RoadVitals

2004 Ford Explorer Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
54
Latest May 28, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 1,304 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
8
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
5

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Ford Explorer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 54 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

The 25 most recent of 54, in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed May 28, 2024

on [XXX] brought to local shop on power steering leak. Week before, Paid $50 for inspection. on [XXX] appointment was line and replaced. But tech said get pass brake line was rotted and was bad leak of brake fluid. On [XXX] my wife's Explorer was reinspected and rear driver side brake copper line also reported rotted after paying $539.95 for power steering low pressure and brake line. Wife's Eddie Bauer 2004 v8 was reported to FORD Motor Co. Case# [XXX] defective copper brake lines on suv. No good will offered no warrantee fue to latent defective brake line copper tubing coming from ABS modular. ABS LIGHT COMES ON AT TIMES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11591062
Incident
May 8, 2024
Brakes
Filed Oct 21, 2018

BRAKE FAILURE, FRONT WHEEL BRAKE HOSE (BURST/FAILED), 3X IN ONE YEAR INCLUDING FAILURE OF NEW PARTS INSTALLED BY FORD. THIS RESULTED IN TOTAL LACK OF BRAKES, IN ONCE CASE WHILE TRAVELING ON I287 AT HIGH SPEED! THIS WAS IN 20011/2012 BEFORE WE TRADED CAR IN. FORD INSISTED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE PART. THE CAR HAD ABOUT 100,000 MILES ON IT, WAS 6-7 YEARS OLD. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF FAILURE ON ANY OTHER CAR I OWNED INCLUDING MANY THAT WERE MUCH OLDER AND HAD MANY MORE MILES ... LET ALONE 3X ON THE SAME VEHICLE! THIS REALLY MUST BE A DEFECTIVE PART!!! AN THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE ONGOING WITH NEWER MODELS OF THE FORD EXPLORER AS WELL?

NHTSA ID
11141637
Incident
Jun 1, 2012
Mileage
100,000 mi
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 12, 2016

TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH OVERDRIVE LIGHT BLINKING .NO FIRST GEAR,SHIFTS HARD , SOMETIME IT WONT SHIFT WITHOUT LETTING OFF GAS .WITH CODESPO731,PO733,PO734,PO745 NEEDS TOTAL REBUILD THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 40 MILES A HOUR , ABS LIGHT IS ON . CODES SHOW WRONG LINE PRESSURE.ENGINE KNOCKING , TIMMING CHAIN ISSUES.

NHTSA ID
10925613
Incident
Nov 2, 2016
Mileage
170,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Nov 7, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported

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.

NHTSA ID
10924821
Incident
Oct 3, 2016
Mileage
100,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 20, 2016

WHEN DRIVING MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER STARTED MAKING A GRINDING AND HUMMING NOISE ON THE LEFT FRONT OF DRIVER SIDE TIRE AREA. ABS AND 4X4 HIGH LIGHTS CAME ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. TRUCK FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING INTO 4X4 MODE ON ITS OWN AND BRAKING FELT LIKE ABS SYSTEM FAILED. TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THAT BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1053. SINCE THIS TRUCK USES SENSORS AND TRACTION CONTROL THE SENSOR ON THE LEFT DRIVER SIDE HAD GONE OUT CAUSING THIS FEATURE NO LONGER TO WORK. IT IS A GOOD THING THIS DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS GOING INTO 4X4 MODE ON IT'S OWN AND THE BRAKES ABS NO LONGER FUNCTIONED. JUST A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE WILL RESULT IN MANY FOUND ISSUES REGARDING THIS THAT FORD HAS NOT DONE A RECALL ON YET. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET FORD TO STAND BEHIND THE SAFETY OF TRUCKS THEY SELL?

