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2004 Ford Explorer transmission complaints

Page 14 of 16: complaints 371 to 400 of 460, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2004 Ford Explorer transmission problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed May 16, 2005 · Transmission · PA

2004, v-6, auto transmission, ford explorer, an intermitant problem when the transmission clunks when put into reverse. Engine revs,feels like there is no connection to the transmission, as if in neutral, then unexpectantly it engages, causing the vehicle to lurch backward. We received a service notice from ford that this condition only happens in cold weather, to take the vehicle to our dealership and have them put in a special fluid which would fix the problem. Well it is now may 16 here in pennsylvania and it, the reverse problem is getting worse. We are going to the dealship again,

Filed May 11, 2005 · Transmission · CA

Circumstances with our newly leased 2004 ford explorer are such that we are requesting that you provide us with a new vehicle of similar year, make and model. This vehicle was purchased new on june 25, 2004 and has had numerous mechanical malfunctions that have made it hazardous and dangerous to operate. The 2 very serious malfunctions are not minor, but are of a very serious nature. 1. Vehicles engine shuts off this has occurred in situations on the highway that have been extremely hazardous to the passengers and those of the general public. When this malfunction occurs, it occurs without warning. There is no consistency to when this happens, but it happens often enough that as operators we have lost confidence in the vehicle. We are reluctant to have children in it or to take it on the highway. It is without question that the defects in our 2004 ford explorer are serious. 2. Difficulty putting the vehicle in gear it is becoming increasingly difficult to put the vehicle into gear. In other words, when you put the vehicle into reverse, it goes not engage in the gear. At other times, it will engage the gear after a prolonged delay. This is particularly dangerous when you step on the accelerator and it "unexpectedly" jumps into gear after a prolonged delay. This is extremely dangerous for the passengers, but particularly for any pedestrians walking behind the vehicle. Both of these malfunctinos present a danger and a hazard and are very serious defects. Inacceptable response from ford dealership regards, john piscal cfo inner city education foudation [email protected] 323.294.8515 cc: mr. Michael piscal president & ceo

Filed May 9, 2005 · Transmission · 5,000 miles · VA

I have a 2004 ford sports trac explorer. There was a recall to put an additive into the transmission which I did. I am having a problem with the transmission. Ocassionally when stopping the transmission does not step down gears and I have to just about stand on the break and quick put the transmission in neutral to stop the car. I took it to cavalier ford in chesapeake va. . They were unable to duplicate the problem and said that although it was a saftey issue they could go nofurther. I complained to ford customer service and they told me the same thing.

Filed Apr 19, 2005 · Transmission · 1 miles · PA

Transmission has a significant delay when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear and when shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear problem occurs during moderate acceleration, approximately 2500-3000 rpms. Transmission shifts acceptable during lighter and heavier accelerations.

Filed Apr 12, 2005 · Transmission · 19,700 miles · OH

Transmission is defective/ slams into reverse after several seconds of hesitation/delays in shifting in forward gears, and is dangerous!. Afraid every time car shifts gears because it happens sporadically, you never know when it will lurch or hesitate. Bought this car 2 weeks ago, used, 19,750 miles on it in 37 years of driving have never experienced this with any vehicle I have owned . Every person I know who has a 2004 ford explorer is experiencing the same problem - ford is a large automobile maker, should provide a recall to its customers.

Filed Mar 30, 2005 · Transmission · SC

While turning the vehicle in either direction the front axle locks. Owner contacted the manufacturer, who sent an engineer to evaluate this problem. Currently, manufacturer does not have a solution for this problem. *ak *bf

Filed Mar 29, 2005 · Transmission · 30,900 miles · TX

Auto transmission jumping in and out of reverse gear.

Filed Mar 18, 2005 · Transmission · 17,000 miles · FL

Transmission shifting delay. Dealer has "fixed" twice and added the "new" transmission fluid with no improvement. My factory warranty runs out in 8,000 miles and I am very concerned about the future problems I will have with this transmission. It has already been adjusted, rebuilt and adjusted again with no improvement.

