2004 Ford Explorer Steering Problems

Your engine stalls when you turn the steering wheel all the way to the left or right while making tight turns at normal speeds. A mechanic suspects a power steering pressure sensor or switch may be failing, which should signal the engine to increase idle speed when the power steering system is working harder. The sensor appears to be part of the power steering pump assembly, but Ford dealers have been unable to help locate or replace it on your older vehicle.

MY STEERING COLUMN BROKE RIGHT OFF! TRYING TO PUT IT IN DRIVE @99,735 MI. HAD TO TOW IT TO SHOP, AND REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. I SEE OTHER PEOPLE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS!!! I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION @ 103,000 MILES IT WOULD SKIP 3RD GEAR. SEEMS EVERYONE ELSE HAS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO BACK BEARINGS!! WHAT A DISGRACE. RECALL THIS DISGRACEFUL WORKMANSHIP! NO HONOR!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS, THERE WAS A LOSS OF TRACTION AND STEERING ABILITY. THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, ROLLED OVER AT LEAST FIVE TIMES, AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINED THE DRIVER; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE BRUISING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BODY, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. MILLER MOTOR SALES INC (1196 MILWAUKEE AVE, BURLINGTON, WI 53105, (888) 449-0974) WAS NOTIFIED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A YARD BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 204,000.

IN 2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH V8, THE CRUISE CONTROL TURNS OFF ENGINE WHEN TRAVELING 35~45 MPH AND GOING DOWN A HILL OR DECLINE. THIS AFFECTS POWER STEERING AND BRAKES MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS, SO I AM USED TO THIS DEFECT. MY WORKAROUND IS TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THEN CONTINUE.

ALL FOUR SEALS WHERE LEAKING INCLUDING PINION SEALS. CLUNKING NOISE 40 TO 50MPH WHEN YOU LET GO OF THE GAS ,HOLDS BACK,HEATER GAUGE+MPH GAUGE DON'T WORK MOST.OF THE TIME.PAINT CHIPPING AWAY ALL OVER.REPLACED ALL SEALS 5 TIMES +YOKE CVHALF SHAFT. REPLACED FRONT DIFFERENTIAL STILL MAKING THE NOISE.POOR LIGHTING AT NIGHT.IT HAS A MISS FIRE GAVE IT A TUNEUP AND STILL IS DOING IT. RADIO VOLUME WON'T TURN DOWN IT GOES LOUDER WHEN TURNING DOWN.

THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE AND NO WARNING LIGHT OF ANY KIND CAME ON. WE WENT TO GO START IT TODAY AND IT START UP FINE. WHEN WE TRIED TO PUT IT IN ALL THE GEARS AND PRESSING ON THE GAS IT DIDN'T DO A THING. I MEAN IT WON'T MOVE AT ALL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKING, WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS ONE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS TREATED FOR SECOND DEGREE BURNS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT APPEARED 2 DAYS PREVIOUS BUT DID NOT YET MAKE IT TO THE MECHANIC. COMPUTER READING SUGGESTED A SENSOR PROBLEM. ENGINE SHUT DOWN, LOST POWER STEERING AND ALL SYSTEMS. ENGINE RESTARTED BUT NOW IDLES ROUGH.

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 10:52 PM AND WITH NO WARNING THE ENTIRE TRUCK SHUT DOWN/OFF. ALL LIGHTS INSIDE AND OUT SHUT OFF, ENGINE SHUT OFF, NO POWER TO THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. COASTED TO A STOP, PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED THE KEY OFF AND THEN BACK ON - THE TRUCK STARTED RIGHT UP WITH OUT A PROBLEM. *TR

MY VEHICLE BURNED THROUGH ANOTHER ALTERNATOR, EVERYTHING ON THE VEHICLE IS 100% FACTORY SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THAT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 6 MONTHS, THE POWER STEERING HAS VANISHED. I CHECKED ALL THE BELTS MADE SURE EVERYTHING IS RUNNING PROPERLY AND IN THE CORRECT PLACE. THE POWER STEERING PUMP SEEMS TO BE PUMPING BUT NOT WORKING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE WORN OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