NHTSA ID
10886241
Incident
Jul 14, 2016
Mileage
172,472 mi
BrakesEngineOther / unspecified
Filed May 24, 2015

CAR STARTS BUT WILL GO FORWARD WHEN SHIFTED IN REVERSE. TURNED THE CAR OFF THEN BACK ON, BUT WHEN I WOULD PUT THE CAR BACK IN REVERSE OR DRIVE, IT STALLED OUT. HAD IT TOWED AND THEN IT WAS FINE AFTER THAT. NOW ITS ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER, NOW MY ORANGE WRENCH LIGHT POPS UP AND CRUISE CONTROL SHUTS OFF AT 65MPH. THEN IT JERKS A COUPLE TIMES. HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AND CAME BACK WITH 14 CODES MAINLY FOR TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ID
10721201
Incident
Oct 1, 2014
Mileage
140,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 20, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE AND THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED AND MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HUB AND WHEEL BEARING, THE REAR SPRINGS, THE THREE PASSENGER GEAR CALIPERS, FOUR REAR DRIVER SIDE CALIPERS, THE BATTERY, FIVE REAR BRAKE PADS, AND SIX REAR ROTORS PLUS AN OIL CHANGE. THREE WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL HESITATED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,817.

NHTSA ID
10676692
Incident
Oct 17, 2014
Mileage
140,817 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 20, 2015

THE OEM STEEL BRAKE LINE THAT CONNECTS THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR BRAKES WAS APPARENTLY RUBBING AGAINST SOME COMPONENTS OVER THE RIGHT FRAME RAIL WHICH ABRADED THE PLASTIC COATING RESULTING IN CORROSION OF THE BRAKE LINE AND FAILURE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10676563
Incident
Jan 18, 2015
Mileage
110,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesEngine+3 more
Filed Aug 25, 2014

EXACT DATES ARE VARIOUS , VEHICLE HAS 39000 MILES ON IT PRESENTLY , HAVE MULTIPLE VEHICLES , DRIVE OVER THE ROAD TRUCK DRIVER ... CHANGED BRAKES AND ROTORS TWICE , EMERGENCY BRAKE NOT WORKING , HAD FIXED , HAD TO HAVE EKG REPLACED AND SOME EXHAUST SENSOR , TIRES WORE OUT AT 29000 , EXHAUST SYSTEM REPLACED , BOTH BALL JOINTS REPLACED , PINION GEAR GASKET LEAKING FROM REAR END , BOTH CV JOINTS LEAKING , APPEARS RIGHT CV JOINT NEEDS REPLACING , GETS 14 MPG ( 4.0 LITER ) PAINT PEELING FROM ROOF FOR QUITE AWHILE NOW , RUSTING AROUND FUEL TANK DOOR , AS ALL ARE ...... VEHICLE HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE , GETTING RID OF THIS AT 39000 MILES , FORD HAS A BETTER IDEA , BUY ANOTHER ONE ! *TR

NHTSA ID
10627965
Incident
Jul 18, 2007
Mileage
17,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 17, 2014
Crash reported

STOPPING AT RED LIGHT STEPPING ON BRAKE VEHICLE SPEED UP INSTEAD OF STOPPING. CAUSING ME TO SIDE SWIPE FOUR VEHICLES AND GO THROUGH AN INTERSECTION

NHTSA ID
10583309
Incident
Apr 16, 2014
Mileage
280,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 4, 2013

THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AS I WAS ABOUT TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. I SHUT THE VEHICLE DOWN AND CALLED FOR A TOW. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION. THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE RUBBER HOSE COMPONENT OF THE BRAKE LINE HAD SPRUNG A LEAK, LEADING TO THE COMPLETE LACK OF BRAKING. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF IT HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN TRAFFIC, OR JUST ABOUT ANY OTHER MOVING SITUATION, I WOULD LIKELY HAVE CRASHED, WITH DIRE RESULTS TO ME AND POTENTIALLY TO OTHERS. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A SITUATION LIKE THIS IN OVER 30 YEARS OF DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1 MILLION MILES .VERY DISCONCERTING. VERY DISAPPOINTING. I WOULD LIKE FOR FORD ENGINEERS TO EXPLAIN THEMSELVES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10550892
Incident
Nov 3, 2013
Mileage
187,600 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Sep 11, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO APPLY THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES AND OPERATED NORMALLY FOR FIVE MILES. THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY, REACHING SPEEDS OF UP TO 65 MPH BEFORE THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

