2004 Ford Explorer Power Train Problems
- 108
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 108 stored complaint records:
- 2 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- Driveline · 2 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 33 |
| 100–150k mi | 28 |
| 150–400k mi | 10 |
| 30–60k mi | 9 |
| 1–30k mi | 9 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Power Train
TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD O/D LIGHT FLASHES. *TR
ODI 10430901
Power Train
I have had the shifter lock actuator replaced twice in less than 2 years. This actuator defect prevents my explorer from coming out of park. *tr
ODI 10396037
Power Train
Wife and kids where driving home and the tranny started kicking in and out of gear (slipping). It jerked into first at the stoplight in town. *tr
ODI 10444087
Power Train
While driving down a 4-lane highway, transmission failed. No warning, just thump and done. My research reveals that dealership are reporting that 1 in 10 2004 explorers have transmission failure. Also, heater blower motor went out over 1 year ago, leaving no default heat for defrosting the windshield.
ODI 10367378
Engine And Engine Cooling · Power Train
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
ODI 10457608
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that when shifting into reverse, the vehicle would not respond. When shifting, the vehicle would sporadically engage backward rapidly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a diagnostic test and advised that there was not a sufficient amount of transmission fluid in the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but…
ODI 10386032
Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
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
ODI 10471821
Engine · Power Train
The transmission failed early on at about 88000 miles, we purchased and replaced this. My husband had been in auto repair and parts for over 20 years, so him and my son done the repair, without counting anything for labor the total cost for the repair was around $2000.00. From that point on we have had lots of major problems that had to be repaired or parts replaced. The intake and parts cost us around 700.00, no…
ODI 10661482
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph and without warning, the vehicle slipped into various gears. The contact also stated that the only way the first gear could be disengaged was to apply pressure on the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the transmission had to be replaced twice. The vin was not…
ODI 10451285
Power Train · Unknown Or Other
As everyone else, i am have a lot of problems with my transmission. It shifts very hard and jerks when put into reverse. Also having issues shifting from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. Problem is steadily getting worse. This morning the o/d off light started blinking. I killed the car and restarted it and it stopped. I dont understand why there has not been a recall on this. Ford obviously knows that there is a problem.…
ODI 10367652
Driveline · Power Train
2004 ford explorer with 49,000 miles. Howling noise from rear. Took it to ford; they rebuilt the rear differential at a cost of $1600.00. Car has always been serviced at ford for routine maintenance. Don't understand how this vehicle with such low mileage had to have rear differential replaced. In looking at service bulletins; this sounds like a defect that ford has not acknowledged. *tr
ODI 10282952
Automatic Transmission · Power Train
2004 ford explorer with 54k miles has slip in transmission when shifted from park to reverse and will slip when the transmission shifts automatically. It catches and will produce a loud bump. It takes several seconds to catch when shifted to reverse. *tr
ODI 10278558
Power Train
In april of 2009 i bought a 2004 explorer from car connections in palm bay florida! This has been nothing but a nightmare! But my "main" complaint 2 weeks ago i took the truck in for regular service to find out that my "over drive" gear is gone. Aamco explained to me that ford knew that and it is a defective part! So, to get a 2nd opinion i took my truck to meineke, they also made the same comment of "that is a…
ODI 10437761
Power Train · Steering · Suspension
I currently own a 2004 ford explorer and purchased new in 2005. Have had to replace, the 2 front hubs 3 times, the rack and pinion steering and the transmission slips excessively. This vehicle is driven by my wife to school and home and used for transporting my family. I keep seeing the same problems online but no action by ford. Can you say piece of junk? *tr
ODI 10425157
Power Train
Tl * the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle would decelerate automatically to 20 mph and not regain speed. The vehicle would also not shift into reverse. The failure occurred twice over a six year period. The vehicle's transmission has been replaced twice. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000.
ODI 10592428
Power Train
In 2005 i purchased a 2004 ford exxltspnbx 11900 from herz car sales. Just few month after that i experienced the first of 20 critical engine shutdowns that i experienced up to now. 2. The failure is that the engine of my car turns off spontaneously at speeds between 50 and 70 mph. The consequences are: - sudden loss of power - sudden loss of steering servo, i.e. A sharp sideways kick if the car is in a curve -…
ODI 10241193
Body · Power Train
Back rear hatch cracked. Just like the 100's of others i found on my internet search of the problem. Our transmission also failed and had to be replaced, at our own cost. *tr
ODI 10259316
Power Train
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…
ODI 10453750
Driveline · Equipment · Power Train
My concern is in regard to an ongoing problem that my vehicle and thousands of others like it have; the lack of safety one may be faced with if the rear on these vehicles fail due to substandard parts used in the rear differential on the ford suv's and f-150's. My understanding is that the costly repair that is required the manufacture will not honor after the basic warranty is over even though this is an ongoing…
ODI 10258885
Power Train · Structure
The back hatch has a crack underneath the window in the middle around the ford emblem. Just appeared....as i've noticed several ford 2004 explorers in this area have the exact same defect. Recall is very much necessary. As well as the car jolting into drive and reverse....i still owe several thousand dollars on this loan and refuse to pay for any repairs....ford should do a recall on both...they need to hire some…
ODI 10296361
Engine And Engine Cooling · Power Train
There are numerous complaints on the internet regarding the 2004 ford explorer. The car jerks violently when going into first, second and reverse gears. The first repair was on 10/07 at 15,690 miles. The dealership replaced the solenoid and assured the problem was resolved. At 24,190 miles the same problem recurred and the dealership recalibrated and charged $118. Now at 26,900 miles the problem has recurred and…
ODI 10359144
Abs Warning Light · Engine And Engine Cooling · Power Train
Multiple problems with my explorer. When shifting into reverse car jolts with a clunking noise. Abs light is on and 4x4 high light flashes. Service engine light on but no hose leaks can be found. Wrench light comes on even after tps replacement suggested by obd-ii. Very unhappy with this vehicle. I have owned 7 fords, this is the worst i have owned. *tr
ODI 10197878
Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline · Power Train · Service Brakes · Structure · Suspension
Exact dates are various , vehicle has 39000 miles on it presently , have multiple vehicles , drive over the road truck driver ... Changed brakes and rotors twice , emergency brake not working , had fixed , had to have ekg replaced and some exhaust sensor , tires wore out at 29000 , exhaust system replaced , both ball joints replaced , pinion gear gasket leaking from rear end , both cv joints leaking , appears right…
ODI 10627965
Power Train
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. When the vehicle is parked on an incline, it moves in reverse on its own. The vehicle has been to the dealer seven times, but they cannot determine the cause of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,000 and current mileage was 86,000.
ODI 10269500
Power Train · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Multiple problems with my explorer. When shifting into reverse car jolts with a clunking noise. While driving car jolts occasionally. When braking car shakes. Abs light is on and 4x4 high light flashes. Explorer was taken in december 2004 and fixed for the truck jolting into reverse. Truck now having the same problem. Truck to be taken back to the dealer next week. *nm
ODI 10170626