THIS IS A COUNTY GOVT VEHICLE PURCHASED USED FROM A DEALER ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. I HAD BEEN HIGHWAY DRIVING FOR ABOUT 3-4 HOURS AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 55-70 MPH. I MADE ONE BRIEF STOP DURING THAT TIME, AND WAS MOSTLY USING CRUISE CONTROL. JUST PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE SPEED LIMIT DROPS FROM 70 TO 55, AND THEN TO 35 IN A RELATIVELY SHORT DISTANCE. I USED THE CRUISE CONTROL COAST TO REDUCE MY SPEED FROM 55 TO 35. THE 35 MPH SPEED STARTS ON A BRIDGE- THERE IS A SMALL INCLINE AND THEN A LITTLE LARGER DECLINE. AT ABOUT THE BASE OF THE BRIDGE, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, I LOST STEERING AND COASTED TO A STOP. I DON'T RECALL IF I HAD BRAKING. I WAS WITH A PASSENGER; IT WAS NIGHT, AND THIS OCCURRED IN AN AREA THAT WAS NOT SAFE. I TRIED RESTARTING THE CAR, AND IT RESTARTED WITH NO PROBLEM. I DROVE TO A NEARBY GAS STATION. THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOW, SO I FILLED THAT, RESTARTED, AND DROVE THE REMAINING 1 1/2 HRS WITH NO PROBLEMS. OTHER EMPLOYEES CONTINUED TO DRIVE OVER THE NEXT 2 1/2 MONTHS LOCALLY-VERY LITTLE HIGHWAY DRIVING, WITH NO ISSUES. ON FEBRUARY 21, I WAS RETURNING FROM A TRIP IN THIS VEHICLE FROM THE SAME AREA, WITH THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES AS ABOVE. WHEN I WAS STILL ON THE BRIDGE WHERE THE SPEED DROPS TO 35, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AGAIN. THIS TIME I WAS ALONE. THERE WAS A VEHICLE FOLLOWING VERY CLOSE BEHIND ME BUT FORTUNATELY I CONTINUED TO COAST AS THIS WAS ON THE DECLINE OF THE BRIDGE. I WAS ABLE TO STEER SLIGHTLY TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE CHECK GAUGES; CHECK ENGINE, AND BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS WERE ALL ON. THE CAR RESTARTED WITH NO PROBLEMS. I DROVE TO THE SAME GAS STATION; CHECKED THE GAUGES-ALL WERE NORMAL AND NO WARNING LIGHTS. I DROVE THE 1 1/2 HRS REMAINING WITH NO PROBLEMS. ON A WEB SEARCH, I FOUND MULTIPLE CASES OF VERY SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON EXPLORERS WITH NO RESOLUTION. I COULD FIND NO RECALLS ON THE VIN. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY FATAL PROBLEM. *TR

THIS IS THE SECOND FORD EXPLORER I HAVE OWNED AND BOTH OF THEM HAD THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. YET FORD HAS NO RECALL OR EVEN ANYTHING TO FIX THEM EXCEPT $3,000.00 TO A DEALER OUT OF YOU POCKET FOR THEIR MISTAKE. I GUESS SINCE NO ONE HAS BEEN PROVEN TO HAVE GOTTEN INJURED OR DIED DUE TO THIS ISSUE, THEN THERE WON'T BE A RECALL MADE ON IT. THIS IS TOTALLY UNSATISFACTORY FOR THE FORD MOTOR CO. BECAUSE THEY HAVE WORKERS THAT SCREW UP, THE CONSUMER ENDS UP FOOTING THE LARGE BILL OF REPAIRING IT. THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS OF THESE EXPLORERS FROM 2000 - 2005 YET NO ONE SEEMS TO WANT TO ADDRESS IT. FORD MOTOR SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF PUTTING SUCH FAULTY VEHICLES OUT ON THE ROAD AND ENDANGERING ANOTHER HUMANS LIFE FOR THEIR PROFIT. THIS IS THE LAST TIME I WILL BUY AND FORD PRODUCT AND I WILL ENCOURAGE EVERYONE I KNOW NOT TO BUY FORD EITHER. I WONDER HOW FORD WOULD LIKE THE MEDIA EXPOSURE FOR THIS ISSUE. NO GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE OR PRODUCT. *TR

