Transmission Solenoid Problems of Ford Explorer - part 2

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact placed the gear shifter into reverse to drive and noticed that the transmission would hesitate before engaging. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technicians replaced the solenoid in the transmission. After the repairs were performed, the contact continued to experience the failure. There was also an abnormal grinding from the rear of the vehicle. The dealer replaced the rear end bearing, three rear axles, the pinion bar and seals and a shaft kit was installed. The dealer also advised that the failure was caused by an over torque by the manufacturer. In addition, the contact stated that the driver and passenger side sun visor joints were failing sporadically and causing the visors to obstruct the contact's vision of the roadway. The sun visors were not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.

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The overdrive light on my 2002 Ford Explorer is flashing (blinking) and the transmission is acting erratic. Shortly after buying this car(in 2003) a similar issue happened. I took it to a Ford shop. The mechanic requested the transmission be replaced. Ford denied the request & had the mechanic change only the solenoid(I believe for the 1st& 2nd gear?). Thankfully, this was under warranty. I've taken decent care of my transmission since in regards to maintenance. Now, this issue(or similar) is back. Before attempting to bring my car to Ford or another shop, I decided to check on the internet. . Read more...

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The transmission started slipping and would not engage right away. Engine would rev but vehicle wouldn't go. The vehicle then started smoking from underneath. The dealer stated that the transmission had a massive fluid leak inside the converter housing and fluid was dripping on the hot exhaust. The leak was caused by a defective pump seal in the transmission, with only 39,200 miles. The repair cost $1100. 00. Last year I spent $800. 00 to replace the failed solenoids in the transmission body that were posted in a Ford technical service bulletin. However, Ford did not wish to cover the cost since I was outside of the warranty by one year although I only had 35,900 miles at the time.

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On March 29 at 9pm while driving at 30 mph and passing a vehicle, my transmission stopped working. If felt like it dropped out of the bottom of my Ford Explorer 2004 with 63,445 miles. O/d light started blinking and check transmission was on the dash display. I immediately brought it to the nearest Ford dealership, unable to drive faster than 20 mph or shift gears. Reverse was completely not working. I had reported that I suspected transmission problems a year prior, and dealership stated that nothing was wrong. In October 2009 at 59,492 miles I brought it in to the same dealership and stated that while going into reverse and out of reverse the car made a clunking sound. Solenoid body was replaced under warranty. Approximately 3,000 miles later transmission was found to have a broken drum and needed to be replaced - warranty had expired.

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I was driving home from work yesterday afternoon, and my o/d off light began flashing. I pressed the o/d off button to see if that was the problem, and it did not do anything. I noticed that the car began having trouble when trying to shift gears while accelerating. Once the car does shift into the correct gear there is a strong jerk. Once I got home, I turned the car off and back on to see if the light was still flashing. It was not at first, but after driving a mile or so, it begins flashing again. I took it back to the dealership since I purchased this car less than a month ago. They stated that the solenoid transmission pack needs to be replaced, and that the part alone will cost $860. My family is living on one income right now, so we do not have the money for costly car repairs, especially when this seems to be a common problem and should be recalled by Ford to fix.

2002 Ford Explorer transmission problems. We bought this truck in Jan of o4 with 40,000 miles on it. Around 50,000 it started shifting funny, like missing a shift and banging into gear. Went to dealer and had system flushed. Had computer reflashed around 80,000 miles and reverse solenoid replaced along with flushing again, wow what a shock on the racks was 2 other Explorer getting new transmissions. Shortly after the o/d light started flashing then went out. Now it came on again. Went to dealer they said without the light on they couldn't say what is wrong for sure. Might be a accumulator or band. Suggested it would be better to get a Ford remanufactured trans that has all the problems corrected. This would cost over 3,000. He told be to keep driving it till the light starts coming on regulary then come in. If my trans is sealed from the factory with no way to check or add fluid, which by the way is just stupid. And there have been articles that have said that Ford might have shipped the transmissions with the incorrect fluid. They need to man up and fix these problems. I have been a Ford owner for over 20 years and cant believe with all the problems they haven't been forced to recall this trans before it fails and kills someone. Or maybe that's what it will take.

