2004 Ford Explorer Sport: problems, recalls and reliability

“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer sport. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, she lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the side of a church. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was the only person injured during the crash. The vehicle was towed away, but the failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were 2,000. ...updated 09/12/12 *bf updated 09/19/2012 *js”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2012

“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer sport. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when she noticed that the hinge on the rear liftgate was not properly holding onto the glass. As a result, the glass was sliding down into the lift gate panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2012

“We were driving down the street and the hatchback/liftgate fell off the hinges. I have not been able to drive this car in over two years due to the fact that I cannot afford to pay for a manufacturer's defect. I have filed numerous complaints on this vehicle over the years. It has been sitting in the garage. I know that you investigated in 2008 rq08003. I hope we get some assistance. My previous complaint file numbers are 05687908: lists the engine blowing up, mirror falling off, cruise control shutting off, etc. But I have received no assistance from NHTSA. I have spent over $3,000.00 on this car for manufacturing defects. (documented). *tr”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2010

“The rear lift glass hinges on our 2004 ford explorer broke during use of the lift glass. The pin broke right through the hinge. We were not driving it at the time thankfully, and also caught the glass before it had a chance to hit the ground.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2010

“I own a 2004 ford explorer sport. The glass hatch has become increasingly hard to close in the last couple of months, because of this at times the hatch is not completely latched and will pop open unexpectedly. This past saturday, 05/02/09, the glass hatch hinge completely broke off when I went to close it. My frustration is that I am willing to pay for problems through normal wear and tear and of course through my own error, but this is manufacturing defect. *tr”Owner report · Structure · May 2009

“Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer sport. She stated that the tailgate above the glass cracked. The manufacturer confirmed that there was no recall for her VIN. The vehicle will not be repaired since the contact doesn't have a warranty. The failure and current mileage was 35,133.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2008

“Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer sport. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a crack near the emblem in the center of rear liftgate. The vehicle was taken to a body shop and repaired. The contact also stated that the driver and front passenger seat belts did not retract at times. She had to repeatedly pull the seat belts so that they would retract. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000 and the current mileage was approximately 70,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 2008