2004 FORD EXPLORER Visibility Problems

SUN VISORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. HORIZONTAL PLASTIC PANEL WITH THE FORD LOGO HAS CRACKED AND BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. CURRENT ONE ON VEHICLE IS CRACKED. SENT AN E-MAIL TO FORD AND WAS TOLD BASICALLY "TOO BAD--OUT OF WARRANTY ". FORMOCO HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM ON BOTH THE FORD AND MERCURY BUT HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX IT BECAUSE IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. AND OF COURSE THIS " DAMAGE " WILL LOWER THE VALUE OF MY VEHICLE WHEN I SELL/TRADE IT FOR SOMETHING OTHER THAN A FORD. *TR

THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER EXPLODED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. ACCORDING TO THE FORD DEALER, THIS APPARENTLY IS SOMETHING THAT IS KNOWN TO HAPPEN. *TR

WHILE OPENING THE SMALLER WINDOW IN THE BACK OF THE CAR, THE WINDOW STARTED TO FALL. LUCKILY THERE WERE TWO PEOPLE TO CATCH IT. I NOTICED THE PASSENGER SIDE HINGE WAS BROKEN. WE USUALLY TAKE OUR INFANT AROUND TO THE BACK OF THE CAR WHILE WE LOAD THINGS. FORTUNATELY, WE HAD ALREADY BUCKLED HER IN. HAD THE GLASS FALLEN OR WE NOT PAID ATTENTION , IT COULD HAVE SERIOUSLY INJURED HER OR US. *TR

MY 13 YR OLD WAS LOADING GROCERIES WHILE THE WINDOW WAS POPPED UP IT FELL W/O WARNING SEVERELY HURTING HER HEAD RT BRACKET ON UPPER WINDOW BROKE CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE SUN VISOR BECAME DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 154,000. *TR

THE REAR WINDOW HINGE PIN (PASSENGER SIDE) HAS CORRODED AND BROKEN ALLOWING THE WINDOW TO FALL OFF OF THE REAR TAIL GATE. I NOTICED THE BROKEN HINGE BEFORE USING THE LIFT GATE WHICH HAS PREVENTED IT FROM FALLING OFF THUS FAR. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE AND FORD WILL NOT OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM. *TR

AFTER A DAY OF SHOPPING I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND PARKED MY SUV. I WENT TO OPEN THE REAR WINDOW HATCH WHEN THE LEFT SIDE CAME APART FROM THE VEHICLE AND LANDED ON TOP OF ME. FORTUNATELY THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE WINDOW WAS ABLE TO STAY INTACT WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO RUN TO MY AID TO LIFT THE DOOR UP. I AM FOUR MONTHS PREGNANT AND MY THREE YEAR OLD SON WAS STANDING BY MY SIDE. I HAVE READ THAT MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE FORD CORPORATION REGARDING THIS PROBLEM BUT THEY CONTINUE NOT TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE AT HAND; WHILE LEAVING VEHICLE OWNERS HELPLESS WHEN THIS SITUATION OCCURS. I READ THAT THIS WAS A GOOD AVENUE TO REPORT THIS ISSUE SINCE FORD CONTINUES TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM AND WONDER IF MY HUSBAND WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN IN SHOUTING DISTANCE WHAT...

REAR HATCH WINDOW HINGE (LEFT SIDE) BROKE AND RELEASED THE GLASS WHILE DRIVING. WINDOW FELL TO ONE SIDE. I HAD TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY STOP. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO PROP WINDOW TO A SAFE POSITION AND LOCK DOWN. IT MUST REMAIN LOCKED DOWN UNTIL I CAN FIX IT. *TR