2002 Ford Explorer transmission,4. 0 v6. Od light flashes, check engine light,. Transmission hesitates then clunks into gear. I took car to garage, had the solenoids replaced, fluid and filter. Still have same problem.

O/d light began flashing and transmission started to slip from 2nd t 3rd gear. Had the trans solenoid pack replaced which helped for awhile but problem came back after a month or so. Took it to repair shop again and this time they said it's the 4th and 5th gear servos.

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Driving down the highway at 72 mph going up a slight incline with my newborn twins and 2 year old in the back of my 2002 Ford Explorer. The car starts jerking and sputtering and goes completely into neutral. On the highway. Take it to my mechanic. . . Transmission shot. Per my mechanic, this is very very common with this year and model transmission and he said I am very lucky there wasn't more traffic and I was able to pull off to the side of the road. My truck is in the shop and has been there for almost a week, having a new solenoid pack and transmission rebuilt.

1. Repeated transmission problems. O/d light blinking, expensive service, repeats every 12 months or so. 2. Approximately every 12 months. The vehicle requires service each time. The service runs from $300 - $1100. 3a. 01/07/05 57,424 miles: o/d light lite. No code when serviced. Changed $88. 00. 3b. 02/02/09 159,777 miles: code p0796. O/d light blinks. Required service. Replace shift solenoid body, fluid and filter ($1,179. 85). 3c. 10/13/09 172,769 miles: o/d light blinks. Required service. Replaced servo. $366. 40. 3d. 10/14/2010 172,779: check engine light. Required service. O2 sensor was unplugged during previous service. $00. 00.

2004 Ford Explorer (solenoid pack) repair 2nd time.

Driving down the road, o/d signal started to flash on and off. Now transmission is slow and hard shifting. We replaced the pressure switch solenoid and changed transmission filter and fluid. We had it put on a computer to see what the problem was and that it what it said, pressure sensor solenoid. Spent almost $400. And it didn't work. It has 73,000 miles on it.

Abrupt shifting from park to reverse. Took vehicle in four times for repair. Solenoid was replaced twice, transmission fluid additive, then transmission fluid flush. Unintended shifting by transmission resulting in vehicle to swerve at 50 plus miles per hour. Occurs daily on highway after letting off accelerator and coasting.

Faulty transmission. Was replaced at 58,049 miles with a re-manufactured one direct from Ford. 85,374 miles and it needs to be replaced again. Less than 20 days after the three year warranty, but mileage is still under. This made a loud grinding noise, and was dangerous when driving in traffic on the interstate. I have two small children that ride in this vehicle and do not appreciate that this has been a known issue with this vehicle model year, there is a part of the solenoid that could literally blow a hole in the transmission, which could cause a vehicle fire, and nothing has been done to hold Ford accountable by our government. We want people to buy american, yet aren't holding the manufacturers accountable for the quality of the products they put out, nor will they themselves stand behind a known issue and make it right for the thousands of consumers that gave them our hard earned money and purchased from them. I've owned five other brands of vehicles, which had more mileage on all of them than I currently have on this vehicle, and never had issues with a transmission on any of them. You ask several questions below relating to fire, damage, crash, death or injuries. It is only a matter of time before a fire or crash occurs because of this issue. A faulty transmission could cause a serious accident in heavy traffic because of non-performance, not to mention that the noise it made was very scary and I'm lucky that noise alone did not cause me to lose focus and have an accident. The government just provided millions of dollars in "bail-out" money to this company (again - consumer's hard earned money). Perhaps if they put out a higher quality product and stood behind it their sales would've been better and we wouldn't have to give them more money to keep selling us products that are not of the quality I expect from american made.

Add to the pile. We have a Ford Explorer limited, 2003 built 2004 model. I have had the rear differential repaired at my cost but the car still kicks when put into reverse. We live in australia. I have been told to have two additives put into the transmission fluid and replace the solenoid. The additives are not even available from Ford in australia. They sell it but no parts. Amazing. I even had to source the parts for the rear diff myself from the u. S. Ford australia could not give a price, date etc. They took the money but did not warn anyone about the fact that you are driving a time bomb. We bought this car used from a Ford dealer. I only wish there was a way to prove they knew and did not disclose. It would be an interesting class action against the dealers if Ford will not take responsibility. I just want to get rid of it but can't in clear conscience dump it on some other poor bugger. This car has suffered from every problem from flashing abs to diff to transmission. The last time the transmission slipped the car rolled. Luckily no one was in front of the car considering it was put into reverse.

