2004 Ford Explorer Consumer Reviews
Fuel Economy
15 - 16 mpg
Recent Consumer Reviews
(328 Total Reviews)
Horrible, Horrible, Horrible...
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 5 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
Save yourself money and do not buy this. I have spent $9K in trying to keep my truck running. This is my second explorer. The first I shelled out $4K on a new engine. This one, I spent $9K rewiring it, replacing the transmission, etc. I am devastated but will never, ever buy a ford again.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
Lemon
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 4 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 4 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 4 | Reliability: | 3 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Explorer XLS Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
I purchased this vehicle as a work vehicle. It had minor problems until I hit 35,000 miles. It took Ford 3 tries to get a working rear end which lasted only another 30,000 miles. A number of idiot lights went bad, and now paint is peeling off the roof and the rear end is again making noise. This was my first and last Big 3 auto purchase.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
Ford needs to step up to the plate for problems with these vehicles. 36K warranty is not acceptable for the problems this vehicle has.
4 out 4 people found this review helpful
Paint flys off in sheets off of roof
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 2 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Explorer XLS Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
Our experience with Ford and this Ford Explorer has made us decide not to purchase any more Ford vehicles. This vehicle has had problems with warning lights showing up when there is no problem (started happening the very first month!), after 4 years the paint on the roof peeled off in sheets down to the bare metal and then rusted. Ford would have nothing to do with it (talked to Customer Service, the Ford body shop and dealership in SC). They wanted just under $1000 to repaint it even though it is obviously a flaw in the manufacturing and I have seen other reports on the internet. Also, now after 4.5 years, the gear shift indicator showing if you are in Park, Reverse, Drive doesn't work.
Favorite Features
Size.
Suggested Improvements
Customer Service. Standing by the quality of their manufacturing. Gas Mileage (currently only get 14).
2 out 2 people found this review helpful
interior is great, mechanically its junk
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 4 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Explorer XLT Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
needed 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
Favorite Features
interior. seating is comfortable
Suggested Improvements
Transmission, CD player, rear seat latches, rear lift gate, frnt brakes
4 out 4 people found this review helpful
Rear End
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 3 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 6 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
Ford needs to step to the plate and repair manufactures defective differientials. I do not beleive that in this day and age this part of the drive train should ever wear out esspecially when the humming atarted at about 50,000 miles. I also beleive that Ford knows of the problem and was aware that the rear ends where flawed at assembly and installed them anyway. A goodwill recall is the right thing to do. I will drive it till it dies and buy elsewhere if Ford does not mend my rear end. :-)
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Rear Differential Failure - regret it!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 3 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 3 |
| Fuel Economy: | 2 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
This car has always run rough - particularly the engine. Transmission had to be replaced when the car was less than a year old. The engine always had a loud whine on the highway and I had intermittent problems with the ABS light coming on and the 4x4 high light flashing. Turns out, this is all related and the entire rear differential needs to be replaced! A google search reveals that I am not alone. However, I am alone when it comes to paying the bill to fix this problem, apparently. I'd never buy this car again. Right now at 79,900 miles, but the whine has been going on for years. I just thought it was a loud truck.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
Fix the rear differential problem. Make the drivers seat more comfortable.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
2004 Ford Explorer Orig. Sticker Price?
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 XLT 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
I just purchased a pre-owned 2004 Ford Explorer XLT, 4x4, sunroof, V-8, 3rd seat, DVD, CD, running boards, keyless entry, all options, last owner had memo title in glove box stating purchase price of $46,029.17? Could this be correct? This no where near came up to this on any sites I looked at? Anybody validate this original price for me on an 2004 Explorer?
Favorite Features
Sunroof and V-8 engine
Suggested Improvements
Nothing to say at this point
0 out 1 people found this review helpful
Performance SUV for the family
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Explorer Limited 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
Bought used with 38K two years ago. 53K now. Love the sound of the V8. Strong acceleration. Surprised by how well it handles. Pretty nimble for its size. Lots of convenient features. My kids love the DVD entertainment system. Rear parking sensor is nice but just went. Need to repair.
Favorite Features
Looks. V8 power. Handling. Very comfortable ride. Curtain air bags. Chrome wheels look great, especially at night. 3rd row seat.
Suggested Improvements
Better paint quality. Transmission could be smoother at low speeds.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Still Getting My Money's Worth
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
My Dad recommended it because of the rebates/incentives/Z-plan discount. I was sold on the 3rd-row seat and very smooth ride. 52k miles later, I haven't been disappointed - it's been great for hauling kids/equipment to sports events, camping trips, and my short commute to work on our rough winter roads. Its interesting to read the other reviews - how can you complain about fuel economy (I get 15-16 MPG) when you run a heavy SUV with a relatively powerful 4.0 V6? I have no qualms about the tranny (though it whines in extreme cold at certain RPMs), even if it 'clunks' into reverse occasionally. I agree that the rear hatch trim is lousy. For what I paid, its been a pretty good value.
Favorite Features
See above, plus: great exterior styling, awesome CD/cassette sound system, super-bright high-beams, extremely comfortable/roomy interior, temperature/compass display.
Suggested Improvements
I wish this had a 5-spd manual transmission like the 97 XLT I previously owned. This SUV does eat brakes - fronts completely replaced at 26.5k & 50.5k. I think the quality of the 'genuine' FoMoCo parts is getting poorer; things like glass hatch hinges, trim, and front wheel bearings are lousy.
4 out 4 people found this review helpful
No Complaints
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
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 haven't had to take it to the shop yet and I do standard maintenance on it myself.
Favorite Features
Heated Seats, 3rd row seating, wonderful V-8, comfortable to drive. Love the tow package.
Suggested Improvements
Access to the seat heat buttons is a bit cumbersome (dashboard or console, please) Woeful gas mileage. Would love a flex fuel. The wheels are spalling near the hubs. (Aluminum would be better).
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