Problems with 2004 Ford Explorer POWER TRAIN

The past several months i have had numerous transmission problems. my explorer does not shift correctly. it hesitates when shifting which is really dangerous in traffic. also when i try to reverse it hesitates and then abruptly accerelates into reverse very hard and fast. it makes a loud noise when it happens also. it does this everytime i go into reverse. also my vehicle has lost all power in the middle of driving on the interstate. i have lost power on many occasions. it is very dangerous especially when i have to young children sitting in the back. *ak

The consumer experienced a problem with the cruise control. the consumer would set the cruise control and then it will shut down by itself. the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer who as of today, was unable to find a defect. *jb the failure resulted in a life threatening situation when the vehicle reached speeds in excess of 100 mph on it's own while hitting the resume button in cruise control. the vehicle had been in to the dealer for the repair of the braking and tire pressure gauges, throttle control, transmission slippage, cruise control, traction control default, general computer defaults and the rear trim piece at the liftgate opening was distorted. *sc

1- in reverse vehicle pauses- then proceeds to surge backward. took to dealership- they fixed it- adv bad transmission sensor. 2- vehicle would go from 65- to - 40 as if i was hitting the brake. took to dealer - they advertising general code read fine for about 2 months. 3- now it has actually began to die instead of just stalling and hesitating. now they advise its the throttle sensor. in all 3 cases - the little wrench comes on and the check engine light. this is a 2004 bought brand new and only has 16,450 miles on it....... what will go wrong next?? last date is listed below the stalling is an on/off thing. *ak

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

My 2004 ford explorer xlt makes a clunking noise and harshly shifts when going into reverse. sometimes there is a lag of up to 5 seconds before engaging into reverse, which may put me in danger when trying to turn around in traffic. *ak

Power transmission-does not engage reverse every time the car is put into gear. took to dealer and was told this is a common problem. had to pay part of the repairs because the car was out of warranty. *ak

Within 7,000 miles of purchasing my 2004 ford explorer (eddie bauer edition) i began noticing a progressively worsening slamming into gear. at first it was just into reverse, then it was from reverse into forward drive gears, then it would slam every time it changed gears. when i took it in, ford replaced the valve body for the transmission, the rear differential, and a solenoid. seemed to correct the problem for about 10k miles. then the reverse slamming started again and some slight slamming when going from reverse to the forward gear. so i took it back and also asked them to do some routine maintanence inspections, during which time they informed me my rear left wheel bearing was bad and the vehicle was not driveable. at this time they also told me they could not duplicate the transmission problem. now, 10k miles later, it's back in the shop with slamming gears and whining noises coming from wheel area. the slamming transmission is basically shaking my vehicle apart bit by bit. my fear of course is the safety of the vehicle. i'm hoping i can get resolution before a part actually falls off while i'm going 70 down the highway. i've been reading news releases and owner forums and this seems to be a rather common issue, though luckily no one has been hurt as of yet.

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 *nm

I have had many, many problems with my 2004 ford explorer. probably the most dangerous one is the recurring failure of the transmission. this last time that this occurred i was on interstate-85, in morning rush-hour traffic, and all of a sudden my rpm's are flying to the red danger area and i have no acceleration power and am losing speed. there is an 18-wheeler on my rear and i can't pick up speed! luckily, i was approaching an exit and managed to get the vehicle off of the interstate and onto a less traveled road. this is the second time that i have endured this scenario. once again the solenoid is gone, with repairs estimated at $1255.00. i have had this problem repaired less than a year after purchase. i have had this problem repaired at 32,567 miles, and i now have this problem again at 76,725 miles. i have had the clutch pack replaced at 24,940 miles as well as the ring gear, pinion, and all bearings replaced at 24,940 miles. at 35,558 miles the lower ball joint had to be replaced. at 64,335 i had to have the pats transponder(security system) replaced. in short i have had the transmission repaired three times the front end rebuilt , the back end redone. i honestly can say i do not feel very safe in this vehicle, especially since i have to use this to transport my children. these problems seem to be the norm for this particular vehicle, as i have done research on this. i don't understand why ford is not made to resolve these issues. i have also had to have my heating and air replaced. this occurred in the winter of 2007 and was a safety issue, as i could not defrost my windows. *tr

When putting transmission in reverse it hesitates and slams in to gear. very loud humming noise in rear when in any speed of acceleration. vehicle is going to dealership tommorow.

