Starter Solenoid problems of the 2004 Ford Explorer

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), replace front lower ball joints.

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 them are doing it. Vehicle, while in gear, would jump/jerk. Dealer replaced solenoid, it still does it sometimes.

There have been several issues with my 2004 Ford Explorer. 1st) my transmission has been making a clunk or thud sound almost everytime. The dealership replaced the solenoid assembly. I still feel some of the same symptoms when reversing and slowing down. 2nd) my Explorer now fails to start. I drove to pick up some friends. I drove a maximum of 40 miles that day before I went to his house. After 30 min I came outside and tried to start my vehicle but it would not even turn over. There is enough power, the battery has a green light, and the fuse is good. I used to be a loyal Ford man but after these problems I am seriously thinking of trading this vehicle in for a different brown.

Since new, I have intermittent hard start issues with the vehicle. On about 7 occasions, the dealer was notified and they simply told me since it started that there was nothing they could do since there wasn't a light on the dash did not come on. Therefore there would not be any codes. Finally at 10,345 miles, the car broke down. They replaced the throttle position sensor. The kept getting about 4 or 5 codes and they were unable to clear them. Replaced the ecm and reprogrammed. I still have the intermittent hard start issue which is intermittent. The ecm has been updated 3 times. I also have an issue with the tire pressure indicator light flashing for about 20 seconds after start up, they claim, unable to duplicate. I also had a exhaust gasket replaced as there was an annoying noise that would go on and on while the vehicle was left running while in park. Lastly - transmission issues. The vehicle has poor shift quality. It likes to hang up and hesitate in 3d gear, you will be running 55-60 and go to pass another vehicle and doesn't want to shift until it hits 80-85mph and by then you are at 6 on the tachometer. They have replaced the solenoid body and the hydraulic pump and the car still is not fixed. It also likes to hesitate when accelerating from a stop sign or stop light. It is currently in the shop as we speak. I purchased the vehicle new in November of 2003 and the current mileage is 12,850.

I have had many, many problems with my 2004 Ford Explorer. Probably the most dangerous one is the recurring failure of the transmission. This last time that this occurred I was on interstate-85, in morning rush-hour traffic, and all of a sudden my rpm's are flying to the red danger area and I have no acceleration power and am losing speed. There is an 18-wheeler on my rear and I can't pick up speed! luckily, I was approaching an exit and managed to get the vehicle off of the interstate and onto a less traveled road. This is the second time that I have endured this scenario. Once again the solenoid is gone, with repairs estimated at $1255. 00. I have had this problem repaired less than a year after purchase. I have had this problem repaired at 32,567 miles, and I now have this problem again at 76,725 miles. I have had the clutch pack replaced at 24,940 miles as well as the ring gear, pinion, and all bearings replaced at 24,940 miles. At 35,558 miles the lower ball joint had to be replaced. At 64,335 I had to have the pats transponder(security system) replaced. In short I have had the transmission repaired three times the front end rebuilt , the back end redone. I honestly can say I do not feel very safe in this vehicle, especially since I have to use this to transport my children. These problems seem to be the norm for this particular vehicle, as I have done research on this. I don't understand why Ford is not made to resolve these issues. I have also had to have my heating and air replaced. This occurred in the winter of 2007 and was a safety issue, as I could not defrost my windows.