NHTSA Complaint #10178695 — 2004 FORD EXPLORER

PURCHASED THE 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN SYRACUSE, NY IN THE FALL OF 2004. WE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION AND HAD THE SERVICE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN TO THE DEALER TO FIX A CONTINUING PROBLEM ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION HAS TROUBLE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND WHEN GOING UP HILL, ON OCCASION. THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION ALSO CONTINUES TO MAKE A "CLUNKING" NOISE AND PHYSICALLY LURCHES ON OCCASION WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40 - 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE IS WITHIN A COUPLE HUNDRED MILES OF THE FACTORY WARRANTY EXPIRATION AND FORD HAS STILL NOT REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE SPOKEN TO THE FORD MANUFACTURER DIRECTLY AND THEY HAVE ONLY OFFERED TO SELL US AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE LOCAL DEALER SERVICE MANAGER DID INDICATE THAT HE IS AUTHORIZED TO OFFER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY UP TO 75,000 MILES AT NO COST, BUT WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THAT IN WRITING. WE FEEL THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM CAUSED IN THE PRODUCTION OF THE VEHICLE AND ALL REPAIRS SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD, BUT THEY ARE NOT TAKING CARE OF THE PROBLEM. *NM