7.9
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$2,143.00
Average Mileage:
57,268 miles
Total Complaints:
182 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (101 reports)
- replace shift solenoid (36 reports)
- replace transmission (26 reports)
- rebuild transmission (16 reports)
- replace shift solenoid and bands (2 reports)
- servo pin bore kit (northlandtransmission.com) (1 reports)
transmission problem
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.
Helpful Websites About 2004 Ford Explorer transmission slipping, shifts hard
2009Sep 01
Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 82,000 miles
Transmission slipped and shifted hard for about a year. Finally got to the point where it was unreliable. Had transmission rebuilt. Mechanic said Ford uses aluminum parts that wear out quickly in these transmissions. Ford is crap!!
2010Mar 12
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 71,000 miles
the transmission slips, is slow to shift and sometimes won't shift, bangs into reverse, identical to many of the other transmission complaints, reading similar complaints it feels like those people were in the car with me. I took it to the dealer and they want $4,200 to fix it. The worst part is they acted surprised that this was happening, like they never heard of it before, what an insult!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2010Mar 04
Explorer XLT 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 76,000 miles
As I can see on here, mine is not the only problem. At 78,000 miles, transmission slipping, loud noises when it finally shifts into gear, and so on. I have reported this under the lemon law and suggest everyone should do the same. Ford should recall all these transmissions and pay for everything. I was a Ford man and after dealing with this, I will definately say NO MORE!!!!!
2009Feb 17
Explorer XLT 4.0L/ V6
- Automatic transmission
- 62,549 miles
Just like the rest with the FORD POS (Piece of Sh!t) Explorer problems. I have been reading everyone’s complaints. The worst part of this is that someone is probably going to have to get into a car wreck and have bodily injury inflicted upon them before FORD does anything, only because they will be getting sued over it. My 04' Explorer does the same thing that yalls does, hard shifts, acceleration problems, in and out gear whenever it wants to. My wife was driving and was making a turn when it decided to do its own things and stop accelerating. My 16 month old daughter was in the vehicle when they were almost struck by an 18 wheeler, because she could not exit the intersection fast enough or at all for that matter. I don't wish this upon anyone and I am sorry to believe that this is what it is going to take, just food for thought. I am trying to unload this vehicle no matter what losses I take; it is a potential death trap. I know that some out there say well have it fixed, it seems that all the other complaints that I have read to include people that have paid to have it fixed didn’t fix anything just put off the inevitable. Good luck everyone and I am getting rid of my Explorer.
2004Oct 04
Explorer ES 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 26 miles
Purchase brand new off the lot in 2004 and since day one transmission has shifted hard, and slipped. been in the shop continually for the same issue. Transmission has never been repaired. Vehicle has 56,000 miles on it now. Never driven hard. Vehicle won't back up, won't go into drive properly, jerks continually. I agree with other gentleman Ford should recall and fix this transmission problem before someone gets hurt. This is a safety issue. Also having no transmission dip stick is a major issue, don't buy a vehicle without one cause you can not tell if they've did any transmission work on the vehichle and they just keep telling you there's nothing wrong with it. Ford 2004 Ford Explorer BIG LEMON vehichle....l
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Nov 01
Explorer XLT 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 55,000 miles
Ditto on everything else people have said. I'm a realtor and the Explorer shifts so hard that I'm giving clients whiplash. It started at only 52,000-55,000 miles! My mechanic says fluid fine drive it until it breaks! Grrrrrr!
2008Sep 10
Explorer Limited V8
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
Its hard to put the suv into any gear when its in park and when I put it in reverse it would take off really fast. I am afraid that I will hurt something one of these days.
