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
Delayed shifting from park to reverse and reverse to drive, sometimes 10 seconds to catch gear. Hard shifting from park to reverse, slams into gear. Clunking when parking or wheels at full lock. *nm
ODI 10183454
Automatic Transmission
Ford explorer 2004 - bought brand new in 2004 my ford explorer started having shifting problems after 1 year i bought it. Ford dealer fixed it because it was under warranty. They claimed that it was the transmission solenoid. I am having the same issue 1 year after the fix was made and went back to the dealer. They said that the car is not under warranty anymore and it will cost me around 1400 dollars to fix it. I…
ODI 10228662
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2004 ford explorer xlt, purchased brand new with only 1 mile on it on 6/25/04. I have experienced violent jerking of the vehicle when turning the wheel, going in reverse, or shifting gears. I temporarily lose control of steering when this jerking occurs. The vehicle's transmission was recalled and subsequently serviced on 2/03/05 ...then again on 7/18/05... And again on 8/24/05 ...and i have an appointment…
ODI 10139603
Automatic Transmission
My 2004 ford explorer jerks into reverse when shifting from park to reverse. It also slips gears in the lower gears when driving in a lower speed zone. This is an acknowledged problem, but ford refuses to fix the transmission. *jb
ODI 10140123
Automatic Transmission
When moving gear selector from park to reverse and sometimes drive, there is a lag of about 3 to 5 seconds and then a loud clunking noise followed by a power surge of vehicle going into gear. Worried transmission is failing again. Took in for repairs same on same incident they said it was fixed. And guess what, i believed them. *jb
ODI 10172179
Automatic Transmission
Purchased a 2004 ford explorer in 2004, noticed after a couple of months that when i put the car in reverse it would delay a few seconds and then it would make a clunk sound and then speed into reverse or shift hard, that was at about 50,000 miles.car at times would not go into reverse, had the transmission in the shop numerous times and shift solenoid replaced to no avail. Shifted okay for awhile and goes back to…
ODI 10336115
Automatic Transmission
The vehicle has transmission problems that the company has recalled, after supposedly fixing the problem, the problem still exists. It jumps when put into gear. I feel it is unsafe and may lead to other issues. I am a single mother and i cant afford to fix it on my own. It is unsafe. *nm
ODI 10141509
Automatic Transmission
Transmission failed after 41000 miles. While this is outside the warranty, ford has been known for transmission problems and won't fix the problem. *jb
ODI 10134614
Automatic Transmission
When shifting into reverse, the vehicle pauses and then jumps into gear. It has done this on several occasions.
ODI 10134204
Automatic Transmission
The automatic transmission on my 2004 ford explorer hesitates, then jumps into gear, and the problem appears to be worsening over time. It happens when in drive or reverse, but up to now, the problem has been particularly worse when the transmission is in reverse. Up to now this has been more of a nuisance than anything, however, when i attempted to proceed into traffic from a stopped position earlier today, the…
ODI 10130885
Automatic Transmission
Our 2004 ford explorer has a significantly delayed response when shifting into reverse. Once the transmission engages there is a loud and hard "clunk". The dealership has diagnosed failure of the transmission solenoid and estimates this repair will cost ~$900. *jb
ODI 10198492
Automatic Transmission
Transmission shift lag- 2004 ford explorer i presented my 2004 ford explorer [xxx] to a local dealer 2/28/05 for the recall involving a change of transmission fluid. This has not alleviated what i have noticed is a chronic and possibly dangerous problem with this vehicle. When placed in reverse, there is often a noticeable shift lag of a few seconds before the transmission actually engages. The most recent incident…
ODI 10130260
Automatic Transmission
Dt: contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. After i first purchased this vehicle while driving the vehicle when putting vehicle in reverse it slams into reverse. When you put the vehicle in second gear it will slam into gear. My wife almost hit another vehicle while in a parking lot. The vehicle has been taken back to the dealership at least three or four times. They know that theres a problem with the vehicle but theres…
ODI 10140230
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System · Seats · Tread/Belt
Within three days of buying the vehicle, i encountered problems with remote, sometimes it would work and other times, it wouldn't. Driver's rear window , sometimes it would work and other times, it wouldn't. I took it back to dealer three times for same things. Rear end makes a very loud whining noise. It has been to dealer's three times also for fixing. Dealer states that there is nothing they can do and all of…
ODI 10128661
Automatic Transmission
2004 ford explorer, transmission problems since new, visited the dealer for repairs 3 times with no fix
ODI 10127230
Automatic Transmission · Seats
Transmission on 2004 ford explorer xlt 4.6 awd doesn't engage in reverse or drive without hesitation. On going problem since about 15k. Took to the dealer after receiving recall notice from ford. Dealer put "additive" in the transmission fluid said it would take about 3k miles to work out of the problem. I now have 24k on this vehicle and the shifting is getting worse. Worried about pulling out of a parking lot etc,…
ODI 10131857
Automatic Transmission
2004 explorer exhibited signs of not shifting smoothly into reverse as early as aug/sep 04. Pronounced delay of shifting into reverse around 2004 holiday season. Called dealership upon receipt of letter from ford in january, but transmission additive not yet available. After additive (march 05), vehicle continued to jump into reverse and forward shifting at lower speeds became more pronounced. This presents a hazard…
ODI 10125161
Automatic Transmission
Transmission leaks, has been repaired 4 times by dealer. Transmission has no dip stick to measure level and no way for user to add fluid. When leak is noticed user does not know oil level and can be left stranded in dangerous locations. Has also been repaired for slamming due to solenoid problems also.
ODI 10123963
Automatic Transmission
2004, v-6, auto transmission, ford explorer, an intermitant problem when the transmission clunks when put into reverse. Engine revs,feels like there is no connection to the transmission, as if in neutral, then unexpectantly it engages, causing the vehicle to lurch backward. We received a service notice from ford that this condition only happens in cold weather, to take the vehicle to our dealership and have them put…
ODI 10120965
Automatic Transmission
Problems with a 2004 ford explorer transmission operation. While driving at highway speeds the transmission will drop into 1st gear, bringing the vehicile almost to a full stop. The transmission also drops into a netural gear also while driving at highway speeds.
ODI 10128195
Automatic Transmission
2004 ford explorer...well known transmission problems, delay and "bucking" into reverse...ford dealer has tried to fix but to no avail...
Crash reported
ODI 10128199
Automatic Transmission
My 2004 ford explorer xlt has a whine in the rear end at appx 56-58 mph. Took to dealer and was told it was the ring and pinion would have to be replaced.
ODI 10122404
Automatic Transmission
My 2004 ford explorer xlt has a delay and then hard shifts from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd gear. I have already replaced the solenoid because of harsh reverse engagement and now am going to have to replace the valve body.
ODI 10122403
Automatic Transmission · Engine And Engine Cooling
2004 ford explorer engine shuts off and there is difficulty shifting gears.***no answer required***. *mr both of theses malfunctions present a danger and a hazard and are very serious defects. *bf *nm
ODI 10122646
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2004 ford sports trac explorer. There was a recall to put an additive into the transmission which i did. I am having a problem with the transmission. Ocassionally when stopping the transmission does not step down gears and i have to just about stand on the break and quick put the transmission in neutral to stop the car. I took it to cavalier ford in chesapeake va. . They were unable to duplicate the problem…
ODI 10120296