUS $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 2010106300 miUS $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 2010108000 miUS $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. 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. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Maryland, United States Sep 2013 - Mar 2014 | |||
| Nov 2013127000 miUS $1200 | Replaced the The ball joints. | ||
| Feb 2014128000 miUS $400 | The backup warning system was not working. wiring and speaker replaced. | ||
| Ford Explorer in West Virginia, United States Dec 2009 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Jan 201061400 miUS $200 | replaced intake manifold twice under warranty with $100 per visit | ||
2004 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV
210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range
| Ford Explorer in Ecuador Jan 2014 - Jul 2015 | |||
| Aug 201480600 miUS $324 | Fuel sensor wasn't working, it had to be changed. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Massachusetts, United States Dec 2015 - Jul 2020 | |||
| May 2017136000 miUS $79 | replaced blower motor | ||
| Feb 2018144000 miUS $80 | Drivers side front window motor Replaced window regulator and motor assembly | ||
| Ford Explorer in North Carolina, United States Jan 2016 - Feb 2016 | |||
| Feb 2016133000 miUS $200 | Had to replace starter | ||
| Ford Explorer in Virginia, United States Dec 2015 - Jan 2017 | |||
| Jan 2017195000 miUS $1500 | Computer died and needed to be replaced. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Quebec, Canada Jun 2013 - Jun 2014 | |||
| Jun 2014172980 miC $100 | Leake from the rear axel oil seal i have change the oil seal | ||
| Ford Explorer in Wisconsin, United States Nov 2010 - Jul 2019 | |||
| Sep 201197000 miUS $178 | Bad bearings Heater Blend motor broken, had to disassemble dash to access it | ||
| Apr 2013119700 miUS $105 | Front axle seal and rear bearing rear hatch hinges replaced | ||
| Apr 2014136300 miUS $600 | bearing with sensor built in replaced | ||
| May 2015156000 miUS $1050 | Differential carrier bearing failed. Replaced all bearings and seals in differential | ||
| Oct 2015158800 miUS $68 | Thermostat housing was leaking and ultimately was replaced | ||
| Oct 2017187000 mi | Spring came loose in parking brake, causing squeak in brakes, removed it | ||
| Dec 2017191000 miUS $7 | Tail light burnt out. just two screws, maybe five minutes. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Maryland, United States Jan 2010 - May 2011 | |||
| Oct 2010138000 miUS $1500 | Replace upper and lower ball joints. During same visit I had brakes replaced, all 4 and an alignment. Front left bearing replaced. The rear wheel bearings are making noise but not recommended to replace them until they get worse. 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 2010138000 miUS $845 | Replaced alternator and emergency brake shoes. | ||
| Feb 2011138000 miUS $2300 | Replace rear differential | ||
| Ford Explorer in California, United States Jun 2013 - Sep 2014 | |||
| Sep 2014140000 miUS $180 | Radiator leaked and had to replace. | ||
| Ford Explorer in Kentucky, United States Sep 2009 - May 2018 | |||
| May 201080000 miUS $180 | Front Pinion Seal Replaced (Leaking). Also had Rear differential oil replaced (Maintenance) | ||
| Oct 201085500 miUS $700 | Rear wheel bearings howling - New bearings installed, TSB. Rear Differential Seals Leaking - New Seals installed, TSB. | ||
| Jun 201192000 miUS $20 | "creaking" sound when going over speed bumps. Replaced front sway bar bushings with aftermarket ones that could be lubricated via grease gun | ||
| Jul 2012107000 miUS $250 | Rt wheel bearing found loose during brake pad replacement Found upper ball joint boot cracked on RT side. Replaced Ball Joint | ||
| Jan 201391700 miUS $150 | Car would not turn over when attempting to start | ||
| Jun 2013114000 miUS $60 | Rough idle and hesitation. Replaced ignition wires | ||
| Oct 2013115000 miUS $50 | Replaced left upper ball joint | ||
| Dec 2013120000 miUS $115 | Replaced serpentine belt, idler pulley and belt tensioner. | ||
| Feb 2014122900 miUS $250 | Left front wheel bearing making noise. Replaced wheel bearing assembly. Left upper ball joint boot split. Replaced left upper control arm (with ball joint) Clicking noise from underneath dash when temp control moved out of Cold position. Replaced blend door actuator | ||