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

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.*ak

Delay and harsh transmission engagement in reverse and drive.*ak

Dt: the contact complained about transmission failure son several occasions. when shifting the vehicle into reverse the transmission locked for a few seconds, making a loud popping sound and then shifting into reverse. the vehicle has been seen by the dealer six times. the dealer was able to duplicate the problem, but could not been able to locate the source of the problem. the following items were replaced on order to fix the transmission, including the rear speed sensor, the solenoid body, and several components were lubricated. none of these replacements seemed to repair the transmission. during the most recent failure the contact's husband was involved accident when the transmission failed. he attempted to back into the driveway during icy conditions. the transmission locked. he shifted the vehicle into drive and stepped on the gas. the transmission immediately engaged and the vehicle crashed into a tree in the yard. the vehicle sustained heavy damage. the police were not contacted because the accident occurred on private property. the vehicle is now in the possession of the insurance company at their impound lot. *ak

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. *ak

My transmission started slipping gears. it would also clunk and hang up in reverse. sometimes when engaged in drive it would surge forward. several times i have been very lucky and kept my foot on the brake. if not, i am afraid to think of the consequences. after taking to a certified ford dealership, it no longer slips in gear, but it still clunks. now it hesitates when changing gear. the dealer says this is normal. i have tried 4 times to get them to fix this but they keep saying its normal. this is not my first ford explorer 4x4 and i have never experience any hesitations when the gears change in any vehicles i have ever driven or owned. this will be my last ford ever! *jb

When reversing, loud banging/clunking noise is heard from the back. the car jerks back harshly.*ak

When shifting to reverse- step on gas - does not engage then suddenly a clunk and takes off very fast in reverse- worried about hitting someone- dealer has reflashed & then replaced solenoid in transmission problem still exists. *nm

The vehicle continued to go into 4- wheel drive on its own. the vehicle accelerated, then stalled. the mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem. *jb there were several times when the vehicle was placed in reverse or forward the vehicle would buck. *sc

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. *ak

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.*ak

Vehicle was taken to dealer for transmission problem. consumer was told that when placing vehicle in reverse, it jerked, and sometimes it raced. consumer was told that part of the transmission needed to be replaced. *ak

2004 explorer - eddie bauer purchased new on 12/03. at 29,000 miles - noticed that when turning sharp radius in parking lots - felt like the transmission would go in and out of gear. simultaneously noticed hesitation upon auto shifting, and hesitation upon putting in reverse. took to dealer replaced solenoid. 2nd trip to dealer - similar complaint - they replaced rear axle. 3rd trip - similar complaint, but now upon heavy acceleration - vehicle pulls hard left. service manager at ford says they called factory, but nobody knows why. this is now not only a lemon, but because it's steering has become affected - i believe it is a safety concern. 3 major failures in 10 mos ownership, and some problems remain unresolved. this is not a safe or reliable vehicle. *jb

When shifting into reverse, it would take a few second then the transmission would slam into gear and the whole truck would jerk. dealer replaced a part and reprogrammed the transmission. as of 12-7-04 the problem has returned.

