2004 Ford Explorer
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 1,408 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 75 involved a crash and 16 involved a fire. 105 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 2009
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, glass, side/rearDec 11, 2007
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
Campaign 07E104000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Campaign 06E049000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
477 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Aug 4, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE REVERSING. WHEN THE GEAR FINALLY ENGAGED, THERE WAS A JOLT FELT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SOLENOID IN MAY 2004 BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED.
Power train, Equipment, Jul 6, 2006
04 EXPLORER HAD HARSH REVERSE. RPM'S WENT TO 7 SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. FORD REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD A "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN",FORDS ALTERNATIVE TO A RECALL, THAT EXPIRED LAST YEAR TO PUT AN ADDITIVE IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID BECAUSE THE PUT IN THE WRONG TYPE. HAD THE SOLENOID REPLACED ONCE BEFORE. FORD CLAIMED IT TO BE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. COST 1300.00 TO REPAIR BAD SOLENOID,AND 2 PISTON AND RODS. *NM
Power train, Jun 11, 2006
2004 EXPLORER HAS HAD ONGOING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED IT. I ONLY BECAME AWARE OF THE FACTORY MISTAKE IN TRANSMISSION FLUID TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING A LEFTOVER. SOMEHOW IT WASN'T DISCOVERED UNTIL MORE THAN A YEAR LATER? I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR LURCHING INTO REVERSE AND NOT ENGAGING IN PARK CORRECTLY. THE CAR ROLLS ABOUT 2-4 FEET WHEN IN PARK AND NOW THE NEW PROBLEM IS IT REFUSES TO GO INTO DRIVE AND REVS IN NEUTRAL UNTIL YOU PRESS ON THE ARM OF THE GEAR SHIFTER WITH CONSIDERABLE FORCE. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS INTO THE DEALER TWO TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. TWICE I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG AND THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. WHEN I WAS LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP THE SECOND TIME THE CAR LURCHED INTO REVERSE IN THEIR PARKING LOT, I'M ONLY SORRY THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER'S CARE WASN'T PARKED BEHIND ME! I AM BRINGING IT IN AGAIN SINCE THE NEW TRICK IS WHEN YOU STOP ON THE HIGHWAY (TO PAY A TOLL) THE ENTIRE CHASSIS AND BODY OF THE CAR SHAKE AND VIBRATE SO VIOLENTLY THAT THINGS FALL OFF THE DASHBOARD. ONLY BY DEPRESSING AND HOLDING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR CAN I DIMINISH THE SHAKING. I USE MY CAR FOR TRANSPORTING MY FAMILY. IF IT IS NOT CORRECTED THIS TIME TO MY SATISFACTION, FORD WILL TAKE THIS CAR BACK. I'M DISGUSTED WITH THE ATTITUDE OF THE DEALERSHIPS I HAVE TAKEN IT TO AND THE INCOMPETENT SERVICE I HAVE RECEIVED SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. *JB
Suspension, Power train, Electrical system, May 31, 2006
TRANSMISSION SLAMMING INTO REVERSE / DRIVE, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, SOLENOID PACK REPLACED 6 MONTHS AGO, STARTED HAVING SAME PROBLEMS AND NOW THIS TIME ALSO, RPMS SHOOT UP TO 7 WHEN ACCELERATING. TOOK BACK TO DEALER, SAID THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE SOLENOID PACK AGAIN. WON'T HONOR WARRANTY AFTER THE $800.00 PROBLEM WAS JUST FIXED! ALSO, HAVE SERIOUS SUSPENSION PROBLEMS! FRONT SWAY BAR BUSHINGS, REAR SHOCKS (LEAKING), REPLACE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS. *NM