| Jul 2014131200 mi | Noise coming from left front brake when backing up and applying the brakes. Found caliper mounting bolts loose. | ||
| Aug 2014133000 miUS $50 | Power steering pump leaking. Replaced Power steering pump with aftermarket refurbished unit. | ||
| Oct 2014135800 miUS $200 | Replaced upper control arm and lower ball joint and had four wheel alignment | ||
| Aug 2015151400 miUS $200 | RT front brake caliper siezed. Replaced both calipers, disks and pads | ||
| Sep 2016174000 miUS $200 | Battery light and ABS light on. Alternator died and drained battery. Based on age of battery (4 Yrs) elected to replace battery as well as replaced alternator | ||
| Aug 2017192000 miUS $350 | Exhaust resonator had a hole making noises when engine was run. Due to vehicle age complete exhaust system replaced aft of catalytic converter | ||
| Nov 2017196000 miUS $200 | Check engine light with P2106 and P2135. Reset and issue came back with stalling and other codes related to Throttle Body Actuator and Throttle position sensor. Replaced Throttle Body with aftermarket part. P2106 and P2135 codes came back. Replaced Throttle Position Sensor with Motorcraft part. Issue resolved. | ||
| Dec 2017196000 miUS $35 | Headlight burned out. Replaced both bulbs with Silverstar Ultra Halogen bulbs (9006) | ||
| May 2018200000 miUS $95 | P0401 code. EGR insufficient flow. Replaced EGR valve | ||
| Ford Explorer in Pennsylvania, United States Mar 2011 - Sep 2016 | |||
| Oct 201358300 miUS $200 | abs warning light on abs sensor bad.... | ||
| Sep 201465000 miUS $15 | A/C recharge previously taken to another garage who did not repair it. replace blend door replaced plugs replaced upper radiator hose...it was swelled in two places. | ||
| Jan 201561500 miUS $25 | Front differential seal leaking. Added grease will replace when warmer In line Heater valve not opening fully. Some heat but not much. Replace heater valve, flush out heater core, top off anti freeze. | ||
| Sep 201683000 mi | Air conditioner required repair. Total around $1,500 for this and brakes. | ||
| Ford Explorer in New York, United States Jan 2014 - Feb 2015 | |||
| Mar 2014109000 miUS $20 | front pinion seal was found leaking, removed and replaced seal and refilled with oil | ||
| Aug 2014121000 miUS $100 | freeplay in right rear trailing arm removed and replaced | ||
| Ford Explorer in North Carolina, United States Mar 2013 - Jun 2014 | |||
| Apr 201386500 mi | Emission system was causing rough transmission shifting. system cleaned and trouble went away. | ||
| Ford Explorer in New York, United States Jul 2012 - Sep 2012 | |||
| Aug 201280000 miUS $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 201280000 mi | Shudder / chatter from rear. Needed a new exhaust system (or at least some new pipes/clamps). | ||
| Ford Explorer in Indiana, United States Dec 2008 - Dec 2010 | |||
| Oct 2010131000 miUS $1000 | Gear (or sprocket?) at the head of the drive shaft was severely damaged requiring immediate replacement. | ||
| Ford Explorer in North Carolina, United States May 2012 - Apr 2018 | |||
| Jun 201480000 miUS $100 | Oxygen sensor at the back of the catalytic converter had to be replaced | ||
| Oct 201483700 miUS $514 | Replaced alternator and battery | ||
| Jun 201589000 miUS $900 | Worn rear wheel bearings have been causing roaring noise for about 1 year. Shop assured me there was no rush to get this done. Decided it was time to fix. New wheel bearings and one new axle because heat generated seized hub to axle. | ||
| Jan 201788700 miUS $290 | Replace serpentine belt and pulley tensioner kit | ||
| Jun 201798000 miUS $1300 | Replaced thermostat body to correct coolant leak Front Struts Replaced due to wear | ||
| Ford Explorer in Wisconsin, United States Jun 2011 - Jun 2012 | |||
| Nov 201198900 miUS $3200 | Transmission completely inoperable. Sway bar connecting links broken, repaired by owner | ||
2004 Ford Explorer 4-door
6-cylinder automatic 2WD
| Ford Explorer in Florida, United States Feb 2012 - Oct 2013 | |||
| Oct 201282000 miUS $870 | Brake repair, specifics not known. | ||
| Jul 201393700 miUS $1255 | Replace front wheel bearings and ball joints | ||
See TrueDelta's information for all SUVs
See TrueDelta's information for all Ford models.
