2004 Ford Explorer Automatic Transmission Problems
- 308
- 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 308 stored complaint records:
- 13 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- transmission problem · 10 records
- transmission failure · 10 records
- shifting reverse · 9 records
- gear shift · 9 records
- transmission fluid · 8 records
- same problem · 7 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 1–30k mi | 113 |
| 30–60k mi | 66 |
| 60–100k mi | 63 |
| 100–150k mi | 11 |
| 150–400k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Automatic Transmission · Body · Electrical System · Engine
On the body the tailgate panel keeps cracking this makes my truck look bad compared to the money i put into it. My engine or transmission acts as if something is wrong it is not shifting gear right. On the electrical tire pressure light keeps coming on and it also keeps leaking water from somewhere. Ford needs to go out of business for selling these pieces of junk. It makes no sense. *tt
ODI 10537794
Automatic Transmission
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
ODI 10459410
Automatic Transmission
Shortly after i first purchased the vehicle after about 2-3 years ago. I noticed it would jerk & was hard to shift gears. It would sometimes be in gear & not gas. After i took it to a shop to have it looked at it was a wire or cable loose to the trans. Everything seemed ok for awhile thereafter but then it started again. Just recently as i was on the expressway the transmission overheated light sensor came on & then…
ODI 10452387
Automatic Transmission
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that the transmission failed without warning. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the transmission overheated, the fifth gear failed and the housing rod was fractured. The dealer also stated that the failure was common in the particular year, make and model vehicle. The failure and the current mileage was 153,435. Updated…
ODI 10450648
Automatic Transmission
It seems that my transmission is starting to slip and shift hard. *tt
ODI 10414683
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2004 ford explorer with less than 75,000 miles on it. I am a very conservative driver and do not put a lot of miles on my cars. The transmission went out and the guy at aamco said the inside of it was a mess, everything was chewed up. It cost me $3,550 to have it fixed. At the time it failed i was going down the highway at 55 mph and it suddenly dropped to about 25mph. *kb
ODI 10413432
Automatic Transmission
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving, there was an abnormal increase in engine rpms yet the vehicle would not accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission solenoid was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 64,000.
ODI 10408714
Automatic Transmission
The transmission on my 2004 ford explorer has started slipping. It does not want to go into gear correctly. It only has 107,600 miles on it. I live just outside birmingham, al and the traffic is very heavy and dangerous here. Not a place i want my vehicle breaking down. I just hung up the phone with ford motor co and they have nothing to offer in the way of help. They said to hold on to receipts in case of recall.…
ODI 10395852
Automatic Transmission
Ford explorer transmission failed at 84000 miles. This vehicle was released from the factory in 2004 without proper transmission fluid additive. Ford addressed the problem 1 year later, but this transmission is failing well before its time. Repair costs are $4500. Ford will not offer any assistance. *tr
ODI 10396078
Automatic Transmission
2004 ford explorer. Consumer writes in regards to having to replace the solenoid for the third time. *tgw the consumer stated the vehicle would not engage into reverse without jolting and hard shifting. *jb
ODI 10393198
Automatic Transmission
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
ODI 10384183
Automatic Transmission
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
ODI 10384007
Automatic Transmission
I have had issues with my transmission jumping out of drive when i am going down the highway. I have three children and i feel this is very very unsafe. I have had the car in the shop three times for the same issue and everytime they have told me it was the reardifferential/transmission. I have called fords customer service line and they will not do anything. My explorer is now having issues going into reverse and…
ODI 10393567
Automatic Transmission
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
ODI 10382862
Automatic Transmission
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…
ODI 10379878
Automatic Transmission · Mechanical
The problem that i'm concerned about is the transmission and rear end. For the transmission-this is the third time for this problem with our truck. Had it at the dealer ship just after the warranty went out around 37,000 an paid a little over $600.00 to fix it . Lasted till 80,000 them took it back and paid around $200.00 to fix. Now at 136,000 and the truck will not move at all. Dealer ship wants another $3,306.00…
ODI 10378719
Automatic Transmission
Transmission went out on my 2004 ford explorer only a day after i bought it from a dealership. The replacement transmission will cost me $3400 plus the $10550 that i paid for the vehicle the day before. What a big mess this is. *ln
ODI 10375208
Automatic Transmission
Transmission failure on 2004 ford explorer at ~109k miles. Crash/bang noise heard just before failure: high engine rpms and no forward propulsion, flashing od lamp and illuminated service engine soon lamp. Problem preceded by intermittent failure to engage reverse gear, or sudden jerking/rough engagement, occasional slipping of gears on acceleration. Upon total failure, dealership investigated, says "known problem…
ODI 10378380
Automatic Transmission
My wife owns a 2004 ford explorer xlt with what i've found to be a common problem. The overdrive light flashes on the dash board. It usually is a transmission problem that is a very expensive repair. This issue with the explorer has been going on for over a decade. I think that ford should be held accountable. After all ford did take bail out money. I think that a recall would be the proper action for the ford.…
ODI 10372458
Automatic Transmission
The transmission on my 2004 ford explorer is failing; is will slip out of gear, and then shift back into gear hard enough that it makes the entire vehicle shake and lurch forward. The vehicle only has 68k miles on it, and is only used as a commuter vehicle. It has never been taken off road, and i have never used it to tow anything. *tr
ODI 10373614
Automatic Transmission
1) 2004 explorer eddie bauer transmission badly slipping and delay in engaging resulting in vehicle lunging forward once it engages. 2) has been happening for about 3-4 years intermittently. Dealer said this was normal in first time i complained. Now it happens every day. 3) had to have the trans rebuilt at a cost of $2328.25. *tr
ODI 10370750
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2004 ford explorer and it recently started making a rumbling noise. I brought it to my mechanic and he looked at it and said it was my transmission. He also said that it was an extremly common problem for 2004 explorers. If you google "2004 explorer problems" and click on any of the links the first problem is transmission issues. I have owned this car since it was new in 2004 and have not abused the car.…
ODI 10376318
Automatic Transmission · Structure
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact observed a long hair line fracture along the panel below the rear windshield. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they informed the contact that the rear windshield panel would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 44,000. The consumer also stated he had difficulty shifting the gear into reverse. Updated 01/06/11…
ODI 10363750
Automatic Transmission
I have 2004 awd limited edition ford explorer with 69,000 miles. I am now faced with replacing the transmission at a cost of $5,000. This car is far too new, with far too few miles to be in need of a new transmission. *tr
ODI 10359378
Automatic Transmission
Ford explorer 2004 - transmission failure - premature transmission failure with only 56,497 miles on vehicle. Driven normally with no off road driving. No recalls or class actions at this time according to ford. Numerous complaints of this problem posted on legitimate internet sites. Cost of repair $2800.00. *tr
ODI 10357174