2004 FORD EXPLORER Power Trainautomatic Transmission Problems
308 NHTSA complaints on file
Power Trainautomatic Transmission Issues in the 2004 FORD EXPLORER
308 power trainautomatic transmission complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 FORD EXPLORER. Of these, 13 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 3 resulted in injury.
308
Complaints
13
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
All Power Trainautomatic Transmission Complaints
ON THE BODY THE TAILGATE PANEL KEEPS CRACKING THIS MAKES MY TRUCK LOOK BAD COMPARED TO THE MONEY I PUT INTO IT. MY ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION ACTS AS IF SOMETHING IS WRONG IT IS NOT SHIFTING GEAR RIGHT. ON THE ELECTRICAL TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND IT ALSO KEEPS LEAKING WATER FROM SOMEWHERE. FORD NEEDS TO GO OUT OF BUSINESS FOR SELLING THESE PIECES OF JUNK. IT MAKES NO SENSE. *TT
2004 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A DELAY IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE GEAR IN REVERSE. THERE WAS ALSO A HARD SHIFT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS WARM AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, IT WOULD SLAM INTO GEAR. *JB
SHORTLY AFTER I FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AFTER ABOUT 2-3 YEARS AGO. I NOTICED IT WOULD JERK & WAS HARD TO SHIFT GEARS. IT WOULD SOMETIMES BE IN GEAR & NOT GAS. AFTER I TOOK IT TO A SHOP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT IT WAS A WIRE OR CABLE LOOSE TO THE TRANS. EVERYTHING SEEMED OK FOR AWHILE THEREAFTER BUT THEN IT STARTED AGAIN. JUST RECENTLY AS I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED LIGHT SENSOR CAME ON & THEN THE CHECK TRANSMISSION SENSOR FOLLOWED. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT 1 OUT OF EVERY 10 CUSTOMERS WITH A FORD EXPLORER BETWEEN 2000-2004 HAVE TRANSMISSIONS ISSUES. ALSO I CALLED TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL EVEN WITH SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AND THAT NO GOODWILL OR FINANCIAL SERVICES COULD BE OFFERED TO ASSIST ME WITH THE REPAIRING OF MY VEHICLE, EVEN AFTER I STRESSED MY...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED, THE FIFTH GEAR FAILED AND THE HOUSING ROD WAS FRACTURED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON IN THE PARTICULAR YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 153,435. UPDATED 04/19/12*LJ UPDATED 04/30/12
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 TO 50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME HESITANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. IN ADDITION, THE GEARS WERE SLIPPING WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
IT SEEMS THAT MY TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO SLIP AND SHIFT HARD. *TT
I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH LESS THAN 75,000 MILES ON IT. I AM A VERY CONSERVATIVE DRIVER AND DO NOT PUT A LOT OF MILES ON MY CARS. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND THE GUY AT AAMCO SAID THE INSIDE OF IT WAS A MESS, EVERYTHING WAS CHEWED UP. IT COST ME $3,550 TO HAVE IT FIXED. AT THE TIME IT FAILED I WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH AND IT SUDDENLY DROPPED TO ABOUT 25MPH. *KB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS YET THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO REVERSE TO DRIVE AND NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HESITATE BEFORE ENGAGING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE SOLENOID IN THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THERE WAS ALSO AN ABNORMAL GRINDING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR END BEARING, THREE REAR AXLES, THE PINION BAR AND SEALS AND A SHAFT KIT WAS INSTALLED. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY AN OVER TORQUE BY THE MANUFACTURER. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR JOINTS WERE FAILING SPORADICALLY AND CAUSING THE VISORS TO OBSTRUCT THE CONTACT'S VISION OF THE ROADWAY. THE SUN VISORS WERE NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
