2004 Ford Explorer transmission problems

Filed Sep 26, 2019 · Transmission · CA

My 2004 ford explorer has recently and quickly began shifting very badly. I always come to a complete stop and shift into neutral before shifting into reverse or drive because when shifting into reverse from p or d, it always takes a while, then clunks aggressively into place. While driving sometimes downshifting will also clunk into place. This issue has been reported by countless other drivers and has caused many potentially dangerous situations. From accelerating slowly then banging gears and taking off, to stuttering while trying to accelerate, or even switching into reverse while parking, and having the car try to jump back a few inches is only a few issues this problem has caused myself and countless others. People are replacing transmissions left and right to no avail, only a few 10 thousand miles after installing new transmissions, their car starts to experience the same issues as before. At low speeds and in parking lots this becomes a game of luck as you accelerate more than necessary to try to get going, then stopping and waiting a few seconds while you shift to neutral before shifting to reverse as fear of it banging into gear as you try to maneuver your car around people and other parked cars becomes a more dangerous task than it should be. In sum, while stationary, slow speed, or just cruising, the transmission while shifting gears, or shifting into reverse/drive, sometimes wants to bang into gear or lose power, or delay shifting only to bang into gear moments later. Some issues when taking cars into repair is finding metal transmission shavings where they shouldnt be! Finally, the excessive banging can also damage the engine over time in addition to the transmission. Please reference the following link to get a better idea of the issues: https://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/explorer/2004/transmission/transmission_slipping_shifts_hard.shtml thankyou

Filed Jun 20, 2019 · Steering, Suspension · 99,735 miles · OH

My steering column broke right off! Trying to put it in drive @99,735 mi. Had to tow it to shop, and replace the steering column. I see other people had this same problem. There should be a recall for this!!! I also had to replace the transmission @ 103,000 miles it would skip 3rd gear. Seems everyone else has to replace the transmission. Also back bearings!! What a disgrace. Recall this disgraceful workmanship! No honor!

Filed Dec 27, 2018 · Transmission · HI

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. While driving and attempting to shift gears, the contact's son pulled too hard and fractured the gear shifter. The contact stated that the gear shifter was currently too loose and would not shift into any gear. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage and VIN were unknown.

Filed Dec 28, 2017 · Transmission · 197,000 miles · SC

Well we just bought this explorer and just as I have read from others on this website our explorer is doing similar things. Such as shifting in reverse takes 3-7 seconds to take hold, going up the mountains the SUV had major kickbacks and jerks. I have not taken to dealership as of now. Will make an apt. And put results later.

Filed Nov 23, 2017 · Electrical, Steering · PA

All four seals where leaking including pinion seals. Clunking noise 40 to 50mph when you let go of the gas ,holds back,heater gauge+MPH gauge don't work most.of the time.paint chipping away all over.replaced all seals 5 times +yoke cvhalf shaft. Replaced front differential still making the noise.poor lighting at night.it has a miss fire gave it a tuneup and still is doing it. Radio volume won't turn down it goes louder when turning down.

Filed Aug 30, 2017 · Acceleration, Transmission · IN

It slippes and won't just take off some take offbut the SUV sits and when it does takebodf you have to let your foot up off the gas to get it to shift

Filed Jun 27, 2017 · Engine, Suspension · TX · 1 injury

Transmission shifts harder and shakes the entire SUV. When I press the gas and get to about 35-40 it will start knocking really bad and feels like it's losing power. When I stop the exact same thing happens with the knocking. I was going 35 around a slight curve on I-45 freeway by little york shepard gulf bank area to be exact and the SUV was driving fine. I was just getting onto the freeway at this time. Hints the reason I'm not going so face. When I started picking up speed the transmission jerked so hard I flew into the next lane. Luckily no one was around me but image if I was in traffic and this happen.

Filed Mar 6, 2017 · Transmission · 127,695 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. While driving 40 MPH, an overdrive warning indicator illuminated while the vehicle decreased in speed. The contact stated that the vehicle was restarted, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,695.

Filed Mar 5, 2017 · Acceleration, Engine · 164,000 miles · WI

I have already put a complaint in about my throttle body issue. This evening I went about a mile and a half, and my wrench light came on and my truck started to not to be able to move. I pulled over, turned it off. Waited a bit and restarted it. This time it took a bit to get it to start up. I then proceeded to go back home because of how it was acting a mile and a half after driving, not often two minutes later it happens again, and the engine started chugging, I couldn't move, and I almost got rear ended again! I then again turned it off and waited and then started the truck up. It took sometime once again to start. I finally made it back home in tears. I was able to get codes off, since I picked a up a code raffia few days prior. I got code p2104, p2111, and p2112. This issue needs to be addressed. I will be calling ford tomorrow!

Filed Nov 12, 2016 · Brakes, Engine · 170,000 miles · IN

Transmission failure with overdrive light blinking .no first gear,shifts hard , sometime it wont shift without letting off gas .with codespo731,po733,po734,po745 needs total rebuild this happened while driving down the road at 40 miles a hour , ABS light is on . Codes show wrong line pressure.engine knocking , timming chain issues.