2010Jan 01
Explorer XLT 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 70,000 miles
Same problem as everyone else with the trannie. Also have a crack under the rear windshield in the plastic and my ABS Light will not turn off no matter what is done. Ford SUCKS!!! According to the mechanic, the transmission that is used in the explorers is smaller than those used in the Mustangs. Doesn't make any sense. Also there is no dipstick to check the transmission fluid. Cost me $2,000 to rebuild the transmission. Never again Ford
2009Dec 23
Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 85,000 miles
What a pain!!!! Sooo mad over the whole ordeal. Just bought a new car, sold my 04 Explorer to my 19 year old son (1st loan he took out) and BAM!!! transmission went.
This is RIDICULOUS that an "American" built manufacturer knows people are all having the same problem, but they will NOT stand behind their product. The o/d light was flashing on, the transmission was shifting hard ...A huge big expense! Estimated cost to fix...$3100!
SO MAD!!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Apr 13
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 90,000 miles
Okay so what I have started is notifing the news stations since Toyota has the big recall that they are working on fixing, Ford needs to own up to its Transmission problems that are obvious and there is no recall, so I am going to start emailing and calling news channels and the lemon lawyers. So I had the solenoids fixed and some other items that were worn on my transmission fixed at 90,000 miles, car still does not run a 100% and it is starting to delay in moving from a stopped position and today it leaped forward while I was stopped at a red light, I thought someone had hit me from behind. Well I supposedly paid for a warranty for this transmission rebuild and called the guy and made an appointment to look at it. The trans guy said they will fix it if it was something they did, not sure why I purchased the warranty, but that is besides $20,000 for a used vehicle that the dealership knew had a faulty transmission and there is still no fix.
2010Feb 04
Explorer 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 74,440 miles
2004 Ford Explorer with 4.0 litre V-6 engine and automatic transmission. Problem occurred at 74K miles.
FOR D stands for Found On Road Dead.Ths is because of a factory fault transmission. Shifts hard into gear and skips from 1st to 3rd gear and 3rd to 5th gear. This is a common problem and I will find out tomorrow if it requires a new transmission.
If you look at the number of similar posts on this site, you will see what I mean. At the first sign of trouble take it to the FORD dealer and see if it is on the recall list for a transmission additive that could be a temporary fix. After that, start looking for a new car.
2010Feb 12
Explorer Eddie Bauer V8
- Automatic transmission
- 67,000 miles
We loved the Explorer until it hit 60,000 miles and everything started turning to sh*t. First the ABS light stayed on - that cost $600+ to fix, then the back paned under the window cracked - we've never had that fixed it just pisses us off because it looks bad and it's not because of something we did, now the transmission dies. F'en awesome! That's suppose to cost nearly $2300 to fix and we're without the car for 4-5 days. I agree with everything posted on the other comments. Damn FORD! The vehicle is not that old and has low miles - THIS HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURER &/OR PRODUCT PROBLEM!
2009Jan 01
Explorer XLT 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 50,000 miles
During the initial buying period, the sales man stated that the transmission during that year was different than other. We have a 1997 XLT and I mentioned that we never experienced this type of a transmission issue.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2007Aug 07
Explorer Eddie Bauer V8
- Automatic transmission
- 50,000 miles
Add my explorer to the list of crappy transmissions. I have taken it in for other work and mentioned the transmission shifting hard all the mechanics have said these transmissions are biggest pieces of crap ever. Course the mechanics love it they get the money from fixing these huge Ford WHOOPS! There are few days it works fine but mostly lurches when put in reverse after hesitating, lurches and shifts hard when shifting 1st to 2nd and sometimes 3rd..or will hesitate...or the check transmission message will appear and the O/D light will flash...pull over turn truck off and removed key..wait 5 minutes and it will run just fine for a few days..WTF is up with that!?!? Got the recall notice about the cruise control switch and the truck could catch on fire without even having a key in it ...I say BURN BABY BURN!!!!! Would do me a HUGE favor if it did catch on fire for sure!!!!