ORIGINAL OWNER OF VEHICLE,CAR SHIFTS ROUGHLY INTO GEAR WHILE DRIVING FEELS LIKE IT IS DRAGGING,TRANSMISSION HAS A HARD CLUNK ENGAGEMENT WHEN PUTTING IN REVERSE THEN ENGAGES HARD WITH A SUDDEN UNEXPECTED JOLT BACKWARDS WHEN CAR ONLY HAD 3,945 MILES IN OCT 2004. WHEN CAR IS IN PARK I START THE CAR IT WILL SOMETIMES JOLT FORWARD. TOOK CAR TO DEALER WITHIN 90 DAYS OF PURCHASE FOR TRANSMISSION & THEY REPLACED A SOLENOID IN THE TRANS. TOOK CAR BACK 2 MORE TIMES WITHIN A YEAR STILL HAVING SAME PROBLEMS NOW WARRANTY UP & FORD WILL NOT HELP CAR HAS 170K= MILES & IS 6 YRS OLD STILL RUNNING BUT SAME TRANSMISSION ISSUES DAILY. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE WITH THE CAR JOLTING INTO GEAR ESPECIALLY WHEN I START THE CAR. THEY NEED TO RECALL & REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 84000 MILES. THIS VEHICLE WAS RELEASED FROM THE FACTORY IN 2004 WITHOUT PROPER TRANSMISSION FLUID ADDITIVE. FORD ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM 1 YEAR LATER, BUT THIS TRANSMISSION IS FAILING WELL BEFORE ITS TIME. REPAIR COSTS ARE $4500. FORD WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER HAS STARTED SLIPPING. IT DOES NOT WANT TO GO INTO GEAR CORRECTLY. IT ONLY HAS 107,600 MILES ON IT. I LIVE JUST OUTSIDE BIRMINGHAM, AL AND THE TRAFFIC IS VERY HEAVY AND DANGEROUS HERE. NOT A PLACE I WANT MY VEHICLE BREAKING DOWN. I JUST HUNG UP THE PHONE WITH FORD MOTOR CO AND THEY HAVE NOTHING TO OFFER IN THE WAY OF HELP. THEY SAID TO HOLD ON TO RECEIPTS IN CASE OF RECALL. :-( YOU BET YOUR LIFE I WILL! MY SISTER'S 2005 DID THE SAME THING AT JUST OVER 100,000 MILES. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION HAS A DELAYED SHIFT AND CAUSES THE ENGINE TO REV BEFORE SHIFTING. THIS CAUSES A HESITATION ESPECIALLY WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOP. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME AND THE 0/D LIGHT FLASHES AS WELL. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THIS IS SITUATION DANGEROUS. *TR
I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH MY TRANSMISSION JUMPING OUT OF DRIVE WHEN I AM GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN AND I FEEL THIS IS VERY VERY UNSAFE. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND EVERYTIME THEY HAVE TOLD ME IT WAS THE REARDIFFERENTIAL/TRANSMISSION. I HAVE CALLED FORDS CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. MY EXPLORER IS NOW HAVING ISSUES GOING INTO REVERSE AND STAYING IN ANY GEAR. PLEASE LOOK INTO THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE 2004 EXPLORER BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR INJURED FROM THIS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND THOUSANDS OF OITHER 2003-2004 EXPLORER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND REAR END. THE 2004 FORD EXPLORER IS A DEATH TRAP.
TRANSMISSION HAS A HARD CLUNK ENGAGEMENT WHEN PUTTING IN GEAR AND TOTAL DISENGAGEMENT WHILE DRIVING, THEN THE OD LIGHT STARTS TO BLINK, AND YOU HAVE TO EITHER LET OFF THE GAS, OR TAP THE GAS TO GET IT TO ENGAGE AGAIN, IT STARTED AROUND 50,000 MILES, AND CONTINUES TO DO SO, THE IS NO RECALL AND NO WARRANTY FOR IT, DEALER SHIP SAID IT NEEDS REBUILT OR REPLACED 2200.00 OR 4200.00 DOLLARS, WE DON'T HAVE. *TR
2004 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HAVING TO REPLACE THE SOLENOID FOR THE THIRD TIME. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO REVERSE WITHOUT JOLTING AND HARD SHIFTING. *JB
TRANSMISSION SLAMS HARD INTO GEAR UPON ACCELERATION AND WHEN BRAKING. DOES THIS ALL THE TIME. WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, IT DOES NOT ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY AND THEN ENGAGES HARD WITH A SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LURCH BACKWARDS. THIS HAPPENS 8 OF 10 TIMES WHEN SHIFTING TO REVERSE. NO ATTEMPT TO CORRECT AS IT APPEARS THERE IS NO FIX SHORT OF A NEW TRANSMISSION = $$$ I DON'T HAVE. *TR