Placing the vehiclw in reverse, vehicle hesitates and then engages with a "clunk"; shifting into drive the same phenomenon occurs randemly. the major concern is that this jumping into gear happens sporadically as well !*ak

I have a 2004 ford explorer that is having a problem with the transmission. i have a harsh delay when going from park to reverse. ford is refusing to repair the vehicle unless i absorb the cost. there was a "customer program" issued in january 2005 and expired on 12/31/05. i did not receive the form by mail as i had moved and they are still refusing to fix it. they want to charge me over $1600.00 to repair my vehicle. *jb

Vehicle hesitates when put into reverse, then slams into reverse with a sudden jerk. have to keep brake to the floor waiting for it to engage to keep the vehicle from hurting anyone. upon waiting for part that is on back order, the vehicle now misses gears when driving down the road and sometimes slams into the next gear even if it is down shifting. part was supposed to be hear last week and now they are telling us that it may be middle of next month before it gets here! we have children and are very worried about what will happen if this is not fixed very soon! mechanic said that all 2004 explorers are having this problem at about 15,000 miles which is when this began in ours. very worried!!!!! *jb

The truck jerks into gear when put into reverse - it also jerks in drive but is more pronounced when backing up. the gears don't shift until i'm at 20 -30 mph and then they slip incredibly just to get get there. and even when i'm driving the car jerks as it is shifting gears. when i back into my parking space there is a full 10 second delay before the car to finally catapults into reverse. if there is ever anyone behind me they will literally be hit because of the jerking. the slow shifting into gears and jerking have been a consistent problem since taken brand new off the show room floor. although the ford dealership service department "tested trans; performed pinpoint test; r&r trans pan; and added a replaced solenoid body" - nothing has stopped this problem. it still persists to this day. and it has only gotten progressively worse.

Engaging the transmission in "reverse" it hesitates, slips then surges. loud banging/clunking noises heard, sounds like universal joint. dealer states parts on order. apparently this is a known defect to ford, dealer blames it on a defective servo, synchro or solinoid. awaiting nationwide back ordered parts from the same manufacture, what makes me think that this same part won't again fail. what is ford's responsibility regarding warranty extension for the transmission which still is encountering the same problems as i await the repair parts? sounds like a safety problem to me.*ak

Consumer had problems with the automatic transmission. each time the vehicle was backed up, it would hesitate when placed in drive. the vehicle also leaped forward with the consumers foot on the brake, it was placed in drive and the vehicle did not move. *sc the vehicle was a rental. *jb

Since owning the car, it has had trouble with the transmission. when shifting into reverse it will suddenly lurch backwards. causing the car to momentarily loose control. it is a concern when backing out of parking spaces, and could potentiality cause an accident. the transmission solenoid and a few gaskets have been replaced, but the dealer does not know the true cause of the problem. *tr

4x4 eddie bauer explorer - bangs into reverse. *ak

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.*ak

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.

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. *jb

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.*ak

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.. *nm

In feb. 2004 i purchased a brand new explorer. about 6 months into ownership there were some problems with a delay in switching from park to reverse. i took the explorer to the dealer. they stated it was the throttle position sensor, which the dealer did replace. approximately a year later, the same problem started to happen again. i took the explorer back to the dealer and they repaired the same part again. the problem continued and progressively got worse so i was forced to take it back again in december of 2006 to the dealer. they proceed to tell me that the problem is the same exact problem which has already been fixed, twice. this time they tell me my warranty has expired and i will have to pay for the repairs. well it seems to me if it was repaired correctly the first or second time then it wouldn't be happening just about every year. i would drive my truck locally and it normally would not want to move. one day on my lunch hour, i tried to cross a major 4 lane highway and this 2004 ford explorer, left me stranded in the middle of this lunch rush hour traffic, to be t-boned by on coming traffic. talk about, emotional distress; i was so upset that i had to go home for the rest of the day. it is just as scary to think my truck would break down due to manufacturing problems with my kids in the truck. this happened so often and most times at night. the throttle position sensor and transmission fluid cost me $550.00 at 80k miles. the dealer informed me that you are not supposed to service the transmission until 100k but the dealer suggested it due to my many problems. i am at the point where i just will never buy another ford vehicle. nothing has been done my truck has sat at the dealer since dec 2007, i can not afford the repairs. it seems there should be a class action suit filed against ford for fault transmissions. *tr