O/d off light flashing, find out solenoid pack needs to be replaced. Also needs all 4 ball joints replaced. Found out these are very common problems to 02 Explorers. Not sure if we will repair because it looks like we'll end up doing it again or the transmission will go out. We've already replaced rear end, window motor and have faded window panels and a cracked back panel on lift gate. Why is the gov't not addressing these problems. This was not a cheap car - why is it acceptable to have this many problems with a vehicle?.

My 2002 Ford Explorer has a transmission going bad. At the end of my 36,000 mile warranty I took it in to a Ford dealership who said since the vehicle just went over the warranty by less than a 1,000 miles that they would share in the cost of doing the work. It cost me approx. $700. For what I have since learned was a solenoid. Now, (70,000 miles later) I'm being told the transmission is bad and needs to be replaced.

I own a 2005 Ford exploer with 74k miles that continues to have transmission problems including shifting hard when placing in reverse, as well as lurching upon slowing down and stopping. I purchased the vehicle may 2005 and the problem started around 65k miles. I've been told that I need a solenoid valve body by the dealership that will cost $1100 with no diagnostic testing. I've taken the vehicle to a transmission body shop to be informed that my year vehicle has such problems and why Ford doesn't do something about these problems. The transmission place did not find transmission code problems, but the problems still exist. They did receive get an engine code error and referred me to electrical specialist. I'm disturbed to find out on-line all the problems that other owners are having concerning transmission problems and the same issues that I am having. Ford motor company needs to be help responsible for these issues and cover the problem since they already know the issue even without doing a diagnostic.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the transmission would slip between second and third gears. While shifting gears, the rpms would accelerate very high and the vehicle would jerk and perform as if it were in the neutral position. A diagnostic was performed and indicated that the solenoids were faulty. The current and failure mileages were less than 99,000.

No accident or injury has occurred. The transmission shifter binds when shifting into park. The interlock solenoid pin has worn a grove in the cam in which it contacts. When shifting from any gear to park, if you release the brake pedal at the right time the vehicle will not go fully into park.

Purchased 2004 exp XLT in 2007 with 34,600 miles. Took it to dealer while still under warranty. Said jerking into reverse and delayed shifting between 2nd + 3rd was "normal". Found out "normal" meant they all do it, but not that it is correct. A Ford dealer told me solenoid body replacement will fix it. After reading the numerous complaints on-line, am not sure. The seat belt retractors do not work (didn't on the '94 either) but at least the seats in the 94 were comfortable. Just do not ever buy a Ford again!. A friend has exactly the same model with exactly the same issue. Hard to believe Ford does not want to do anything for their customers. But it does make it easy to understand why life-long Ford owners will never own another one. My froend said they only offered him $3200 for his 2004 exp XLT on a trade-in. Not very much unless they know about the problem. Really sad Ford will do nothing. I feel bad for all the good service people that are foced to lie to customers while Ford hides behind the curtain.

I understand there are worse vehicle failures out there, but the sheer fact that so many owners of my vehicle, 2004 Ford Explorer (and its respective brothers: Lincoln aviator and Mercury mountaineer) are experiencing transmission failure has led me here. The transmission in my truck is getting progressively worse and at the moment I am almost afraid to have my wife and our 2 children ride in it. The delay in the shift causes us to slow slightly in traffic and I fear (as do so many other Ford/Mercury and Lincoln owners experiencing the same problem) that its inevitable failure may result in an accident or worse. Ford refuses to accept any responsibility for this even though every owner is experiencing this at the same mileage on the same model vehicle. One recall, in 2005 I believe, addressed a need for "solenoid additive" to the transmission. Many feel this was just a band-aid placed over a broken bone for Ford and merely delayed the transmissions failure. (past the warranty) could it be that so many Explorer / mountaineer / aviator owners are simply running their $30,000+ vehicles into the ground? or is Ford refusing to stand behind a faulty product? just like the firestone tires several years back, Ford should be held accountable before a bad situation becomes disastrous.