Power train, May 30, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A SHIFT DELAY BEFORE GOING INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE, AFTER A 5-10 SECOND DELAY IT GOES INTO GEAR. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. LAST WEEK THE SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER BECAUSE IT BROKE OFF IN THE COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE DELAY PROBLEM HOWEVER THEY ARE UNABLE TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC CODE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
Power train, May 22, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE HEARD COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN LURCHED FORWARD AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE HIGHWAY AS IF THE REAR WHEELS WERE LOCKED CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY DETERMINED THERE WAS METAL IN THE TRANSMISSION PAN. THEY REPLACED THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY ASSEMBLY, COMPRESSOR, POWER BELT, BOLT, VIBRATION DAMPER, SCREEN ASSEMBLY, BEARINGS, OUTPUT SHAFT, PISTONS, RODS AND THE CARRIER OVER DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Power train, May 21, 2006
TRANSMISSION BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS SHIFTING BETWEEN 2 AND 3 RD GEAR, INTO OVERDRIVE, AND INTO REVERSE. ON 5/12/06 I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE WITH THE KEYS STILL IN MY PURSE AND THE VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT. BASED ON THE OTHER VEHICLES HE HAD SEEN HE HAD A GOOD IDEA WHAT MY EXPLORER'S PROBLEM WAS. UNBEKNOWNST TO ME, THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO MY PROBLEM MY NEIGHBOR HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH HIS EXPLORER. EVIDENTLY THE TRANSMISSION, SOLENOID, PROBLEM WIT THE EXPLORER IS COMMON AND WOULD LEAVE ON TO BELIEVE IT TIS A PRODUCTS LIABILITY CLAIM ON EITHER THE MANUFACTURER OR ONE OF ITS PARTS SUPPLIERS. 3 SOLENOIDS WERE REPLACED AND MY AIR FILTER WAS REPLACED. MY OUT OF POCKET COST WAS $996.. *JB
Power train, May 11, 2006
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
Power train, Apr 9, 2006
REPEATED REAR END HOUSING FAILURES. JAN 06 VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR WHINING IN REAR END, "CLUNK" NOISE WHEN SHIFTING TO REVERSE, HESITANT TRANSMISSION, AND HARD TO SHIFT BETWEEN DRIVE, PARK AND REVERSE. REAR END FROM FACTORY WAS FOUND TO BE EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED AND CRACKED DUE TO BROKEN CLIP PRESENT IN REAR END FOUND WHEN IT WAS BEING REMOVED. REAR END WAS REPLACED FOR WHINING NOISE. 2 WEEKS LATER, CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING REAR END GEAR OIL. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS OVERRUN AND WAS OK. 4 WEEKS LATER THE REAR END OIL PUDDLED IN MY GARAGE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. ONCE AGAIN THE WHOLE REAR END HOUSING WAS REPLACED. WE I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE AFTER OVER 3 WEEKS IN THE REPAIR SHOP, I ONLY DROVE 24 MILES AND THE REAR END BEGAN TO LEAK GEAR OIL AGAIN. ALSO THE MUFFLER WAS CHERRY RED AND EXTREMELY HOT WHEN THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP LAST WEEK. THE TECHNICIANS WERE PUZZLED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS COOL, BUT THE MUFFLER BURNING HOT WITH CHARRED SPOTS PRESENT. THE TRANSMISSION HAS ALSO BEEN A PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY IN REVERSE. THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES WHEN ENGAGES AND CLUNKS INTO GEAR. THE SOLENOID WAS REPLACED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BUT THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN OUT OF THE REPAIR SHOP LONG ENOUGH TO SEE IF THE TRANSMISSION IS FIXED. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP 37 DAYS SINCE JAN 1 2006. AT THIS POINT, THE REAR END COULD LOCK UP DUE TO CONSTANT LEAKING OF OIL AND THE EXTREMELY HOT MUFFLER POSED A SUBSTANTIAL FIRE HAZARD. *NM
Power train, Apr 6, 2006
TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING WHEN CHANGING GEARS, ESPECIALLY WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. SOMETIMES TAKES SEVERAL SECONDS FOR THE VEHICLE TO GO IN TO REVERSE.