2010Jan 01
Explorer LX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 95,000 miles
I Never Had a car that was such a piece of junk and contatly ripping me off right from the get go the trans had a problem i took good care of this car bought new tires serviced the wheel hub change the fluids and now im told the transmission needs new clucthes and rebuild. ford is trying to haggle me and trying to get me to order a replacement transmission for almost the same price of the blue book. I have never seen a car that depreciated so much and the plastic cracks on the back window by its self what a joke of a car that cost my wife and i lots of money. we had 4 fords in our family all of them the transmission went out. never again i will buy a Ford know i have to pay $270 for a dianostic just so that they can tell me that my ford is slipping in all gears when the stupid mill light say its a solenoid. This is America and i have to say i might just trade in this stupid car for a Japanese car.
2009Nov 04
Explorer XLT 4.0lV6
- Automatic transmission
- 67,000 miles
I just bought a used 2004 Explorer in June of last year. From the beginning I had a problem shifting in reverse, there was a delay of several seconds and then would lurch in reverse about five feet . But never owning a 4x4 before I thought it was normal till it got worse very quickly.Thank God I got the extended warranty because the transmission needed to be rebuilt at a cost of 3400.00. I only had to pay 100.00. At the dealership when I bought it they had to replace both front hubs, bearings, and the heater blender motor.After reading all of the other complaints I will never buy an explorer again.
2008May 01
Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.6L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 71,000 miles
2004 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 2WD 4.6L V8 83K miles. Problems started at around 71K miles but the problem was extremely intermittent. Now doing it every other time the truck is turned on. When it fails it all fails. Rarely does it work fine.
When gear selector is put into reverse "R", it will take the transmission 3-5 seconds to kick in. When it kicks in, it will jolt you as if you were hit from the front by another car at 10-15mph. When the selector lever is set to drive "D" it sometimes takes 1-2 seconds to kick in. The shift from 1:2 it will be sluggish and the engine will rev high for 2 seconds, same with 2:3. The shift from 3:4 is a nightmare. It kicks in so hard that it literally feels like someone rear ended you going 30mph in a truck. A tech at Boggus Ford in McAllen, TX advised me that my vehicle has history of transmission problems in its service history and he knows this model truck has transmission problems because it is electronically controlled.
I called Ford customer care and they first advised me to get it checked out then call back. I called back after getting it looked at by Aamco transmission in McAllen, TX and they said it could be a couple of shift solenoids or the transmission all together. Aamco also knew about this model trucks dodgy record. Ford customer care now refuses to help after they gave me false expectation. The representative was more concerned about getting me off the phone. Ford should do the stand-up thing and accept responsability.
2009Nov 20
Explorer XLT 4.6L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 63,000 miles
Had transmission fluid flushed and changed at dealership. Bought extended warranty to 60k miles. Of course its starts at 63k miles. I've been loyal to Ford but very disappointed with response from dealership.
Broken left running board, cracked panel on rear hatch, now the transmission. Come on Ford, step up and make it right!
2009Oct 29
Explorer XLT 4.6L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 88,452 miles
I hear several ford explorer have this problem. I only have the problem when it's below 50 degrees and only for the 1st mile or so. I'm not sure of what to do.
2008Mar 12
Explorer LX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 126,000 miles
I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER 2WD AND HAVE THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS EVERYONE ELSE HAS WITH THE SUV ONE DAY I WAS PULING A TRAILER WITH MY EXPLORER AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED SMOKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE ONLY TO FIND OUT MY TRANSMISSION WAS BLOWING OUT FLUID IF FORD CANT MAKE BETTER QUALITY VEHICLES LIKE THE DID IN THE 70'S AND 80'S THEN FORD SHOULD GO OUT OF BUSINESS OR AT LEAST GET ADVICE FROM A FOREIGN CAR COMPANY SUCH AS NISSAN OR TOYOTA
2009Oct 26
Explorer 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 80,700 miles
I purchased the 7yr/80k warranty when I bought this vehicle new, at 80,700 miles the transmission started slipping. Started by replacing the solenoid, fluid and filter, still had the issue. Ended up replacing the bands, all seems well now (knock on wood). Cost of $1500.
