Engine Shut Off Without Warning problems of the 2004 Ford Explorer

While driving down the street I activated the cruise control feature, but when I deexcellerated using the the steering wheel cruise control buttons down to a speed below 40, the engine shut off and power steering off, while I was still in motion on the street. I had to put the vehicle into park and crank up again (which almost didn't crank back up), to get back running. This is the first time using my cruise control feature and have read other horror stories of their Ford Explorer shutting off mid drive due to using the decel button during cruise control. Must be recalled for highway and interstate safety hazard immediately.

Driving down the road at 10:52 pm and with no warning the entire truck shut down/off. All lights inside and out shut off, engine shut off, no power to the entire vehicle. Coasted to a stop, put it in park and turned the key off and then back on - the truck started right up with out a problem.

This is a county govt vehicle purchased used from a dealer about 2 years ago. I had been highway driving for about 3-4 hours at speeds between 55-70 mph. I made one brief stop during that time, and was mostly using cruise control. Just prior to the incident, the speed limit drops from 70 to 55, and then to 35 in a relatively short distance. I used the cruise control coast to reduce my speed from 55 to 35. The 35 mph speed starts on a bridge- there is a small incline and then a little larger decline. At about the base of the bridge, the engine shut off, I lost steering and coasted to a stop. I don't recall if I had braking. I was with a passenger; it was night, and this occurred in an area that was not safe. I tried restarting the car, and it restarted with no problem. I drove to a nearby gas station. The power steering fluid was low, so I filled that, restarted, and drove the remaining 1 1/2 hrs with no problems. Other employees continued to drive over the next 2 1/2 months locally-very little highway driving, with no issues. On February 21, I was returning from a trip in this vehicle from the same area, with the same circumstances as above. When I was still on the bridge where the speed drops to 35, the engine shut off again. This time I was alone. There was a vehicle following very close behind me but fortunately I continued to coast as this was on the decline of the bridge. I was able to steer slightly to get off the highway. The check gauges; check engine, and battery warning lights were all on. The car restarted with no problems. I drove to the same gas station; checked the gauges-all were normal and no warning lights. I drove the 1 1/2 hrs remaining with no problems. On a web search, I found multiple cases of very similar problems on Explorers with no resolution. I could find no recalls on the VIN. This is an extremely dangerous and potentially fatal problem.

The consumer was making a left hand turn and the vehicle just shut off, couldn't steer, and couldn't pull off. The vehicle was in the middle of the road and the consumer restarted the vehicle about a minute down the road, when it happened again. The battery light came on and brake light came on, but felt like they were still working.

2004 Ford Explorer engine shuts off and there is difficulty shifting gears. ** answer required***. Both of theses malfunctions present a danger and a hazard and are very serious defects.

Ford motor company regarding dissatisfaction with lack of performance, reliability and quality of 2004 Ford Explorer XLT* consumer states has had multiple problems with 2004 Ford Explorer such as very hard shifting gears from a parked position, the vehicle shut down on i95 highway twice and pedals became inoperable, vehicle also slams into gear at high speed and wants to reimbursed for the multiple problems of his 3 year old truck.

'04 Explorer engine shuts off and steering wheel locks up while driving, car jerks when put in reverse, false fuel reading took truck back to dealership, they do not think any thing is wrong with the truck, this has happen four times.