Hello, I have a friend who works at carmax, he told me all explorers no matter which suffer from really bad ring and pinion gears. My father in law bought a brand new explorer last year, this year it has 50k miles and the ring and pinion are whining like crazy. Ford knows about the defect but they want to wait until 2010 when most of the people's warranties expire in my opinion. They say the same to everyone, that its not too bad to consider replacing it.
2004 Ford Explorer transmission complaints
Page 13 of 16: complaints 341 to 370 of 460, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Dt: contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. After I first purchased this vehicle while driving the vehicle when putting vehicle in reverse it slams into reverse. When you put the vehicle in second gear it will slam into gear. My wife almost hit another vehicle while in a parking lot. The vehicle has been taken back to the dealership at least three or four times. They know that theres a problem with the vehicle but theres nothing they can do to fix it. They told me to just drive the vehicle. Also contacted the ford manufacturer I was told the same thing from the manufacturer. This vehicle is still under warranty.
My 2004 ford explorer jerks into reverse when shifting from park to reverse. It also slips gears in the lower gears when driving in a lower speed zone. This is an acknowledged problem, but ford refuses to fix the transmission.
I have a 2004 ford explorer xlt, purchased brand new with only 1 mile on it on 6/25/04. I have experienced violent jerking of the vehicle when turning the wheel, going in reverse, or shifting gears. I temporarily lose control of steering when this jerking occurs. The vehicle's transmission was recalled and subsequently serviced on 2/03/05 ...then again on 7/18/05... And again on 8/24/05 ...and I have an appointment in 2 days on 10/15/05... All for the same problem. Apparently the necessary part is on national back-order so ford constantly puts a "band-aid" on the problem so in the interim, I am subject to major inconveniences and danger because of this defect.
2004 ford explorer in dealership service 5 times for slipping in the rear while driving in low speeds around corners, still not fixed! Dealership has also attempted to fix severe delayed jerking after placing the vehicle in reverse on 3 occasions. Had vehicle at dealership for 35,000 service, dealership took it upon themselves to attempt to fix rear end again and replace bearings in the hub with out my permission! Going to arbitration with the bbb autoline to request ford repurchase the vehicle as it is very evident these problems have existed for years and still exist with the newer models. Thank goodness no one was hurt, except my wallet! The dealership offered me an extended warranty for my troubles in july, it is now the last day of september and I have not received it! Lemon law - 3 attempts to fix the same problem and you qualify.
When we purchased the vehicle it went into gear rough and I asked the sales person about it and he said that is how this vehicle goes into gear. We started to notice hesitation when we accelerated from either a stop or while driving. We brought it in and they said they calibrated the computer. Then we started to get rear end leaks and had to be repaired 3 times. The transmission problems continued and we brought it to another dealer because of the poor service at the purchasing dealership. They replaced a solenoid valve and overhauled main control. This did not help and then the problem began to show new symptoms. Now when we back up it locks up and then jerks back into gear going backwards. I have told both dealerships of my concerns about residual damage to the transmission and was assured that it would not happen. It has. Our last couple of visits we have been lied to and the work order has not been correctly reflecting what we said and what was found by the tech's. There is no mention on the report that two of then had the reveres problems happening to them. I did not want to leave with it like that but they would not change it. I do have a tech's statement written on it and signed. Now they replaced the rear end ABS sensor and followed the 05-3-8 recall 4x4 control module per hotline. They said they did two road tests but I checked my mileage and they only drove 1.9 miles. How can you do two transmission road tests within 1.9 miles? We are very concerned and afraid to drive this vehicle and injure or kill our family and possible someone else. After doing some research we have found out that this is an on going problem with the 2004 ford explorer and that there are hundreds of people in the same situation with no resolution in sight. This at the very least will cost us all thousands of dollars for fords mistake and lack of responsible action. But in truth our families will end up either injured or dead first. Why will no one help us with this problem? R.s.
Transmission failed after 41000 miles. While this is outside the warranty, ford has been known for transmission problems and won't fix the problem.
When shifting into reverse, the vehicle pauses and then jumps into gear. It has done this on several occasions.
There is a whine or "howl" coming from the rear axle of our 2004 ford explorer with less than 9000 miles on it. We brought it back to the ford dealer in camdenton, mo where it was purchased and explained the problem that there is a loud whine coming from the rear axle at speeds between 50 and peaks at 62. They said that they were having problems with those and said something about that it would probably need a rear pinion seal. After having the vehicle for two days and having given us the impression that it was going to be fixed, they said that the problem isn't bad enough to warrant repair and that it needs to be broken in longer. I was told that twice, once on the phone and once in person when I got there to pick it up. I told the man that I didn't believe that and that the whine is getting worse, not better.