THE REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW HINGE BROKE OFF AND THE ENTIRE REAR WINDOW FELL ON MY WIFE. THE HINGES ARE MADE OF A WHITE TYPE OF METAL THAT HAS CORRODED AND SHEARED OFF. THE PINS INSIDE APPARENTLY BROKE AND IT DIDN'T APPEAR TO BE FALLING OFF, IT JUST CAME OFF. THE WINDOW HIT MY WIFE IN THE ARM AND LEG. WE WERE LUCKY IT WASN'T ONE OF OUR KIDS CLOSING THE GATE AT THE TIME OR THAT THEY WEREN'T INSIDE WHEN IT HAPPENED OR THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ISSUE I FOUND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT ISSUE AND HUNDREDS OF POST OF INJURIES INCURRED FROM THIS. FORD RECALLED OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME PART AND YET THE 2004 WAS NEVER INCLUDED. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. A PART OVER TIME SHOULDN'T BREAK OFF AND CAUSE A...

WHEN CLOSING THE REAR WINDOW HATCH, THE LEFT HINGE THAT HOLDS THE GLASS COMPLETELY LET GO OF THE GLASS. FORTUNATLEY MY HUSBAND WAS THE ONE CLOSING IT AND WAS ABLE TO CATCH THE GLASS BEFORE IT BROKE THE OTHER HINGE AND PULLED THE GLASS OFF COMPLETELY. THE RIGHT HINGE WAS ALSO BENT, AS THE WINDOW WILL NOW NOT SIT LEVEL TO BE PUT BACK INTO PLACE. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED, AS THERE IS A LARGE HAZARD OF TH WINDOW FALLING. WHAT IF MY DAUGHTER HAD BEEN STANDING UNDERNEATH AS USUAL, OR HE HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO CATCH THE WINDOW AND IT BROKE AND SEN "EXPLODING" GLASS PIECES EVERYWHERE. I SEE THAT THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY WIDESPEAD ISSUE WHEN LOOKING THROUGH COMPLAINTS. ALSO, THE TAILGATE IN MY EXPLORER HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME MYSTERIOUS CRACK THAT SO MANY OTHER VEHICLES HAVE HAD. ONE DAY IT WAS FINE, THEN...

THIS ISSUE INVOLVES THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR. THE PLASTIC PIECE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VISOR THAT HOLDS IT IN PLACE ON THE CEILING HAS BROKEN OFF. WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP OR DIP IN THE ROAD THE VISOR FALLS DOWN AND BLOCKS YOUR VIEW TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON IN FRONT OF YOU. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN TO ME. I DON'T WANT TO HIT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING BECAUSE OF THIS. I AM ASKING FOR A RECALL TO BE ISSUED. THANKS *TR

THE HINGES THAT HOLD ON THE REAR WINDOW ARE STARTING TO BREAK. THE 02 AND 03 MODEL EXPLORERS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS BUT FORD REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE 2004 MODELS EVEN THOUGH THIS APPEARS TO BE A HUGE ISSUE AFFECTING A LARGE NUMBERS OF EXPLORERS. I HAVE CAUGHT IT BEFORE TOTAL FAILURE BUT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE GLASS COME LOOSE AND INJURE THEM. IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

ON 19 APR 2012 WHILE OPENING THE BACK HATCH WINDOW, THE PASSENGER SIDE HINGE OF THE WINDOW FAILED. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE DRIVER SIDE HINGE WAS BENT AND THE HYDRULIC LIFTS POPPED OPEN THE WINDOW RATHER RAPIDLY WHICH COULD HAVE SEVERELY INJURED ME IF IT HIT ME. I WAS UNABLE TO CLOSE THE WINDOW MYSELF SO I COULD DRIVE AGAIN. A BYSTANDER HELPED ME OUT TO CLOSE IT. AFTER READING OTHER REPORTS AND COMPLAINTS ONLINE, THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT FOR 2004 FORD EXPLORERS. *TR

