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 2004 ford explorer was taken in for repair in 8/12/05 because the ac stopped working. When i brought the car into world ford of kendall in miami, fl one of the service employees asked me if how my transmission was working and at the time it was fine. Upon receiving my car back on 8/16/05 the ac was fixed and my receipt stated the ac was fixed but it also mentioned something regarding a recall in my transmission.…
ODI 10167579
Automatic Transmission · Engine And Engine Cooling
Dt*: the contact stated the automatic transmission was slipping between gears and made clunking noises. The vehicle also made humming sounds from the engine while accelerated over 55 mph. The vehicle has not been to a service dealer.
ODI 10167714
Automatic Transmission
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle hesitated while reversing. When the gear finally engaged, there was a jolt felt. The dealership replaced the solenoid in may 2004 but the problem persisted.
ODI 10164521
Automatic Transmission · Mechanical
04 explorer had harsh reverse. Rpm's went to 7 shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear. Ford refused to do anything even though they had a "customer satisfaction campaign",fords alternative to a recall, that expired last year to put an additive in the transmission fluid because the put in the wrong type. Had the solenoid replaced once before. Ford claimed it to be normal wear and tear. Cost 1300.00 to repair bad solenoid,and…
ODI 10161711
Automatic Transmission
Purchased a new 2004 ford explorer in august of 2004. Brought suv in for recall of transmission fluid additive/replacement. Suv starting to hesitate and jump into reverse. When stopped at a light or stop sign on a hill the vehicle rolls backward when moving my foot from the brake to the gas pedal. Brought back to dealer in july of 2006, replaced solenoid at approximately 16,000 miles. When vehicle is started revs a…
ODI 10167014
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System · Suspension
Transmission slamming into reverse / drive, took to dealership, solenoid pack replaced 6 months ago, started having same problems and now this time also, rpms shoot up to 7 when accelerating. Took back to dealer, said they had to replace the solenoid pack again. Won't honor warranty after the $800.00 problem was just fixed! Also, have serious suspension problems! Front sway bar bushings, rear shocks (leaking),…
ODI 10158665
Automatic Transmission · Column Shift
Dt*: the contact stated there is a shift delay before going into reverse or drive, after a 5-10 second delay it goes into gear. This is an intermittent problem. Last week the shift lever assembly was replaced by the dealer because it broke off in the column. The vehicle was taken to the dealership about the delay problem however they are unable to get a diagnostic code to correct the problem.
ODI 10158533
Automatic Transmission
2004 explorer has had ongoing transmission problems since the day i purchased it. I only became aware of the factory mistake in transmission fluid two weeks after purchasing a leftover. Somehow it wasn't discovered until more than a year later? I have problems with the car lurching into reverse and not engaging in park correctly. The car rolls about 2-4 feet when in park and now the new problem is it refuses to go…
ODI 10159549
Automatic Transmission
Vehicle goes forward after put in park and turned off. The transmission has been checked at ford dealership. Have letter explaining that if transmission fluid was not changed out that serious consequences may occur. Ford dealership not aware as this was not displayed as a recall. Herefore,transmission fluid was not changed at that time. *tr
ODI 10267411
Automatic Transmission
Transmission began experiencing problems shifting between 2 and 3 rd gear, into overdrive, and into reverse. On 5/12/06 i took the vehicle to the dealership and the technician was able to diagnose the problem with my vehicle with the keys still in my purse and the vehicle in the parking lot. Based on the other vehicles he had seen he had a good idea what my explorer's problem was. Unbeknownst to me, three weeks…
ODI 10157956
Automatic Transmission
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 50 mph there was a loud noise heard coming from under the vehicle. The vehicle then lurched forward and came to a complete stop on the highway as if the rear wheels were locked causing minor injuries to the driver and passenger. After restarting the vehicle, the over drive light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the local dealership and they determined there was metal in…
2 injuries
ODI 10158028
Automatic Transmission
Transmission is slipping when changing gears, especially when putting the vehicle in reverse. Sometimes takes several seconds for the vehicle to go in to reverse.
