Transmission Failure problems of the 2004 Ford Explorer

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. While driving 40 mph, an overdrive warning indicator illuminated while the vehicle decreased in speed. The contact stated that the vehicle was restarted, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,695.

While parked, I started up my vehicle and put the truck in reverse. However, the truck would not reverse. I was able to drive forward and took my vehicle to mechanic. He stated that the Fords were "well known" for having bad transmission due to certain pieces not fitting, especially the 2002-2006 models. I searched online and realized this problem is a lot bigger than just "a few" cases. This is an epidemic of neglect! additional issues include the throttle body for which your establishment has already investigated but limited the "recall" for years 2009-2013. This should be extended further to cover all incidents within a certain mileage. Mine started around fifty thousand miles until I had it replaced for $650! I request an investigation on the transmission failures, specifically with the inability to reverse.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 10 mph, the transmission failed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the transmission failed without warning. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the transmission overheated, the fifth gear failed and the housing rod was fractured. The dealer also stated that the failure was common in the particular year, make and model vehicle. The failure and the current mileage was 153,435. Updated 04/19/lj updated 04/30/12.

Transmission failure, slips between gears, replacement required.

Ford Explorer transmission failed at 84000 miles. This vehicle was released from the factory in 2004 without proper transmission fluid additive. Ford addressed the problem 1 year later, but this transmission is failing well before its time. Repair costs are $4500. Ford will not offer any assistance.

Transmission failure!!! !the o/d warning began to flash. . . The recommendation is to service transmission ASAP. The only issue is that my 2004 Ford Explorer only has 61,672 miles. The estimated repair cost is approximately $2000-3000.

While driving down a 4-lane highway, transmission failed. No warning, just thump and done. My research reveals that dealership are reporting that 1 in 10 2004 Explorers have transmission failure. Also, heater blower motor went out over 1 year ago, leaving no default heat for defrosting the windshield.

Bought the car used with about 85,000 miles on it. After one year of average use (no towing or off-roading) the transmission failed (about 97,000 miles). Had it rebuilt and now 2 years and four months later it is failing again (at 122,000 miles).

Ford Explorer 2004 - transmission failure - premature transmission failure with only 56,497 miles on vehicle. Driven normally with no off road driving. No recalls or class actions at this time according to Ford. Numerous complaints of this problem posted on legitimate internet sites. Cost of repair $2800. 00.

This is in regards to transmission problems with Ford Explorers especially from the year 2000 to 2005. There have been few thousand complaints that I have seen on the internet and heard and also experience myself about the transmission an these vehicles and its ridiculous. The transmission bangs into gears like something is falling underneath bogs down when changing gears. Hesitates when changing gears and just plain transmission failure in which its happening before the vehicle even gets to 60k. I know hundreds of people that have had their transmission replaced at least twice before 100k so consumers please make note of these transmission problems on here because this is a real safety problem for you and your children. Thanks.

2004 Ford Explorer transmission failure.

I have been driving a 2004 Ford Explorer since December 2004 when my daughter left it for me when she moved. It had approximately 11,000 miles. She had noticed a hard shift, especially when going into reverse and a rough idle and vibration, but had not had a chance to have it looked at. Except for when I have been out of town, I have serviced that car at a Ford dealership religiously. I complained about these problems but nothing was ever found. I was not even told about some of the things I have read about on your website which seem to indicate that Ford was aware of the problems and causes. Finally, at just under 36,000 miles, the transmission failed and had to be replaced. Now, 47,000 miles later, this new transmission is leaking and they have to take it out to see where it's leaking from. I read here about that problem, too. To me, it is clear that Ford is using mickey mouse transmissions which, of course, pose a safety hazard depending on when, where, and how the failure manifests itself, and is also an affront to the consumer who is being defrauded by being sold a far more inferior vehicle than the one for which they bargained. So, how's your investigation going?.

The transmission failed early on at about 88000 miles, we purchased and replaced this. My husband had been in auto repair and parts for over 20 years, so him and my son done the repair, without counting anything for labor the total cost for the repair was around $2000. 00. From that point on we have had lots of major problems that had to be repaired or parts replaced. The intake and parts cost us around 700. 00, no charge for labor. The timing c+hain failed and we choose this time to take it to the repair shop which cost us $1100. 00!!! now at 156000 miles the transmission has failed, this one has around 68000 miles on it. We have never had one dime in help from Ford on anything. This is the third Explorer we have owned in the past 15 years. We also own 3 f-150's and a mustang. We have never had this kind of problems with any of the other vehicles. I can honestly say we are very disappointed in this 2004 Explorer and I feel we will most likely not purchase another Ford vehicle in the future!!!!!.