2006May 01
Explorer XLT V6 3.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 32,000 miles
My transmission delayed in reverse then jolted. Trans. slips between 2-3 gears and the rpm's rev like crazy. Dealer tried to do a quick fix on it at 32K miles, but at 92K miles now, still have the same issue and it's getting worse. I guess Ford doesn't want repeat customers. They feel there is no safety issues which is why they don't do a recall plus too much expense. The dealer said he would help me, but has not done much for this pre-existing condition. Don't buy FORD or from Future Ford of Roseville CA
2009Sep 01
Explorer XLT 4.0V6
- Automatic transmission
- 80,000 miles
TRANS. SHIFTS VERY HARD IN REVERSE, SLIPS BETWEEN 2ND &3RD !!!!
I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD FIX THIS AT NO CHARGE TO CONSUMER !!!
TRIED TO CALL FORD TO COMPLAIN, BUT, CHECK THIS OUT !!! THEY WANT YOU TO PAY $IO.OO PER CALL TO REPORT THE PROBLEM !!!!
1-800-848-0991 WHAT A F-------- JOKE THEY ARE ! I'VE BOUGHT MY LAST FORD !!!!!
2009Apr 03
Explorer 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 52,000 miles
never again ford. you got me once and that is enough.
2008Jun 10
Explorer XLT 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 51,000 miles
American automakers. DON'T ASK US TO BE PATRIOTIC AND BUY AMERICAN CARS and then do this crap! 2004 Ford Explorer ..Transmission ..delayed shifting into drive and reverse. Shift wildly and hard into reverse so much I hit my wife's truck behind me. This HAS to be fixed by Ford. this truck shifts wildly on the road and IS DANGEROUS! God forbid anyone gets into an accident!
I will never ever buy an american car again! I have 2 american Ford Explorers (2004 and 2002) and 2 major transmission issues. The 04 is the worse!
FORD=Garbage
2008Nov 15
Explorer Limited V8
- Automatic transmission
- 88,000 miles
Well, it's been awhile since I viewed the complaints from my vehicle, but here we are with the complaints still piling up.
Last October I had my transmission rebuilt and no more slipping into reverse, but I still don't feel like it's 100% operating capacity. It still hesitates once in a while to engage into drive.
All I can say is that I'm ditching this vehicle as soon as I can, no more Ford's for this guy. Never will buy a Ford again. My only exception would be a vintage 66-68 mustang, but that's just a completely differently vehicle from the junk they build today.
2009Jul 14
Explorer EX
- Automatic transmission
- 82,000 miles
From what I have read on here...This is an obvious problem with the 2004 vehicle (as a matter of fact, the top 3 worst cars ever built were the 2002, 2003, and 2004 Ford Explorer). As an average American who struggles to make it from paycheck to paycheck with 2 kids in daycare, it is RIDICULOUS that an "American" built manufacturer will NOT stand behind it's product. The abs light is on, the transmission doesn't want to go in gear which jerks the whole vehicle which in turn completely messed up my drive train...A whole new and big expense! Estimated cost to fix...$2500!
2008Jul 01
Explorer LX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 40,000 miles
FORD IS NOT LIKE IT USED TO BE - 3 Issues below are common complaints that For has not attempted to resolve. Poor quality and higher prices ar is causing folks to move away from Ford.
1) ABS Light Stays on
2) Crack developed in back tailgate under window
3) Transmission slips and shifts hard ito reverse, very dangerous
2008Jun 14
Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 52,000 miles
Our transmission has the same problems as the rest. Jerky in drive, jumps into reverse.
My father-in-law worked at Ford for 40 years, so my wife has been an ardent Ford supporter since we married. Many years later we are starting to look for a car for our son. To my surprise she's looking at the other "American" manufacturers more than Ford. I think Ford has lost another long time customer.