Transmission started shifting hard the day it was purchased in 2004. now the transmission will not shift at all and the car has been parked in the driveway and is not drivable. i asked the ford dealership about the shifting problem within a week of purchase and they stated there was nothing wrong with the vehicle that they could find. *tr

Dt: the contact complained about an automatic transmission problem. while driving the vehicle will go in and out of gear without warning. ford has been contacted. *ak

When shifting gears from drive to reverse a heavy knocking noise is produced. *ak the gear selector would hang up in drive and the selector did not return. the vehicle would also unexpectedly jump out of drive. the shift solenoid was replaced but the problem remained the same. *sc

In may of 2004, i bought a new 2004 ford explorer. two months later in july of 2004, i found problems shifting the car into reverse. it would pause for about 5 seconds, then jerk very hard before reversing. i complained to the dealership that i bought the new car from, who proceeded to tell me it was "nothing". the problem continued, and i continued to bring the car into the dealership where i bought it from with no resolve. this continued until january of 2005. i finally took the car to an out of town ford dealership 2 hours away, who took my car for 5 days due to them having to replace the transmission solenoid. i waited for almost an hour the day i picked up my car for a service advisor to explain to me what this was, and the only answer i received was that it was a programming error. i since then looked up on the internet what this transmission problem was, and read an article that ford knew about this problem and was not recalling cars since it is not a danger. this is a danger. it can cause numerous neck problems from the jerking. i have suffered from lower back pain before buying the car, and the jerking from putting the car in reverse was not helpful. if anyone or anything is around the car while putting it in reverse, they can be damaged badly. this issue needs to go public. the dealerships need to take responsibility before there are serious injuries due to responsibility neglect for a poor product. *jb

Purchased my ford explorer jan 2004. problem with shifting occurred june 29th 2004. one year later 2005, the problem worsen, with slipping and hard shifting at the same time. ford is not backing the explorer at all and we the people with these same complaints need help, or all of our money back from the vehicle, since the problem can not be fixed. *tr

Transmission got stuck in neutral when column shifter was put in the park position. as my wife got out to help her sister with her new born and baggage the explorer started rolling, my niece (in the back seat) got scared and jumped out of the vehicle and got ran over. the vehicle hit a pole and trapped my niece under the rear tire. i have since taken it to dealership 3 times so far, and it is still not fixed. actually since i have gotten the explorer back it has started to clung really hard going into reverse, and has got stuck between third and fourth gear. while driving, causing the rpms to shoot up. i am waiting on ford to finally resolve this issue as i have been given the run around and am getting very frustrated.*ak

My 2004 ford explorer has had a problem with chattering in the differential and delayed shifting of the automatic transmission gears, especially reverse, since it was purchased. when i am in an urban parrallel park situation, i have hit the car behind me hard on several occassions because of the delayted shifting. as you shift, you naturally put a foot on the accelerator. when there is a delay, the car then bolts into reverse at a high speed. i have brought my car to the dealer 5-6 times, and they have always done something, but nothing ever works to eliminate the chattering and the delayed shifting.*ak

The gear on my newly purchased 2004 ford explorer broke off. i beleive this to be a manufacture defect. when i tookthe truck back to the dealer they couldn't believe it themselves. i am afraid to wonder what else is wrong with this vehicle.*ak

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

After purchasing my 2004 ford explorer i noticed hesitation and lurching upon acceleration causing a safety hazard when proceeding out into traffic. several service appointments were made and ford was unable to replicate the problem, although all other persons that drive the vehicle have identified it. with the new information recently released on these vehicles, i am very concerned for my safety and wish to have this vehicle repaired. *jb

Our vehicle only has 36,000 miles on it, and the transmission has succumb to an extremely unsafe condition after warranted factory repair for the third time now, where the transmission fails to shift while driving and basically leaves you coasting without speed control during a regular shift interval. *tr

When putting the vehicle in reverse it surged. consumer was able to stop the vehicle without any incident. vehicle was towed to the dealership for inspection and the mechanic determined that the transmission failed. *ak *nm