Power train, Mar 24, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE TRANSMISSION JUMPS INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
Power train, Mar 15, 2006
2004 FORD EXPLORER PURCHASED NEW, EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION ISSUES VERY QUICKLY, HARD ENGAGEMENT INTO REVERSE, CLUNKING WHEN DOWNSHIFTING, CAR LURCHES UPON ACCELERATION DURING A SLOW TURN. I HAVE HAD INTO DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES, BEGINNING 1 YEAR AGO AT 10,000 MILES. RECALL ADDITIVE PUT IN 1ST TIME, 2ND TIME AT 15,000 MILES I LOST THE ENTIRE RIGHT RACK AND PINION WHILE DRIVING (WOULD NOT STEER TO THE RIGHT), THEY TOLD ME AFTER REPAIR, THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WAS ALSO GONE. 3RD TIME THEY PUT IN A QT. OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. 4TH TIME THEY REPLACED THE SOLENOID. 5TH TIME I REQUESTED BUY-BACK. THEIR TRANSMISSION TECH GUY WENT WITH ME, HE OBSERVED THE PROBLEM; HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. THEY DID NOT KEEP VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. ONE MONTH LATER AFTER I HAD TO KEEP CALLING BACK THEY TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AGAIN AND THIS TIME THEY ADDED ANOTHER ADDITIVE AND REPROGRAMMED THE PCM. THEY ALSO HAD TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR CABLE, IT TOLD ME I WAS IN REVERSE WHEN I WAS IN PARK. PICKED UP CAR TODAY, THEY TOLD ME IT SHIFTED GREAT NOW, AND THEY WOULD GIVE ME AN EXTENDED 5 YR. 75,000 MILE WARRANTY. I DECLINED, STATED I WANTED A BUY-BACK. WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE CAR ONCE AGAIN CLUNKED WHILE DECELERATING AND ALSO WHILE ACCELERATING INTO A TURN. I HAVE FILED WITH THE BBB AUTO LINE.
Power train, Mar 4, 2006
2004 FORD EXPLORER - TRANSMISSION DELAYS ENGAGEMENT OF REVERSE AND DRIVE. FORD DEALERSHIP REPLACED SOLENOID. PROBLEM RETURNED WITHIN 9 MONTHS. THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED A $975 REPAIR INCLUDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SOLENOID. *JB
Power train, Feb 24, 2006
VEHICLE REAR-END WHINE. *NM
Power train, Feb 7, 2006
TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO REVERSE FROM PARK - WARRANTY WORK PERFORMED AT DEALER 02/05 FORD CONSUMER RELATIONS CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS PROBLEM FROM MANUFACTURER INCORRECT FLUID ADDED AT ASSEMBLY PLANT 04/05 02/06 TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED SAME BEHAVIOR BEFORE - FORD TECH'S ADMIT TO PROBLEM BUT CAN NOT RESOLVE - TRANSMISSION STILL SLAMMING INTO REVERSE AFTER DEALER COMPUTER UPDATE - OBVIOUS DEFECT FROM DEALER AS THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB FOR SAME ISSUE POSSIBLE SAFETY HAZARD SHOULD A CHILD BE WALKING BEHIND VEHICLE OR ANYONE FOR THAT MATTER. *NM
Power train, Jan 20, 2006
. 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 - WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE THERE IS ALWAYS A HESITATION, THEN IT WILL JERK HARD INTO REVERSE. WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT THERE WILL BE ANOTHER BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN DRIVE FROM THE REVERSE THERE IS ALWAYS A DELAY THEN WILL JERK IN FORWARD DRIVE. NOW THE LITTLE WRENCH COMES ON AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE CAR WILL DIE FOR NO APPARENT REASON, WHEN THIS HAPPENS I CAN NOT DO ANYTHING!!!! WHEN IS THIS GOING TO BE FIXED? FORD WAITING ON SOMEONE TO GET KILLED FIRST? I HAVE ALMOST CAUSED TWO WRECKS WITH MY CAR STALLING OUT ON THE HIGHWAY, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE GOING FROM 65 MPH AND THEN DIE WITHOUT A WARNING AND WHAT AM I TO DO WITH THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME? THIS IS SERIOUS!! I TOOK MY CAR IN AND HAD IT HOOKED UP TO THE MACHINE TO READ WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THE MECHANIC SHOULD ME THAT THE CAR WOULD READ NOTHING ON ANY OF THEIR MACHINES! THE CONSUMERS NEED YOUR HELP! WE HAVE THESE NEW (2004) VEHICLES THAT ARE DANGEROUS AND WE SHOULD NOT BE HAVING TO PAY FOR A LEMON. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD TO KNOW WHEN THIS HAPPEN IN THEIR PLANT AND SHOULD HAVE NOT SOLD THESE CARS!!!! PLEASE HELP AND ISSUE A RECALL, THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP. *JB
Power train, Jan 16, 2006
PURCHASED MY 2004 EXPLORER IN FEBRUARY '04. AT APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES THE VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING A DELAYED ENGAGEMENT INTO REVERSE WHICH WAS HARSH AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JOLT REARWARD. BROUGHT TO DEALER AND IT WAS FIXED. VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN THE PROBLEM BEGAN AGAIN. VEHICLE NOW HAS 40,000 MILES. SEEMS THIS MAY BE A RECURRING PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION PERFORMANCE IS ALSO POOR AS THIS PROBLEM EXHIBITS ITSELF, ESPECIALLY NOTED WHEN TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS. DOWNSHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 1ST IS VERY HARSH. IS THIS GOING TO BE INVESTIGATED? IT SEEMS A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION SHOULD BE LAUNCHED BY GIVEN THE VOLUME OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS EXACT NATURE. *NM