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK ON A TUESDAY MORNING WITH MY SON WHO IS A COLLEGE STUDENT AT MY SCHOOL ON AUGUST 20, 2013. I WORK AT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND IT WAS THE FIRST WEEK OF THE FALL SEMESTER 2013 STARTING. I ARRIVED ABOUT 10:15 A.M. AND COULD NOT FIND PARKING. I FOUND A PARKING STALL IN THE STAFF PARKING LOT. I PUT THE FORD EXPLORER IN REVERSE AND WAS GOING BACKWARDS TO PARK IN THE STALL. WHEN I MOVED THE SHIFT GEAR HANDLE TO PUT THE TRUCK INTO DRIVE INTO THE PARKING STALL, THE GEAR SHIFT WAS JUST BROKE OFF. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT! I HAD TO ACT QUICKLY AND HIT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TURN THE IGNITION OFF FROM THE CAR TO MAKE IT STOP. I WAS REALLY SCARED! LUCKILY, I DROPPED OFF MY SON SO HE CAN GO TO HIS FIRST CLASS. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO BANNING, CALIFORNIA AND HAVE MY MECHANIC FIX IT. STILL TO THIS DAY, FORD CANNOT PROVIDE A PART TO FIX THE STEERING COLUMN SHIFT LEVEL. FORD SAYS ITS ON BACKORDER, NO ONE HAS THE PART. THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN I WILL HAVE THE PART TO FIX MY TRUCK. I NEED HELP, I HOPE YOU CAN ISSUE A RECALL ON ALL 2004 FORD EXPLORERS WITH GEAR SHIFT LEVEL BREAKING OFF. VERY UPSET NEED YOUR HELP TO GET MY TRUCK FIXED. THIS MATTER HAS MADE ME SICK WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND WOULD APPRECIATE SOMEONE TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER RIGHT AWAY. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE JUST SHUT OFF. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ONCE IT SHUT OFF, EXCEPT TO UTILIZE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO GET ME STOPPED. ONCE STOPPED, I PUT IT IN PARK AND IT STARTED UP FIRST TRY. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SAME THING HAPPENS ON A REGULAR BASES. USUALLY HAPPENS WHILE BRAKING OR TURNING AT SPEEDS LOWER THAN 30MPH, THEN ENGINE JUST STALLS AND EVERYTHING TURNS OFF. THIS TO ME IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN, BECAUSE WITHOUT TOTAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND VEHICLE LIGHTING AT NIGHT, IT COULD SERIOUSLY INJURE OR KILL SOMEONE. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND INVESTIGATING THIS FURTHER SO WE CAN ALL CONTINUE TO BE SAFE. THANKS! *TR

WHILE PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE IN THE PARKING LOT THE GEAR SHIFT COMPLETELY SNAPPED OFF AND THE CAR WAS STUCK IN REVERSE. THE KEYS WERE STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND I COULDN'T TURN THE CAR OFF. I HAD TO PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AND CALL FOR HELP ON MY CELL PHONE. WHEN HELP ARRIVED AFTER A COUPLE OF HOURS THEY WERE ABLE TO MANUEVER WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE GEAR SHIFT ENOUGH TO PUT THE CAR BACK IN PARK AND TURN THE CAR OFF. I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE DIVISION AND SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE NAMED [XXX], HE PRECEDED TO TELL ME THAT FORD HAS NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM AND THAT HE COULDN'T HELP ME. HE SAID THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO RECALLS AVAILABLE FOR THIS PART. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINT ON FORDS AND ADVISED [XXX] AND AGAIN HE SAID FORD HAS NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM. I AM RELIEVED THAT IT HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT AND IT DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR SHODDY WORKMANSHIP AND TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

STARTED DRIVING AND WHEN I WENT TO MAKE A TURN I FELT A GRAB. THOUGHT I MIGHT BE IMAGING THINGS BUT HAPPENED AGAIN ON THE NEXT INTERSECTION TURN THIS TIME CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO MAKE A WHEEL CORRECTION. ON THE THIRD TURN IT WAS MARKEDLY WORSE AND A GRUNCH SOUND ACCOMPANIED IT AND IT WAS MORE DIFFICULT TO MAKE THE TURN. AND THEN NEXT FEW TURNS MARKEDLY WORSE AGAIN TO THE POINT I AM CONSIDERING PULLING OVER AND GETTING A TOW AS NOW IT IS DANGEROUS. I FIGURED OUT THAT IT WAS MOSTLY STRAIGHT DRIVING TO THE MECHANIC GARAGE AND THREE TURNS SO I DROVE CAUTIOUSLY. A VERY DIFFICULT DRIVE MAKING TURNS AND I COULD BARELY TURN INTO THE GARAGE DRIVE AS THE STEERING BARELY WORKED AND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY VERY LOUD GRUNCHING. IT WAS A QUICK FIX AS A BOLT IN THE STEERING COLUMN HAD COME OUT. HAD THIS HAPPENING ON A HIGHWAY THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION TO NAVIGATE OFF THE HIGHWAY. NO INJURIES. *TR

