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
1,408 reports, newest first.
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Structure, Tires, Feb 28, 2011
I PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER FROM A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON 1/28/11. THE CAR WAS A CERTIFIED / WARRANTED VEHICLE. I WAS ASSURED BY THE TOYOTA SALESMAN THAT ANY PROBLEM WITH THE CAR WOULD BE FIXED UNDER THE WARRANTY. SEVERAL PROBLEMS WHICH THE CAR HAS INCLUDE: MISMATCHED TIRES, INOPERABLE SUNROOF, LEAK IN THE DIFFERENTIAL SEAL & NOISE IN THE DIFFERENTIAL. I HAD THE CAR INSPECTED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP & WAS TOLD THESE PROBLEMS NEEDED REPAIR. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP HAS NOT RETURNED NUMEROUS PHONE CALLS, EMAILS & WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THEM, I WAS TOLD ALL THESE REPAIRS HAD BEEN FIXED & LATER FOUND OUT THAT NOTHING WAS DONE. *TR
Other or unspecified, Feb 27, 2011
THERE ARE MANY CRACKS BELOW REAR WINDOW WHICH ARE GETTING LARGER AND LARGER. THE SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT THE ENTIRE WINDOW WILL FALL OUT BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THE HINGES ARE BEING AFFECTED BY THESE LARGE CRACKS. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY MANY CONCERNS ON THIS EXACT PROBLEM AND FOR SAFETY REASONS, FORD NEEDS TO RECALL ALL VEHICLES THAT THIS AFFECTS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR HURT REALLY BAD.
Electrical system, Structure, Feb 27, 2011
HELLO, I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER TRUCK WITH A CRACK ON THE BACK OF THE HATCH DOOR. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS CRACK CAME FROM. I CONTACTED THE FORD COMPANY ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT SINCE MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THEY AREN'T WILLING TO HELP. I FIRST NOTICE THE CRACK ABOUT A YEAR AGO. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD TO FIND OUT IF THIS WAS A RECALL THEY SAID NO. RECENTLY I HAVE BEEN NOTICING THAT A LOT OF THE FORD EXPLORER TRUCKS I SEE ALL HAVE A CRACK ON THE SAME PORTION OF THE TRUCK. I SPOKE TO ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL WITH A FORD EXPLORER AND SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHERE THE CRACK ON THE BACK OF HER TRUCK CAME FROM EITHER. WE THINK THIS MAYBE A RECALL ISSUE. I JUST STARTED WRITING DOWN THE LICENSE PLATE NUMBERS OF THE VARIOUS EXPLORER TRUCKS I SEE WITH THE SAME OR SIMILAR CRACK ON THE BACK HATCH. ALTHOUGH I ONLY HAVE SIX TAG NUMBERS RIGHT NOW, I KNOW THAT THEIR ARE MANY MORE TRUCKS WITH THIS PROBLEM. I SEEN MORE TRUCKS BUT AT THE TIME I WASN'T DOCUMENTING THE LICENSE PLATE NUMBERS. THERE WAS ALSO A RECALL ON THE HATCH WINDOW IN 2003 FOR THE FORD EXPLORER TRUCK. IN 2007, I HAD THE SAME ISSUE AS THE 2003 RECALL ON MY 2004 VEHICLE BUT WAS TOLD I HAD TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED MYSELF BECAUSE THERE WASN'T A RECALL REPORTED FOR 2004. ALTHOUGH IT WAS A YEAR LATER. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE ISSUE WASN'T RESOLVED BECAUSE I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS ALSO A BREAK LIGHT SWITCH PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE HAS YOUR BREAK LIGHTS RANDOMLY COMING ON ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. WHICH DRAINS THE BATTERY AND CAUSES YOU TO HAVE TO GET THE BRAKE SWITCH FIXED AND A NEW BATTERY. PLEASE HELP ME. I HAD NO LUCK WITH THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN RESOLVING THESE ISSUES. *TR
Structure, Feb 26, 2011
REAR APPLIQUE HAS CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE FOR NO REASON. I CONTACTED THE A DEALER AND THEY WERE AWARE THAT THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE ITEM FROM FORD, BUT FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. I CONTACTED FORD AND WAS TOLD THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS ISSUED. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Feb 25, 2011
THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS A FALSE FULL AND THE TANK DOES NOT FILL ALL THE WAY. THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS A FALSE EMPTY SHOWING YOU HAVE A HALF A TANK WHEN YOU MAY ACTUALLY HAVE 3 GALLONS. RUNNING OUT OF FUEL ON THE HIGHWAY IS NOT SAFE. THE GAS STATIONS PUMP SHUTS OFF AUTOMATICALLY GIVING YOU THE IMPRESSION THAT THE TANK IS FULL AND IS CONFIRMED FULL BY AN INACCURATE GAS GAUGE WHICH SHOWS FULL. SO YOU MIGHT HAVE 18 GALLONS IN A TANK THAT SHOULD HAVE 22.5 GALLONS AND THE GAUGE SHOWS A HALF TANK WHEN YOU HAVE 3-4 GALLONS. *TR
Other or unspecified, Feb 24, 2011
THE HATCH BACK CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE. RIGHT BELOW THE WINDOWS.