Power train, Jan 12, 2006
TRANSMISSION FAILS TO ENGAGE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, OR HESITATES TO ENGAGE, OR HESITATES TO CHANGE GEARS ON THE HIGHWAY. PLACEMENT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE "POUNDS" INTO GEAR. 4X4 LOW & HIGH HESITATE OR FAIL TO ENGAGE, AND OFTEN "STICK" - FAILING TO DISENGAGE OR REQUIRE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO DISENGAGE. *JB
Power train, Jan 9, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, HESITATING AND JERKING WHILE GOING INTO GEAR. WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK THE LEVER IS IN THE PARK POSITION; HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL IN REVERSE. THE TRANSMISSION IS MAKING A HOWLING NOISE THAT IS BEING HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SOLENOID IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK
Power train, Jan 6, 2006
WE NOTICED A SLIP IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN WERE STOPPED, THEN MADE A SLOW RIGHT OR LEFT HAND TURN. WE FELT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND A NOISE FROM THE REAR END. IT ALSO FELT AS IF THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WAS ON. IT FELT AS IF THERE WAS A SLIGHT WHEEL HOP. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RING AND PINION GEAR, AXEL SEALS, CLUTCH PACK AND HAD TO REPROGRAM THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE COMPUTER. *NM
Power train, Dec 22, 2005
2004 FORD EXPLORER. IN DECEMBER OF 2004, THE TRUCK WAS 1 YEAR IN SERVICE AND HAD ABOUT 19,000 MILES. WE NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS AND DELAYING WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE. WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD PROBLEM FIXED. WE WERE TOLD THE "SOLENOID" (SP?) SWITCH IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD AND HAD BEEN REPLACED. WE WERE TOLD AT THE TIME THIS WAS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM. BEGINNING AGAIN IN EARLY DECEMBER OF THIS YEAR, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN THE SAME PATTERN OF SLIPPING. THE TRUCK WAS NOW IN SERVICE FOR 2 YEARS, BUT HAD 40,000 MILES. THE TRUCK WAS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE NEW "SOLENOID" SWITCH IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS LAST TIME. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER ANYTHING OFF OF THE REPAIR CHARGE SO WE CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. WE WERE TOLD WE SHOULD HAVE HAD ALL OF OUR REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THIS PROBLEM WOULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT SOONER. NEXT WE WERE TOLD THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT NOT ENOUGH HAD FAILED YET SO THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE SERVICE REP OFFERED TO PAY FOR $400 OF THE REPAIR SINCE WE HAD REPLACED THIS PART ONCE AND TOLD US THAT WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FORD PAID FOR ANYTHING SINCE THE TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I AM GRATEFUL FORD PAID FOR PART OF THE REPAIR, BUT I FEEL STRONGLY A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPAIRED TWICE IN ONE YEAR FOR THE SAME PART. *JB
Power train, Dec 20, 2005, crash
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
Power train, Dec 6, 2005
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
Power train, Nov 8, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATES HIS VEHICLE IS STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND THE PCM WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE STALLED THREE TIMES ON NOVEMBER 6, 2005. THIS HAPPENS WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. *AK
Power train, Nov 3, 2005
2004 FORD EXPLORER SHIFTING/TRANSMISSION SELANOID SHIFTING PROBLEM CAUSING A SAFETY DEFECT WITH THE VEHICLE. I HAVE SOPKEN WITH TWO DIFFERENT SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE DEALERSHIP WHO HAVE INDICATED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT AND HAVE WRITTEN MANY OF THESE ISSUES. FIRST INCIDENT 11/02/2004, SECOND INCIDENT 11/2/2004. ANOTHER PERSON IN MY OFFICE HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. ATTORNEYS HAVE WEB SITE REQUESTING PEOPLE TO COME FORWARD WITH 2004 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION OR SHIFTING PROBLEM THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN.