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
Vehicle does not engage in reverse, it makes a loud sound, and then it accelerates to the point of trying to gain control of the vehicle.*ak
ODI 10103157
Automatic Transmission
2004 ford explorer -the transmission has failed to engage correctly multiple times. I have asked the dealer about this issue and the response was that the explorer "has a hard transmission". In order to get the transmission to engage correctly i have to either put the cur back in park/ nuetral and attempt to reengage or give it gas. This usually results in a lurch of the car going either backwards or forwards.this…
ODI 10101003
Automatic Transmission
Appx. 2 weeks ago i was driving my vehicle at about 45 mph and i heard this loud noise someplace around the passenger front underside of the vehicle. Since, my brand new 2004 ford explorer xlt is having transmission problems. When putting into reverse, it does not go into gear until you put your foot on the gas and then it jerks very hard and the tires skip on the pavement. The vehicle also does this when putting…
ODI 10100402
Automatic Transmission · Axle Hubs · Cruise Control · Driveline · Stabilizer Bar · Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)
Car has a hard time engaging into gear, when backing up it feels like i've hit another vehicle. The vehicle just jumps in revers.i have almost ran over someone because of a delay in engaging into reverse. In drive it does the same thing. I worry that i am going to hit a car that might be parked in front of me or even a person. Not only that i worry that if i did hit another car i wouldn't know that i did it. The car…
ODI 10100176
Automatic Transmission
I just read an article regarding ford's admission that there are problems with the transmissions in the 2004 explorer. I have had my explorer for less than 6 months and have had it in the shop 3 times for transmission issues. First time, and last time i was told there was no problem. Any way to ensure that i receive a letter from ford regarding the repair plan they are going to put in place. *jb
ODI 10100373
Automatic Transmission
When shifting from drive to reverse, hesitation up 5 seconds then bangs into reverse. Dealer said it was normal because of computer lag. Still doing it and taking it back to dealer again. This is an on going problem.
ODI 10098579
Automatic Transmission
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was not repaired after it had been serviced for a recall on the transmission. She placed the vehicle in reverse and five seconds later it jerked backwards. The contact experienced the same failure numerous times. The vehicle was returned to the dealer for inspection. The current mileage was 48,500 and failure mileage was 15,000.
ODI 10202425
Automatic Transmission
2004 ford explorer shifting/transmission selanoid shifting problem causing a safety defect with the vehicle. I have sopken with two different service advisor at the dealership who have indicated that this is a very common complaint and have written many of these issues. First incident 11/02/2004, second incident 11/2/2004. Another person in my office has had the same problem. Attorneys have web site requesting…
ODI 10141713
Automatic Transmission
The past several months i have had numerous transmission problems. My explorer does not shift correctly. It hesitates when shifting which is really dangerous in traffic. Also when i try to reverse it hesitates and then abruptly accerelates into reverse very hard and fast. It makes a loud noise when it happens also. It does this everytime i go into reverse. Also my vehicle has lost all power in the middle of driving…
ODI 10100935
Automatic Transmission · Cruise Control · Electrical System · Hatchback/Liftgate · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Tires
The consumer experienced a problem with the cruise control. The consumer would set the cruise control and then it will shut down by itself. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer who as of today, was unable to find a defect. *jb the failure resulted in a life threatening situation when the vehicle reached speeds in excess of 100 mph on it's own while hitting the resume button in cruise control. The vehicle had…
ODI 10099155
Automatic Transmission
1- in reverse vehicle pauses- then proceeds to surge backward. Took to dealership- they fixed it- adv bad transmission sensor. 2- vehicle would go from 65- to - 40 as if i was hitting the brake. Took to dealer - they advertising general code read fine for about 2 months. 3- now it has actually began to die instead of just stalling and hesitating. Now they advise its the throttle sensor. In all 3 cases - the little…
ODI 10098238
Automatic Transmission