I FINANCED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN 2008 AND ABOUT 6 MONTH LATER I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION STARTING TO SLIP. SOON AFTER IT WOULDNT HARDLY GO INTO GEAR UNLESS I REVED UP THE ENGINE THEN IT WOULD SLAM INTO GEAR REALLY HARD. NOW IT IS GETTING WORSE. IM A DISABLED SINGLE FATHER OF MY SON WHO IS ALSO DISABLED AND WE ARE ON A FIXED INCOME AND DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THIS, [XXX] I STILL OWE ON IT. I PAY ALMOST 300 BUCKS A MONTH CAR PAYMENT ON IT. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TRANSMISSION FAILURE!!! !THE O/D WARNING BEGAN TO FLASH...THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO SERVICE TRANSMISSION ASAP. THE ONLY ISSUE IS THAT MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER ONLY HAS 61,672 MILES. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST IS APPROXIMATELY $2000-3000. *TR
THE OD LIGHT IS FLASHING AND THE TRANS IS SLIPPING. YOU CAN NOT EXCELERATE IN A HURRY BECAUSE IT WONT GO MAKING THIS TRUCK A ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
IN 2005, MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER WAS PART OF A RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION. I TOOK IT TO FORD SERVICE AND THEY PUT SOME TYPE OF ADDITIVE. THEY TOLD ME THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. FROM 2005 TO 2011 THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE PROBLEMS, IT WOULD TURN OFF WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE. FURTHERMORE, WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE IT WOULD PAUSE THEN SHIFT BACK HARD. UNFORTUNATELY, I NEVER TOOK THE CAR BACK TO FORD TO GET IT CHECKED BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD ALWAYS TURN RIGHT BACK ON. IN JANUARY OF 2011 MY CAR HAD 72,000 MILES. WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR SUDDENLY TURNED OFF ON ME. IMMEDIATELY, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO, THE O/D OFF LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. WHEN I WOULD RESTART THE VEHICLE IT WOULD TURN ON. HOWEVER, WHEN I SHIFTED INTO DRIVE IT WOULD TURN OFF. SO I WAS UNABLE TO...
THE PROBLEM THAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IS THE TRANSMISSION AND REAR END. FOR THE TRANSMISSION-THIS IS THE THIRD TIME FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH OUR TRUCK. HAD IT AT THE DEALER SHIP JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY WENT OUT AROUND 37,000 AN PAID A LITTLE OVER $600.00 TO FIX IT . LASTED TILL 80,000 THEM TOOK IT BACK AND PAID AROUND $200.00 TO FIX. NOW AT 136,000 AND THE TRUCK WILL NOT MOVE AT ALL. DEALER SHIP WANTS ANOTHER $3,306.00 TO FIX IT AGAIN. THE REAR END IS MAKING A LOUD WINE NOISE. *TR
TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2004 FORD EXPLORER AT ~109K MILES. CRASH/BANG NOISE HEARD JUST BEFORE FAILURE: HIGH ENGINE RPMS AND NO FORWARD PROPULSION, FLASHING OD LAMP AND ILLUMINATED SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP. PROBLEM PRECEDED BY INTERMITTENT FAILURE TO ENGAGE REVERSE GEAR, OR SUDDEN JERKING/ROUGH ENGAGEMENT, OCCASIONAL SLIPPING OF GEARS ON ACCELERATION. UPON TOTAL FAILURE, DEALERSHIP INVESTIGATED, SAYS "KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE", RECOMMENDED COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AT $4000. VEHICLE IS ONE OF THOSE RECALLED IN 2005 FOR BAD TRANSMISSION FLUID FORMULA INSTALLED AT FACTORY. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS HAD PECULIAR SHIFT BEHAVIOR WHICH FORD CONSISTENTLY SAID WAS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE. APPARENTLY, AS MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE SINCE EXPERIENCED, THE ROUGH SHIFTING (PERHAPS PRECIPITATED BY BAD FORMULA FLUID AND/OR DAMAGE THIS MAY HAVE DONE TO OTHER COMPONENTS) WAS INDICATIVE OF EVENTUAL TOTAL FAILURE. *TR
