Problems I've had that everyone seems to be describing

[peteypie]

I love my 04 explorer, but i digress as I have had some bad experiences with it, I'm **** about my truck running well so everything I fix immediately. These are aproblems many seem to be encountering as well so maybe I can help.

1. Front end bushings dry out and make creaking noise when hitting a bump; more of an annoyance than anything else.
2. Ford put the wrong trany fluid in at the factory, when replaced it smooths out.
3. Rear diff went (griding and whinning noise when driving in straight line)- this was the only major problem I've had, 1200 for the part
4. Lost the heat- was the selonoid for going between ac to heat died
5. Gone through two wheel bearings- whinning noise while turning
6. Rear hatch latch broke(of course during rain storm)- is a recall for 02 and 03 ex's not 04 tho
7. Got stuck in park- shifting selonoid went (partly b/c i have a remote starter which caused over draw)
8. Flat tire- Not a problem with the explorer but b/c all time awd had to replace all the tires due to different amts of tread wear.

Thats all I can think of for now, hope this helps some of you with your issues.

 

[NOPSTNS]

I get a grinding noise coming from the back when i let up off the gas a bit or light acceleration. Would this indicate that my rear diff is going or should I just change out the fluid and see if that improves things.

 

[jrford]

'04 here too, i'd say that we have had
1, 2, 5, and i would add 9 - trans rebuild,
For 8 i just picked up new tires and i went with 5 tires and rims just for that reason. Its my plan to rotate all 5 every 4k, they all will be a spare at some point. Also if one goes out, i'll just switch to a 4 tire rotation.
I'd still buy anther one.

 

[peteypie]

I get a grinding noise coming from the back when i let up off the gas a bit or light acceleration. Would this indicate that my rear diff is going or should I just change out the fluid and see if that improves things.

It sounds like its in the early stages of going, replacing the fluid will only delay the inevitable but it non the less delay it. I would suggest changing the fluid and you probably could get another year out of it (that's what i did atleast). I changed mine out when the noise was driving me nuts and before it could fail and or lock up so I don't know the exact time line as to when it would fail.

I'm crossing my fingers on the trany rebuild but i would buy another as well.

 

[thepotroast]

I've owned my 03 4x4 XLT (NBX) since August of 2007....had a few problems, still have some...

Largest expense by far was replacing practically the entire cooling system. Coolant needle was reading hot, had a shop replace coolant temp sensor, fan clutch, water pump, heater core, and radiator... $1400 with labor (would have been more but I talked them down a lot on labor because they were "wrong" about the initial diagnosis).

My bushing creak when going over speed bumps at slow speeds (front end).

Door ajar light constantly on 90% of the time.

Drivers door keyless entry code control panel (little numbered buttons) sometimes work...sometimes don't.

The largest annoyance would be the "whine" that is a constant pretty much when you hit 30MPH until around 70MPH. It's a drull sound, much louder in the back. I have searched around and have heard that this is a common issue with these explorers, and has something to do with a "gear pack" in the rear end. I took the SUV to Cottman Transmissions to have them check all the fluids, front and rear diffs, tranny and xfer case and everything checked out....but the dull roar or "whine" is pretty annoying.

Also, to put the SUV in park, you have to go from drive to reverse, and then park....if you try to go all the way without letting it engage into reverse it will not go. Just a little annoyance, but I really wouldn't be surprised if I need to have the tranny or rear diff rebuilt in the future....

The truck has 125k highway miles, was a corporate lease vehicle until the 100k mark, when I purchased it.

 

[rrgone]

I've owned my 03 4x4 XLT (NBX) since August of 2007....had a few problems, still have some...

Largest expense by far was replacing practically the entire cooling system. Coolant needle was reading hot, had a shop replace coolant temp sensor, fan clutch, water pump, heater core, and radiator... $1400 with labor (would have been more but I talked them down a lot on labor because they were "wrong" about the initial diagnosis).

What was actually wrong with the cooling system?

I've owned my 03 4x4 XLT (NBX) since August of 2007....had a few problems, still have some...


The largest annoyance would be the "whine" that is a constant pretty much when you hit 30MPH until around 70MPH. It's a drull sound, much louder in the back. I have searched around and have heard that this is a common issue with these explorers, and has something to do with a "gear pack" in the rear end. I took the SUV to Cottman Transmissions to have them check all the fluids, front and rear diffs, tranny and xfer case and everything checked out....but the dull roar or "whine" is pretty annoying.

Did you try to change the fluid in the rear end to see if it improved any? I've read where some folks have added the Ford friction modifier recommended for the limited slip rears to non-LS rears and had it quiet down some. It will need to be rebuilt sometime though. I'd start saving for that repair.

I've owned my 03 4x4 XLT (NBX) since August of 2007....had a few problems, still have some...



Also, to put the SUV in park, you have to go from drive to reverse, and then park....if you try to go all the way without letting it engage into reverse it will not go. Just a little annoyance, but I really wouldn't be surprised if I need to have the tranny or rear diff rebuilt in the future....

Sounds like the Brake Shift Interlock needs to be replaced. There is a TSB that shows how to do the repair here:
http://www.justanswer.com/uploads/fordguy4u/2008-05-18_152453_TSB_04-22-12.pdf

Good luck.

 

[jrford]

WD40 on the door locks for the door ajar.


Not bad for:
'The truck has 125k highway miles, was a corporate lease vehicle until the 100k mark'

 

[peteypie]

WD40 works great on the bushings too