ODI 10154728
Automatic Transmission
DELAYED HARSH REVERSE ENGAGEMENTS
ODI 10172537
Automatic Transmission
Dt*: the contact stated while placing the vehicle into reverse with the brake pedal depressed, the transmission jumps into reverse. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The dealer could not duplicate the problem.
ODI 10153584
Automatic Transmission
2004 ford explorer purchased new, experienced transmission issues very quickly, hard engagement into reverse, clunking when downshifting, car lurches upon acceleration during a slow turn. I have had into dealership 5 times, beginning 1 year ago at 10,000 miles. Recall additive put in 1st time, 2nd time at 15,000 miles i lost the entire right rack and pinion while driving (would not steer to the right), they told me…
ODI 10152733
Automatic Transmission
Transmission is sloppy when shifting in general, sometimes has lag time when shifting from forward to reverse and a clunking noise can occur. Dealer had investigated multiple times with minor adjustments helping to reduce about 50-75% of the issue. *jb
ODI 10186703
Automatic Transmission
Bought in feb. 2006 with 12,000 miles - the 2004 explorer xls when put into reverse hesitated, then jerked hard at first -- then as time went by -- approximately 2-3 months the jerking was while automatically shifting while driving. The jerking motion occurred 17 times while driving 35 miles. It seems to be getting worse over time. I've been to the dealer and they reprogrammed the computer. The dealer manager said…
ODI 10167505
Automatic Transmission
Transmission slams into reverse from park - warranty work performed at dealer 02/05 ford consumer relations campaign to address problem from manufacturer incorrect fluid added at assembly plant 04/05 02/06 transmission has started same behavior before - ford tech's admit to problem but can not resolve - transmission still slamming into reverse after dealer computer update - obvious defect from dealer as thousands of…
ODI 10149660
Automatic Transmission
. 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 - when putting the car in reverse there is always a hesitation, then it will jerk hard into reverse. When slowing down at a stop sign or red light there will be another banging noise coming from the transmission. When putting the car in drive from the reverse there is always a delay…
ODI 10148169
Automatic Transmission
Transmission fails to engage in drive or reverse, or hesitates to engage, or hesitates to change gears on the highway. Placement into drive or reverse "pounds" into gear. 4x4 low & high hesitate or fail to engage, and often "stick" - failing to disengage or require multiple attempts to disengage. *jb
ODI 10147649
Automatic Transmission
I am having problems with the automatic transmission on my 2004 ford explorer (44,000 miles). I was having my ac fixed at my local dealership when they informed me there was an oil additive that needed to be put into my transmission to prevent hesitation and slipping due to a manufacturing problem. 6 months later i began experiencing harsh engagement when shifting into reverse as well slipping in the transmission…
ODI 10168721
Automatic Transmission
Dt*: the contact stated the transmission is slipping, hesitating and jerking while going into gear. When putting the vehicle into park the lever is in the park position; however, the transmission is still in reverse. The transmission is making a howling noise that is being heard from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and the solenoid in the transmission was replaced. This did not…
ODI 10147264
Automatic Transmission
We noticed a slip in the transmission when were stopped, then made a slow right or left hand turn. We felt the transmission slipping and a noise from the rear end. It also felt as if the [redacted] was on. It felt as if there was a slight wheel hop. We took it to the dealer and they said ford knows about this problem. The dealer replaced the ring and pinion gear, axel seals, clutch pack and had to reprogram the…
ODI 10147072
Automatic Transmission
Purchased my 2004 explorer in february '04. At approximately 20,000 miles the vehicle began having a delayed engagement into reverse which was harsh and caused the vehicle to jolt rearward. Brought to dealer and it was fixed. Vehicle operated normally until recently when the problem began again. Vehicle now has 40,000 miles. Seems this may be a recurring problem. Transmission performance is also poor as this problem…
ODI 10147856
Automatic Transmission
2004 ford explorer. In december of 2004, the truck was 1 year in service and had about 19,000 miles. We noticed the transmission slipping between first and second gears and delaying when shifting between park and reverse. We took the truck to the dealership and had problem fixed. We were told the "solenoid" (sp?) switch in the transmission was bad and had been replaced. We were told at the time this was a fairly…
ODI 10145925