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
My transmission does not work properly, and i feel i am in danger while operating my vehicle. The transmission jerks into drive and reverse and usually has long hesitations while using these positions, as well as the automatic shifting while driving. *ak
ODI 10108228
Automatic Transmission
Vehicle was taken to dealer for transmission problem. Consumer was told that when placing vehicle in reverse, it jerked, and sometimes it raced. Consumer was told that part of the transmission needed to be replaced. *ak
ODI 10095253
Automatic Transmission · Axle Shaft
2004 explorer - eddie bauer purchased new on 12/03. At 29,000 miles - noticed that when turning sharp radius in parking lots - felt like the transmission would go in and out of gear. Simultaneously noticed hesitation upon auto shifting, and hesitation upon putting in reverse. Took to dealer replaced solenoid. 2nd trip to dealer - similar complaint - they replaced rear axle. 3rd trip - similar complaint, but now upon…
ODI 10100391
Automatic Transmission
When shifting into reverse, it would take a few second then the transmission would slam into gear and the whole truck would jerk. Dealer replaced a part and reprogrammed the transmission. As of 12-7-04 the problem has returned.
ODI 10102345
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2004 ford explorer that is having a problem with the transmission. I have a harsh delay when going from park to reverse. Ford is refusing to repair the vehicle unless i absorb the cost. There was a "customer program" issued in january 2005 and expired on 12/31/05. I did not receive the form by mail as i had moved and they are still refusing to fix it. They want to charge me over $1600.00 to repair my…
ODI 10157283
Automatic Transmission
Vehicle hesitates when put into reverse, then slams into reverse with a sudden jerk. Have to keep brake to the floor waiting for it to engage to keep the vehicle from hurting anyone. Upon waiting for part that is on back order, the vehicle now misses gears when driving down the road and sometimes slams into the next gear even if it is down shifting. Part was supposed to be hear last week and now they are telling us…
ODI 10098385
Automatic Transmission
Consumer had problems with the automatic transmission. Each time the vehicle was backed up, it would hesitate when placed in drive. The vehicle also leaped forward with the consumers foot on the brake, it was placed in drive and the vehicle did not move. *sc the vehicle was a rental. *jb
ODI 10094373
Automatic Transmission
Engaging the transmission in "reverse" it hesitates, slips then surges. Loud banging/clunking noises heard, sounds like universal joint. Dealer states parts on order. Apparently this is a known defect to ford, dealer blames it on a defective servo, synchro or solinoid. Awaiting nationwide back ordered parts from the same manufacture, what makes me think that this same part won't again fail. What is ford's…
ODI 10091172
Automatic Transmission
Since owning the car, it has had trouble with the transmission. When shifting into reverse it will suddenly lurch backwards. Causing the car to momentarily loose control. It is a concern when backing out of parking spaces, and could potentiality cause an accident. The transmission solenoid and a few gaskets have been replaced, but the dealer does not know the true cause of the problem. *tr
ODI 10220013
Automatic Transmission
4X4 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER - BANGS INTO REVERSE. *AK
ODI 10088715
Automatic Transmission
Transmission shifting delay. Dealer has "fixed" twice and added the "new" transmission fluid with no improvement. My factory warranty runs out in 8,000 miles and i am very concerned about the future problems i will have with this transmission. It has already been adjusted, rebuilt and adjusted again with no improvement.*ak
ODI 10114269
Automatic Transmission
The gears on the vehicle were popping, which was not letting the vehicle have movement. The transmission on the vehicle has been repaired a total of three times, but the problem is still recurring.
ODI 10112936
Automatic Transmission
Transmission does not engage in reverse from park when put in reverse,than after 5-10 seconds will jerk into gear,transmission does not upshift correctly,seems to hesitate between gears. *jb
ODI 10110437
Automatic Transmission
Transmission has a significant delay when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear and when shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear problem occurs during moderate acceleration, approximately 2500-3000 rpms. Transmission shifts acceptable during lighter and heavier accelerations.*ak
ODI 10118109
Automatic Transmission
I was involved in an accident due to a transmission problem with my 2004 ford explorer. (3aug04). Broke and arm and still in brace and longer weeks ahead. The problem is still not fixed. It has been acknowledge as a problem but no one will take my complaint or call me back. No lawyer will touch the case yet hear i am with loss wages maybe unable to use my arm (i'm a nursing student) but hey if that;s how ford…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10112083
Automatic Transmission
Transmission started shifting hard the day it was purchased in 2004. Now the transmission will not shift at all and the car has been parked in the driveway and is not drivable. I asked the ford dealership about the shifting problem within a week of purchase and they stated there was nothing wrong with the vehicle that they could find. *tr
ODI 10225418
Automatic Transmission
In feb. 2004 i purchased a brand new explorer. About 6 months into ownership there were some problems with a delay in switching from park to reverse. I took the explorer to the dealer. They stated it was the throttle position sensor, which the dealer did replace. Approximately a year later, the same problem started to happen again. I took the explorer back to the dealer and they repaired the same part again. The…
ODI 10221552
Automatic Transmission
Dt: the contact complained about an automatic transmission problem. While driving the vehicle will go in and out of gear without warning. Ford has been contacted. *ak
ODI 10144591
Automatic Transmission
In may of 2004, i bought a new 2004 ford explorer. Two months later in july of 2004, i found problems shifting the car into reverse. It would pause for about 5 seconds, then jerk very hard before reversing. I complained to the dealership that i bought the new car from, who proceeded to tell me it was "nothing". The problem continued, and i continued to bring the car into the dealership where i bought it from with no…
ODI 10106499
Automatic Transmission
Purchased my ford explorer jan 2004. Problem with shifting occurred june 29th 2004. One year later 2005, the problem worsen, with slipping and hard shifting at the same time. Ford is not backing the explorer at all and we the people with these same complaints need help, or all of our money back from the vehicle, since the problem can not be fixed. *tr
ODI 10236297
Automatic Transmission · Differential Unit
My 2004 ford explorer has had a problem with chattering in the differential and delayed shifting of the automatic transmission gears, especially reverse, since it was purchased. When i am in an urban parrallel park situation, i have hit the car behind me hard on several occassions because of the delayted shifting. As you shift, you naturally put a foot on the accelerator. When there is a delay, the car then bolts…
Crash reported
ODI 10100448
Automatic Transmission
The gear on my newly purchased 2004 ford explorer broke off. I beleive this to be a manufacture defect. When i tookthe truck back to the dealer they couldn't believe it themselves. I am afraid to wonder what else is wrong with this vehicle.*ak
ODI 10074870
Automatic Transmission
After purchasing my 2004 ford explorer i noticed hesitation and lurching upon acceleration causing a safety hazard when proceeding out into traffic. Several service appointments were made and ford was unable to replicate the problem, although all other persons that drive the vehicle have identified it. With the new information recently released on these vehicles, i am very concerned for my safety and wish to have…
ODI 10100400
Automatic Transmission
Our vehicle only has 36,000 miles on it, and the transmission has succumb to an extremely unsafe condition after warranted factory repair for the third time now, where the transmission fails to shift while driving and basically leaves you coasting without speed control during a regular shift interval. *tr
ODI 10225234
Automatic Transmission
When putting the vehicle in reverse it surged. Consumer was able to stop the vehicle without any incident. Vehicle was towed to the dealership for inspection and the mechanic determined that the transmission failed. *ak *nm
ODI 10079344