I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER AND IT RECENTLY STARTED MAKING A RUMBLING NOISE. I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE LOOKED AT IT AND SAID IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION. HE ALSO SAID THAT IT WAS AN EXTREMLY COMMON PROBLEM FOR 2004 EXPLORERS. IF YOU GOOGLE "2004 EXPLORER PROBLEMS" AND CLICK ON ANY OF THE LINKS THE FIRST PROBLEM IS TRANSMISSION ISSUES. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE IT WAS NEW IN 2004 AND HAVE NOT ABUSED THE CAR. FOR A 2004 CAR WITH ONLY 75000 MILES ON IT TO HAVE A TRANSMISSION GO IT IS A PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED $3000 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THE FIX BEING A NEW TRANSMISSION. WHEN FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THEY SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. *TR
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER ONLY A DAY AFTER I BOUGHT IT FROM A DEALERSHIP. THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION WILL COST ME $3400 PLUS THE $10550 THAT I PAID FOR THE VEHICLE THE DAY BEFORE. WHAT A BIG MESS THIS IS. *LN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED A DELAY RESPONSE AND WOULD SLIP VIOLENTLY INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ONE YEAR AND SIX MONTHS LATER, AFTER THE NEW TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 30 MPH. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 27,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER IS FAILING; IS WILL SLIP OUT OF GEAR, AND THEN SHIFT BACK INTO GEAR HARD ENOUGH THAT IT MAKES THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKE AND LURCH FORWARD. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 68K MILES ON IT, AND IS ONLY USED AS A COMMUTER VEHICLE. IT HAS NEVER BEEN TAKEN OFF ROAD, AND I HAVE NEVER USED IT TO TOW ANYTHING. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT. WHEN THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO REVERSE GEAR THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FOR APPROXIMATELY FOUR TO FIVE MINUTES. THE VEHICLE ALSO MADE A LOUD NOISE AND THEN MOVED IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER IN 2007 AND THE SOLENOID WAS REPLACED PER THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE THE SOLENOID A SECOND TIME FOR $1000 AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
MY WIFE OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH WHAT I'VE FOUND TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHES ON THE DASH BOARD. IT USUALLY IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THIS ISSUE WITH THE EXPLORER HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A DECADE. I THINK THAT FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. AFTER ALL FORD DID TAKE BAIL OUT MONEY. I THINK THAT A RECALL WOULD BE THE PROPER ACTION FOR THE FORD. MOTOR COMPANY. I AM ONE OF THOUSANDS OF CONSUMERS WHO HAVE BEEN ABANDONED BY ANOTHER BIG COMPANY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, HE COULD FEEL A SLIP IN THE GEARS. HE ALSO STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THERE WAS A VIOLENT SHIFT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000. UPDATED 12/14/2011 *CN UPDATED 02/23/11
1) 2004 EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER TRANSMISSION BADLY SLIPPING AND DELAY IN ENGAGING RESULTING IN VEHICLE LUNGING FORWARD ONCE IT ENGAGES. 2) HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT 3-4 YEARS INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER SAID THIS WAS NORMAL IN FIRST TIME I COMPLAINED. NOW IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY. 3) HAD TO HAVE THE TRANS REBUILT AT A COST OF $2328.25. *TR
2004 FORD EXPLORER XLS WITH V6, BOUGHT NEW. INCORRECT TRANSMISSION FLUID PUT IN ALL 2004 EXPLORERS AT FACTORY. RECALLED AND PUT IN ADDITIVE AROUND 40,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS STARTED ONE YEAR AGO, AROUND 50,000 MILES. TAKES SEVERAL SECONDS TO ENGAGE AND THEN SHIFTS HARD (CLUNKS) INTO REVERSE. HAPPENS 75% OF THE TIME. HAVE BEEN TOLD WE NEED A NEW (OR REBUILT) TRANSMISSION. *TR
