2004 Eddie Bauer Explorer Questions

[Rockpick]

Hello folks! This is my first post here and it looks like an awesome online community! I can't wait to learn more from you folks... that is, if my wife and I decide to go with this 04' EB. Naturally, my wife and I have some reservations about buying used but, even more so, I've got reservations about some of the potential problems that this particular model may experience.

I live about 25 minutes away from the Louisville assembly plant for Explorer, Sport Trac, and Mountaineer but, I've never really done much research on them until now...

With that in mind, what can you all tell me about this vehicle? It only has about 7400 on the odometer and thus, I know I have ample warranty remaining but, what should I be looking for?

I've heard a little bit of chatter about some vibrations because of drivelines and also some clatter about a transmission cooler problem for the folks with tow packages. What, beyond that, should I pay close attention to?

Thanks so much for your help in advance! I look forward to being a contributor to this forum in the very near future pending we go with this EB! Thanks again!!!!

RP

 

[MonumentalX]

Welcome, I'm new too, I bought my 03 used and was tentative as well. I did have some minor problems at first but they were related to my poor choice of gas (85 octane) and then I needed to change the front and rear differantial fluid as well as the transfer case, these were dirty and caused some random shimming etc. Once fluid was changed life is good! Only other thing is a recall on the rear (glass portion) hatch but I knew about this ahead of time and just needed to wait for the part to come in. All in all my feeling was that the mileage was a little better and the interior felt better than those other guys. Like you said plenty of warranty left and you can always purchase an extended warranty, I didn't. Good ride, lots of upgrade potential and this cool forum, what are you waiting for?

 

[Rockpick]

Thanks Monumental! I really appreciate that!

You mention a campaign on the rear glass assembly... could you elaborate? I had a buddy of mine that is within the Ford organization run an 'OASIS' on this particular vehicle and it came back with something concerning adding some additive to the transmission fluid? Anyone know anything about that?

Also, this one has had the AC worked on twice... is this a common issue? Compressor clutch...

RP

 

[HAMMOND B-3 guy]

'04 EB issues

RP -- I also own a new '04 EB and have had a few problems under warranty. Ford sent me a Service notice regarding an additive they wanted to add to the transmission fluid. I think what happened is that some '04's were made with Dexron III tranny fluid instead of the newer Dexron V which has some sort of additive.

My truck also had a bad rear woofer and recently the ABS light stayed on and the 4WD light flashed off and on 8 times, then repeated. My dealer added the tranny additive, replaced the bad woofer, and replaced the transfer case sensor, all under warranty.

I like my 04 EB and have an 00 XLT and a 96 EB Bronco. As long as you get the Ford factory service ma nuals and wiring diagrams (from Helm or on Ebay) you can maintain your Explorer at low cost.

Al

 

[Rockpick]

Glad to hear that you had everything taken care of under warranty Hammond. I know that any new vehicle will have it's share of issues but, I'm trying to do just a little bit of due-diligence before we, potentially, move on this thing.

I've been doing a lot of research tonight and I've yet to find a 'consistant' type of problem seemingly. That's definately a good problem.

RP

 

[MonumentalX]

Rockpick, go to Dead Link Removed and check what comes up for the EB you are looking at. I printed mine out and showed it to the dealer when I went in for fluid change, the list had maybe 20 TSB's on it and I was concerned. The dealer said it was just a guide for them to use in diagnosing a problem. Point being you can see some of the things that are recuring and what the remidies are. None on my list were serious and the dealer said that I should not expect all of these things to be a problem in any way. I've put 9k on mine in 3 months and am pleased with the mileage, around 17-20, with the V8. Drives great and is just the right size for my needs. I had a suburban before and it was a toad everywhere and a 42 gallon tank at 14 mpg. Small loan to fill up. I don't know if there is a sure thing anymore with how complicated these cars are so I think it is a crap shoot either way. The X did score highly in the crash tests as well.

 

[Rockpick]

Again, thanks for your insight.

