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
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. While the vehicle was parked and the engine was running, the vehicle rolled into the contact's home. While driving to the dealer at 15 mph, the vehicle failed and would not move. The vehicle was placed in each gear, but it still would not move and the engine revved. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. When it arrived, the vehicle was placed in reverse and drove backwards.…
ODI 10206289
Automatic Transmission
On my explorer it has been to the dealer on 5 occasions now for the transmission. Delayed engagement when going from reverse to drive, sometimes feeling as if someone has rear ended me. On the first trip in an additive was added to the transmission, second trip the transmission solenoid pack was replaced, third trip the transmission solenoid pack was replaced, fourth trip the dealer couldn't reproduce the problem…
ODI 10206132
Automatic Transmission
Explorer jerking and bucking when put into reverse. Problem eventually worsened with bucking once put into drive. Bought used at 31,000 miles. Symptom evidenced at just over 33,000 miles. Transmission replaced at cost of nearly $4,000. Addressed this issue with ford . Response- sympathetic but nothing they can do? Or is there? Design or manufacturer error. Either way accountability should not be an issue. Last ford…
ODI 10292616
Automatic Transmission
2004 ford explorer. When putting into reverse, vehicle bangs, you can hear and feel it. Was in shop, and ffound nothing wrong. Occurred occaisionally, now alot! Now my transmission is leaking fluid. My warranty ran out 5,000 miles ago. I don't think this is normal in a newer car.
ODI 10202061
Automatic Transmission
(1) ford recall 5r55s/5r55e/5r443 transmissions april 04 2005. 04b22 ford explorer xlt (2) repair information regarding transmission issues. This vehicle was taken back to action ford mercury, hartsville, sc. On 10/23/06 with the same problems. The warranty has expired and the service department stated that i would be required to pay for a portion of these repairs. I have taken this vehicle back to action ford…
ODI 10236385
Automatic Transmission
Ford has an obvious design flaw in the transmission for the 2004 explorer. Similar to thousands of others,when put into reverse the vehicle hesitates for 5 - 10 seconds and then bangs into gear with a sudden power surge. We've barely managed to avoid hitting the house and other vehicles. A "repair" just cost us ~$900. Ford claims no knowledge of a problem. What a joke! *jb
ODI 10204117
Automatic Transmission · Equipment
Http://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/explorer/2004/transmission/transmission_slipping_shifts_hard.shtml. View this website. I too have had the same problem at 10000 miles. I had the vehicle serviced, and am now experiencing a slight hesitation when backing again. This needs to be looked at. I did not realize the widespread problem until i saw the recent complaints on this web-site for this vehicle's year/make/model.…
ODI 10196615
Automatic Transmission
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. While driving 15 mph, the vehicle failed to shift into second gear. The check engine and overdrive warning indicators lights illuminated. The dealer stated that the cause of failure was the cylinoid circuit. The current mileage is 41,124 and failure mileage was 41,000.
ODI 10195475
Automatic Transmission
At 50,000 my 2004 ford explorer xlt started having transmission problems. It does a slamming when putting into reverse. The brake has to be pushed all the way to floor to keep the vehicle from lurching into anyone or anything. It also has a slipping and jerking when the vehicle shifts into 2nd and again when it shifts into 3rd. I am not the only person with this issue.*jb
ODI 10197502
Automatic Transmission
There is a lag between putting the car in reverse and the car actually going backwards. When it does back up the car jerks backwards at an accelerated rate. It also does this when changing gears while driving. This started right after i bought the car, and i brought it back to the dealer, and they replaced the transmission fluid. This has not helped. If fact as the car ages, it is getting worse. *ak
ODI 10188268
Automatic Transmission
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle made a loud banging noise, hesitated, and then lunged into reverse without warning. The failure occurred after the vehicle was driven for more than an hour. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The current mileage is 25,300 and failure mileage was 22,000.