2004 FORD EXPLORER, PURCHASED NEW. EVERY SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR IT HAS HAD A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND WILL NOT GEAR DOWN WHEN TURNING OR SLOWING DOWN FROM A NORMAL RATE OF SPEED. THEN TAKES APX 20-25 SECONDS TO CATCH BACK UP WHEN ACCELERATOR PRESSED..HAS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST BE HIT SEVERAL TIMES.. BECAUSE IT WON'T GO WHEN IT DOES CATCH UP THERE IS A HARD BUMP IN THE CAR AND LOUD SOUND..VERY AGGRAVATING AND SCARY. HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD ITS A (SP) SOLENOID PROBLEM AND HAD BEEN FIXED, BUT IT HASN'T HAVE BEEN DISGUSTED AND BEEN DRIVING IT THIS WAY BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE $2000 FOR REPAIRS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT OBSERVED A LONG HAIR LINE FRACTURE ALONG THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR WINDSHIELD PANEL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED HE HAD DIFFICULTY SHIFTING THE GEAR INTO REVERSE. UPDATED 01/06/11 UPDATED 01/24/11 *BF UPDATED 02/03/11
I HAVE 2004 AWD LIMITED EDITION FORD EXPLORER WITH 69,000 MILES. I AM NOW FACED WITH REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $5,000. THIS CAR IS FAR TOO NEW, WITH FAR TOO FEW MILES TO BE IN NEED OF A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR
FORD EXPLORER 2004 - TRANSMISSION FAILURE - PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH ONLY 56,497 MILES ON VEHICLE. DRIVEN NORMALLY WITH NO OFF ROAD DRIVING. NO RECALLS OR CLASS ACTIONS AT THIS TIME ACCORDING TO FORD. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM POSTED ON LEGITIMATE INTERNET SITES. COST OF REPAIR $2800.00. *TR
THIS IS IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH FORD EXPLORERS ESPECIALLY FROM THE YEAR 2000 TO 2005. THERE HAVE BEEN FEW THOUSAND COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET AND HEARD AND ALSO EXPERIENCE MYSELF ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION AN THESE VEHICLES AND ITS RIDICULOUS. THE TRANSMISSION BANGS INTO GEARS LIKE SOMETHING IS FALLING UNDERNEATH BOGS DOWN WHEN CHANGING GEARS. HESITATES WHEN CHANGING GEARS AND JUST PLAIN TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN WHICH ITS HAPPENING BEFORE THE VEHICLE EVEN GETS TO 60K. I KNOW HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THEIR TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT LEAST TWICE BEFORE 100K SO CONSUMERS PLEASE MAKE NOTE OF THESE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ON HERE BECAUSE THIS IS A REAL SAFETY PROBLEM FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN. THANKS *TR
VEHICLES EXHIBIT AN AXLE WHINE OR HUM DURING ACCELERATION, DECELERATION AND/OR CRUISE. *TR
AT 25526 MILES TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR DELAY IN SHIFTING. DEALER FLUSHED WITH BG CONDITIONER. AT 26073 MILES RETURNED TO DEALER FOR CLUNKING ON SHIFTING, DEALER REMOVED PAN FOUND DEBRIS, OVERHAULED VALVE BODY AND REPLACED SOLENOID PACK. CONTINUED TO HAVE ISSUES BUT DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE. TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 63323 MILES ON 04 FORD EXPLORER, TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION FOR THE COST OF $3527.60 OUT OF OUR POCKET, NO WARRANTIES HONORED. *TR
2004 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION PROBLEM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP OUT OF GEAR AND THEN THERE WAS A HARSH BANG WHEN IT WAS PUT INTO REVERSE. THE CONSUMER BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS NOT LONG AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THE FACTORY PUT IN THE WRONG FLUID. HOWEVER, TWO YEARS LATER THE PROBLEM RESURFACED. THE CONSUMER WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR A WEEKS, BUT SOON RETURNED. *JB
2004 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SHE OPENED THE REAR GLASS WINDOW LOCATED ON THE LIFT GATE. THE WINDOW WAS OPEN FOR A FEW MOMENTS UNTIL ONE OF THE TWO HINGES BROKE RESULTING IN THE WINDOW HANGING BY ONE HINGE. UPON EXAMINING THE BROKEN HINGE SHE NOTICED THAT THE SCREW HOLDING THE HINGE IN PLACE ALSO BROKE IN HALF. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND WOULD LUNGE FORWARD BEFORE MOVING IN REVERSE. WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND SHE HEARD A POPPING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE FINALLY SHIFTS INTO GEAR. THE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE...