Power train, Feb 23, 2011
TRANSMISSION SLAMS HARD INTO GEAR UPON ACCELERATION AND WHEN BRAKING. DOES THIS ALL THE TIME. WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, IT DOES NOT ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY AND THEN ENGAGES HARD WITH A SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LURCH BACKWARDS. THIS HAPPENS 8 OF 10 TIMES WHEN SHIFTING TO REVERSE. NO ATTEMPT TO CORRECT AS IT APPEARS THERE IS NO FIX SHORT OF A NEW TRANSMISSION = $$$ I DON'T HAVE. *TR
Structure, Feb 23, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAILGATE METAL WAS FRACTURED IN HALF IN THE CENTER NEAR THE FORD EMBLEM. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE REAR WINDSHIELD COULD SHATTER BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 88,200.
Power train, Feb 22, 2011
TRANSMISSION FAILURE!!! !THE O/D WARNING BEGAN TO FLASH...THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO SERVICE TRANSMISSION ASAP. THE ONLY ISSUE IS THAT MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER ONLY HAS 61,672 MILES. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST IS APPROXIMATELY $2000-3000. *TR
Power train, Feb 22, 2011
I FINANCED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN 2008 AND ABOUT 6 MONTH LATER I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION STARTING TO SLIP. SOON AFTER IT WOULDNT HARDLY GO INTO GEAR UNLESS I REVED UP THE ENGINE THEN IT WOULD SLAM INTO GEAR REALLY HARD. NOW IT IS GETTING WORSE. IM A DISABLED SINGLE FATHER OF MY SON WHO IS ALSO DISABLED AND WE ARE ON A FIXED INCOME AND DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THIS, [XXX] I STILL OWE ON IT. I PAY ALMOST 300 BUCKS A MONTH CAR PAYMENT ON IT. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 21, 2011
RATTLING NOISE AND SHAKING HAS BEEN COMING FROM ENGINE AREA FOR SOME TIME NOW. COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE UNTIL RECENTLY, AND WHEN LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ONLINE I FOUND IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. THE HARMONIC BALANCER / CRANKSHAFT PULLEY GOES BAD. THE INNER RING BREAKS, CAUSING THE SENSOR TO EVENTUALLY WEAR DOWN AND ALSO NEED REPLACEMENT. THIS REPAIR ON AVERAGE COSTS PEOPLE MORE THAN $350. TO REPLACE. *TR
Other or unspecified, Feb 16, 2011
WAS DRIVING 2004 FORD EXPLORER ON HIGHWAY, AND HAD SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. BROUGHT TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE MECHANIC ON HEARING THE ENGINE START UP, KNEW THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE TIMING CHAINS AS HE HAS SEEN THAT PROBLEM BEFORE. SERVICE DEALER GAVE THREE OPTIONS, ONE WAS FOR AROUND $3000 THEY WOULD REPLACE TIMING CHAINS, GUIDES, AND TENSIONER, BUT WITH NO GUARANTEE AS THE TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM COULD HAVE CAUSED OTHER DAMAGE. THE OTHER TWO OPTIONS WERE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THIS 2004 FORD EXPLORER WE HAD BOUGHT BRAND NEW, AND ONLY HAD SOMEWHERE AROUND 65K MILES. IF YOU WERE TO GOGGLE SOME KEY WORDS LIKE ( FORD 2004 V6 TIMING CHAIN GUIDE TENSIONER) YOU WILL FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM CAUSED BY A BAD DESIGN WITH THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER WHICH LOOSES PRESSURE AND ALLOW THE TIMING CHAIN S TO JUMP TEETH. MY WIFE CALLED FORD HEADQUARTERS TODAY, AND THEY TREATED IT LIKE THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE EVER HEARD OF THAT, ALTHOUGH THEY ASSURED HER THAT THEY NO LONGER MAKE THAT STYLE OF ENGINE. FORD KNOWS VERY WELL ABOUT THIS BAD TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER DESIGN, AND BASICALLY WHEN THAT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY WE COULD HAVE EASILY GOT INTO A BAD ACCIDENT. THIS STYLE OF ENGINE SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED AT FORD'S EXPENSE, I AM DISAPPOINTED AS WE TREATED THIS EXPLORER WITH TLC, AND NOW WE ARE TOLD THE ENGINE IS JUNK. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 16, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH SHE EXPERIENCED A VIOLENT SHAKE IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT SHE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE BECAUSE THE TIMING BELT HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED FOR THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
Structure, Feb 16, 2011
I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER, AND ONE DAY THE CAR IS FINE THE NEXT THERE IS A CRACK ON THE REAR PANEL I THOUGH IT WAS MY FAULT BUT THEN I STARTED SEEING MORE EXPLORES WITH THE SAME CRACK IT HAS TO BE A DEFECT. *TR
Power train, Feb 15, 2011
THE OD LIGHT IS FLASHING AND THE TRANS IS SLIPPING. YOU CAN NOT EXCELERATE IN A HURRY BECAUSE IT WONT GO MAKING THIS TRUCK A ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility, Feb 14, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT FAILURE IN WHICH THE HEADLIGHTS, RADIO AND WINDOWS STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE FAILURES PERSISTED FOR A DURATION OF APPROXIMATELY 1-5 MINUTES. DURING THE FAILURES, THE POWER DOOR LOCKS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING ALSO DID NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURES DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Structure, Feb 12, 2011
