2004 Ford Explorer consumer reviews

I purchased a 2004 Ford Explorer on s private sale with 134000 miles. I have been in the rental car business for many years and have driven Ford Explorers quite often. This one drove exactly as I would expect from a new one. No paint wear and Ford carpets clean up like new. The leather seats have some wear and can't be made to look brand new. The best I could get was very good and with one small tear on the left side if the driver seat. Every Explorer I looked at had this same damage. Expect that a cared for Explorer should run exactly the same as a brand new one and if it doesn't then there is something wrong. The interior buttons and carpet should not be stained or worn even at high mileage. If it is then the vehicle may have been used hard. I did have to replace the alternator and an oxygen sensor but both of these were easy to diagnose and fix by ordinary mechanics.

My ford explorer was a great suv. I got good mileage and handled the snow like a champ without 4wd. The interior was comfy and it had great cargo space. Good for long road trips or just normal commute.

This is my first Explorer, although I've owned just about every other model Ford has made over the years and this one is replacing an E-150 conversion van I no longer need. The independent mech who has maintained all of my cars, when I asked him what he thought of them, said "I've never heard anyone say anything bad about an Explorer". And yes, my family owned a Ford dealership but my dad died when I was 13 and we sold the dealership so it's been many years since I've had a financial interest. IMHO Ford blew it in 2011 when they took a front wheel drive sedan, put a SUV body on it and desecrated the Explorer name badge which is why I'll never have any one built after 2010.

Wish I had gone on line and looked up the 2004 explorer. I would have found out that it must have the worst transmission of any other car on the road. Six weeks afterI bought it the tranny started shifting into reverse after about a five second delay,with a loud thud. Foward gears wanted to shft about all at the same time. Thank God I bought the warranty. New tranny was $2600.

We bought ours in 2006 w/33K miles. It runs like a top, have never had any major problems with it. Cloth seats are easy to clean, exterior still shines like a new dime. Gas mileage could be better, but overall we are very happy with our very reliable truck!

sold my 97 aurora,told couldn't get head gaskets,after selling,found out could off mkt.found a 04'ford explorer 100000 mi.excellant cond.Was told by ford this was best year between 03 and 05.Got it for under 10,000. Sold aurora under 1000. you can find a good deal if you persevere and be patient. My 01'gmc 3/4 tn truck and 03't-bird were all one owners and in excellant cond. with low mileage.

Just got a 2004 Red Ford Explorer XLT. After an accident in my Jeep Grand Cherokee. Although the Jeep was awsome off road, it gave me a ton of mechanical problems, ex. Engine, fuel injector, starter. And so on. My Ford has given me none of that.. biggest positives: seating for seven and the fold down third row, pleanty of sleeping room with backrows folded down for camping, high tow rating for yard work and travling, All wheel drive is a god send in mud and snow, ground clearence of 8+ inches. I wish I had goten a V-8 for power and get up and go. Overall the mpgs is pretty good around 23. I am very happy with my descion. Would recomnen highly! Enoy. Happy travels.

I bought this SUV used when it only had 30,000 miles on it and It has 82,000 now and the only thing I have replaced was the tires, battery, and brake lights. It is very comfortable and drives like a dream, the rear air is very powerful. The front A/c is my only complaint as it seams a little weak but the rear air is so powerful it cools the car down quick even when sitting in the back third row. I love this truck and will drive it untill it can't drive anymore.

I bought this truck as I wanted to drive a Full size Ford SUV. And Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer was my best bet!! It is one solid truck! Very sturdy and very comfirtable ride on freeways! I'll give it a 4.5 out of a 5! (0.5 less because of the gas mileage...but hey... if you are worried about the mpg ..why drive a ford! :))

This was a great medium size suv, powerful, very comfortable. worst, poor gas mileage and electrical