2009Jul 21
Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 64,000 miles
Like most of all the other complaints, this was a problem from the beginning, we had it in the shop several times and were told that there was nothing wrong with it, the last time we took it in we were told that there was a recall on the tranny fluid and that once they replaced it there would be no more problems, wrong, now I have to pay out of pocket $2000.00 or more to have the tranny fixed, when Ford should have fixed it right the first time. I will never buy another ford as they do not stand behind their product, it is no wonder they are in financial trouble what with as many complaints that I have read.
2009Mar 18
Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 125,376 miles
My car when I put it in reverse it shifts really hard there should be something ford could have done to make there vehicle better than what this one has turned out to be
2007Oct 16
Explorer XLS 4.6L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 47,500 miles
Put it in reverse and I tense up waiting for it to jump into gear. As I drive forward, right around 40 mph the tranny will jump again while the RPM's go from around 2k to almost 4k till it shifts into the next gear. Truck is great other than the transmission is garbage. Apparently Ford figured this out for the next generation because the problem is non-existant for any model 2006 and forward, and like any car maker they won't do anything about it. I've read about various fixes for this problem, to only have those people have the same problem start up again within 1-2 years of the fix and a couple thousand dollars. I'm not into wasting money, so I'll just deal with it til the sh*t dies, or till I get so sick of it I replace the transmission completely. Awesome how Ford knows about it, has changed it for future models, but pisses on all saps who have the bad tranny. Best part is Ford doesn't know how to fix it either! Classic.
2008Sep 28
Explorer Eddie Bauer
- Automatic transmission
- 40,389 miles
I bought my lovely 2004 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition in 2005, and after a year of it being problem free, we had a massive flood, which had me going to insurance to get the engine and interior replaced (which took 2 months for Ford to get the carpets and engine replaced).
After i FINALLY got it back, I had to go back to Ford 3 TIMES because the engine didn't feel like it had any power to it, only for my husband to finally check under the hood himself, and find that they had put in twice the amount of oil in the car. So we went back to ford and TOLD them what they obviously missed the first 2 times, and they blamed it on Minute Lube, because that's where we usually go- but common sense. We just got the car back in less than 1 week, why the hell would we go for another oil change! DUH FORD DUH!
After that was done and over with, one cold January day, the explorer just stopped working, wouldn't start, tried boosting it, nothing, thought it was the starter, NOPE..find out that it was the PAT system. For some reason, our keys just didn't have the right code and basically locked us out of our own vehicle. It cost me $1000. for them to get my car started!
And the worst part!? AFTER they gave me back my car, that's when my O/D light started flashing, my service engine soon light came on, my check tires light came on and my transmission light came on. and (this is the best part), they said that it may fix itself if I just keep driving it! But no way was I driving a whiplash prone car in winter, so I just parked it.
Its June now, and I decided to see what Ford can do about it. After talking to the lady on the phone, she told me that my car was still under the power train warranty and to bring it in. (this is when i found out that, my car no longer shifts hard. In fact, It doesn't shift at all- i am constantly in 5th gear *roll eyes here*) A day after my car was brought in, I had a phone call from the same lady from Ford telling me that it WASNT under warranty and that i had to pay $105. for the diagnostic and another $120 for them to take out the pan to find out the problem, because the diagnostic didn't give them any information. (I had a diagnostic done by A1 Transmission, who came up with the exact same information for free!) Now, my car is stuck at Ford, because I refuse to pay for a diagnostic that came up empty handed and pay even more to get another test done, which will just tell me that the transmission needs to be replaced and it will cost $3000. Just waiting to meet with my insurance company and go from there.....
I wish I didn't even contact Ford! I wish i never bought a Ford.. in fact. I will NEVER buy another Ford.
2009Jun 05
Explorer XLS
- Automatic transmission
- 51,600 miles
Stalled at a traffic light on a state highway (speed limit 50 mph between lights) just going from a dead stop at red to accelerating at green! Scary, because I was on a blind curve and stalled in the fast lane! Thought there was a problem with my 50k mile service at Jiffy Lube, but now see there has been a pretty big problem all around. Anyone gotten any satisfaction?
