2004 Ford Explorer Review and Specs

Summary

What Edmunds.com says

A functional interior, ample passenger space, strong powertrain and a well-controlled ride all contribute to the 2004 Ford Explorer's well-deserved reputation as a practical midsize SUV with few faults.

Pros

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.

Cons

Dull cabin design with some low-grade materials, low resale value, confusing controls on highline models, lousy fuel economy.

What's New for 2004

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.

Consumer Ratings & Reviews

2004 xlt two wheel drive 4.0 v-6

Written by: BFR on 10/28/2009

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating


Performance:	8	Fun-to-Drive:	8	Build Quality:	8
Comfort:	6	Interior Design:	8	Reliability:	8
Fuel Economy:	8	Exterior Design:	8

Vehicle

2004 Ford Explorer XLT Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

bought used with 12000 miles on it in 2005. I now have 92000 10/28/09. I had one front wheel bearing go out. changed the hub assembley myself was not to hard but cost was $200.00.New tires at 86000 miles, and never rotated the tires once, and they wore even. Gas milage 15/16 city 21/22 highway.I run mobil 1 oil and change every 6000 miles.My wife drives it 80% of the time , and loves it. I coach baseball and have plenty of room to haul everything.No complaints

Favorite Features

dvd for the kids on trips.

Suggested Improvements

maybe a little more room side to side.

Report inappropriate post

What a waste!

Written by: Jennifer on 10/21/2009


Performance:	6	Fun-to-Drive:	3	Build Quality:	1
Comfort:	4	Interior Design:	6	Reliability:	1
Fuel Economy:	1	Exterior Design:	1

2004 Ford Explorer XLS 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)

Ok so I bought my explorer NEW Paid way to much and now 5 years later I am still paying for it both payments and over whelming repairs! I have gone thru 3 rear ends, 2 water pumps, 4 sets of tires because of there state of the art anti-slip crap eats tires right of the thing. Rear windsheild wiper caught on fire yes smoke and flames because it over heated called Ford they don't care! Needs another rear end, and now a cam! I have nothing nice to say about Ford anymore! My whole family owned Ford vehicals and the last one is out the door, whats even funnier is my father the Ford man just bought an 86 Dodge pickup runs better then any of the Fords he has ever owned! Explorer 108,000 miles on it

CD player is still working!

Needs a total over haul Ford needs to go back to its roots and start building cars the way they use to! To LAST!

CRAP

Written by: Mad on 10/19/2009


Performance:	2	Fun-to-Drive:	6	Build Quality:	4
Comfort:	7	Interior Design:	7	Reliability:	2
Fuel Economy:	5	Exterior Design:	7

Week #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 Attorney's office involved did Ford repair it. Since then I've 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 suv's 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 doesn't operate.

Interior and ride with 17" wheels.

Ford should recall the trannys, the differential (replace the 2 piece seals with the single piece seal) and recall the harmonic balancers (before the main bearings and seals explode!

Ford Explorer Trouble?

Written by: JoeLyn on 09/18/2009


Performance:	3	Fun-to-Drive:	7	Build Quality:	3
Comfort:	8	Interior Design:	8	Reliability:	3
Fuel Economy:	7	Exterior Design:	8

2004 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)

This is the second Ford Explorer that we have owned. I'm 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. What's 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.

I love the size and the color. It is very comfortable.

I suggest that Ford back their vehicles. They need to actually recall defects such as the heater problem and the paint problem. Obviously, we were not the only ones with this problem. I even called a Ford dealership and I was told, "You must own a white or silver explorer. That happens to them."

One year in, and still enjoying it.

Written by: JR on 08/22/2009


Performance:	6	Fun-to-Drive:	7	Build Quality:	8
Comfort:	8	Interior Design:	8	Reliability:	9
Fuel Economy:	6	Exterior Design:	9

I had a 1995 Explorer when I was in high school and it had been awhile since I'd had an SUV so when we had the great gas crisis of 2008 I thought I could get into another one cheaply. Since I was buying used, I didn't care what the resale value was and this Explorer was a deal I couldn't pass up. It's been trouble free and very handy.

Rear hatch - love having the extra-large glass hatch. Door design - never get my pant legs dirty entering/exiting the vehicle. Controls - everything is logically placed.

A cancel button for the cruise control!!!! Also, the transmission leaves a lot to be desired. It doesn't downshift or upshift when I'd like it to, making awkward shifts as well as uncomfortable clunks and revs. This engine would be much more responsive with a better transmission.

2004 Ford Explorer Consumer Ratings & Reviews