2005 Ford Explorer: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Jan 12, 2023 · Engine · 130,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was making an abnormal clunking sound and shaking. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the timing chain was fractured, and a plastic piece had detached. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Mar 29, 2015 · Transmission · 110,000 miles · IN

In nov of 2014 we took the car to the local ford dealer for 100k mile service. We told them to check the drive train because when you put the car in reverse there would be a slight hesitation then a clunk then the car would begin to move. They said there was no issue and they installed a computer upgrade to improve the shifting. They also changed the tranny fluid. Then in march of 2015 when you put the car in reverse the transmission began slipping and got worse in a couple of days. We took it to the local dealer again and they took 2 weeks to figure out the transmission needed replaced. They said $3500 for a remanufactured transmission and I would have to pay for all of it.

Filed Sep 26, 2013 · Transmission · 94,400 miles · MN

On september 26, 2013, I took my 2005 ford explorer to the ford dealer (freeway ford in bloomington, mn) because I was having problems when I put the vehicle into reverse. At times it hesitates to go into reverse and then clunks into the gear. This has been happening for about 1 year. The diagnosis was of course my transmission solenoid. I cant afford to have my vehicle repaired at the cost of $1,300 plus taxes and I don't feel safe driving my explorer in this condition, but I have no choice at this point. I went online to carcomplaints.com and found 94 complaints with the same issues on the 2005 ford explorers. In one of the complaints sent to carcomplaints.com - a woman wrote that she sent a complaint letter to the dept of consumer affairs about the issues with the 2005 ford explores, they get back to her to tell her that the ford dealer will put the repair under some type of warranty program and just charge me $100 bucks to replace the solenoid. This seems to be a defect in the ford explorers made in 2005, so why have the vehicles not been recalled and why should I have to be responsible for the repair cost? [xxxx] *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Mar 6, 2013 · Transmission · 145,000 miles · FL

Driving along and vehicle seemed to slow way down, in traffic. Tried to give it more gas, but realized that it seemed to be out of gear and then all of a sudden it clunked really hard into gear and sped up. Very dangerous in florida interstate highway traffic!!!

Filed Dec 26, 2011 · Transmission · TN

Drove the vehicle to work and went to leave and I had no reverse. The transmission had been slamming into reverse and then engaging prior to this-but no slipping or anything else. I had the fluid changed and there were no teeth or any metal in the filter or pan-but this did not fix the problem. Spoke with 3 transmission shops in my town and all told me the 05 explorers had junk transmissions. That the fluid in part of them from the factory was bad and the tranny itself was just a big mistake. This needs to be recalled- $1338 later, I have a rebuilt 'junk' transmission. I have owned fords in the past and loved them, but my explorer ended this lover affair. Everywhere you look online there are complaints about this vehicle- and no one is making ford do anything about it.

Filed Oct 6, 2011 · Transmission · 92,000 miles · MD

While shifting into reverse sometimes there is a 3-4 second delay. It is also slamming into reverse at times. More frequent as time goes on. This is a know issue from tsb 05-15-4 causing by the ford factory failing to put an additive in the transmission fluid. This should be covered by ford. I'm now looking at a costly repair.

Filed Aug 4, 2010 · Transmission · 65,000 miles · TX

My letter to ford motor company is as follows: ford motor companymain topic: vehicleserviceissuesyour inquiry: my 2005 eddie bauer edition ford explorer is having problems with the transmission. It slams into reverse and slips going from 2nd to 3rd gears. I got on the internet to research what could be done about this and was appalled by the staggering number of owners having this same problem. (autobeef.com) many of them paying the money ($3,000) to have the problem fixed only to find it happens again in few thousand miles. When I saw all those people having the same exact problem that I was having, I thought surely ford would have done something about this by now. But after searching your website for a recall notice, I found nothing!! Can this be right? How can you commercialism selling quality products with problems like this being ignored? If I have the problem fixed (by a authorized dealer), what assurances do I have from ford, that the problem will not return? I'm not a fan of class action lawsuits, but it seems this is the only way big corporations listen to the masses anymore. Their response: I regret the circumstances that prompted you to write us. Please be informed that ford and the national highway traffic and safety administration (the federal safety agency) work together to proactively identify areas of concern through investigation of consumer and dealership feedback. If a concern is noted, a recall is conducted to remedy a safety or emissions concern in the interest of customer satisfaction and environmental responsibility. However, due to our rigorous safety standards and constant testing, not all issues result in recall or customer satisfaction programs. I am truly sorry that currently, there are no safety or emissions recalls for your vehicle concern. If a program is announced on this specific component, ford will notify you by mail. On the other hand, please be advised that the projected life expectancy of our vehicle parts is obtained through etc.

Filed Jul 1, 2010 · Transmission · 48,244 miles · CA

While traveling on vacation from california to oregon on I-5, the vehicle began to shake, shutter, then clunk. "od off" light came on, along with a warning indicating check transmission. Loud whirling noise coming from transmission. It felt like there was no power, and the vehicle was going to stop. I was able to get over to the offramp, to get off the freeway. I did not feel it was safe to try to get back up to freeway speeds, as there seemed to be little power. Due to the sudden loss of power, I had the vehicles behind me, right on my bumper. Vehicle was purchased new, and has been serviced at all required intervals. Vehicle has 48,000 miles. Made it into a ford dealer in oregon, and was told after placed on a diagnostic machine, and all warning codes cleared it may be safe to drive back to california. Went about 300' from the dealership and "od off" light came on, "service vehicle soon" light came on, and check transmission warning came on. Drove it back into the dealership, and they removed the transmission pan, and diagnosed the problem as internal transmission failure. Found metal, and clutch material. Cost to replace transmission $3,657.

Filed Jun 30, 2010 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · GA

The 2005 ford explorer, when shifted into reverse, has a delay then slams into gear and the vehicle lurches rearward. Also, the truck has a delay when shifting through some forward gears as well. The truck will delay or hesitate when shifting through the gears, then slam into the next gear.

Filed Feb 10, 2010 · Transmission · 64,000 miles · TX

I bought my 2005 explorer new. I have never been in a wreck. At 13000 miles my transmission started going out and was repaired under warranty. Now at 64000 miles my transmission is jerking into reverse and dragging into 3rd just like before. What really scared me was I was trying to pass a car and when trying to accelerate my car jerked, revved up and then clunked into gear. Thank goodness there wasn't a car coming or I would have been in trouble. I took it in and ford says they are unaware of any problems. They said I just needed my computer updated. Well $200 later it is still not fixed. The car is still slipping and jerking. My car is not quite 5 years old and there is no reason why my transmission should be going out for the second time. Thank you for looking into this matter.

Filed Feb 6, 2009 · 70,000 miles · NY

About 1 month ago the heater began to not function correctly. It kept making a clunking sound, before providing heat. Now there is absolutely not heat at all. I was looking online, and realized many people had this problem. Why isn it a recall then. The average cost of this repair is $600.00 . I am very disappointed that ford wont stand behind their product.

Filed May 8, 2006 · Brakes, Electrical · 27,000 miles · PA

Dt*: the contact stated while driving at no specific speed all the windows went up and down, the driver seat moved forward and backward, the radio came on and went off, and the air conditioner came on and went off. Also, while attempting to apply brake pressure the brakes vibrated and a clunking noise was heard from the rear of the vehicle. The dealership inspected the vehicle and unknown repairs were made; however the repairs did not remedy the problem. The manufacturer has been alerted.