AFTER STARTING VEHICLE AND MOVING SHIFT LEVER FROM PARK TO REVERSE - ROTATING SHIFT HANDLE MOUNT BROKE OFF- REQUIRED TOWING AND $1800 REPAIR COST. HAVE SEEN SIMILAR INSTANCES ON CONSUMER COMPLAINT BOARDS - FORD FAILS TO RECOGNIZE AS BEING A SAFETY MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR

I WAS TRYING TO PARK THE CAR WHEN I TOOK IT FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE THE WHOLE GEAR SHIFT CAME RIGHT OFF. IT WILL NO LONGER SWITCH GEARS NOR CAN I DRIVE IT. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER 2004 EXPLORERS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TOO. THERE ARE 16 DIFFERENT COMPLAINTS WHICH ALL WERE EXACTLY LIKE MINE ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM. THIS IS SUPER DANGEROUS, IMAGINE IF MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR WHEN I WENT TO SWITCH GEARS AND IT BROKE OFF AND THE WERE NO WAY TO MOVE OR STOP IT FROM HITTING SOMEONE. THE EXPENSE TO FIX THIS 'LITTLE' PROBLEM OF FORDS IS COSTING ME MORE THAN I MAKE IN 2 MONTHS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 145,000.

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER AND PURCHASED NEW IN 2005. HAVE HAD TO REPLACE, THE 2 FRONT HUBS 3 TIMES, THE RACK AND PINION STEERING AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS EXCESSIVELY. THIS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN BY MY WIFE TO SCHOOL AND HOME AND USED FOR TRANSPORTING MY FAMILY. I KEEP SEEING THE SAME PROBLEMS ONLINE BUT NO ACTION BY FORD. CAN YOU SAY PIECE OF JUNK? *TR

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM "PARK," INTO "REVERSE," THE COLUMN-MOUNTED GEAR SELECTOR, BROKE AWAY FROM THE COLUMN AND INTO MY MOTHER'S HAND. THE VEHICLE SAT IN A PARKING LOT FOR A FEW HOURS. LATER ON, WE FOUND A TEMPORARY WORKAROUND UTILIZING A PAIR OF "VISE-GRIPS," AND WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE GEAR SELECTOR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED; AND THE VEHICLE JUST SITS THERE, BECAUSE THE SHE IS TOO AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. *TR

NOISE IN FRONT END, PREMATURE FAILURE OF TIE ROD ENDS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT AND THE SHIFTER LEVEL BROKE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 27,650.

GEAR SHIFTER FELL INTO MY HAND WHILE TRYING TO PUT MY 2004 FORD EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER FROM PARK INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED BUT NOT IN PARK. IT IS ONLY BEING HELD STILL BY PARKING BRAKE AS IT IS STUCK IN BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE. THE KEY CAN NOT BE REMOVED BECAUSE THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK. THERE WERE ZERO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY BUT I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE CONSEQUENCES HAD I BEEN PARKED ON A HILL OR HAD THE SHIFTER BROKE WHILE IN GEAR WHERE IT WOULD HAVE REMAINED. I HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE PROBLEM AS OF YET IT JUST HAPPENED TODAY, BUT AFTER DOING RESEARCH IT APPEARS AS IF ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND I AM TO SPEND ANY WHERE FROM $1000 TO $2000 TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE PART WITH A BRAND NEW DEFECTIVE PART TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN AT ANY TIME. I WAS ABLE TO LOCATE OVER 100 COMPLAINTS ON THE EXACT SAME ISSUE DATING BACK TO 2/2007. I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHY THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL FOR THIS SITUATION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 55-65 MPH. THE TRANSMISSION VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY. ALSO, ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE VEHICLE WOBBLED AND MADE A ROARING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE MORE THAN 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WHEEL BEARING; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CAUSE OF FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

IN THE DAYS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL FAR RIGHT OR LEFT FOR EXTREME TURNS, THERE WOULD BE A SLIGHT THUMP TO THE EXTENT I THOUGHT SOMETHING LET LOOSE. I HAD THE CAR IN FOR A REGULAR OIL CHANGE ETC(SCHEDULED MAINT) AND TOLD THE SHOP ABOUT THIS EVENT BUT THEY SAID THEY CHECKED IT AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. I WAS TURNING INTO A HEAD IN PARKING SPOT AND NOTICED WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT, I FELT THAT I HAD LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER FELL APART IN MY HANDS. IT HAD DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND I COULD NOT REMOVE THE KEY. *TR

WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE THERE IS A HARD SHIFT ALSO HARD SHIFTS UP AND DOWN WHILE GOING FORWARD. *TR

I OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER 4WD, XLT 6 CY ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING IT LAST WEEK AND THE FRONT END FELT LOOSE. I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT AND WHEN I TRIED TO PUT IT IN PARK THE SHIFT LEVER FELL APART IN MY HAND AND THE STEERING COLUMN FELL APART. I WAS ONLY GOING 5 MPH AT THE TIME BUT I WONDER WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I WAS GOING 40 OR SO., I HAD LOST CONTROL AS I PARKED!! THE FORD MECHANIC SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. *TR

NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY HAS OCCURRED. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER BINDS WHEN SHIFTING INTO PARK. THE INTERLOCK SOLENOID PIN HAS WORN A GROVE IN THE CAM IN WHICH IT CONTACTS. WHEN SHIFTING FROM ANY GEAR TO PARK, IF YOU RELEASE THE BRAKE PEDAL AT THE RIGHT TIME THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO FULLY INTO PARK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A HUMMING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BEARINGS WERE WORN IN THE RACK AND PINION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT WOULD COST $400 BECAUSE NO RECALLS WERE AVAILABLE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,768.

ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2007, I WAS ATTEMPTING TO BACK OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, STARTED MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER AND BEGAN SHIFTING THE GEAR OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE WHEN THE SHIFT BROKE. I COULD NOT DO ANYTHING, THE ENGINE WOULDN'T TURN OVER OR ANYTHING. SINCE IT WAS LATE FRIDAY, I LEFT THE SUV PARKED UNTIL SATURDAY, THE NEXT MORNING, WHEN I HAD IT TOWED TO DOUG STANLEY FORD IN DESOTO, TEXAS, WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. A SERVICE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER A NEEDED PART TO REPAIR THE SUV. HE SAID HE THOUGHT THEY'D RECEIVE THE PART BY MONDAY OR TUESDAY. ON MONDAY, HE TOLD ME THEY WOULDN'T GET IT UNTIL NOVEMBER 12. HE SAID THAT HE'D CALLED ALL AROUND AND HAD TO GET THE PART FROM THE MANUFACTURER. I CHECKED ONLINE AND OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM. I AM THANKFUL I WASN'T SOMEWHERE FAR FROM HOME WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAVE A NEW BABY AND NEED RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A DEALERSHIP NEEDING 2 MONTHS TO GET A PART. I TRULY THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT THAT COULD EVENTUALLY GET SOMEONE HURT.

2004 EXPLORER HAD PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES AND WINDOWS. *TS THREE MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THEE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION. THE ABS MALFUNCTIONED AND THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO DOWN. THE REAR HATCH DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLAM INTO GEAR. THE ROTORS VIBRATED IN THE REAR. CONSUMER HEARD A HOWLING NOISE AT 40-55 MPH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RING AND PINION. NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT AND INJURIES. THE RECIRCULATION BALL AND THE RACK AND PINION FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK UP. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONSUMER CAME AROUND A CORNER AND SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT 5 MONTHS PRIOR, AND HE BELIEVED THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE NOT BEEN PROPERLY FIXED WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE AIR DID NOT DEPLOY IN THIS ACCIDENT. THE POLICE CONCLUDED THAT THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING TOO FAST FOR CONDITIONS AND UPON ROUNDING THE CORNER, HE LOST CONTROL AND STRUCK THE BANK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERTURN. THE CONSUMER HAD PREVIOUS REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE SUCH AS AN INOPERABLE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT AND THE REAR VENTS DID NOT BLOW OUT AIR. UPDATED 10/3/06 *JB UPDATED 10/25/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE STARTED SWAYING AS IF IT WERE IN A LOT OF WIND. TWO DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. UPON INSPECTION, THE MECHANICS DISCOVERED THE REAR TIE ROD ENDS WERE PACKED WITH MUD CAUSING THE TIE RODS TO CORRODE AND RUST. THE TIE ROD ENDS WERE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED TO THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE TIE ROD HOUSING THAT ATTACHES TO THE WHEEL FAILED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL. THIS INCIDENT CAUSE D AN ACCIDENT WITH NO INJURIES. THIS OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING AT 15 -20 MPH. THE WHEEL HIT THE TELEPHONE POLE WHICH CAUSED MAJOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THE VEHICLE, AND URGED HIM TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