2008May 25
Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 70,000 miles
This is follow up to my complaint #58.
We had the transmission replaced (after emailing, calling, kicking and screaming for several months to ford.) The cost of the transmission was $2900 through our own mechanic and luckily it was a Ford Transmission with a 3 year/100K mile warranty. Three weeks and only 1000 miles later, complete transmission failure with the BRAND NEW transmission.
Luckily it was under warranty still. We were coming back from a weekend trip that involved a 2 and a half hour drive each way and BARELY made it home.
This is a serious problem that Ford needs to own up to.
2007May 16
Explorer XLT 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 55,302 miles
Yet again, in this time of car companies telling us that "We build great car". Another lemon is down the road....This is my fist SUV, which has great size for a family and there 2 dogs. But this will be my first and last Ford ever!!!! Quality is not job #1....This has been one big head ache after another....What a pice of CRAP!!!
2009May 20
Explorer XLT 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 72,888 miles
Don't really know if bitching here will do anything! I have a 2004 Explorer with major transmission problems. I already spoke with someone at the Ford 1-800-392-3673 #. What a waste of time. Will not take it to the dealer. I won't settle for a bandaid. Lets face it they're going to quick fix it only, knowing you'll have to bring it back for more work somewhere down the road. My complaint is the same as most of the others here. O/D light flashing, service engine soon light is on. Shifts real hard into 2nd, bangs into reverse. Took it to an independent tranny shop. They said it's going from 1st to 3rd, then 3rd to 5th. WONDERFUL!!!! With only 72,886 miles I wouldn't expect this.
We've been ford people forever, this is my 4th Explorer.........not so much anymore. Always buy American we say. For what? Tired of getting ****** by these "American" companies. Once this beast is fixed and I can unload it, I'll be going against my life-long commitment of buying only American. Lets face it, today things are made to break. The good ole days are gone. So is my trust in Ford products.
2009Jan 30
Explorer Limited 4.6L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 45,000 miles
I, as well, have a ford exploder that has been excellent until it started pausing and jerking into reverse. Then it began feeling as though the engine might fall out of the bottom of the car while it was shifting. It takes a while to engage when upshifting. I have taken it to the dealer twice. "We can't replicate the problem or find anything wrong!" I found the original recall letter stating, "Your vehicle was filled at the assembly plant with a transmission fluid formulation that, over time, may cause delayed and harsh reverse transmission engagements. Under Customer Satisfaction Program 04B22, and at no charge to you, your dealer will install a transmission fluid additive that will correct the fluid formulation and maintain the shift quality of your transmission. The longer that your vehicle is operated with the original fluid, the greater the possibility that your vehicle will experience transmission shifting concerns in the future." TRANSLATION: This is totally our fault that your car is currently experiencing transmission problems!!!!!! I'll see if this gets me anywhere with FORD. Unless they fix it, they've lost my business!
2009May 13
Explorer XLT 40 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 127,000 miles
Just fixed numerous problems with this explorer just to find out the transmission is going out.
2009May 11
Explorer XLT 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 46,000 miles
I have driven Ford vehicles for 40 years and this Explorer is a big disappointment. It had the rough reverse from the very start. Had the fluid recall taken care of immediately but not a cure by any means. Has been terrible in P to R and highway shift is hard. Has been worse lately. Scares me! Talked with my dealer today and let him know I am not impressed with Ford.I have 46,000 miles on and this rig doesn't hold a candle to a 96' of my friends with 140,000 miles! The price we pay for their product and the quality we receive is a joke! Such an expensive fix!!! My next rig will be Chevrolet,Dodge anything but a Ford!!!
