2004 Ford Explorer: harsh or hard shifting

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 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 May 5, 2014 · Transmission · 180,000 miles · VT

While driving my explorer down the highway, the transmission blew with out much warning with my baby in the car. The vehicle went from drivable to not moving within one day. It started with a hard shift and acceleration being delayed when trying to make a turn. Then the o/d light came on and the vehicle lost all power within ten miles of my home leaving us stranded in the dead of winter on the highway with very little room to pull over so we could have been hit at high speeds.

Filed Sep 23, 2013 · Transmission · 89,000 miles · WI

After coasting through intersections, transmission slips and then clunks as I accelerate

Filed Apr 2, 2013 · Engine · 65,000 miles · CA

At about 65,000 miles, my transmission began slowly acting up; it vwas difficult to put into gear and clunks while driving. It is getting worse, and ford will not help with repairs because it is out of warranty.

Filed May 18, 2012 · Transmission · FL

2004 ford explorer. Consumer writes in regards to transmission problem *tgw the consumer stated there was a delay in the transmission when he attempted to put the gear in reverse. There was also a hard shift when the vehicle was warm and on several occasions, it would slam into gear.

Filed Oct 25, 2011 · Transmission · 65,000 miles · CA

Vehicle transmission slips when climbing elevation. Starts clunking noise and won't shift. Rpms go way up and vehicle still will not shift. Hard to get vehicle into park on the gear shifter. Have thought the vehicle was in park only to have it roll when I take my foot off the brake. Took vehicle to mechanic today who says a new transmission is needed. Appx cost 3600.00

Filed Sep 20, 2011 · Transmission · 57,177 miles · PA

I bought a used 2004 ford explorer in september 2009. In june 20111 my husband and was driving and I was in the passenger seat. We both could feel the transmission slipping as he drove but figured that it could not be the transmission because the vehicle only had 57,177 miles on it. We arrived at our destination 10 minutes later and by that time we could no longer reverse the vehicle at all. I called the local ford dealership and they said to drive the vehicle over there and they would take a look at it. The paperwork I have from them states "verified concern, performed electronic transmission diagnosis, pulled code po731, checked fluid level - full. Dropped the transmission oil pan and found excessive metal debris indicating internal failure. Tech recommended replacing with a ford reman unit." the ford dealership's estimate for me was almost $5,000.00 for the transmission to be replaced. I called around to other shops and had the transmission replaced with a jasper unit which cost me $3467.30. It has a three-year warranty on it. I have been reading online about this problem with 2004 ford explorers. For almost a year before the transmission died it would often have delayed shifting when going in reverse and I just assumed it was a touchy pedal, looking back now I realize it was most likely the transmission. This never occurred to me because of the vehicle only having 57,000 miles on it. I no longer feel comfortable driving this vehicle knowing that it has the problems that it does but I have no other choice because we still owe more on the loan than the vehicle is worth.

Filed Jun 15, 2011 · Transmission · 146,639 miles · CA

Original owner of vehicle,car shifts roughly into gear while driving feels like it is dragging,transmission has a hard clunk engagement when putting in reverse then engages hard with a sudden unexpected jolt backwards when car only had 3,945 miles in oct 2004. When car is in park I start the car it will sometimes jolt forward. Took car to dealer within 90 days of purchase for transmission & they replaced a solenoid in the trans. Took car back 2 more times within a year still having same problems now warranty up & ford will not help car has 170k= miles & is 6 yrs old still running but same transmission issues daily. This is very unsafe with the car jolting into gear especially when I start the car. They need to recall & replace the transmission.

Filed Apr 9, 2011 · Transmission · 68,312 miles · MD

The transmission has a delayed shift and causes the engine to rev before shifting. This causes a hesitation especially when pulling out into traffic from a stop. This occurs every time and the 0/d light flashes as well. The service engine light is now because of the transmission problem. This is situation dangerous.

Filed Mar 24, 2011 · Transmission · 51,000 miles · OH

Transmission has a hard clunk engagement when putting in gear and total disengagement while driving, then the od light starts to blink, and you have to either let off the gas, or tap the gas to get it to engage again, it started around 50,000 miles, and continues to do so, the is no recall and no warranty for it, dealer ship said it needs rebuilt or replaced 2200.00 or 4200.00 dollars, we don't have.

Filed Mar 23, 2011 · Transmission · AZ

2004 ford explorer. Consumer writes in regards to having to replace the solenoid for the third time. *tgw the consumer stated the vehicle would not engage into reverse without jolting and hard shifting.