Delay/harsh clunk when shifting to reverse.
Transmission on 2004 ford explorer xlt 4.6 awd doesn't engage in reverse or drive without hesitation. On going problem since about 15k. Took to the dealer after receiving recall notice from ford. Dealer put "additive" in the transmission fluid said it would take about 3k miles to work out of the problem. I now have 24k on this vehicle and the shifting is getting worse. Worried about pulling out of a parking lot etc, not knowing if the truck will move or not. Leather seat covers were replaced free of charge from the dealer, as after 6 months there were numerous cracks in the leather.
The automatic transmission on my 2004 ford explorer hesitates, then jumps into gear, and the problem appears to be worsening over time. It happens when in drive or reverse, but up to now, the problem has been particularly worse when the transmission is in reverse. Up to now this has been more of a nuisance than anything, however, when I attempted to proceed into traffic from a stopped position earlier today, the vehicle hesitated for 3-4 seconds before engaging. Several other explorer owners that I know have reported similar problems. This is clearly a safety problem.
We bought this vehicle new in december of 2004 and it has been in the service dept. 8 times in the past 7 months for warranty repairs. It has been in 4 times for "hard cranks but no start", 4 times for rough idling, 1 time for an RPM problem (and in next week for a different one- it stays around 3 RPM after accelerating- I have to let off of the gas pedal for it to shift down), and it has been in for misc. Issues (whistling noise at front window, rattling console, etc.). Each time it has been brought in for the mechanical problems, they "upgrade the PCM". I have contacted the dealership and I have contacted ford directly numerous times for a repurchase because of my daughter's medical condition. It requires that she has reliable and safe transportation available at all times. The dealership knew about her needs when we bought this SUV. However, I keep getting shuttled back and forth between the dealership, (schimmer ford, illinois) and ford motor company. As a long time purchaser of ford vehicles, I am really disappointed in the treatment that I am receiving.
Transmission shift lag- 2004 ford explorer I presented my 2004 ford explorer [xxx] to a local dealer 2/28/05 for the recall involving a change of transmission fluid. This has not alleviated what I have noticed is a chronic and possibly dangerous problem with this vehicle. When placed in reverse, there is often a noticeable shift lag of a few seconds before the transmission actually engages. The most recent incident occurred yesterday, 7/26/05, when the vehicle was parked nose down on a hill, requiring me to back up to leave a parking spot in the city of pittsburgh, well known for its hilly terrain. Because of the transmission lag, I almost drifted into the vehicle in front of me before the vehicle finally went into reverse. I haven't noticed this in any forward gears with this vehicle, but this is the third and most noticeable event to date. Had a pedestrian walked in front of me, there may have been an injury, or even a fatality. After this event, I am returning the vehicle asap to the dealer. I will only use reverse at this time with my left foot on the brake until I feel the transmission engage. Updated 07/19/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
Within three days of buying the vehicle, I encountered problems with remote, sometimes it would work and other times, it wouldn't. Driver's rear window , sometimes it would work and other times, it wouldn't. I took it back to dealer three times for same things. Rear end makes a very loud whining noise. It has been to dealer's three times also for fixing. Dealer states that there is nothing they can do and all of them are doing it. Vehicle, while in gear, would jump/jerk. Dealer replaced solenoid, it still does it sometimes.
2004 ford explorer...well known transmission problems, delay and "bucking" into reverse...ford dealer has tried to fix but to no avail...
Problems with a 2004 ford explorer transmission operation. While driving at highway speeds the transmission will drop into 1st gear, bringing the vehicile almost to a full stop. The transmission also drops into a netural gear also while driving at highway speeds.
Within 7,000 miles of purchasing my 2004 ford explorer (eddie bauer edition) I began noticing a progressively worsening slamming into gear. At first it was just into reverse, then it was from reverse into forward drive gears, then it would slam every time it changed gears. When I took it in, ford replaced the valve body for the transmission, the rear differential, and a solenoid. Seemed to correct the problem for about 10k miles. Then the reverse slamming started again and some slight slamming when going from reverse to the forward gear. So I took it back and also asked them to do some routine maintanence inspections, during which time they informed me my rear left wheel bearing was bad and the vehicle was not driveable. At this time they also told me they could not duplicate the transmission problem. Now, 10k miles later, it's back in the shop with slamming gears and whining noises coming from wheel area. The slamming transmission is basically shaking my vehicle apart bit by bit. My fear of course is the safety of the vehicle. I'm hoping I can get resolution before a part actually falls off while I'm going 70 down the highway. I've been reading news releases and owner forums and this seems to be a rather common issue, though luckily no one has been hurt as of yet.
