2004 Ford Explorer Consumer Reviews Page 4
Recent Consumer Reviews
(185 Total Reviews)
Exceptional Explorer
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Explorer XLS Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
Great vehicle, fun to drive on all roads and in all weather. Wonderful utility, best utility of any mfg in type class. Good service experience at dealer. Reasonable economy for this type vehicle given what is available on the market today. Has Class II hitch and tow package, handles trailers very well. Great brakes - lasted 50,000 miles before replacing pads on front, rears still on. Great overall vehicle and we checked all makes prior to buying this Ford product.
Favorite Features
Zippy 4.0 V-6, good computer control of transmission and torque converter, great suspension-not much to improve upon-great cornering ability, very stable, always sense the car is under you to stay
Suggested Improvements
There is more to be obtained from the existing motor and transmission by modifying the ecu computer settings. Should be done although not bad as it is now, just could be better and even more fun to drive. HVAC vents to driver and passenger foot wells badly out of balance, too much heat on passenger.
3 out 3 people found this review helpful
Don't buy an Explorer
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 4 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 3 | Reliability: | 5 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 5 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Explorer XLS 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
Our rotors warped four (4) times with in 10,000 miles. We had trouble out of the transmission, and various other parts and components. I'm pretty sure that we will never buy an Explorer again. We had nothing but a headache and terrible fuel economy (14 miles per gallon). We eventually had to go through the Dispute Resolution Program and won against Ford Motor Co. They had to buy the vehicle back.
Favorite Features
Getting rid of it!
Suggested Improvements
Bigger, better rotors and better interior materials. The seatbelts we cutting into the housing.
An Ok SUV
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
I think the dealer wanted to move this Eddie Bauer as it had the V8 & most of the options including captains chairs in rear seat & canopy air bags. Got a great deal as it was on the lot for 4 months. Engine is flawless but highway MPG is 18 unless you get off the highway for a few miles & then average drops to 13-14. Lots of problems with transmission shifting but all was fixed in a timely manner by Ford. Ford should get with it on the leather seats with the inserts & make them solid leather. Heated seats failed & wrong parts kept on being ordered by the dealer. Dealer prep was less than desirable as lots of buffing compound was left on. Paid $31,000 for a MSRP $39,500. Not bad overall.
Favorite Features
Styling, handling, message center, tires & brakes, AOK.
Suggested Improvements
Better fit & finish on interior. Better full leather seats.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Good SUV
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
It is fun to drive but Ford keeps lowering the tow rating on the Explorer and it is becoming a less usable tow unit for a home owner with a family of 4.
Favorite Features
Room for 7 with 3rd row is good, handling and ride is good. Very roomy on long trips.
Suggested Improvements
Increase the tow rating.
Rough transmission
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 3 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 4 |
| Comfort: | 4 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 3 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Explorer XLS 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
Upgraded from a 1999 Explorer to the 2004 version with 3rd row seating, 4 wheel drive, dvd player at a good price for our family car to handle snow storms. But having trouble with transmission. 3-4 repair attempts so far. Regular driving without towing. Rough gear changes with some lag and lurching. I think there was at least one recall item in transmission and on-going repair method protocol from Ford. Extended warranty may save me some money.
Favorite Features
Can handle slow driving conditions and snow safely. Tires are fine.
Suggested Improvements
Transmission repairs after a few years.
Ford Explorer
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
A practical but totally fun car to drive.
Favorite Features
Love the third seat and reverse warning!
Suggested Improvements
Do not buy
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 3 | Build Quality: | 3 |
| Comfort: | 3 | Interior Design: | 3 | Reliability: | 3 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 4 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
I bought this through my friend who works for Ford in Detroit by way of the friends and family plan. I will never buy another Ford ever. The seats are hard, uncomfortable, and flat. Ford goes nuts over everything being electronically controlled like the transmission. The transmission fluid cannot respond as fast as the electronics. There is noticeable gas pedal delay when you slow and try to accelerate and when passing. The original front brake pads cause the rotors to glaze and then the dealer tells you that the rotors are warped. Do not fall for this if you do not ride the brakes like crazy.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
Hire some engineers that have some common sense.
5 out 7 people found this review helpful
Explorer, not too shabby!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 6 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
I love the comfort of the XLT, I think they look sharp also. I am not impressed with the city mileage; 13.5 to 14 mpg. I have had it in twice for warranty tranny work so that scares me; sometimes it takes a second to engage when putting it in gear. Overall I would say I am pleased as long as the tranny holds up.
Favorite Features
Look and comfort.
Suggested Improvements
Get tranny issues worked out.
2 out 2 people found this review helpful
Great solid all around vehicle
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
This Explorer is fun to drive. I have not bought American in over 12 years. This vehicle is great!! I highly recommend it. Great value for the money.
Favorite Features
Spacious, Ease of controls and built in trailer receiver.
Suggested Improvements
Gas mileage ... SUV, what do you expect.
0 out 1 people found this review helpful
Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
I absolutely love this vehicle.
Favorite Features
Heated leather seats, and the DVD player with flip down TV.
Suggested Improvements
Put the button for the heated seats on the dash rather than on the side of the seats.
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2008 Ford Explorer
- 2007 Ford Explorer
- 2006 Ford Explorer
- 2005 Ford Explorer
- 2004 Ford Explorer
Research the 2004 Ford Explorer
Buying & Selling
Vehicle Details
Multimedia
Ratings & Reviews
- Model Review
- Road Test Ratings
- Road Test Reviews
- Consumer Reviews
- Awards History
- Reliability
- Consumer Discussions
Payment Calculators
Helpful Tools