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 hard shift problems so I kept bringing it in to my local dealer even after my warranty expired. After 6 times at 2 dealers, it was doing the same thing. I do not blame the dealers, as they were only taking Ford factory direction. I called Ford customer service several times prior to my warranty end, and was always told to go back to the dealer. During those calls to customer service, I requested a Ford factory rep contact me but customer service refused and advised me again to go back to the dealer for service. Last week, my transmission finally failed at 87k miles. It still shifted hard, and had delayed shifts, but it suddenly had no reverse, and extreme slippage in first gear. The check transmission light started flashing for the first time so it stored a code. I took my Explorer back to the dealer who advised the code meant an internal failure of a band or other part and the transmission needed to be replaced at a cost of about $4500. The dealer service manager was very good about the entire problem, so I am still not at all upset with the local dealer. I paid almost $200 for the diagnostic of a failed band but decided to have the transmission repaired at a local transmission shop. There, the manager took the transmission apart to diagnose the problem and did not find a broken band or other part. He advised it was probably due to other problems that may have been there since it was new, and advised that I install a rebuilt transmission instead of rebuilding this one due to the problems with the aluminum case. I spent $3000; finally fixed.

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.

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 will see a huge list of people with the same problem. Ford has the nerve to ask for a bailout with my money, but they won't stand behind their lousy product!!! this is going to cost me at least $2500 to fix and I think since they have been aware of the problem from the start, they should have to correct it before we start handing them money. This is more than unfair! further, the plastic parts on these vehicles are cheap and break easily. One of my visors is suspended from the sunroof by a phone earphone cord because the plastic hinge broke and it dangles in your way when you are trying to see out the windshield. Please help!.

Back rear hatch cracked. Just like the 100's of others I found on my internet search of the problem. Our transmission also failed and had to be replaced, at our own cost.

2004 Ford Explorer transmission failure, shift slippage, delayed acceleration.

Transmission failure on Ford Explorer 2004. . . The transmission failed on my Explorer, 3 of the 4 gears were gone!. . . . This cost $7,000 to be replaced. . . I believe this is unacceptable for a 3 year old car to have this type of problem at this cost. Not to mention I worked with a guy who had an Explorer and a mountaineer and the transmission went on both of those vehicles. . They were an 02 and 04. Then this past week I had to have my brakes done. And the repair shop said I needed a few other minor things done. . . But I told them I had already spent $8,000 (all ball bearings replaced $1000 + 7000 for transmission)on the vehicle recently and can't get it done right now. And they asked if the problem was the transmission. . . I said, "yes why", they told me they had 5 Explorers from the around the same age as mine that had transmission failures. Now that's a total of 8 Explorers in my area and I have heard of others from other people. Ford needs to make good on this and offer some discount on a fix for this or have all the Explorers from this time period recalled. I bought a new transmission even though is was $4000 more than a rebuilt one, because it came with a life-time warranty. . . . I would appreciate it if there was an investigation made into Ford's Explorer so, that past and future problems can be rectified.

1 - transmission shifts hard into reverse. Starting happening at approx. 11k miles. Took to dealer twice under warranty to have repairs made, but still shifted hard. One repair at 11k and one repair at 34k. Each time I was told that this was 'normal' by dealer (bergstrom Ford of neenah). However, after repeated complaints, dealer (bergstrom Ford of neenah) made repairs that they believed would help resolve the issue. Issue never went away. 2 - complete transmission failure at 67k. Transmission would not shift into reverse. Could no back out of a parking stall at a retail store. Took to Ford dealer (les stumpf Ford) and got no assistance. Vehicle is out of warranty and I had to pay for repairs. Entire transmission needed replacement. No assistance from Ford to make repairs.

Transmission failed after 41000 miles. While this is outside the warranty, Ford has been known for transmission problems and won't fix the problem.

Our vehicle only has 36,000 miles on it, and the transmission has succumb to an extremely unsafe condition after warranted factory repair for the third time now, where the transmission fails to shift while driving and basically leaves you coasting without speed control during a regular shift interval.