WHILE LOADING GROCERIES, I NOTICED THE HINGES TO MY REAR WINDOW WERE CRACKED. I QUIT USING THE WINDOW IN FEAR OF IT BREAKING. THE COST TO REPLACE THE PLASTIC HINGE IS COMPLETELY OUTRAGEOUS! I ALSO HAD A FRIEND CALL TODAY AND HIS HINGE BROKE, THANKFULLY THE GLASS DID NOT BREAK. FORD KNOWS THE HINGES ARE DEFECTIVE. WHY WOULD A MAJOR COMPANY LIKE FORD OVERLOOK THIS PROBLEM AND TAKE A CHANCE OF MANY LAW SUITS DUE TO THEIR NEGLIGENCE? THERE ARE OVER 1600 COMPLAINTS RECORDED. HOW MANY MORE IS NEEDED FOR A RECALL? FORD NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. I HESITATED BUYING THIS FORD BECAUSE MY FIRST FORD CAUGHT FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. THIRTY YEARS LATER I STILL THINK OF ALL THE BAD STORIES AND NOW, I WANT MY CHEVY BACK. *TR

REAR WINDOW HINGE FRACTURED CAUSING GLASS TO FALL OFF OF REAR DOOR. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 2002-2003 FORD RECALL #04S20. REF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000. FORD DOES NOT INCLUDE THE 2004 EXPLORER IN THEIR RECALL BUT THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME. I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER 2004 EXPLORER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE HINGE SAID IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE 2004 MODEL YEAR. I FEEL THAT THE PROBLEM EXTENDED INTO THE 2004 MODELS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL OF THE 2002-2003 MODELS. *JS

THE HINGES THAT HOLD ON THE REAR WINDOW ARE FAILING AND I CANNOT OPEN THE REAR WINDOW BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL FALL OFF. OTHER YEAR EXPLORERS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS VERY REASON AND I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE 2004 MODEL WAS NOT RECALLED. THE PARTS ARE THE SAME AS THEY WERE IN OTHER YEARS. *TR

WHILE AT WORK MY REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW EXPLODED. AT FIRST SITE I THOUGHT IT WAS VANDALISM BUT NOTHING (CAR CHARGERS/CD'S/ ROAD SIDE KIT ETC) WAS TAKEN. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATING, THINGS JUST DIDN'T ADD UP NOR WERE CONSISTENT WITH THE SITE OF MY DESTRUCTIVE REAR WINDOW AND UPLIFTING OF THE PANEL UNDERNEATH THE SHATTERED GLASS (WHICH WAS MOSTLY ON THE GROUND AS OPPOSED TO BEING INSIDE MY VEHICLE.) *TR

THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW HINGE BROKE CAUSING THE GLASS TO FALL ON TOP OF ME AND HIT ME IN THE HEAD AND KNOCK ME DOWN TO THE GROUND. *TR

CRACKED PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW. ALSO, REAR WINDOW APPEARS LOOSE. *TR

HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2004/ACCESSORIES-INTERIOR/SUPPORTS_FOR_SUN_VISORS_CRACKED.SHTML THE SUN VISOR CLIP HAS BROKEN AND I AM UNABLE TO USE THE VISOR, IT JUST DANGLES. IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ONE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO USE THE VISOR FOR SUN PROTECTION. I FEEL FORD SHOULD DO A RECALL BECAUSE SO THIS IS HAPPENING IN TOO MANY VEHICLES SO THERE HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE HINGE ON THE GLASS HATCH BROKE AS I OPENED THE HATCH. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE HATCH HINGE PRIOR TO THIS. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER, ABOUT A MONTH AGO I NOTICED THE PLASTIC HINGE FOR THE BACK TAILGATE GLASS WAS BREAKING OFF. AFTER VISITING SEVERAL FORD USED CAR LOTS, I SEEN SEVERAL EXPLORERS WITH THE BROKEN HINGE AND REALIZED THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS, BUT THEY ARE STANDING BY THEIR PRODUCT. I RECIEVED AN ESTIMATE OF $360 TO REPAIR THE HINGES, BUT BEING A SINGLE PARENT OF FOUR THERE IS NO WAY I COULD AFFORD TO HAVE THIS REPAIR DONE. I HOPE THAT FORD WILL STEP UP AND RECALL THIS ISSUE BUT NO LUCK YET. *TT