2004 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION CLUNKING AND SHIFTING ROUGHLY, TAKING LONG TIME TO ENGAGE CAUSE VEHICLE TO ROLL BACK, DOES NOT SEEM TO ENGAGE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. ALSO WHINES SO LOUD FOLKS IN BACK SEAT CAN'T HEAR FRONT SEAT PEOPLE TALKING. APPEARS EACH TIME DRIVEN. WAS THAT WAY WHEN PURCHASED NEW AND DEALER FIXED IT, NOW ONCE AGAIN SAME ISSUE. *TR
PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN 2007. SHORTLY AFTER I STARTED TO FEEL TWO THINGS, A HESITATION IN THE GEARS AS THEY SHIFT FROM ONE TO THE NEXT, AND THE MORE PRESSING ISSUE, A STALL FOLLOWED BY A JERK WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE. I TOOK IT IN THREE TIMES CONCERNING THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD EACH TIME THAT IT WAS NORMAL AND WAS A HESITATION IN THE GAS RELAYING THE INFORMATION TO THE "COMPUTER". THE WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT AND I ONCE AGAIN TOOK IT BACK FOR THESE SAME ISSUES ONLY THIS TIME THEY DID FIND SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT AND I AM STUCK FOOTING THE BILL ON SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. I'VE ALSO READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE ON THIS SITE AND ON FORDS WEBSITE AND AM WONDERING... WHY HASN'T ANYTHING BEEN DONE? FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND IT IS APPARENT THE OFFICE OF...
BOUGHT 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN 2008, NOTICED IMMEDIATELY THAT IT WAS HARD TO PUT INTO GEARS BUT WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL FOR FORDS. OVER THE NEXT YEAR STARTED NOTICING THAT WHEN YOU PUT ON THE BRAKE IT FELT LIKE THE REAR END WAS FALLING OUT, AGAIN TOLD THAT THIS IS TYPICAL OF A FORD. JUST THIS PAST WEEK HAVE NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT WITHOUT A BIG JOLT AND THE O/D LIGHT HAS STARTED FLASHING. AUTOZONE CHECKED FOR CODES AND SAID IT WAS P90775, WHICH IS SUPPOSE TO BE SOMETHING IN THE TRANSMISSION. TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION PLACE AND THEY WANT 2000-3000 DOLLARS TO BUILD NEW TRANS. BUT SAID THIS IS ONCE AGAIN TYPICAL OF A FORD. REALLY!!! IF FORD KNOWS THIS WHY ARE THEY NOT RECALLING THE VEHICLES. TRANSMISSION GUY SAID ALL THE PREVIOUS WARNING SIGNS HAVE BEEN EXACTLY WHAT HE HEARS ALL THE TIME...
WHILE LEAVING FOR WORK, SHIFTED COLUMN GEAR SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND IT SNAPPED OFF AT BASE. NO FORCE USED OTHER THAN NORMAL. *TR
2004 FORD EXPLORER V6 TRANSMISSION OD LIGHT FLASHING AND TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR AT TIMES. *TR
PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN 2004, NOTICED AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS THAT WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE IT WOULD DELAY A FEW SECONDS AND THEN IT WOULD MAKE A CLUNK SOUND AND THEN SPEED INTO REVERSE OR SHIFT HARD, THAT WAS AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES.CAR AT TIMES WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE, HAD THE TRANSMISSION IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES AND SHIFT SOLENOID REPLACED TO NO AVAIL. SHIFTED OKAY FOR AWHILE AND GOES BACK TO SHIFTING HARD AGAIN AND WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT SEVERAL TIMES OR UPON STARTING MY CAR WHEN I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE IT WOULD MAKE A CLUNK SOUND AND JUMP FORWARD OUT OF GEAR. GOOD THING NO OTHER CARS WERE IN FRONT OF ME OR MY WIFE OR CHILDREN NEAR THE VEHICLES. THIS VEHICLES SCARES ME AND BEING IN THE MILITARY WITH A LIMITED BUDGET WE CANNOT JUST BUY...