ODI 10189808
Automatic Transmission
The transmission in our 2004 ford explorer xlt awd required a significant repair in 7/05 at 11,311 miles because the transmission would not engage after shifting into reverse. Dealer replaced shift solenoid and refilled fluid. Dealer estimated that cost to replace shift solenoid was $3,500 but it was covered under warranty. Problem recurred and in december 2006 at approximately 32,000 miles, my daughter was involved…
Crash reported
ODI 10178631
Automatic Transmission
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. While driving approximately 35mph and changing gears, the transmission hesitated. When reverse is engaged, there was a delay, a hard noise and difficult to shift. The dealer has not diagnosed the failure. The current and failure mileages were 36,000.
ODI 10205052
Automatic Transmission
Purchased the 2004 ford explorer in syracuse, ny in the fall of 2004. We received the recall notice about the transmission and had the service performed. The vehicle has been in to the dealer to fix a continuing problem about the transmission. The transmission has trouble shifting into reverse and when going up hill, on occasion. The vehicle's transmission also continues to make a "clunking" noise and physically…
ODI 10178695
Automatic Transmission
Within a week of buying my 2004 explorer i experienced problems when shifting out of reverse. I also experienced a loud "clang" while doing steady interstate driving (over 200 miles). Over time transmission shifting became sluggish, untimely, and loud. A recall was received and a transmission additive was added. Problems continued with the transmission (same as noted above). In june '06- dealership replaced some…
ODI 10178685
Automatic Transmission
We have a 2004 ford explorer with 41,000 miles. In the past 3 months we have had to have the transmission overhauled, universal ball joint replaced, wheel bearings replaced, parking brake replaced. All work has been done by the dealer. On the evening of 11/21/06, we were leaving my daughter's school and i got in the vehicle to back the car up a few feet so that my wife would not have to step in the mud. I started…
Crash reported
ODI 10174294
Automatic Transmission
Dt*: the contact stated while shifting the transmission into gear, the vehicle jumped. The problem progressively worsened and the vehicle did not respond properly to the depression of the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, where diagnostic tests determined the transmission needed to be replaced.
ODI 10173946
Automatic Transmission · Equipment
When the explorer is put in reverse it takes up to 5 seconds to engage and then jerks backwards after making a large clunking noise. U joints and wheel bearings have been replaced, but problem still occurs.
ODI 10177354
Automatic Transmission
Shifting from "drive" to "reverse" transmission engages harshly. *nm
ODI 10172809
Automatic Transmission · Lock · Power Window Devices And Controls · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Steering
2004 explorer had problems with brakes and windows. *ts three months after the vehicle was purchased thee was a recall on the transmission. The abs malfunctioned and the power windows would not go down. The rear hatch door would not open. The transmission began to slam into gear. The rotors vibrated in the rear. Consumer heard a howling noise at 40-55 mph. The dealer replaced the ring and pinion. Nm
ODI 10173267
Automatic Transmission
When shifting into reverse, the car jerks (shifts hard) backwards every time. Eventually, transmission had to be rebuilt. The problem no longer exists. *tr
ODI 10293935
Automatic Transmission
Transmission has a hard clunk engagement when putting in gear and total disengagement while driving, then the od light starts to blink, and you have to either let off the gas, or tap the gas to get it to engage again, it started around 50,000 miles, and continues to do so, the is no recall and no warranty for it, dealer ship said it needs rebuilt or replaced 2200.00 or 4200.00 dollars, we don't have. *tr
ODI 10392736
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2004 ford explorer xlt 4x4 which recently had to basically have the transmission rebuilt. I feel that this is a manufacturer defect simply because the vehicle is only 2 years old. Since the warranty is exceeded in mileage i was responsible for repairs, which totaled $1652.78. The vehicle had just under 56,000 miles when this occurred. I would greatly appreciate any help with investigating this problem. Just…
ODI 10167938
Automatic Transmission
2004 ford explorer when shifted into park will show it is in park but is really still in reverse. This is a major safety issue which has not been recalled. In addition there was a recall for improper transmission additive being used and now the transmission solenoid on these models are going bad causing the transmission to shift erratically. *nm
ODI 10165744
Automatic Transmission
Dt*: the contact stated the automatic transmission did not engage gears in a timely manner. The problem started after 41000 miles and was not taken to a service dealer.
ODI 10166433