THE BRACKETS HOLDING BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUN VISORS BROKE IN 2008, JUST FOUR MONTHS AFTER WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE (MAY 2008). WE HAD THEM REPLACED ON 09/19/2008. THE NEW SUN VISORS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE ARE AGAIN CRACKING AS OF 09/02/2011, WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AGAIN ALMOST FALLING OFF. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD SET OF VISORS ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE WE PURCHASED IT IN MAY 2008. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. FORD WILL NOT REPLACE THEM, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE UNDER WARRANTY. MANY OTHER FORD EXPLORER/RANGER OWNER'S ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO REVERSE TO DRIVE AND NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HESITATE BEFORE ENGAGING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE SOLENOID IN THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THERE WAS ALSO AN ABNORMAL GRINDING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR END BEARING, THREE REAR AXLES, THE PINION BAR AND SEALS AND A SHAFT KIT WAS INSTALLED. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY AN OVER TORQUE BY THE MANUFACTURER. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR JOINTS WERE FAILING SPORADICALLY AND CAUSING THE VISORS TO OBSTRUCT THE CONTACT'S VISION OF THE ROADWAY. THE SUN VISORS WERE NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN VISOR CAME OFF OF THE MOUNT CAUSING IT TO OBSTRUCT THE DRIVERS VISIBILITY. HE ALSO STATED THAT AS A RESULT OF THE HEAT IN THE VEHICLE THE PLASTIC MOUNT STARTED DISINTEGRATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO MADE ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VISOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILES WERE 115,000. UPDATED 08/19/11

PIN ON REAR HATCH WINDOW BROKE,WHICH CAN CAUSE WINDOW TO FALL OUT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW ON THE HATCH SHATTERED. THE CONTACT LOOKED AT THE HATCH AND FOUND A CRACK ON THE METAL PIECE OF THE HATCH DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE WINDOW. THE CONTACTS INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND SAID IT WAS A DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND THE REAR WINDOW WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT FAILURE IN WHICH THE HEADLIGHTS, RADIO AND WINDOWS STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE FAILURES PERSISTED FOR A DURATION OF APPROXIMATELY 1-5 MINUTES. DURING THE FAILURES, THE POWER DOOR LOCKS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING ALSO DID NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURES DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

THE SUN VISOR ON THE 2004 FORD EXPLORER HAS A WEAK BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE VISOR. IF THE BRACKET FAILS, THAT CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND HAVE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

THE TAIL GATE ON THE 2004 EXPLORER SHOULD BE RECALLED,IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE AND LOTS OF PEOPLE WILL DIE WHEN THE BACK WINDOWS JUST START FALLING OUT. EVERY EXPLORER I SEE IT LIKE THIS! BUILT FORD TOUGH..LOL.....I GUESS IT'S OK FOR A FEW HUNDRED TO DIE UNTIL FORD MAYBE RECALL IT, IT'S THERE RESPONSIBILITY!!!!!!! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD TILL THIS GETS FIXED. THINK OF ALL THE LAWSUITS IN THE MAKING FORD..BAD BUSINESS!!! FIX MY FOUND ON ROAD...BEFORE YOU GET SUED...MY BACK WINDOW WILL FALL OUT SOON AND GUESS WHO`S GETTING SUED. FIX YOUR JUNK FORD YOU LIED TO ME QUALITY IS JOB 1000 MAKING MONEY AND LYING IS JOB 1..YOUR SICKLING BOYCOTT FORD I ALREADY HAVE 3000 PLUS WITH THIS PROBLEM JUST WAIT FORD YOU'LL GET YOURS... *TR

