2004 Explorer XLT - - - Should I buy it?

[Irish Explorer]

Hello all,

I'm the new guy and I just found the site off of a "Google" search.

I am looking for some advice on purchasing a used 2004 Ford Explorer XLT, 4.0l V6 FI SOHC with 50,000 miles on it- one owner.

I have been reading these "nightmare" posts on the transmission problems and I was wondering are they the execption or the rule?

Is it worth the risk? What is Ford doing about this problem...if anything?

I have owner a used 1997 Explorer XLT for the past 5 years without any major issues....but it now has 170,000 miles on it and I am looking for the upgrade....

Thanks

Mike

 

[04urban]

Hello Irish,
I got my 04 xlt, just a few months ago, So far I love it for street use. I have found out that it is NOT a real 4 wheeler or hard core trecker other than dirt roads. It is a Urban street truck. It lacks a heavy duty trans or rear end. There are no lift kits for this truck at this time, except larger tires.Accually there is little if any mods for this truck unless you want to spend more money than its worth. If you have a 4WD, the front axles run thru the front frame, so no lifting!
Also no dip stick for the trans (WTF) was Ford thinking! But anyway i still like it. So if your looking for street use OK, Offroad get a F-150. Hope this helps. 04Urban.

 

[Irish Explorer]

Hey thanks......No off roading....the pot holes of NYC are enough of an adventure......Still I am a little concerned on the amount of folks that seem to have severe transmission problems with this make/model......I have found a real nice truck down south....I want it...but I would hate to deal with this issue later on down the road

 

[BWilliams]

Hey thanks......No off roading....the pot holes of NYC are enough of an adventure......Still I am a little concerned on the amount of folks that seem to have severe transmission problems with this make/model......I have found a real nice truck down south....I want it...but I would hate to deal with this issue later on down the road

For street use, I love my '05 X... stock except a few appearance mods right now. 37,360 on the odometer, and no tranny problems yet. IIRC, the problem with the trannies were on the earlier 3rd gens (2002-3, maybe?).

Hitting those potholes down there, you might notice a squeak in the front-end, though -- that's the sway bar bushings.. they go ~40k, so you might need to grease those up. No biggie, but a heads-up.

 

[bisjoe]

I have a (and I'm his) that owns a transmission shop. I asked him about my '96, and he said that thru '03 those often go out at 110-120k miles. The 04s were probably too new then for him to see any trends.

After that I decided to trade mine for a new Ranger. You might confirm by checking the various car review sites or ask your local trans guy.

For example, a search showed this rather discouraging report:

http://www.ford-problems.com/explorer-transmission-problems.htm

 

[Irish Explorer]

Thanks......1 out of every 10.....not good at all......I wonder how many 2004 Explorer's were made........

 

[daprez1963]

just bought a 05 XLT 4WD w/ advance trac 3rd row seating and all power options with 41,000 miles and if it runs like my 02 XLT i will be very pleased. there were a lot of these trucks made and i am sure there were a few that had problems, but overall, i love these trucks and that is why i went out looking especially for a nother one. i had 92000 on the 02 and this one has a ways before hitting that many. so i guess i should have a few years of breathing room...especially since they threw in a FREE power train warranty with 3 years or 36000 miles.

 

[E.B. Cornburner]

I'm very happy with mine. Bear in mind, those "problem" sites tend to blow things way out of proportion, and lots of times aren't even that accurate. Case and point...Dodge Durango has a site similar, and they're saying how the 318 V8 is such a sludge engine, etc. which is the furthest thing from the truth. Take these sites with a grain of salt. Sites such as these will give you more "real world" information as to how good or bad a particular vehicle is.

 

[ExploGoldRob]

hi. I've had an 03 since new, bought the lease cause it's a GREAT vehicle. over 70k miles, no problems. One of the most reliable vehicles I've ever had. i think it's the best !