Odd that you pointed me towards alldata. I was actually surfing their site when I got the email notification that someone had replied to this thread. LOL!!

It appears that there are a few for the 2004 but, after a little more in-depth look at the ones listed, none of them look major.

I'm a little bit worried about this one though. After doing all you can do on carfax's site without actually buying the report, it lists 9 incident records. For now, I'm going to hold off on buying the report and attempt to convince the selling dealership to foot this bill for me (surely they have an account) and provide me that data.

Further, here in Kentucky, we have a law that requires selling dealerships to supply the previous owner's information (telephone etc..) when requested. Obviously, I'm going to request this information and give them a buzz to get the real skinny on the vehicle.

I find it odd that it's been serviced twice (once in West Virginia and once in Orlando for AC problems)... and never here in Kentucky. They must have traveled frequently? Who knows....

I'll keep you posted on my progression. Again, thanks for the insight!

RP

 

[Garth]

Car fax gives you the same result for the initial check no matter which car you are looking at. Just try it with one you old vehicle and you'll see the same result.

 

[MonumentalX]

Carfax also will tell you where it was registered etc. The 9 hits seem like what Garth said, in other words you get multiple hits for simple one/two owner cars but if you a serious it's worth the 19.99 for a little piece of mind. But get the dealer to cough for it.

 

[rwmorrisonjr]

With those hits and service locations the truck might have either been a Ford corporate car or a rental. Buy the report and get the registration history, it will tell you everything. That report will also give yousome leverage to bargain with should you want to buy the truck.

I bought my '04 new in Santa Fe in November and have had the tranny recall done, the DPFE sensor replaced and the shift lever boot replaced, all under warranty. Other than those small things there's nothing wrong with the truck, much more confortable than my 4Runner and about the same on gas. You won't be disappointed with the purchase.

 

[Rscotts1]

Recall

I just rcvd the recall notice for the rear hatch on my (just sold) 02 Explorer. I had to deal with this rear hatch and its gas strut popping out just about the whole time I owned the Explorer. Only took Ford 2 1/2 years to resolve it. Guess Ill have to notify the new owner.

 

[Rockpick]

Thanks for all of the replies folks! I really appreciate the help and insight.

I did have them run a CARFAX for me at the stealership and it turns out that everything looked kosher. Further, I had them run an OASIS on the vehicle as well (to show all warranty work that has been performed) and, again, it turned out fine but showed that it was involved in the transmission fluid additive recall (no big deal).

Long story short, 3.5 hours of negotiation later, it's in the garage!

I am now a bona fide member of explorerforum.com!

THANKS AGAIN!

RP

 

[MonumentalX]

Good Job! Hope they left you some money for mods! Always good to have another 3rd gen'er in the house.

 

[Rockpick]

Yep. The mod money is certainly still home.

Long story short, I'm a Z-plan customer but, we were still looking at spending more than what we wanted to spend by going the A/Z route on a new one. Enter this slightly used one. We pounced.

The sales manager at the stealership was playing hardball as he knew we were interested but, I played the trump card of Z plan when he wouldn't move on the price. I told him to figure out what the price of a Merc. Mariner or Ford Escape loaded out would be under Z plan. Naturally, knowing he stood no chance of making hardly any money on the Zplan purchase (they literally make little to nothing), he spoke with the finance manager and, miraculously, my interest rate fell a full 1% and my trade (a 02 Accord LXSE) became worth almost a thousand more. LOL!

Long story short, I negotiated a better deal yet but, I don't want to tip all of my cards.

She'll probably stay stock for the most part as my wife isn't a big 'mod' type. This is her vehicle and thus, I'll honor her wishes.

She will, however, have Silverstars, Husky Liners (or similar) and the cleanest vehicle in the neighborhood (I have a little side-gig with Meguiar's). Still though, her Exp will take a backseat to my 05 F-150 King Ranch (see it and my old 2001 King Ranch HERE.

RP