I KNEW THE BACK REAR PANEL HAD A CRACK GOING DOWN IT, BUT THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT BECAUSE MOST EXPLORES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IT WASN'T UNTIL I WAS DRIVING DOWN A VERY DARK ROAD AT 6 AM AND BOOM! THE BACK GLASS JUST POPPED. I THOUGHT IT HAD BEEN SHOT OUT. THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP AND HE THOUGHT THE SAME THING. BUT THE ONLY THING WE FOUND WAS BETWEEN THE HYDRAULICS ON THE WINDOW ITSELF, THE CRACK IN THE PANEL AND TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE IT IMPLODED. MY INSURANCE IN KY PAID FOR IT, BUT IT TOOK TWO WINDOWS AND IT STILL ISN'T RIGHT. *TR

BACK GLASS HATCH FELL OFF IN MY HANDS COULD HAVE REALLY HURT SOMEONE. *TR

DEFROSTER HEAT CONTROL FAILED, COULDN'T SEE THROUGH WINDSHIELD. *TR

SUN VISOR ANCHOR BASED OF 2004 FORD EXPLORER CRACKED AND FELL OUT, CAUSING PLASTIC PIECES TO FALL ON FACE, AND MAKING VISOR FALL IN FRONT OF LINE OF SIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY . USING SUN VISOR IS NOW NOT POSSIBLE. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 EXPLORER AND I LIFTED THE GLASS HATCH TODAY AND IT BROKE AND BEGAN TO FALL ON MY HEAD, LUCKILY I REACTED AND GRABBED IT BEFORE IT KNOCKED ME OUT. I HAD TO GET HELP BECAUSE IT WAS TO HEAVY FOR ME BECAUSE I HAVE A BAD BACK, HAD SURGERY AND WAS AFRAID THAT I WAS GOING TO RE DAMAGE. I HAD TO HAVE MY HUSBAND COME UP THERE WHILE WE HELD IT BECAUSE STRUTS WOULD NOT FOLD IT IN. TOOK IT TO FORD AND AM BEING CHARGED A DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE TO DIAGNOSIS IT I AM NOT SURE THAT IS NEEDED, AND PARTS ARE GOING TO BE $155, AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WINDOW IF IT BREAKS! PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE THEY SAID THEY WILL ORDER. I HAVE NO CAR, NO WARRANTY, AND A SORE BACK FROM ANOTHER PROBLEM FORD IS...

HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER I BOUGHT NEW. IT NOW HAS APPROXIMATELY 95250 MILES. AFTER WASHING CAR 2-5-10, A MILD DAY HERE IN CT THOUGH WINTERTIME, I NOTICED TRIM PANEL UNDER REAR WINDOW SHOWED VERTICAL CRACK MOST ALL THE WAY THROUGH. SEVERAL DAYS LATER CRACK HAD MIGRATED ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO BOTTOM OF PANEL. CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ONLINE 2-17-10 ASKING IF THIS WAS A SAFETY CONCERN AS HAD READ OTHERS HAD IT HAPPEN TO THEM AS WELL ON VARIOUS AUTOMOBILE WEBSITES LIKE EDMUNDS. UNDERSTOOD BEFORE WRITING IT WAS NOT A RECALL AT THAT TIME. GOT A POLITE RESPONSE 2-18-10 THAT THOUGH SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE, I SHOULD BRING IT TO THE DEALER FOR ASSESSMENT. I NEVER THOUGHT IT WAS BAD ENOUGH TO WARRANT SUCH A TRIP. HOWEVER, I AM NOTICING THAT THE WINDOW HOW SEEMS TO RATTLE WHEN CLOSING IF ONLY THE WINDOW PORTION IS OPENED RATHER THAN...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUN VISORS WERE FRACTURED. THE DEALER ADVISED REPLACING THE VISORS AT HER EXPENSE. THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR. THE PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR WAS NEVER REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 96,607.

