NHTSA Complaint #10261391 — 2004 FORD EXPLORER

I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE WORSE VEHICLE FAILURES OUT THERE, BUT THE SHEER FACT THAT SO MANY OWNERS OF MY VEHICLE, 2004 FORD EXPLORER (AND ITS RESPECTIVE BROTHERS: LINCOLN AVIATOR AND MERCURY MOUNTAINEER) ARE EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION FAILURE HAS LED ME HERE. THE TRANSMISSION IN MY TRUCK IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND AT THE MOMENT I AM ALMOST AFRAID TO HAVE MY WIFE AND OUR 2 CHILDREN RIDE IN IT. THE DELAY IN THE SHIFT CAUSES US TO SLOW SLIGHTLY IN TRAFFIC AND I FEAR (AS DO SO MANY OTHER FORD/MERCURY AND LINCOLN OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM) THAT ITS INEVITABLE FAILURE MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE. FORD REFUSES TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS EVEN THOUGH EVERY OWNER IS EXPERIENCING THIS AT THE SAME MILEAGE ON THE SAME MODEL VEHICLE. ONE RECALL, IN 2005 I BELIEVE, ADDRESSED A NEED FOR "SOLENOID ADDITIVE" TO THE TRANSMISSION. MANY FEEL THIS WAS JUST A BAND-AID PLACED OVER A BROKEN BONE FOR FORD AND MERELY DELAYED THE TRANSMISSIONS FAILURE. (PAST THE WARRANTY) COULD IT BE THAT SO MANY EXPLORER / MOUNTAINEER / AVIATOR OWNERS ARE SIMPLY RUNNING THEIR $30,000+ VEHICLES INTO THE GROUND? OR IS FORD REFUSING TO STAND BEHIND A FAULTY PRODUCT? JUST LIKE THE FIRESTONE TIRES SEVERAL YEARS BACK, FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BEFORE A BAD SITUATION BECOMES DISASTROUS. *TR