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
Shifting into reverse, the vehicle will not move, when you give it more gas, then suddenly surge. This latest incident, i almost hit a pedestrian. I thought this was a throttle response issue, but now i think it maybe a transmission issue. This has been an issue since the day i bought it....the dealer put some fluid in the transmission and re-calibrated the throttle. Dealer said this is the first year ford used an…
ODI 10266053
Automatic Transmission
Automatic transmission hesitate when going into gear then shifts hard into gear while accelerating,ford is well aware there is a problem with these transmissions and should be recalled for repairs. Have done research on this and its a common safety problems with the ford explorer. *tr
ODI 10321233
Automatic Transmission
Trans in 2002 to 2005 ford explorers are bad. They slip in and out of gear. Sometime you have to wait 5 to 10 seconds before it will move and this almost got me hit in mine by a 18 wheeler more than once. Talked with ford dealers they all clam its a ford mess up but there is no recalls yet. And this is with them beginning with in 20,000 to 90,000 miles on the explorers. I know of over 900 cases of this first hand…
ODI 10268548
Automatic Transmission
I purchased a new 2004 ford explorer in 2004 and had constant problems with the transmission - hard shifting, slipping, and delayed shifting. I brought it back multiple times to 2 very good dealers and the problems remained. They replaced my rear axle three times but said because there were no stored codes from the transmission, ford wouldn't let them do anything else. My transmission kept having delayed shift and…
ODI 10262628
Automatic Transmission
Vehicle had a history of suddenly jerking harshly while driving at highway speeds (65 mph), but at irregular intervals and problem could not be forced to replicate. At approximately 97,000 miles while on an out of state trip, the vehicle began to refuse to accelerate properly from a standstill, appearing to "limp" (in ford's words) until it reached 10-15 mph, then it would suddenly engage and accelerate rapidly, but…
ODI 10269561
Automatic Transmission · Steering
No accident or injury has occurred. The transmission shifter binds when shifting into park. The interlock solenoid pin has worn a grove in the cam in which it contacts. When shifting from any gear to park, if you release the brake pedal at the right time the vehicle will not go fully into park. *tr
ODI 10264333
Automatic Transmission
Purchased 2004 exp xlt in 2007 with 34,600 miles. Took it to dealer while still under warranty. Said jerking into reverse and delayed shifting between 2nd + 3rd was "normal". Found out "normal" meant they all do it, but not that it is correct. A ford dealer told me solenoid body replacement will fix it. After reading the numerous complaints on-line, am not sure. The seat belt retractors do not work (didn't on the…
ODI 10258584
Automatic Transmission
I own a 2004 ford explorer xlt v6. On 2/9/2009, i left my workplace at about 6pm and within about 1/4 mile my automatic transmission started slipping. I shifted to 3rd gear and it did not slip. Within about 1 mile after shifting to 3rd, the overdrive light started flashing. Within about 5 miles the vehicle turned off and the service engine light came on as well, while i was traveling approximately 50 mph on a…
ODI 10258429
Automatic Transmission · Structure
I have had 2 problems with my ford explorer. 1. Crack in the rear window panel, ford won't fix. 2. Total transmission failure, had to replace at my cost. *tr
ODI 10259314
Automatic Transmission
I understand there are worse vehicle failures out there, but the sheer fact that so many owners of my vehicle, 2004 ford explorer (and its respective brothers: lincoln aviator and mercury mountaineer) are experiencing transmission failure has led me here. The transmission in my truck is getting progressively worse and at the moment i am almost afraid to have my wife and our 2 children ride in it. The delay in the…
ODI 10261391
Automatic Transmission
2004 ford explorer. Od light is blinking, service engine light is on, transmission shift stalls and lurks. Mechanic says alot of ford explorers are having this issue and there is no recall. *tr
ODI 10313901
Automatic Transmission
2004 ford explorer eddie bauer transmission problem (seen on many complaint websites.) solenoid body needs repair at 75,000 miles on car that has diligently had all scheduled maintenance. This causes transmission to slip hard in reverse and in transition between gears. It happened once and almost caused accident. No automobile needs to have this replaced under 150,000 miles. This costs $1,100 to fix (5 hours of…
ODI 10256683
Automatic Transmission
On january 17, 2009, i was attempting to back my 2004 ford explorer out of my driveway. When i attempted to put the truck into reverse, the steering column-mounted gear shift mechanism broke. The "wand" broke completely away from the column, with only the rubber covering holding it in place. Later, when a mechanic opened up the steering column, it was apparent that the gear shift mechanism failed because a piece of…