DT: 2004 FORD EXPLORER - THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT STEERING DIFFICULTY AS WELL AS POPPING/JOLTING SENSATION. THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF SPEED, BUT ONLY OCCURS IN SHARP TURNS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN FIXED, BUT THIS INFORMATION IS NECESSARY FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE INFORMED. THIS APPLIES TO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ON 2004 AND 2005 MODELS. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A U TURN THE VEHICLE IS IN TWO WHEEL DRIVE BECAUSE THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE DID NOT ENGAGE ON ITS ON.*AK

STEERING FEELS LIKE THE POWER STEERING UNIT IS NOT UP TO SPEED OR THE 4 WD IS ENGAGED DURING LOW SPEED TURNS LIKE IN SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOTS OR TIGHT TURNS ON OFF RAMPS. *JB

I BROUGHT MY SUV DEC 2004. I HAD ONLY 40 MILES ON IT. I NOW HAVE A LITTLE OVER 7,000. ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASING MY SUV IT WOULDN'T START UP. I TOOK IT IN TO BE SERVICED BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING. A MONTH LATER IT WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN I SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE THE WHOLE TRUCK JUMPS INTO REVERSE. IT ALSO HESITATE TO GO INTO REVERSE. I'VE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR THE PAST 8 MONTHS. I CONTINUE TO TAKE IT FORD TO GET SERVICE. FIRST THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG NOW THYE'RE SAYING THAT IT'S A RECALL AND "FIXED" THE PROBLEM. BUT I CONTINUE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM.. I'M CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF TRYIMG TO GET FORD TO GIVE ME A NEW TRUCK. BUT THEY ONLY TRYING TO OFFER 2,500 DOLLARS. I DON'T WANT THE MONEY I WANT A NEW TRUCK. I PAID FOR A NEW TRUCK NOT A TRUCK THAT WILL CONTIUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS. MY ABS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON TOO. I'M GOING TO TAKE IT BACK TO FORD TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AGAIN. IT'S SUCH A HASSEL TO KEEP TAKING MY TRUCK BACK FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS AND IT'S NOT BEING FIXED. I DON'T THINK THEY KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY TRUCK. I HAVE LEMON. *AK

POWER STEERING FAILS WHEN DRIVING AT ALL/VARIOUS SPEEDS. FAILURE IS FELT DURING/ATTEMPTED TURNING OF THE WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION WHILE DRIVING. STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT AND SUDDENLY POWER STEERING KICKS IN AND BECOMES UNSAFE AS GREAT PRESSURE IS BEING APPLIED TO STEERING WHEEL TO OVERCOME POWER STEERING FAILURE. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS NO KNOWN FAILURES AND CANNOT FIND PROBLEM WITH MY STEERING SYSTEM. AS A SYSTEMS SAFETY ENGINEER, I SUSPECT DEFECT IN SYSTEM AND MANUFACTURE HAS YET TO ADMIT. REQUEST ASSISTANCE TO FORCE MANUFACTURE/DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE AND DETERMINE PROBLEM. *NM

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE VIBRATED CONSUMER CONTACTED WI DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *AK

AT SLOW SPEED WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND VIBRATES. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, DEALER IS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. *AK

PROBLEMS WITH THE STARTER AND WHEELS NOT RETURNING TO CENTER POSITION AFTER MAKING A TURN. (NAR) *PH *CB THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE WRONG TYPE OF SWAY BAR HAD BEEN INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE AT THE FACTORY. THE POWER STEERING UNIT WAS THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT RETURN TO THE CENTER AFTER TURNING, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PHYSICALLY BRING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE CENTER, OR IT WOULD CONTINUE RUNNING OF THE ROAD. *SC *JB

4THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS INTERMITTENTLY WHEN IT'S TURNED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AND DOES NOT RETURN WITHOUT PULLING IT BACK. *PH THIS WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WHEN PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC OR GOING AROUND A SHARP BEND. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE FORD DEALER THREE TIMES AND WAS TOLD THAT ALL THE NEW EXPLORERS WERE MADE THAT WAY AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. THERE WAS A BIG CLUNK AT TIMES WHEN BACKING UP AND TURNING TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. THE RIDE WAS VERY BUMPY AND CAUSED THE OCCUPANTS TO BE THROWN FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHILE DRIVING. *SC