NHTSA ID
10543084
Incident
Aug 25, 2013
Mileage
124,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 17, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE BRAKES TO SEIZE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY 180 DEGREES TO THE SIDE BEFORE STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE BRAKE HYDRO LOCK SYSTEM. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ABS ELECTRONIC UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,902.

NHTSA ID
10520220
Incident
May 30, 2013
Mileage
88,902 mi
BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Apr 1, 2013

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

NHTSA ID
10505180
Incident
Jan 25, 2013
Mileage
82,500 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jan 20, 2013

WHILE DRIVING, THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AND CAR STALLED. AT THE SAME TIME THE ABS LIGHT COMES OFF AND ON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10493565
Incident
Jun 22, 2012
Mileage
88,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 3, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO VNL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE WHEN HE APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ROLLED AWAY. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE SLACK ADJUSTER ON THE SECOND AXLE WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 415,000.

NHTSA ID
10490908
Incident
Dec 31, 2012
Mileage
106,000 mi
BrakesFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 22, 2012

ON APRIL 6TH OF THIS YEAR I PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK THE CAR FOR CITY INSPECTION...IT PASSED. THE VERY NEXT DAY (SUNDAY) THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE ABS LIGHT WOULD ALSO ILLUMINATE. I TOOK THE CAR TO AUTOZONE TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED (EGR VALVE). ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COULD BE DIAGNOSED BECAUSE THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AT RANDOM WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER THE 1000 MILE WARRANTY SO THE EGR VALVE WAS REPLACED AND A SPEED SENSOR BELIEVED TO BE THE PROBLEM WITH THE ABS LIGHT. I PURCHASED AN INDEPENDENT EXTENDED WARRANTY SO I WOULD BE COVERED FOR ANY SURPRISE EXPENSES. I HAD MY CHANCE TO USE IT IN JUST A FEW MONTHS LATER WHEN THE CAR RAN HOT. THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED. THIS HAPPENED IN JULY, JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER BUYING THE CAR. EARLIER THIS MONTH (NOVEMBER 2012) THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN BUT IT DIDN'T STAY ON SO I COULDN'T GET IT DIAGNOSED. NO NEED TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED BECAUSE THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON TOO. I TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE ONCE AGAIN AND THE BATTERY TESTED BAD. IT WOULDN'T START AT THE STORE. I BOUGHT THE BATTERY, IT WAS INSTALLED AND CHECKED AGAIN. THE ALTERNATOR SHOWED IT WASN'T CHARGING. I HAD TO HAVE THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED. WITH THE COLD WEATHER, I DISCOVERED THE DEFROST VENTS DON'T WORK. AIR ONLY BLOWS FROM FRONT VENTS. ON THE MORNING OF NOVEMBER 19TH, I WAS TAKING MY SON TO SCHOOL AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK ON NOVEMBER 21ST. SO NOW I SUPPOSE I HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. FORD NEEDS TO ANSWER FOR THEIR HORRIBLE ENGINEERING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10485460
Incident
Apr 6, 2012
Mileage
114,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesDriver assistance+3 more
Filed Sep 22, 2012

I PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN JULY 0F 2011, AND TRADED IN MY 2001 OLDSMOBILE OF 5 YEARS. I ALSO PURCHASED THE 12 MONTH 12,000 MILE WARRANTY. BEFORE DRIVING IT OFF THE LOT I HAD THE DEALER FIX THE ABS SYSTEM BECAUSE THE LIGHT WAS ON. THERE IS A CRACK GOING DOWN THE BACK OF THE TRUNK BUT NOTHING ELSE WAS WRONG AT THE TIME SO I LEFT THE CRACK ALONE. IN APRIL OF 2012 I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A BELT, CHECK TRANS, SHOCKS, BALL JOINTS, AND A TICKING IN THE HEATER WHEN KNOB WAS TURNED TO HEAT (NOT COOL). I TOLD HIM TO JUST FIX WHAT WAS ON THE WARRANTY AND ALSO GIVE IT A OIL CHANGE. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANS WAS FINE. AFTER GETTING THE CAR BACK MY HEAT WENT OUT AND I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC BUDDY THAT MY BRAKES, ROTTERS, EMERGENCY BRAKE PADS AND THE BACK TIRES WERE SHOT. SO I HAD HIM REPLACED THEM BECAUSE THIS WAS ALSO NOT COVERED ON WARRANTY. JUST LAST WEEK MY RPM STARTED JUMPING WITH MILES OVER 65.(NO LIGHTS WERE ON AT THE TIME)SO I TOOK IT TO 6 DIFFERENT PLACES GETTING ESTIMATES ON WHAT COULD BE WRONG. ALL SHOPS SAID THE SAME THING. "START WITH FUEL FILTER, OIL FILTERS AND OIL CHANGE". THE DAY AFTER I PAID FOR ALL THIS THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. (EGR VALVE CODE) THE MAN AT AUTO ZONE TOLD ME TO TAKE IT OFF AND CLEAN IT WITH SPRAY AND LET IT DRY BEFORE REPLACING. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND HAD THEM DO THIS. THE SAME DAY I PICKED UP THE CAR MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, O/D LIGHT AND THE CAR WAS DRIVING LIKE I WAS HAULING A BUS AND JUMPING. I TOOK IT BACK THE NEXT DAY AND HE REPLACED THE EGR VALVE NEW SINCE THE SAME CODE WAS SHOWING UP. LATER THAT DAY AFTER GETTING IT BACK THE CAR STARTED DOING THE SAME THING AFTER DRIVING FOR 5 MILES THIS WAS FRIDAY 9/21/12. *TR

NHTSA ID
10476778
Incident
Sep 15, 2012
Mileage
106,000 mi
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 23, 2012

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD SO BAD THAT IT JERKS ME AND MY CHILDREN'S HEADS FORWARD WHEN IT HAPPENS. THIS OCCURS THE WORST WHEN GOING INTO REVERSE AND INTO 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. BRAKES LOCK UP/STICK AFTER BEING PRESSED FOR 3 SECONDS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10472096
Incident
Jul 27, 2012
Mileage
84,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 5, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE GOING 45 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT FAILED. THE CONTACT TRIED TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WOULD ONLY DEPRESS PARTIALLY. SHE TRIED AGAIN A FEW MOMENTS LATER AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED COMPLETELY INTO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE IN THE BRAKE LINE, WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115000.

NHTSA ID
10460666
Incident
Feb 21, 2012
Mileage
115,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Dec 1, 2010
Crash reported1 injury reported