ODI 10267352
Automatic Transmission
Purchased the vehicle new. Had regular maintenance performed. Shifting has been harsh and sporadic since nearly new. Has gotten progressively worse until now (jan, 2009) 67,000 miles when it became un-drivable. Took to ford dealer where purchased. Bottom line is that transmission is shot and they recommend a new tranny. Further research, online and with other owners, makes it obvious that this is a common, well…
ODI 10254286
Automatic Transmission
There are many know problems with this transmission. I have made repairs to many 5r55 series transmissions and they are all defective in a few different ways. I spent 5 years at ford repairing these problems and now my personal vehicle is showing symptoms of failure. The only proper repair for this is the complete replacement of said part. Although the replacement part is most likely going to be a failed unit from…
ODI 10257015
Automatic Transmission
I purchased a 2004 explorer limited with 18,000 miles. At 28,000 miles the dealership replaced a solenoid in the transmission per ford to eliminate a large "thud" when the vehicle was shifted into reverse. The problem went away for awhile but returned. Today at 78,000 the vehicles transmission has failed and the dealership states it needs replacement. Extended warranty provider refuses to cover the work. I have read…
ODI 10251885
Automatic Transmission
Tl*the contacts owns a 2004 ford explorer. After driving in reverse and parking the vehicle it began to move after the back door was opened. She was able to engage the brake pedal to stop the vehicle from moving and confirmed that the gear shift was in park. The body shop mechanic was unable to duplicate or diagnose the failure. The contact stated that it was caused due to slippage of the gears and although the gear…
Crash reported
ODI 10266520
Automatic Transmission · Body
I bought it brand new in 2004 and have taken very good care of this vehicle, but it hasn't returned the favor. I have had multiple transmission problems that ford says that they all do it and won't fix it. My tailgate cracked next to the ford symbol, once again won't fix it. My paint on my hood is peeling off. I only have 50,000 easy miles on it but looking at it and driving it you would think that it had 150,000 on…
ODI 10246262
Automatic Transmission
Transmission is slipping, rpm's racing before engaging into gears. Hard clunk when shift from reverse to forward. Losing power while waiting for shifts to engage. *tr
ODI 10245453
Automatic Transmission
Blinking o/d light, service engine light, park to reverse gear slippage, first to second gear slippage. *tr
ODI 10246782
Automatic Transmission · Equipment · Structure · Vehicle Speed Control
Of the numerous issues with this vehicle, the worst is the transmission (40,000 miles ). Same old story. Started with clunking and hesitation and surging when shifting into reverse and now is 'clunking' into gears 2 and 3 during normal driving. The rear drivers side window motor has been replaced twice. The rear window panel has a vertical crack to the left of the ford symbol that just mysteriously occurred even…
ODI 10243102
Automatic Transmission
Bought car with 9k miles on it, transmission slams into gear in reverse causing car to jump backwards, called dealer stated knew what problem was fixed under warranty. 40k miles later it is happening again, more severe and jerking forward while driving. Almost hit pedestrian, could not control. Dealer states out of warranty will not fix. Informed them this is the same problem, work is faulty. Many complaints of this…
ODI 10240224
Automatic Transmission
There is clearly a defect in ford explorer transmissions. My 2004 explorer had shifting problems at the 2-21/2 year mark. It was limped through by replacing the solenoid. Now at 42/3 years (out of warranty) it is doing the exact same thing and suddenly needs a new transmission at the 41,000 mile mark. I feel ford has a clear problem based on the number of complaints and i am sure that is a small fraction of the…
ODI 10240080
Automatic Transmission · Visibility
The transmission is failing on my 2004 ford explorer. I have babied it for quite awhile because we already had plenty of electrical problems with it that had cost us a lot of money and we really have no idea where to get the money to fix this problem. We still owe a lot on it. When it first started, i spoke to my mechanic and looked on the internet for a solution. If you google "2004 ford explorer transmission", you…
ODI 10258831
Automatic Transmission
A couple of months ago i notices that my explorer made a weird humming sound when i remove my foot off the gas going downhill at highway speeds. I also get the hard/clunk shift sound when going from park to reverse with a couple second delay. It takes longer then normal for vehicle to accelerate as if the truck is having difficulty shifting itself. Whaling city ford in new london ct said problem was that we have two…
ODI 10247941