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
Bought new 2004 explorer xlt january 1st 2005, upon driving the vehicle home i noticed a hesitation in the changing of the gears at low speeds, and it also seems to slip when making turns at low speeds. I took in to ford dealership right away and they said throttle body was sticking and replaced it. Also they updated the computer chip and said everything was fine. No change to the vehicle, i took to another ford…
ODI 10110683
Automatic Transmission
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
ODI 10151769
Automatic Transmission
There was a delay and jerk when vehicle was put in reverse. The gear popped, causing the vehicle to hit a tree while in reverse. Consumer will contact manufacturer.*ak
Crash reported
ODI 10105281
Automatic Transmission
The transmission of my 2004 ford explorer does not always respond when shifting into reverse. This problem is also occuring occasionally when shifting into forward or drive. The problem going into reverse has been happening for a while and quite often but yes it is intermittent. When shifting into reverse, the transmission initially does nothing and when you press the accelerator the vehicle lurches or the drive…
ODI 10104132
Automatic Transmission
2004 ford explorer-delayed then harsh shift of transmission into reverse, was in shop to replace solenoid and bad transmission fluid installed at the factory"-problem persists-car was purchased nov 2004 and has only approx 4500 miles. Problem is ongoing so there is not just one incident date. *ak
ODI 10113873
Automatic Transmission
As i put the transmission into reverse, when backing out of my garage, there is a hesitation in the shift into reverse between 4 and 8 seconds, then the transmission goes into reverse with a bang. This just started happening to me, lately, on a number of occaisions. The explorer was bought in july of 2004 and as of this date has 9,500 miles on it, and the latest incident was 12-15-04.
ODI 10103080
Automatic Transmission
A problem in the transmission causes the engine to shut off when coming to a stop. The engine will shutter, then die. This results in the loss of the power steering and brakes making this problem a severe safety hazard for all motorist and passengers. Ford has been notified but declines to admit this incident. It has to do with the jerking of the harsh reverse engagement nhtsa item number 10008268. I have had this…
ODI 10104008
Automatic Transmission
2004 ford explorer clunks when putting into reverse. This problem has been reported before and i think ford is considering a program. I have taken my explorer to the dealer, and they said they couldn't replicate the condition. It does it all the time, and i think they are avoiding repairs. The carhas only 9,000 miles and is under warranty. Transmission has wrong fluid and faulty shift solenoid per ford's own press…
ODI 10104591
Automatic Transmission
Transmission has been slipping gears since purchased new in 2004. It hesitates considerably to engage into reverse. When engaged in drive it's initially nonresponsive to light acceleration then surges forward. After taking to a certified ford dealership for solenoid work, it continues to misengage into multiple gears. This is not my first ford explorer and is radically different from the transmission performance of…
ODI 10122032
Automatic Transmission
There is a delay in the gear when vehicle is put in drive or reverse. Vehicle tends to jerk when the gear pops. Manufacturer will be contacted by consumer. *ak
ODI 10105144
Automatic Transmission
Automatic transmission takes anywhere from 3-10 seconds to engage when put into reverse. As this problem gets worse i've noticed that the shift points while driving seem out of form and more harse than normal. My dealer ordered a new selonoid (which cost $360) and will replace when it becomes available - currently on backorder (obviously this is a problem).*ak
ODI 10102274
Automatic Transmission
Vehicle traveled at various speeds the transmission failed and as a result vehicle was unable to move and made an idling noise. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for repairs for fourth time this year.*ak *nm
ODI 10103127
Automatic Transmission
Transmission was sticking when the car was put in reverse. After a few seconds of acelleration there is a bang and the car jolts back rapidly. I am still afraid to parallel park. I also noticed some sticking/hesitation from park to drive. I took it in for service on 12/07/04 and the solenoids were replaced along with some other work on the trans. The dealership told me that the parts were on hand because they know…
ODI 10102542
Automatic Transmission
Purchased used 2004 explorer w/ 17k miles on it. Vin# [xxx] wife took possession of vehicle friday evening ready to drive away when she placed vehicle in reveres and it banged hard as it jerked into reverse and chirped the tires. Drove it home noticed the shifting from 2d to 3rd was hard and appeared to want to accelerate on its own and when it went into overdrive the rpms reduced but no noticeable signs that one…
ODI 10102805
Automatic Transmission · Ignition
Since new, i have intermittent hard start issues with the vehicle. On about 7 occasions, the dealer was notified and they simply told me since it started that there was nothing they could do since there wasn't a light on the dash did not come on. Therefore there would not be any codes. Finally at 10,345 miles, the car broke down. They replaced the throttle position sensor. The kept getting about 4 or 5 codes and…
ODI 10102092
Automatic Transmission
Vehicle is having trouble engaging from the park position to reverse smoothly. Consumer hears a popping noise, and feels the vehicle jumps when the gears are changed. Manufacturer has been contacted.*ak
ODI 10103347
Automatic Transmission
2004 ford explorer having transmission problems. Does not shift properly from park to reverse or drive to reverse. Has a hesitation before it goes into gear. They should be recalled. There could be injuries because when it hesitates one is pushing on the gas pedal and all of a sudden it goes into gear. *jb
ODI 10104073
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System · Interior Lighting · Power Window Devices And Controls
Complete failure of the gauge pod, radio, interior lights, power windows at 2,300 miles. No speedometer, odometer, tach, fuel gauge, temp, oil, battery, radio (nothing in the dashboard functions except the airbag light). *ak ford dealer in allentown pa was very rude and went out of their way to not work in a timely manner and keep us in the dark. Drove vehicle to texas (with no gauges) to dealership where purchased.…
ODI 10100752
Automatic Transmission
Automatic transmission slips and hesitates between gears especially at light throttle. Ransmission does not engage reverse until throttle is applied. Problem is getting worse.*ak
ODI 10100531
Automatic Transmission
When shifting to reverse gear the vehicle hesitated before accelerating. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak *nm
ODI 10103910
Automatic Transmission
When down shifting to reverse gear vehicle jerked forward. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak
ODI 10103909
Automatic Transmission
2004 ford explorer,which was purchased in november 2003 hesitates when shifting into reverse, when it does shift there is a jolt and bang as it engages into reverse. Suv has been serviced on 3 occasions, the initial service performed apprximately 1 month after the purchase. Each time i was told that it was a computer problem & that the computer needed to be re-programmed. In short, the vehicle continues to exhibit…
ODI 10100198
Automatic Transmission
2004 ford explorer transmission problems. Will not shift into reverse from neutral, car bucks when finally shifts into gear (reverse and forward). Car has stalled upon steering into a u-turn in the middle of an intersection. This is definitely a safety hazard. I fear for the safety of my family.*ak
ODI 10100187
Automatic Transmission
When gears are put in reverse, the transmission hesitates for 3-5 seconds then a loud clunk is heard and the vehicles moves. Just purchasesd the explorer from dealer today with 20,750 miles on it and nothing was disclosed about these problems. I'll take back tommorrow and hope they will fix the problem. Lemon????*ak
ODI 10100171
Automatic Transmission
My 2004 ford explorer xlt 4x4 experienced delayed/harsh engagement when shifting into reverse. It would have a delay of up to 5 seconds and then would engage and make a terrible clanging noise. On several occasions it would squeal tires and then jerk backwards. This put me in danger of being in a wreck because when i would shift into reverse i would expect it to actually shift, but it did not. I took it to a ford…
ODI 10106353