Our vehicle only has 36,000 miles on it, and the transmission has succumb to an extremely unsafe condition after warranted factory repair for the third time now, where the transmission fails to shift while driving and basically leaves you coasting without speed control during a regular shift interval.
2004 Ford Explorer transmission complaints
Page 10 of 16: complaints 251 to 280 of 460, newest first, as owners wrote them.
In feb. 2004 I purchased a brand new explorer. About 6 months into ownership there were some problems with a delay in switching from park to reverse. I took the explorer to the dealer. They stated it was the throttle position sensor, which the dealer did replace. Approximately a year later, the same problem started to happen again. I took the explorer back to the dealer and they repaired the same part again. The problem continued and progressively got worse so I was forced to take it back again in december of 2006 to the dealer. They proceed to tell me that the problem is the same exact problem which has already been fixed, twice. This time they tell me my warranty has expired and I will have to pay for the repairs. Well it seems to me if it was repaired correctly the first or second time then it wouldn't be happening just about every year. I would drive my truck locally and it normally would not want to move. One day on my lunch hour, I tried to cross a major 4 lane highway and this 2004 ford explorer, left me stranded in the middle of this lunch rush hour traffic, to be t-boned by on coming traffic. Talk about, emotional distress; I was so upset that I had to go home for the rest of the day. It is just as scary to think my truck would break down due to manufacturing problems with my kids in the truck. This happened so often and most times at night. The throttle position sensor and transmission fluid cost me $550.00 at 80k miles. The dealer informed me that you are not supposed to service the transmission until 100k but the dealer suggested it due to my many problems. I am at the point where I just will never buy another ford vehicle. Nothing has been done my truck has sat at the dealer since dec 2007, I can not afford the repairs. It seems there should be a class action suit filed against ford for fault transmissions.
Purchased a 2004 ford explorer new at a local dealership. I started having transmission problem soon after purchase. Not shifting into reverse properly. Took the vehicle several times back to dealership. Received transmission additive recall and took vehicle back again. About 5,000 miles after additive transmission problems worsened. Solenoid replace at 20,000 miles and again at 35,000 with other transmission parts replaced. Now at 59,000 miles of use transmission is completely gone and must be replaced.
My vehicle when put in reverse will hesitate then engage approx. 30 sec. Later as if rearended. When I am in drive and accelerate my 04 explorer xlt will hesitate then engaged.
I just purchased a used ford explorer xlt from a dealer and took for test drive seemed ok purchased the vehicle and noticed the next day upon driving that the transmission going from park to reverse out of my garage took a few seconds before cluncking into gear almost causing me to hit my garage I took to my mechanic which he changed out my fluid adding the additive that he new was required he owns a trans shop and is very reputable he stated about the recall also he checked my differentials in front and rear and noticed rear was all full of silver shavings we changed out fluids also but the shifting and vibrating still is occurring I did purchase a full warranty and after reading all the negative press on this site I hope the purchase of a ford vehicle and warranty was worth the money.
Since owning the car, it has had trouble with the transmission. When shifting into reverse it will suddenly lurch backwards. Causing the car to momentarily loose control. It is a concern when backing out of parking spaces, and could potentiality cause an accident. The transmission solenoid and a few gaskets have been replaced, but the dealer does not know the true cause of the problem.
Hi! My 2004 for explorer has been suffering from transmission problems for over 3 years. The car was taken to the dealer for repair while under warranty multiple times with the dealer doing little to satisfy me or address the issue. The problem has gotten progressively worse to a point that it has become a public hazard to drive. It seems to jump in and out of gear as it wishes with a clunking sound, especially when put into reverse. I took the car to the dealership this past week after being advised to do so when I called ford's 1-800 number and they are suggesting that I replace the transmission. The catch is that my SUV is now out of warranty at only 46k miles. Bear in mind they failed to remedy the issue in the past. I went online and found that this problem is rampant with this model and year. Many comments from other disgruntled owners may be found at: http://www.offroadexchange.com/modforums/index.php?topic=26.new evidently the problem goes as far back as production of 2004 ford explorers. Ford is failing to own up to this. I urge you to please take action so that this issue may be deemed part of a recall. These vehicles are posing a public threat and ford is doing absolutely nothing about it.