My 2004 ford explorer xlt makes a clunking noise and harshly shifts when going into reverse. Sometimes there is a lag of up to 5 seconds before engaging into reverse, which may put me in danger when trying to turn around in traffic. *ak
ODI 10098186
Automatic Transmission
Power transmission-does not engage reverse every time the car is put into gear. Took to dealer and was told this is a common problem. Had to pay part of the repairs because the car was out of warranty. *ak
ODI 10106059
Automatic Transmission
Within 7,000 miles of purchasing my 2004 ford explorer (eddie bauer edition) i began noticing a progressively worsening slamming into gear. At first it was just into reverse, then it was from reverse into forward drive gears, then it would slam every time it changed gears. When i took it in, ford replaced the valve body for the transmission, the rear differential, and a solenoid. Seemed to correct the problem for…
ODI 10127514
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System · Front · Rear · Visibility
I have had many, many problems with my 2004 ford explorer. Probably the most dangerous one is the recurring failure of the transmission. This last time that this occurred i was on interstate-85, in morning rush-hour traffic, and all of a sudden my rpm's are flying to the red danger area and i have no acceleration power and am losing speed. There is an 18-wheeler on my rear and i can't pick up speed! Luckily, i was…
ODI 10241780
Automatic Transmission
When putting transmission in reverse it hesitates and slams in to gear. Very loud humming noise in rear when in any speed of acceleration. Vehicle is going to dealership tommorow.
ODI 10096177
Automatic Transmission
Original owner of vehicle,car shifts roughly into gear while driving feels like it is dragging,transmission has a hard clunk engagement when putting in reverse then engages hard with a sudden unexpected jolt backwards when car only had 3,945 miles in oct 2004. When car is in park i start the car it will sometimes jolt forward. Took car to dealer within 90 days of purchase for transmission & they replaced a solenoid…
ODI 10406952
Automatic Transmission
My transmission slams into reverse and also has problems in the forward gears. Ford has a recall on the transmisson to put a lubricant in the transmission. I don't see how this will solve the problem. Vehicle has been to the repair shop with no positive results.*ak
ODI 10108111
Automatic Transmission
Delay and harsh transmission engagement in reverse and drive.*ak
ODI 10102897
Automatic Transmission
Dt: the contact complained about transmission failure son several occasions. When shifting the vehicle into reverse the transmission locked for a few seconds, making a loud popping sound and then shifting into reverse. The vehicle has been seen by the dealer six times. The dealer was able to duplicate the problem, but could not been able to locate the source of the problem. The following items were replaced on order…
Crash reported
ODI 10145723
Automatic Transmission · Differential Unit · Driveshaft
Delay in transmission engaging in either reverse or forward gear is highly dangerous because auto suddenly slams into gear and lurches forward. This has also occurred at highway speeds when the gear suddenly engages and causes a severe lurch forward with a bang so severe i thought i had hit something. Also, there is a chatter when accelerating during a turn and vibration of the driveshaft at varying speeds. I was…
ODI 10107955
Automatic Transmission
My transmission started slipping gears. It would also clunk and hang up in reverse. Sometimes when engaged in drive it would surge forward. Several times i have been very lucky and kept my foot on the brake. If not, i am afraid to think of the consequences. After taking to a certified ford dealership, it no longer slips in gear, but it still clunks. Now it hesitates when changing gear. The dealer says this is…
ODI 10098752
Automatic Transmission
When reversing, loud banging/clunking noise is heard from the back. The car jerks back harshly.*ak
ODI 10096432
Automatic Transmission
When shifting to reverse- step on gas - does not engage then suddenly a clunk and takes off very fast in reverse- worried about hitting someone- dealer has reflashed & then replaced solenoid in transmission problem still exists. *nm
ODI 10093818
Automatic Transmission
Transmission does not always respond when shifting into reverse. Sometimes when shifting vehicle in reverse it does nothing and when you press the accelerator the vehicle then suddenly jerks backwards and makes a poping sound. Also, sometimes when slowing down it feels like it is ?dropping? Out of gear. This only occurs occasionally. I took it in today for the recall notice i had received to replace the wrong type…
ODI 10110088