I BACKED SUV OUT OF GARAGE AND PUT IN PARK, GOT OUT OF VEHICLE WHILE STILL RUNNING (TO CLOSE GARAGE DOOR), CLOSED THE SUV DOOR, TURNED AROUND AND SAW THAT SUV WAS MOVING FORWARD INTO MY GARAGE. I OPENED THE SUV DOOR WHILE IT WAS MOVING AND JUMPED IN THE DRIVERS SEAT, PUSHED ON THE BRAKE AND SUV DID NOT STOP, I WAS LOOKING DOWN AT THE FLOOR TO SEE WHY SUV DID NOT STOP, PULLED UP MY FOOT AND PLACED IT BACK DOWN ON THE BRAKE. SUV STILL DID NOT STOP. IT THEN MADE A LOUD NOISE LIKE THE ENGINE WAS REEVING UP AND THEN THE SUV TOOK OFF FORWARD, RAN THROUGH THE BACK OF MY GARAGE, RAN THROUGH MY BACK YARD, RAN OVER A TREE IN THE YARD, RAN THROUGH MY BACK YARD FENCE AND MY NEIGHBOR'S FENCE AND CRASHED INTO THE BACK SIDE OF NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE. ALL WHILE THIS WAS OCCURRING, I WAS INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITH MY LEFT LEG STICKING OUT OF THE CAR (SINCE I JUMPED IN THE SUV IN A HURRY, I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT MY LEG WAS STILL OUT OF THE SUV), I CONTINUALLY ATTEMPTED TO STEP ON THE BRAKES (EACH TIME LIFTING MY FOOT UP SO THAT I COULD PLACE IT DIRECTLY ON THE BRAKE), THE ENGINE REEVED UP AGAIN WHILE GOING THROUGH THE YARD. THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED THE SUV WAS THE TALL CONCRETE FOUNDATION OF MY NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE THAT IT RAN INTO. I JUMPED OUT OF THE SUV, FELL TO THE GROUND AND LAID THERE FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE I REALIZED THAT MY SUV WAS STILL RUNNING, THEN I JUMPED BACK INTO THE SUV AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF.

NHTSA ID
10368953
Incident
Nov 26, 2010
Mileage
91,031 mi
Body & structureBrakesFuel system+1 more
Filed Nov 11, 2010

WERE A FAMILY A FORD EXPLORER MY FAMILY HAS 4 OF THEM RANGING FROM THE YEARS 1996,99,2002,2004 AND EVERYONE OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE SERIOUS ISSUES. RANGING FROM ROTTING SUSPENSION PARTS,TO WHEEL BEARING ISSUES ON NEWER MODELS,ROTTING FUEL AND BRAKE LINES,THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN AMERICAN MADE COMPANY THAT IS JEOPARDIZING THE LIVES OF AMERICAN AND CHILDREN WITH TOTAL DISREGARD OF HUMAN LIFE,BUT I BET YOU THE OWNERS OF FORD DON'T HAVE THESE ISSUES THEY PROBABLY DRIVES FOREIGN HAHA BUT SERIOUSLY SOMEONE WILL GET HURT BY THIS AND IT COSTING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OUT OF POCKET TO FIX AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS PLEASE DO A RECALL ITS SO UNFAIR AT THIS POINT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10365355
Incident
Nov 11, 2010
Mileage
93,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Oct 15, 2010
Fire reported

MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT ON FIRE TODAY. THE FIRE BEGAN UNDER THE HOOD. PER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE FIRE STARTED AROUND THE CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AREA. FORD DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL OUT FOR THIS YEAR MODEL, UNLIKE THE 2003 AND OLDER MODELS, BUT THIS IS DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN TO SEVERAL POINTS, DROP THE KIDS OF AT SCHOOL, ONE AT DAYCARE, AND A STOP FOR BREAKFAST. NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH OUR CAR. AFTER ARRIVING TO WORK, MY WIFE GOT A CALL THAT HER CAR WAS ON FIRE. THERE WERE NO SIGNS, MALFUNCTIONS THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WERE ALWAYS PERFORMED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10360726
Incident
Oct 15, 2010
Mileage
102,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 20, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE BRAKING FROM SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 92,505.

NHTSA ID
10331446
Incident
Mar 24, 2010
Mileage
92,505 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Feb 24, 2010

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE THE VEHICLE STALLS WHEN BRAKING. THIS FAILURE OCCURS ONLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT 1/4 TANK OF GAS OR LESS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO FORD FOR REPAIR ON 3 OCCASIONS. THE HAVE REPLACED THE ABS SENSOR, THROTTLE BODY AND A FUEL INJECTION CLEANING WAS PERFORMED. NONE OF THIS HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM. DEC 4 2009 WAS THE FIRST OCCURRENCE AND HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE LAST BEING TODAY 2-24-2010. *TR

NHTSA ID
10313955
Incident
Dec 4, 2009
Mileage
101,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data on this page last refreshed .