2004 Ford Explorer eddie bauer transmission problem (seen on many complaint websites. ) solenoid body needs repair at 75,000 miles on car that has diligently had all scheduled maintenance. This causes transmission to slip hard in reverse and in transition between gears. It happened once and almost caused accident. No automobile needs to have this replaced under 150,000 miles. This costs $1,100 to fix (5 hours of labor and the part is $525. ) the price of the part is ridiculous. Take care.

I purchased a 2004 Explorer limited with 18,000 miles. At 28,000 miles the dealership replaced a solenoid in the transmission per Ford to eliminate a large "thud" when the vehicle was shifted into reverse. The problem went away for awhile but returned. Today at 78,000 the vehicles transmission has failed and the dealership states it needs replacement. Extended warranty provider refuses to cover the work. I have read that Ford installed the wrong transmission fluid at the factory as well. Bottom line is the Ford transmission is defective and everyone knows it. How about a little justice here for the consumer?.

2002 Ford Explorer transmission problems. Ford is aware that the transmission solenoid they use in their transmissions are faulty.

The overdrive light was blinking, and the check engine light was on. After having the car scanned by a mechanic, we were told that the pc solenoid in the tranny was out. We brought it to the dealer it was purchased at, and they performed the same test and fixed it at a cost of $1058. 18. A week later it is shifting hard. Plus after using the 4wheel drive only twice, it would not go into 4 wheel drive. When I took it to the dealership they told me the 4x4 modular had failed this after a 140. 50 check, and they wanted 600. 00 to fix, this while putting brakes on it. And when I asked what would cause it go out, the service manager told me " how would I know?".

There is clearly a defect in Ford Explorer transmissions. My 2004 Explorer had shifting problems at the 2-21/2 year mark. It was limped through by replacing the solenoid. Now at 42/3 years (out of warranty) it is doing the exact same thing and suddenly needs a new transmission at the 41,000 mile mark. I feel Ford has a clear problem based on the number of complaints and I am sure that is a small fraction of the problem as most people don't know to complain. Ford has put bandaids on the problem until the warranty is up, then the consumer gets stuck. While this may not be a safety issue, it is clearly a defective transmission/ design flaw and consumers need to be compensated. What does it take to have something recalled? does a life have to be lost? these transmissions are lemons and the consumers have been ripped off. Many probably remain silent because they think they were just unlucky so I am sure the complaints you have are just the tip of the iceberg. It seems your agency should protect not just from injury, but from frauds and deception. Ford has been deceptive and should be accountable for these lemons.

- Ford TSB # 06-4-4 (binding during turning); solution is limited slip clutch pack replacement - Ford TSB # 05-23-3 (rear diff. Hum); solution is axle repair kit - Ford TSB # 4-24-17 (5r55w transmission - no 3rd gear or slipping 2-3 shift); solution is replacement of intermediate clutch bands - chronic o/d light blinking with dtc p0755 (pressure control solenoid b circuit malfunction) this is just the list of issues I don't have the capability to properly troubleshoot. I have done a lot of other work already myself which I won't mention. Ford is aware of these problems with many 02' Explorer's as I have read. In my opinion, these problems should be corrected at no charge to the owner as these problems are not isolated cases.

Ford Explorer 1999. . . O/d blinking, transmission missed 2nd or 3rd gears, fixed couple times including switches, solenoid,etc. The mechanic suggest to replace transmission, but not guarantee that will fix it.

