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, Electrical system, Mar 18, 2013
MY CAR WON'T SHIFT IN TO GEAR ANY MORE. *TR
Power train, Mar 11, 2013
GOING 55 MILES AN HOUR TRUCK SLIP OUT OF GEAR. *TR
Power train, Structure, Jan 30, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE BODY PANEL WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BODY PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-35 MPH, A NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Nov 26, 2012
FIRST ISSUE WAS WITH THE SOLENOIDS NOW THE ISSUE IS WITH 1-2 SHIFT RATIO. SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL. *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 22, 2012
ON APRIL 6TH OF THIS YEAR I PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK THE CAR FOR CITY INSPECTION...IT PASSED. THE VERY NEXT DAY (SUNDAY) THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE ABS LIGHT WOULD ALSO ILLUMINATE. I TOOK THE CAR TO AUTOZONE TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED (EGR VALVE). ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COULD BE DIAGNOSED BECAUSE THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AT RANDOM WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER THE 1000 MILE WARRANTY SO THE EGR VALVE WAS REPLACED AND A SPEED SENSOR BELIEVED TO BE THE PROBLEM WITH THE ABS LIGHT. I PURCHASED AN INDEPENDENT EXTENDED WARRANTY SO I WOULD BE COVERED FOR ANY SURPRISE EXPENSES. I HAD MY CHANCE TO USE IT IN JUST A FEW MONTHS LATER WHEN THE CAR RAN HOT. THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED. THIS HAPPENED IN JULY, JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER BUYING THE CAR. EARLIER THIS MONTH (NOVEMBER 2012) THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN BUT IT DIDN'T STAY ON SO I COULDN'T GET IT DIAGNOSED. NO NEED TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED BECAUSE THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON TOO. I TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE ONCE AGAIN AND THE BATTERY TESTED BAD. IT WOULDN'T START AT THE STORE. I BOUGHT THE BATTERY, IT WAS INSTALLED AND CHECKED AGAIN. THE ALTERNATOR SHOWED IT WASN'T CHARGING. I HAD TO HAVE THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED. WITH THE COLD WEATHER, I DISCOVERED THE DEFROST VENTS DON'T WORK. AIR ONLY BLOWS FROM FRONT VENTS. ON THE MORNING OF NOVEMBER 19TH, I WAS TAKING MY SON TO SCHOOL AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK ON NOVEMBER 21ST. SO NOW I SUPPOSE I HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. FORD NEEDS TO ANSWER FOR THEIR HORRIBLE ENGINEERING. *TR
Steering, Power train, Nov 17, 2012
WHILE PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE IN THE PARKING LOT THE GEAR SHIFT COMPLETELY SNAPPED OFF AND THE CAR WAS STUCK IN REVERSE. THE KEYS WERE STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND I COULDN'T TURN THE CAR OFF. I HAD TO PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AND CALL FOR HELP ON MY CELL PHONE. WHEN HELP ARRIVED AFTER A COUPLE OF HOURS THEY WERE ABLE TO MANUEVER WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE GEAR SHIFT ENOUGH TO PUT THE CAR BACK IN PARK AND TURN THE CAR OFF. I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE DIVISION AND SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE NAMED [XXX], HE PRECEDED TO TELL ME THAT FORD HAS NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM AND THAT HE COULDN'T HELP ME. HE SAID THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO RECALLS AVAILABLE FOR THIS PART. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINT ON FORDS AND ADVISED [XXX] AND AGAIN HE SAID FORD HAS NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM. I AM RELIEVED THAT IT HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT AND IT DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR SHODDY WORKMANSHIP AND TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Oct 23, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55MPH THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN AND THE REAR TIRES TO DRAG. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS WHICH BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO SPEED AS HE MERGED INTO A REST AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
Power train, Oct 19, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE OVERDRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Structure, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 22, 2012
I PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN JULY 0F 2011, AND TRADED IN MY 2001 OLDSMOBILE OF 5 YEARS. I ALSO PURCHASED THE 12 MONTH 12,000 MILE WARRANTY. BEFORE DRIVING IT OFF THE LOT I HAD THE DEALER FIX THE ABS SYSTEM BECAUSE THE LIGHT WAS ON. THERE IS A CRACK GOING DOWN THE BACK OF THE TRUNK BUT NOTHING ELSE WAS WRONG AT THE TIME SO I LEFT THE CRACK ALONE. IN APRIL OF 2012 I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A BELT, CHECK TRANS, SHOCKS, BALL JOINTS, AND A TICKING IN THE HEATER WHEN KNOB WAS TURNED TO HEAT (NOT COOL). I TOLD HIM TO JUST FIX WHAT WAS ON THE WARRANTY AND ALSO GIVE IT A OIL CHANGE. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANS WAS FINE. AFTER GETTING THE CAR BACK MY HEAT WENT OUT AND I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC BUDDY THAT MY BRAKES, ROTTERS, EMERGENCY BRAKE PADS AND THE BACK TIRES WERE SHOT. SO I HAD HIM REPLACED THEM BECAUSE THIS WAS ALSO NOT COVERED ON WARRANTY. JUST LAST WEEK MY RPM STARTED JUMPING WITH MILES OVER 65.(NO LIGHTS WERE ON AT THE TIME)SO I TOOK IT TO 6 DIFFERENT PLACES GETTING ESTIMATES ON WHAT COULD BE WRONG. ALL SHOPS SAID THE SAME THING. "START WITH FUEL FILTER, OIL FILTERS AND OIL CHANGE". THE DAY AFTER I PAID FOR ALL THIS THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. (EGR VALVE CODE) THE MAN AT AUTO ZONE TOLD ME TO TAKE IT OFF AND CLEAN IT WITH SPRAY AND LET IT DRY BEFORE REPLACING. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND HAD THEM DO THIS. THE SAME DAY I PICKED UP THE CAR MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, O/D LIGHT AND THE CAR WAS DRIVING LIKE I WAS HAULING A BUS AND JUMPING. I TOOK IT BACK THE NEXT DAY AND HE REPLACED THE EGR VALVE NEW SINCE THE SAME CODE WAS SHOWING UP. LATER THAT DAY AFTER GETTING IT BACK THE CAR STARTED DOING THE SAME THING AFTER DRIVING FOR 5 MILES THIS WAS FRIDAY 9/21/12. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Sep 3, 2012, crash
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND THE CRUISE CONTROL KICKED IT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN SO IT WENT INTO HIGH RPMS THEN THE TRANSMISSION GRABBED AND SHOT THE VEHICLE FORWARD AND I LOST CONTROL AND WE SPUN IN CIRCLES OFF THE FREEWAY. HAD IT NOT OF RAINED ALL DAY THE SUV WOULD HAVE FLIPPED. NOW MY TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING FLUID AND IT MUST BE REPAIRED BY DEALERSHIP OR GARAGE ONLY AND I CANNOT AFFORD THIS REPAIR AND I SEE THAT THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THESE TRANSMISSIONS IN THESE VEHICLES AND ME MY CHILD OR MY HUSBAND COULD HAVE BEEN BADLY HURT IF NOT KILLED HAD THIS BEEN ON DRY PAVEMENT!!! *TR
Power train, Sep 3, 2012
TRANSMISSION WENT AT 74,000 MILES. *TR
Power train, Aug 27, 2012
I LEFT WORK ON FRIDAY WHEN SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE NOTICED I HAD A HESITATION/SLIPPAGE OF GEARS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I PICKED UP MY CHILDREN WENT TO THE STORE NOTICED A MILD BURNT SMELL WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID BURNING SO I WAS TOLD TO PARK THE CAR. I FINISHED MY SHOPPING CAME OUT GOT THE KIDS IN THEIR SEATS STARTED TO BACK UP AND HAD NO TRANSMISSION. MY KIDS AND I WERE STRANDED 8 MILES FROM HOME BECAUSE WE HAD NO FAIR WARNING THAT IT WAS GOING. I HAD NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH IT BEFORE. THE GUY I BOUGHT IT FROM HAD REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION 2 YEARS BEFORE I BOUGHT IT. FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL AND GET THINGS LIKE THIS FIXED. MY KIDS AND I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED HAS THAT HAPPENED ON THE ROAD ON THE WAY HOME INSTEAD OF IN A PARKING LOT. *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Aug 23, 2012
TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD SO BAD THAT IT JERKS ME AND MY CHILDREN'S HEADS FORWARD WHEN IT HAPPENS. THIS OCCURS THE WORST WHEN GOING INTO REVERSE AND INTO 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. BRAKES LOCK UP/STICK AFTER BEING PRESSED FOR 3 SECONDS. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 21, 2012
CANNOT ACCELERATE, FEELS LIKE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING HARD. SCARES ME TO BE IN TRAFFIC WITH TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN BACKSEAT. PUT INTO REVERSE IT JOLTS INTO GEAR AFTER A FEW SECONDS. MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. SOMETIMES THERE IS ALMOST NO ACCELERATION MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET AROUND TOWN. *TR
Power train, Jul 27, 2012
DRIVING, AND AND LIGHT CAME ON, 4X4 LIGHT BLINKING 5TIMES EVERY 2/3 MILES. WENT TO REVERSE AND GOT A HARD JERK. CAR STARTED MAKING A RUBBING NOISE. TOOK ITHE SHOP WAS TOLD IT WAS EITHER THE TRANSMISSION OR THE TRANSFER CASE. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jul 19, 2012
TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, NOT FULLY GONE YET, ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT COMPLETELY GOES. I DO NOT HAVE THE $2500.00 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. EVERY PERSON I HAVE TALKED TO SAY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD EXPLORERS. I HAVE TAKEN INTO THE GARAGE OVER 10 TIMES. FORD SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THESE TRANSMISSIONS AND FORD SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. *TR
Power train, Jul 9, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE FROM STOPS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Power train, Jul 7, 2012
THE TRANSMISSIONS FOR FORD EXPLORERS HAVE ABOUT A 10% FAILURE RATE. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT THE CAR MAY NOT ACCELERATE WHEN NEEDED. THE TRANSMISSION ACTS AS THOUGH IT IS IN NEUTRAL WHEN SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEARS. THE SYMPTOM ALSO APPEARS DURING NORMAL ACCELERATION (MERGING ONTO HIGHWAYS, TRYING TO PASS OTHER VEHICLES). THE DANGER IS THAT YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE MOVE OUT OF THE WAY OF OTHER VEHICLES. WE HAVE NOT BEEN HIT, BUT WE NO LONGER DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. WE EXPECT A TOTAL FAILURE AT ANY MOMENT, AND DO NOT WANT TO BE IN A SITUATION WHERE THE VEHICLE WILL NEED TO BE TOWED FOR A LARGE NUMBER OF MILES. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE, AND UNRELIABLE. FORD SHOULD FIX THIS PRODUCT, MUCH LIKE HONDA DID FOR THEIR 2003 ACURA TL. *TR
Power train, Jun 27, 2012
O/D LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND SLAMMING IN AND OUT OF GEARS AND THE ENGINE STARTED OVER REVVING. I HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND TURN CAR OFF AND WAIT ABOUT 10 SECONDS TO START CAR AGAIN IN ORDER FOR PROBLEM TO CLEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED MAY TIMES SINCE. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND HAVE RETURNED IT TO THE FORD DEALER 3 TIMES WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND THERE FIXES WOULD NOT LAST LONG. NOW THEY WANT $3,000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WHICH I FEEL THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND OF COURSE THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I FEEL BECAUSE OF THE CARS HISTORY AND LOW MILES ON IT THEY SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST DONE SOMETHING. I FEEL IF THIS HAPPENS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY IT COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR
Power train, May 18, 2012
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
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, May 6, 2012
BOUGHT THE CAR USED WITH ABOUT 85,000 MILES ON IT. AFTER ONE YEAR OF AVERAGE USE (NO TOWING OR OFF-ROADING) THE TRANSMISSION FAILED (ABOUT 97,000 MILES). HAD IT REBUILT AND NOW 2 YEARS AND FOUR MONTHS LATER IT IS FAILING AGAIN (AT 122,000 MILES). *TR
Power train, May 2, 2012
VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP, AS WE WERE DRIVING WE WOULD HIT THE GAS HARDER TO COMPENSATE AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD CATCH CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. *JS
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Apr 9, 2012
TRANSMISSION FAILURE, SLIPS BETWEEN GEARS, REPLACEMENT REQUIRED. *TR
Power train, Apr 2, 2012
FIRST HAD MY TRANSMISSION LOOKED AT IN MAY 2008 WHERE IT WAS SLIPPING INTO REVERSE AND JOLTING THE VEHICLE, WHICH HAD ONLY 44133 MILES. HAD IT LOOKED AT MY A FORD DEALER THAT TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. NOW IN MAY 2012 AT 110,000 MILES MY TRANSMISSION WAS RE-LOOKED AT FOR SLIPPING INTO FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. WHICH AT THIS TIME I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND YET I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS. FORD COMPLAINT LINE TELLS ME THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM AT THIS TIME AND NOW ME AND MY 3 CHILDREN ARE WITHOUT A VEHICLE BECAUSE MY TRANSMISSION HAD NOW COMPLETELY FAILED AND THE VEHICLE REMAINS IN A STORE PARKING LOT BROKE DOWN. THANKS FORD! *TR
Power train, Mar 26, 2012
THE O/D OFF LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING AND THERE WAS UNCONTROLLED DECELERATION AND WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THERE IS HIGHER THAN THE USUAL RPM'S NEEDED TO SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. MY INVESTIGATION REVEALED THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR YEAR OF FORD EXPLORER AND THERE WAS AN ARTICLE IN APRIL, 21, 2009, ATLANTA CONSTITUTION-JOURNAL REPORTS REGARDING AN ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE NHTSA REGARDING THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. AT THIS TIME THERE IS NO CURRENT RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, HOWEVER, IT IS A COSTLY REPAIR TO CONSUMERS FOR AN ISSUE WHICH FORD AND THE NHTSA IS AWARE OF. *TR