DEFECTIVE CLIP/HINGE IN SUNVISOR ASSEMBLY OF 2004 FORD EXPLORERS, BREAKS AND CRACKS WITH NORMAL USE DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN. SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO THE FACT THAT ONCE IT BREAKS TO A CERTAIN POINT THE SUNVISOR WILL HANG IN DRIVERS VIEW AND IMPEDE VISION. A LARGE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I AM HAVING. SOME OF THEIR COMMENTS CAN BE VIEWED AT HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2004/ACCESSORIES-INTERIOR/SUPPORTS_FOR_SUN_VISORS_CRACKED.SHTML TO BEGIN YOUR INVESTIGATION. LUCKILY OURS CAME APART WHEN THE CAR WAS STOPPED, BUT SOMEONE USING THE VISOR TO INCREASE VISIBILITY MAY NOT BE SO FORTUNATE. *TR

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE WINDOW ON HATCHBACK, THE WINDOW HINGES BROKE. *TR

REAR WINDOW HINGES ON 2004 FORD EXPLORER BROKE. *TR

PLASTIC PIN SECURING BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR BREAKS, FREEZING BLEND DOOR IN POSITION.(COOL) UNABLE TO GET HEAT FROM VEHICLE HVAC SYSTEM. CAN NOT DEFROST/DEFOG WINDOWS IN COLD/WET WEATHER. VISIBILITY IS LIMITED DURING COLD/WET WEATHER. THE REDUCED VISIBILITY CAUSED ME TO VEER OFF OF PAVEMENT IN A RURAL AREA NEAR MY HOME BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE THE LANE MARKERS. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET SHOWS THIS IS A RECURRING, COMMON PROBLEM. FORD MOTOR CO. IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT HAS NOT TAKEN STEPS TO RESOLVE THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE REAR WINDOW PANEL HAD DEVELOPED CRACKS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP . THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 53000.

CRACKS APPEARED BELOW THE REAR WINDOW OF MY FORD EXPLORER. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. *TR

BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR PIN IS DEFECTIVE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND IT IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE. HEAT / DEFROST WILL NOT WORK. IN THE WINTERTIME THIS MAKES DRIVING EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS. *TR

FORD DESIGNED A PLASTIC PIECE OF MOLDING THAT IS GLUED TO THE BACK GLASS OF EVERY EXPLORER. THIS HAS CRACKED ON EVERY EXPLORER I HAVE SEEN. IT HAS BEEN FIXED ONCE BY FORD, BUT IT HAS BROKE AGAIN. I ASSUME THAT IF IT HAS BROKE EVERY TWO YEARS SO FAR, IT WILL CONTINUE TO BREAK. FORD HAS REFUSED TO FIX THIS DEFECT. *TR

WHEN OPENING THE REAR HATCH OF MY 2004 EXPLORER THE HINGES FAILED. THE GLASS DOOR FELL AWAY FROM THE HINGES AND WAS BEING HELD ONLY BY THE HYDRAULIC ARMS. WHEN I TRIED TO MOVE THE GLASS WHICH I WAS HOLDING IN MY HANDS IT SHATTERED. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2002 AND 2003 MODELS BUT NOT ON THE 2004S. OBVIOUSLY THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *TR

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE,WHILE I GRABBED SUN VISOR TO TURN TO SIDE IT FELL OFF AND I WENT OFF ROAD BUT GOT SAFELY BACK ON. NO INJURIES TO ME OR WIFE. *TR

DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING, ALMOST RAN INTO ANOTHER CAR. CHEAP PLASTIC PART ONLY DEALER HAS FOR $116.43 WITHOUT INSTALLATION. *TR

THE PANEL BELOW MY REAR WINDOW HAS CRACKED ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. I DID NOT DRIVE IT THAT DAY, SO I KNOW I WAS NOT HIT, OR THE DOOR WAS NOT SLAMMED. *TR

VISOR HINGE BROKE - PASSENGER SIDE. *TR