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Purchased used 2004 Explorer XLT 12/6/07 at 53,000 miles. Approx 6 mos later, it began having delayed shifting and would jerk into reverse. At times I had pulled out too far into the road and needed to back up to avoid a collision and the car would not safely reverse quickly. It would hesitate and then jerk into reverse at a high speed. The tranny would slip after slowing down and then accelerating. Once after shifting into reverse, I hit the gas and it revved up as if in neutral. I paused and hit the gas again without changing gears and it reversed. The first dealer said its tranny fluid was low and they topped it off. No change. The second dealer reprogrammed it with no change. They replaced the solenoid which seemed to fix the jerky shifting and improper acceleration. Now it is progressively getting worse again, just like last time. It starts out only having issues once a month and then they become more regular until it happens every time you drive the car. I don't think the car is safe as I cannot get it to move quickly when I need it to. The car has a new appointment with the dealer and I think they are going to replace the transmission. I have seen sites where hundreds of other Explorer owners have had the same problem, sometimes even much worse than this one. The dealers are stumped because it doesn't show any codes. According to the computer nothing is wrong with my car when even I can tell that it has major transmission problems. It now has 80,000 and I have paid the deductible at least three times and still no change. I better have a new transmission coming to me. . .

I bought my 2003 Explorer in 2002 at 110 miles. Within the 3 year warranty the air conditioning had a urine smell and knocking noise in the rear but they didn't want to fix it. As a result I have a slow leak which means it has to be charged every year. In Feb 2007 a crack formed in the rear panel they didn't want to fix. October 2007 at 45000 miles I needed wheel bearings for inspection. At 48000 miles when I paid my truck off may 2008, within a few days the 0/d light & service engine soon light came on resulting in my gears slipping. I found out through several shops that my 2nd and fifth gears were burned out. The dealership said the solenoid body, then has to go in to check for more. I filed a complaint with the attorney general because I had no extended warranty which was a waste of time because Ford wasn't cooperating. So now it's June 2009 and I'm still driving it a whole year later because I can't afford to get it fixed. I learned how to drive the truck but I'm reminded everyday about the problems. Park to reverse is a struggle, it doesn't start easily sometimes, it has no power while driving, abs and door ajar lights stay on, and reverse alarm when to close doesn't work, and instead of being happy I paid it off it's nothing but a feeling of frustration, anger, and regret for buying from Ford.

I purchased a 2004 eddie bauer 4. 0 liter Explorer. The previous owner brought the vehicle back for all recalls, particularly those related to the transmission. This included a complete trans fluid flush even though the Ford states the 1st maint. On tranny is 100 k miles, changed the front seal that supposedly "corrodes in the presence of the old transmission fluid', and had the solenoid body changed to correct the transmission shifting problem. Now the transmission is failing again at 34,000 miles. It shifts erratically and feels unusual while driving in forward, and once warmed up and at a stop, when shifting from drive to reverse, there is a 1 too 2 second pause and then the transmission shifts violently into reverse. Mechanic tells me that tranny will eat itself up. In short all preventable maint. And recalls have been done on car to avoid problem, and yet at 34k miles tranny is experiencing same problem again. You really need to put Fords feet to the fire and get this fixed as a recall as this is a safety issue. Web is full of reports of trannys die-ing on the road with no warning. You all are the watchdog, please do your job.

Driving to work from home, o/d off light began flashing and going from 1st to 2nd gear lagged. Returning home that night, o/d off light began flashing and service engine soon light came on along with lagging in shifting. Took to mechanic who performed transmission maintenance and replaced solenoid. This corrected service engine light, but o/d light still flashed. Found filings in transmission fluid which led to replacing transmission. Found forums that related similar problems with transmission. At least I got 90,000 miles before this happened.

Transmission is/has gone out on my 2002 Ford Explorer xls 4x4. There are hundreds of others that have had the same issue with the transmission, solenoid b going out and requiring a transmission rebuild or a new one!! if all these people are having a problem, there needs to be a recall! Ford needs to face their mistake so that loyal Ford consumers will return. I have owned 3 Fords, and never again after this. Ford really did themselves in with this one!.

Purchased a 2004 Ford Explorer new at a local dealership. I started having transmission problem soon after purchase. Not shifting into reverse properly. Took the vehicle several times back to dealership. Received transmission additive recall and took vehicle back again. About 5,000 miles after additive transmission problems worsened. Solenoid replace at 20,000 miles and again at 35,000 with other transmission parts replaced. Now at 59,000 miles of use transmission is completely gone and must be replaced.