2004 FORD EXPLORER: 1) PLASTIC EXTERIOR PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW IS CRACKED, IN 2006 FORD HAD A REPAIR ASSIST PROGRAM, THEREBY ACKNOWLING THE FAILURES. IT NO LONGER IS OFFERING THAT REPAIR ASSISTANCE?? THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS FAILURE ON INTERNET FORUMS. 2) LEFT REAR WINDOW HINGE BROKE FREE FROM THE WINDOW WHEN I OPENED THE WINDOW, I WAS FORTUANTE IT DID NOT FALL ON MY HEAD (THE RISER PISTON WAS THE ONLY THING THAT KEPT IT ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE). I HAD TO PAY $50 FOR NEW HINGES. I AM WAITING FOR THE NON-REPLACED HINGE TO FAIL AS WELL. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THESE HINGE FAILURES ON THE INTERNET. THE FORD DEALER NEAREST FORD WORLD HEADQUARTERS IN DEABORN, MI WHERE I BOUGHT THE NEW HINGES TOLD ME THEY HAVE SOLD 10 NEW HINGE PACKAGES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS TO CUSTOMERS DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE. *TR
Structure, Feb 10, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOOR PANEL CRACKED UNDERNEATH THE WINDOW. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE WINDOWS WERE NOT SECURE AND COULD FALL OUT AT ANY TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
Structure, Feb 4, 2011
THE REAR DOOR PANEL UNDERNEATH THE GLASS ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER CRACKED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FILED. FORD MOTOR CO SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Feb 2, 2011
2004 FORD EXPLORER: ENGINE SEIZED FOR NO APPARENT OR OBVIOUS REASON AT 53,000 MILES. NOT REPAIRABLE. ALSO, REAR PLASTIC PANEL BENEATH WINDOW CRACKED. JUST READ THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE. *TR
Power train, Feb 1, 2011
IN 2005, MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER WAS PART OF A RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION. I TOOK IT TO FORD SERVICE AND THEY PUT SOME TYPE OF ADDITIVE. THEY TOLD ME THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. FROM 2005 TO 2011 THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE PROBLEMS, IT WOULD TURN OFF WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE. FURTHERMORE, WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE IT WOULD PAUSE THEN SHIFT BACK HARD. UNFORTUNATELY, I NEVER TOOK THE CAR BACK TO FORD TO GET IT CHECKED BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD ALWAYS TURN RIGHT BACK ON. IN JANUARY OF 2011 MY CAR HAD 72,000 MILES. WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR SUDDENLY TURNED OFF ON ME. IMMEDIATELY, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO, THE O/D OFF LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. WHEN I WOULD RESTART THE VEHICLE IT WOULD TURN ON. HOWEVER, WHEN I SHIFTED INTO DRIVE IT WOULD TURN OFF. SO I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE CAR TO FORD SERVICE AND THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT I NEED A NEW (REMANUFACTURED) TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $4,000. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAITING TO BE FIXED. *LN
Structure, Jan 31, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE HATCH BACK FIBER GLASS FAILED. THE FIBER GLASS CRACKED IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FIBER GLASS FAILED DUE TO STRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THE FIBER CLASS WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT REFUSED TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.
Power train, Jan 29, 2011
BEGAN TO NOTICE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO. FORD ADVISED FLUID CHANGE. FLUID CHANGE DID NOT HELP. PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE, NOW OCCURS DAILY. MECHANIC SAYS HE CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM AND NO ERROR CODES SHOW UP WHEN TEST IS RUN. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT THE DEALERSHIPS DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IT. PROBLEM CAN RESULT IN ACCIDENT DUE TO NO OR LITTLE ACCELERATION UNEXPECTEDLY. TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT IS ADVISED AT A COST OF $3500 FOR FORD REBUILT WITH 3 YEAR/36 MONTH WARRANTY. *LN
Other or unspecified, Jan 28, 2011
PURCHASED 2004 EXPLORER IN NOVEMBER 2007. 95489 MILES. NO PRIOR INDICATION IN DRIVABILITY, NOISE OR LIGHTS COMING ON. GOING ALONG, MOST SPEED AVAILABLE WAS 20 MPH, RPMS ON 6; THEN JERKED TO CHANGE GEARS. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY IN TOWN DURING RUSH HOUR, OVERDRIVE LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. LIMPED INTO NEAREST REPAIR SHOP, WHICH HAPPENED TO BE A TRANSMISSION SHOP,. TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT. OBVIOUSLY FORD KNEW ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS BECAUSE THEY HAD SENT SHOP UPDATE NOTICES AND WHAT TO DO WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS
Power train, Jan 27, 2011
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.