2004 ford explorer, transmission problems since new, visited the dealer for repairs 3 times with no fix
Dt: the car will not start in the mornings, and sometimes when it sits for a while it will not start. Consumer had the vehicle into dealership for this problem. Dealership could not find out why it will not start. Dealership kept the vehicle for a week, and vehicle started correctly after that. After a couple of months this problem came back. Owner has not taken the vehicle back for repairs yet. The rear brake light cover is lose and coming off. The consumer bought the vehicle in january of 2004. The consumer has not contacted ford at this time. Ford was contacted with the first time when the vehicle was in the shop. The consumer has not filed a complaint with ford, but wa going today.
Transmission going into reverse had started to be delayed and abrupt starting around april of 2005 at appr. 12,000 miles. It seemed to not shift into gear properly and would lurch into gear unexpectedly. We received a recall from ford in may 2005 stating that we had not yet been in for our recall. No notice had come before that one. I immediately called dealer and took in for transmission fluid change 3 days later. There has been no change and if anything things have gotten worse. I need to take my child 75 miles one way frequently for doctors appointments and am quite concerned about the safety of this vehicle.
See ford motor co tsb 04b22 or the federal safety agency item number 10013306, ford explorer 2004. Subject vehicle's transmission, to a lesser degree, had started to exhibit the characteristics described therein prior to receipt of the 04b22 program notice. Random violent transmission operation. Causes vehicle to lurch when accelerator is depressed after placing transmission in gear with vehicle stationary, occurs most often in reverse , before or after vehicle starts to move, most often before vehicle has started moving. I consider this a safety issue and shortening service life of drive line components. Five times to dealership in attempt to have problem corrected under warranty, dealership fine; manufacturer's reps. Verbally advised me that transmission operation is "normal", I requested they put it in writing, they refused. It is my understanding, verbally, they will not do anymore to correct the problem. The vehicle is under warranty. Ford retained all original parts removed from transmission (warranty work). After filing this complaint and I receive case number I will forward to odi copies of all documents from my files on this issue. Please note that the failure mileage(7500) listed elsewhere herein is only an estimate of the mileage at which this random malfunction ocurred; it started subtly and increased in magnitude over a period of time.
I have a 2004 ford explorer .when I go from drive to reverse there is a 5 to 6 second delay then a loud bang. Also from park to reverse there is a 5 to 6 second delay then a bang sometimes it has the 5 to 6 second delay and lounges backward even with your foot on the brake. This could kill someone that is walking behind your truck this is a very dangerous problem if you need to back up fast for emergency vehicles or move out of the way of on coming vehicles. Ford motor company released a statement on nov 22 ford spokeswoman kristen kinley said they know about the transmission problems it was due to the wrong transmission fluid put in during manufacture they are replacing the solenoid and the fluid. My ford dealer knows nothing about this? And are saying there is no recall because there are no reported injuries. Why do we have to wait for someone to get killed before the problem is fixed? Ford motor co. Knows about this there spokeswoman has commented about it but nothing is being done??
2004 explorer exhibited signs of not shifting smoothly into reverse as early as aug/sep 04. Pronounced delay of shifting into reverse around 2004 holiday season. Called dealership upon receipt of letter from ford in january, but transmission additive not yet available. After additive (march 05), vehicle continued to jump into reverse and forward shifting at lower speeds became more pronounced. This presents a hazard particular in city driving and in backing out of tight parking areas. Have been working with dealer to anaylze proper repair and manufacturer's responsibility. No satisfactory resolution yet.
Transmission leaks, has been repaired 4 times by dealer. Transmission has no dip stick to measure level and no way for user to add fluid. When leak is noticed user does not know oil level and can be left stranded in dangerous locations. Has also been repaired for slamming due to solenoid problems also.
My 2004 ford explorer xlt has a whine in the rear end at appx 56-58 MPH. Took to dealer and was told it was the ring and pinion would have to be replaced.
My 2004 ford explorer xlt has a delay and then hard shifts from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd gear. I have already replaced the solenoid because of harsh reverse engagement and now am going to have to replace the valve body.
Transmission has been slipping gears since purchased new in 2004. It hesitates considerably to engage into reverse. When engaged in drive it's initially nonresponsive to light acceleration then surges forward. After taking to a certified ford dealership for solenoid work, it continues to misengage into multiple gears. This is not my first ford explorer and is radically different from the transmission performance of any SUV I've driven. My concern is that after this problem is fixed, residual damage done to the transmission will be still present, which may not become apparent until after the vehicle is beyond warranty.
Flashing lights on panel. Accident in which car skidded. Dealer said defect in rear axle of2004 ford explorer.
2004 ford explorer engine shuts off and there is difficulty shifting gears.***no answer required***. *mr both of theses malfunctions present a danger and a hazard and are very serious defects. *bf
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2004 Ford Explorer?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history