Filed Mar 10, 2005 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · NY

After shifting in reverse gear vehicle lurches forward. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

Filed Mar 10, 2005 · Transmission · 4,000 miles · PA

2004 ford explorer-delayed then harsh shift of transmission into reverse, was in shop to replace solenoid and bad transmission fluid installed at the factory"-problem persists-car was purchased nov 2004 and has only approx 4500 miles. Problem is ongoing so there is not just one incident date.

Filed Mar 9, 2005 · Transmission · 21,400 miles · NY

2004 ford explorer xlt 22,000 miles. Vehicle will not shift into reverse unless you step on the accellerator. Then it engages with a loud bang, slams into gear and lurches backwards. Car also pauses between shifts during acceleration. Have a service appointment with dealer yet was told transmission solenoid to fix the problem was on back order.

Filed Feb 28, 2005 · Transmission · 6,700 miles · PA

The transmission on my 04 explorer is failing. Ford issued a recall to add an addative to the transmission which did not correct the problem. Then the selaniod was replaced and the problems seemed to go away. Now 500 miles later the problem is happening again. No help from the ford dealer.

Filed Feb 24, 2005 · Transmission · 26,500 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

I was involved in an accident due to a transmission problem with my 2004 ford explorer. (3aug04). Broke and arm and still in brace and longer weeks ahead. The problem is still not fixed. It has been acknowledge as a problem but no one will take my complaint or call me back. No lawyer will touch the case yet hear I am with loss wages maybe unable to use my arm (I'm a nursing student) but hey if that;s how ford works.. I'll never buy again. The transmission surges forcible in reverse, and while in driving, sometimes it goes forward while in reverse.. Please help.. At my wits end thanks..

Filed Feb 23, 2005 · Transmission · GA

The gears on the vehicle were popping, which was not letting the vehicle have movement. The transmission on the vehicle has been repaired a total of three times, but the problem is still recurring.

Filed Feb 22, 2005 · Transmission · 1,500 miles · CA

Intermittently the vehicle will surge backwords when placed in reverse. At times when placing the car in reverse the vehicle will delay going in reverse and surge backwards uncontrollably. The dealer claims it needs new transmission parts. 5 week back order because of so many complaints about this. Why isn't there a recall. This is a major safety problem. Manufacturer also claims it is related to transmission oil.

Filed Feb 20, 2005 · Transmission · 29,669 miles · CA

2004 ford explorer transmission does not shift correctly. Delays when put in reverse and then lunges back with a clunking sound. Also, hard shift and clunking in drive.

Filed Feb 18, 2005 · Transmission · 22,000 miles · CA

Driver was backing out of a parking space and vehicle hesitated. Then, the transmission shifted on its own. Mechanic determined that the solenoid body needed to be replaced.

Filed Feb 17, 2005 · Transmission · 222 miles · TX

Bought new 2004 explorer xlt january 1st 2005, upon driving the vehicle home I noticed a hesitation in the changing of the gears at low speeds, and it also seems to slip when making turns at low speeds. I took in to ford dealership right away and they said throttle body was sticking and replaced it. Also they updated the computer chip and said everything was fine. No change to the vehicle, I took to another ford dealership they could not replicate the problem so they said. They sent me on my way with no relief in sight, they did suggest that I have the transmission fluid recall and I did, it did not change anything. This is a safety issue no matter what ford says, if I need acceleration in traffic and my vehicle does not perform and hesitates or spits and sputters, I and my family are in serious danger and that is not acceptable to me and my fellow consumers. I will not be purchasing another ford product again. If ford has admitted they have this transmission problem, but will not recall and cannot fix this problem, how can they be allowed to let the consumer take the hit??

Filed Feb 15, 2005 · Transmission · MO

My explorer limited hesitates a few seconds before shifting into reverse. When it finally does shift, it slams into gear. The engines does not rev during this period as I have heard others say theirs does. It seems to only do this when the car is warmed up and not every time. Also, it sometimes slams into gear after you've slowed down to turn onto another street then hit the gas. I have been to a ford dealer and had the transmission additive put in. This actually made things worse! I paid a lot of money for this car and expect it to perform as such.