2004 FORD EXPLORER ANOTHER BAD TRANSMISSION ! 3000.00 REBUILD OVER DRIVE LIGHT FLASHING , INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON , WINDOWS DON'T GO DOWN, DOOR OPEN LIGHTS ON DASH ARE ON .. SEEMS TO BE ALOT OF THESE COMPLAINTS I BEEN READING ON THE INTERNET ! FORD HAD TO HAVE SOME FAULT IN ALL THESE COMPLAINTS ???? *TR
I HAVE A BAD TRANSMISSION. I SHIFTS TERRIBLY INTO THE UPPER GEARS AND WHEN IT SHIFTS INTO REVERSE, IT OFTEN HESITATES AND THEN WHEN IT DOES SHIFT, IT SOUNDS LIFE THE TRANSMISSION IS ABOUT TO FALL OUT. IT SHIFTS INTO REVERSE WITH A LOUD CLANK AND BIG JOLT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE DAY ONE, 2004, AND IT WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRONIC PROBLEM, BUT THEY DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Other 2004 FORD EXPLORER Problem Areas
Structurebody
209 complaints
Power Train
108 complaints
Structure
80 complaints
Visibility
59 complaints
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgatehinge And Attachments
58 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
55 complaints
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgate
54 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling
47 complaints
Electrical System
46 complaints
Engine
44 complaints
Unknown Or Other
35 complaints
Steering
33 complaints
Wheels
32 complaints
Air Bags
30 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
19 complaints
Service Brakes
18 complaints
Visibilityglass Siderear
18 complaints
Latcheslockslinkages
17 complaints
Suspension
17 complaints
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
15 complaints
Fuel System Gasoline
14 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulic
14 complaints
Structureframe And Members
14 complaints
Suspensionrear
14 complaints
Tires
14 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionlever And Linkagecolumn Shift
12 complaints
Power Traindrivelinedifferential Unit
12 complaints
Visibilitywiper
12 complaints
Equipment
11 complaints
Power Traindriveline
10 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
10 complaints
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
9 complaints
Fuelpropulsion System
8 complaints
Structurebodytailgate
7 complaints
Wheelslugsnutsboltsstuds
7 complaints
Exterior Lighting
6 complaints
Latcheslockslinkageshatchbackliftgatelock
6 complaints
Seat Belts
6 complaints
Air Bagssidewindow
5 complaints
Fuel System Otherstoragefuel Gauge System
5 complaints
Structurebodyhood
5 complaints
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
5 complaints
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
5 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncontrol Module Tcmpcmtecm
4 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiongear Position Indication Prndl
4 complaints
Seats
4 complaints
Air Bagsfrontal
3 complaints
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
3 complaints
Electrical Systemstarter Assembly
3 complaints
Electronic Stability Control Esc
3 complaints
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
3 complaints
Fuel System Gasolinedelivery
3 complaints
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
3 complaints
Fuel System Other
3 complaints
Parking Brake
3 complaints
Power Trainaxle Assembly
3 complaints
Power Traintransfer Case 4 Wheel Drive
3 complaints
Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System
3 complaints
Structurebodydoor
3 complaints
Structurebodytailgatehinge And Attachments
3 complaints
Suspensionfront
3 complaints
Suspensionfrontwheel Bearing
3 complaints
Tirespressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
3 complaints
Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly
3 complaints
Wheelsrim
3 complaints
Electrical Systemignition
2 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
2 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
2 complaints
Interior Lighting
2 complaints
Power Traindrivelinedriveshaft
2 complaints
Seatsfront Assemblyrecliner
2 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipabs Warning Light
2 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
2 complaints
Steeringcolumn
2 complaints
Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly
2 complaints
Structurebodydoorhinge And Attachments
2 complaints
Tirestreadbelt
2 complaints
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemfanmotor
2 complaints
Visibilityrear Window Wiperwasher
2 complaints
Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module
1 complaint
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
1 complaint
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
1 complaint
Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolinebelts And Associated Pulleys
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingbrake Lights
1 complaint
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionlever And Linkagefloor Shift
1 complaint
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiontorque Converter
1 complaint
Power Trainaxle Assemblyaxle Shaft
1 complaint
Power Trainaxle Assemblybanjo Housing
1 complaint
Power Trainaxle Hubs
1 complaint
Power Trainclutch Assembly
1 complaint
Power Trainmanual Transmission
1 complaint
Seat Beltsrearother
1 complaint
Seatsmidrear Assembly
1 complaint
Service Brakes Electric
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipcontrol Unitmodule
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfluid
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsmaster Cylinder
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicpedals And Linkages
1 complaint
Steeringgear Box Other Than Rack And Pinion
1 complaint
Steeringrack And Pinion
1 complaint
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgatesupport Devicestrut
1 complaint
Structurebodyroof And Pillars
1 complaint
Structurebodytrunk Lid
1 complaint
Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Ball Joint
1 complaint
Suspensionfronthub
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontstabilizer Bar
1 complaint
Traction Control System
1 complaint
Trailer Hitches
1 complaint
Vehicle Speed Controllinkages
1 complaint
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemwindshieldelectrical Heating Element
1 complaint
Visibilityrear Window Wiperwasherlinkages
1 complaint
Visibilitywindshield
1 complaint
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher
1 complaint