2006Feb 12
Explorer LX
- Automatic transmission
- 30,000 miles
I bought a brand new 2004 ford explorer with 30 miles on it. Had a recall on transmission fluid, took it to dealer they replaced fluid. Truck began to jerk when shifting of gears. Took back to dealer in 2007 they replaced some type of noid switch. Heck I dont Know. Rear window will not roll down, car still sound as if its not in gear and CD player is stuck not ejecting cd's. I just called dealer as we speak they told me to bring it in but I was responsible for each diagnostic check. As much as I loved my truck, I must say that I will not buy another ford anything. I should have stuck with my Nissan's. I have had problems with this truck since 2005 and to no avail. I tried to call 1-800-848-0991 and a recording told me fro a charge of $4.99 they would give me another number to call. Something has got to be done about this and I am so hurt,disappointed and pissed like the rest of you all about the lack of help from Ford. Its, ok though I'm a firm believer that God will prevail. If a class action suit is started someone please advise. In the meantime, I continue to pray and ride.
2007Apr 03
(reported on)Explorer XLS V6
- Automatic transmission
- 25,000 miles
At 25,000 miles I got the recall saying they need to put an additive in the transmission. I tried to make the appointment and all the local Ford dealers were out of the additive and didn't know when they were getting it. By the time it came into stock my transmission was leaping into reverse after a brief delay and clunking while upshifting at low speeds of 25 to 35 mph. The dealership said I now need the shift solenoid replaced. This was all done under warranty. Now at 70,000 miles, it's happening again and it is not under warranty.... I don't know how much this will cost yet as my appointment is tomorrow.
2007Apr 04
(reported on)Explorer XLS V6
- Automatic transmission
- 48,000 miles
We need to all get together, and contact Ford concerning a "recall", or repair on their transmissions. I've never been a Ford person myself, but decided to give them a try. I thought that the Explorer looked pretty sharp. Now I see why I have never owned a Ford before, and unless something is done about this problem, by them, their future purchases of vehicles by me, or my Family doesn't look very bright. I guess the old saying still stands,"Fix or repair daily". Or, "Found on the road dead".
2007Apr 03
(reported on)Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 25,000 miles
I wish I would have checked out this website BEFORE I purchased a used 2004 Explorer. We had a 1995 Explorer with 150,000 miles that we just traded in. We loved our Explorer and wanted a newer one with a 3rd row seat to fit our growing kids. I love the new car. BUT, after reading the posts on this site, I took it out for a ride (my husband has been driving it for the last 3 days that we have owned it). When I shift from drive to reverse, the car hesitates a few seconds and then bang! Like it was shot out of a cannon. VERY SCARY! I am calling the dealership that I bought it from the morning. I only bought it 5 days ago. Of course the dealership has a return policy of 3 days with no questions asked. I wish I would have checked for this problem 2 days sooner! I am sure they are going to tell me that they will service it and everything will be OK (according to them). I am so disappointed. We like the vehicle but the safety of our family is the most important thing. I was up all night last night worried about it. We went to a reputable dealer, checked out the Carfax report but didn't put it from Drive to reverse when we test drove it. And my husband didn't need to do it in the couple of days that he drove to work. It is OK going from park to drive or reverse. It is when you are in drive and go to reverse and reverse to drive. YIKES! I never expected this.
Does anyone know, since I didn't buy this car new, does the Lemon Law apply if I take it in 3 times for the same issue or is that only for cars purchased new?
I am wishing for my 1995 with 150,000 miles back now!
2007Apr 04
(reported on)Explorer XLT 4.0 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 2,800 miles
When you shifted into revearse gear, the transmission would hesitate and then slam into gear. Would also hesitate when taking off in forward from a dead stop. Had to take it to the dealer 3 times before they agreed that there was a problem AND they would fix it. They claimed they had to have a regional manager test drive it and give the ok to go ahead and fix it. When I first encountered the problem, my first thought was to check the transmission fluid... but there is no transmission dipstick!! I looked under the truck and saw transmission fluid dripping from the bellhousing. I had no way of knowing how much trans. oil was lost. Dealer told me it was "overflow" and that there is a special tool and procedure to check the transmission oil level. I prefer the dipstick method!! I have no faith that the transmission is going to last too long after warranty is up. Had it in for the differential whine and it's going in again for the same problem again (see seporate complaints under drive train)
2007Jan 10
Explorer V6
- Automatic transmission
- 86,000 miles
This started slipping when Ford added something to the transmission after a recall. They said there was a problem but prior to the recall I had none. It appears to be caused by whatever they added that caused the problem.