Differential went out when driving SUV rear axle grinds chatter.
2004 ford explorer transmission failure, shift slippage, delayed acceleration.
I own a 2004 ford explorer and in 2006 I had to have the solenoid shifters replaced in my vehicle. After researching this problem on the internet I have found that this transmission problem is very common with the 2004 explorer model. My vehicle is now out of warranty and the same problem has occurred again. My hope is that you will take this complaint and research for yourself the many people experiencing the same problem and place a government recall correct the matter once and for all. It is a dangerous problem and causes the transmission to hesitate between 3rd and 4th gear in my case. This could potentially cause serious issues while at high speeds. Please look into this matter and feel free to contact me with any other questions. Thanks.
1 - transmission shifts hard into reverse. Starting happening at approx. 11k miles. Took to dealer twice under warranty to have repairs made, but still shifted hard. One repair at 11k and one repair at 34k. Each time I was told that this was 'normal' by dealer (bergstrom ford of neenah). However, after repeated complaints, dealer (bergstrom ford of neenah) made repairs that they believed would help resolve the issue. Issue never went away. 2 - complete transmission failure at 67k. Transmission would not shift into reverse. Could no back out of a parking stall at a retail store. Took to ford dealer (les stumpf ford) and got no assistance. Vehicle is out of warranty and I had to pay for repairs. Entire transmission needed replacement. No assistance from ford to make repairs.
Took car back to the dealer I purchased it from, complained of a rough shift into reverse, technician said normal with this transmission, took it to another dealer in city where I work they found the problem to be a solenoid in the transmission and it was repaired under warranty. 20000 miles later and 18 months later the same problem diagnosed, not in warranty any longer I contacted ford and they gave me a decision that there was nothing they could do for me. This same problem appears at lease 3 times on your website as service bulletins.
Driving vehicle, stopped, put vehicle in park, got out of vehicle briefly , got back in vehicle, pulled on gear shift leaver to put in drive would not go in drive or any other gear, prndl leaver broke off, could not remove key, could shut off the motor, had to have vehicle towed to ford dealer for repairs. Total cost of repair $1,501.19. I did not by this vehicle from ourisman ford. I bought it from a private owner.
In order to move the shift lever into the park position, it is necessary to push the lever up, let it return down a short bit, and then put it into park. The lever wants to stop half way. This is a safety hazard because the vehicle may return to reverse without actually being in the park position.
2004 ford explorer limited-owned SUV for 38k been in shop repeatedly-from minor to major things. Suv is a $ 34,000 turd. Currently needing to go back to shop for multiple repairs. The day our warranty expires car is gone.
Rear axle noise/whining.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. While the vehicle was parked and the engine was running, the vehicle rolled into the contact's home. While driving to the dealer at 15 MPH, the vehicle failed and would not move. The vehicle was placed in each gear, but it still would not move and the engine revved. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. When it arrived, the vehicle was placed in reverse and drove backwards. When the gear was placed in drive, it drove forward. The mechanic stated that the vehicle had a defective shift indicator and it was replaced. The vehicle operated normally when it was test driven. Four days later, the failure recurred. The transmission is making noises when driving at any speed, especially when shifting gears. The vehicle is currently back at the dealer. The failure and current mileages were 51,578. Updated 12-12-07.
On my explorer it has been to the dealer on 5 occasions now for the transmission. Delayed engagement when going from reverse to drive, sometimes feeling as if someone has rear ended me. On the first trip in an additive was added to the transmission, second trip the transmission solenoid pack was replaced, third trip the transmission solenoid pack was replaced, fourth trip the dealer couldn't reproduce the problem and the fifth trip the problem couldn't be reproduced. Was told by the dealer service manager that this is what the transmission is supposed to do. 1 day after getting my explorer back same issue. I don't feel that this vehicle is safe to drive.
Our 2004 ford explorer has a significantly delayed response when shifting into reverse. Once the transmission engages there is a loud and hard "clunk". This happens every time you put the truck in reverse.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. While driving approximately 35mph and changing gears, the transmission hesitated. When reverse is engaged, there was a delay, a hard noise and difficult to shift. The dealer has not diagnosed the failure. The current and failure mileages were 36,000.
Ford has an obvious design flaw in the transmission for the 2004 explorer. Similar to thousands of others,when put into reverse the vehicle hesitates for 5 - 10 seconds and then bangs into gear with a sudden power surge. We've barely managed to avoid hitting the house and other vehicles. A "repair" just cost us ~$900. Ford claims no knowledge of a problem. What a joke!
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. She depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle started and began to vibrate. She then placed the vehicle in reverse and heard a loud clunking noise. She smelled a strong gas odor inside the passenger compartment. The contact looked in her rearview mirror and noticed a large amount of smoke coming from the exhaust system. She parked the vehicle and had it towed. She then noticed that all of the radiator fluid leaked out. The mechanic stated that the valve failed and damaged the entire engine. The mechanic also stated that the engine needed to be replaced and appeared to be a manufacturer defect. The current and failure mileages were 63,000. The consumer also stated had problems prior to incident with sun visor falling off, gear shaft would not shift into park, engine sluggish, and while using cruise control vehicle would just shut off. Updated 10/22/07
2004 explorer (automatic) column gear shift broke when shifted into reverse. Part was not sold separately so had to purchase entire steering column. Estimate cost of new part was approximately $500. Luckily was able to locate used part for half the cost. Replaced only the broken part which has gear shift lever attached.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was not repaired after it had been serviced for a recall on the transmission. She placed the vehicle in reverse and five seconds later it jerked backwards. The contact experienced the same failure numerous times. The vehicle was returned to the dealer for inspection. The current mileage was 48,500 and failure mileage was 15,000.
2004 ford explorer. When putting into reverse, vehicle bangs, you can hear and feel it. Was in shop, and ffound nothing wrong. Occurred occaisionally, now alot! Now my transmission is leaking fluid. My warranty ran out 5,000 miles ago. I don't think this is normal in a newer car.
Our 2004 ford explorer has a significantly delayed response when shifting into reverse. Once the transmission engages there is a loud and hard "clunk". The dealership has diagnosed failure of the transmission solenoid and estimates this repair will cost ~$900.
Multiple problems with my explorer. When shifting into reverse car jolts with a clunking noise. Abs light is on and 4x4 high light flashes. Service engine light on but no hose leaks can be found. Wrench light comes on even after tps replacement suggested by obd-ii. Very unhappy with this vehicle. I have owned 7 fords, this is the worst I have owned.
At 50,000 my 2004 ford explorer xlt started having transmission problems. It does a slamming when putting into reverse. The brake has to be pushed all the way to floor to keep the vehicle from lurching into anyone or anything. It also has a slipping and jerking when the vehicle shifts into 2nd and again when it shifts into 3rd. I am not the only person with this issue.
I have taken my ford explorer (2004 xlt v8 4wd) to the dealership four times to have the differential fluid that is leaking fixed. I have spent about $800 getting it fixed, not to mention the gas that it takes to get there and back and each time I pull in my driveway and look out to see it still leaking. After the second time that I took my vehicle to the dealership, the service department lady told me that they didn't know why it was leaking and that they were going to have to contact ford to see if it was a recurring problem--and of course it is---and they had to order a different part (that is still not working) to fix it. Couldn't they have known that in the beginning? Now they are telling me that if this doesn't work they are just going to have to replace the axles. I have read on several websites that this is a problem that ford is not willing to do anything about. I will no longer be a ford customer due to this. Thank you ford for wasting my time and my money!
Http://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/explorer/2004/transmission/transmission_slipping_shifts_hard.shtml. View this website. I too have had the same problem at 10000 miles. I had the vehicle serviced, and am now experiencing a slight hesitation when backing again. This needs to be looked at. I did not realize the widespread problem until I saw the recent complaints on this web-site for this vehicle's year/make/model. This wa s a huge safety issue.
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