Filed Feb 13, 2005 · Transmission · 200 miles · FL

Transmission does not engage in reverse from park when put in reverse,than after 5-10 seconds will jerk into gear,transmission does not upshift correctly,seems to hesitate between gears.

Filed Feb 11, 2005 · Transmission · 8,500 miles · AL

While making a turn, the vehicle shut off, and had to be towed to the dealer. The PCM software was replaced. The consumer experienced the same problem again. The consumer contacted the manufacturer. There was no response.

Filed Feb 8, 2005 · Transmission · 10,000 miles · AL

Transmission does not always respond when shifting into reverse. Sometimes when shifting vehicle in reverse it does nothing and when you press the accelerator the vehicle then suddenly jerks backwards and makes a poping sound. Also, sometimes when slowing down it feels like it is ?dropping? Out of gear. This only occurs occasionally. I took it in today for the recall notice I had received to replace the wrong type of transmission fluid that was put in the vehicle at the factory. I am concerned that this will cause an accident when trying to back up in tight places.

Filed Feb 8, 2005 · Transmission · IL

Still hesitates into reverse from drive after ford fix of additive to transmission. Problem getting worse, affecting shifting in forward gears now.

Filed Feb 2, 2005 · Transmission · SC

Vehicle hestitates between gear changes especially on lower gears. Although an additive was put in by the dealer, going from park to reverse is even worse. The vehicle often sits for 10-15 seconds before engaging either reverse or drive and even then, the change feels "rough."

Filed Feb 1, 2005 · Tires, Transmission · 25,600 miles · VA

I purchashed my 2004 ford explorer on january 11, 2005. After the first week I had to take it back to the service department of the dealership, on saturday, january 22, 2005. I informed them that the transmission is lagging when automatically shifting and that sometimes there is a loud clunk during the automatic shifting and especially when putting the car in reverse. Also the tire pressure warning light has been coming on; so they checked that and said that they replaced the sensors. That light is still staying on. As for the transmission, I was informed that there is a manufacturer defect and that they were going to order the parts to fix it. As of january 31, 2005, the parts still have not come in. In the meantime I am having to continue to drive this vehicle and the problem seems to be getting worse. I do quite a bit of driving on the highway to get back and forth to work and I am very concerned about the transmission as well as the tire pressure.

Filed Jan 31, 2005 · Transmission · 14,000 miles · CA

In addition to hard shifting in the transmission, the rear differential "chatters" loudly when turning at low speed. The vehicle feels extremely loose and sloppy at 14,000 miles.

Filed Jan 29, 2005 · Transmission · VT

My transmission does not work properly, and I feel I am in danger while operating my vehicle. The transmission jerks into drive and reverse and usually has long hesitations while using these positions, as well as the automatic shifting while driving.

Filed Jan 28, 2005 · Transmission · 12,000 miles · 00

My transmission slams into reverse and also has problems in the forward gears. Ford has a recall on the transmisson to put a lubricant in the transmission. I don't see how this will solve the problem. Vehicle has been to the repair shop with no positive results.

Filed Jan 28, 2005 · Transmission · 8,100 miles · VA

When reversing, loud banging clunking noise is heard from the back. The car jerks back harshly after long delay in going back into drive.

Filed Jan 26, 2005 · Transmission · 17,144 miles · OK

Delay in transmission engaging in either reverse or forward gear is highly dangerous because auto suddenly slams into gear and lurches forward. This has also occurred at highway speeds when the gear suddenly engages and causes a severe lurch forward with a bang so severe I thought I had hit something. Also, there is a chatter when accelerating during a turn and vibration of the driveshaft at varying speeds. I was told by the service dept. When I complained after purchasing the car that this delay was normal. On the second visit, they replaced the differential which caused a vibration and whine in the drive train. I returned it and the differential again was replaced and the drive shaft balanced with no improvement. I have been waiting for parts for quite sometime. The fluid additive is not available nor has the solenoid been replaced, but I understand this does not work either.

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