2008Jun 01
Explorer XLT 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 59,000 miles
Just a while ago, I was going to enter an average post just to complain about the pathetic transmission in my 2004 Explorer XLT. But, after just spending 30 minutes on the phone with Ford Motor Company, my blood is boiling and I am ready to blow!!!!!
I spoke with a very polite woman on the phone from FORD and told her my concerns.....
1. My transmission was slipping between 2nd and 3rd gear
2. The car was hesitating between park & reverse and drive & reverse
3. Loud "bang" and massive jolt when the car finally would engage in reverse
4. The crack on my rear tailgate under the rear window
5. the list goes on.......
After a brief conversation and giving her my contact information, she asked me what I would like Ford Motor Company to do for me today. Naturally, I said, "I want them to replace my transmission!!!". She asked me if I would hold while she looked up the information on the Explorer. After holding for approximately 5 minutes, she came back and told me that there was nothing that Ford could do for me....as if I expected her to say anything different. I explained to her that I knew it was not her fault, but that Ford should be ashamed of itself. Ashamed for selling a transmission that they knew was faulty, ashamed for not informing the consumer of the problem, and even more ashamed for not standing behind their products!!!! Now, I am a strong believer in "Buy American" as I am a Union Print Shop Owner.... but, if our American Manufacturers are not willing to stand behind their product, how can they expect the American consumer to stay loyal to American Made Products? I have owned numerous cars in my lifetime..some Dodge, some Ford, and when I was younger and uneducated about buying American I even owned a couple of Mazda vehicles. The unfortunate part of owning all of these different cars is that it made me aware that the quality and customer service of the foreign vehicles beat the quality and customer service of any of the american made products. I don't claim that all American Made Vehicles are in the same category as the Explorer that I am now stuck with - I am just trying to make a point.... Ford needs to stick behind its products!!! They need to take care of the consumers who have been filling their pockets for the last 75 years!!! I have to admit... I will most likely never buy another Ford again as long as I live!!!! Not that the lack of one car buyer will hurt them, but it is just the point!!!!
Before I go..... to all of you experiencing the same problem.... we need to flood Ford Motor Company's phone lines with these complaints. If nothing else, at least we will cost them $$$$$ in time spent on the phone listening to all of us complain. The number that I just called and actually spoke to a human being is..... 1-800-392-3673
PLEASE CALL THEM - PLEASE CALL THEM - PLEASE CALL THEM!!!!!!!
2009Mar 20
Explorer V6
- Automatic transmission
- 69,000 miles
69,000 miles and I can't get it into second gear without slipping and noise! Cannot afford such a fix for a car I haven't finished paying for yet!
2009Mar 16
Explorer XLT Sport 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 26,500 miles
Only 26,500 miles on the Ford 2004 Explorer under normal driving, no off road at all. Started having shift delay problem when shifting from P to R and from N to D in late 2008. Heard big 'bang' when shifting from P to R and from N to D. Had it tested with dealer and 2nd gear problem. Spent $3200 to replace the transmission completely. Sick of the transmission.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2010Jan 25
Explorer XLT 4.6L V6
Thought I'd buy American to keep jobs in America....got the Ford Explorer. Just finished paying it off too and BAM!! OD Off light is always on, service engine light is on...went to go get transmission fluid and filter changed. The guy tells me that there's a problem with the solonoid B. No recall on this , although seems like many people are having the same issues. Come on Ford!!!! Never will I buy another Ford again.
Victor L.
Oakland, CA, USA
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