2004 Ford Explorer complaints

GASOLINE ODOR. *JB

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

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 REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK

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 4 WHEEL DRIVE 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 4 WHEEL DRIVE COMPUTER. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V442000 REGARDING HATCHBACK HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. *AK UPDATED 1/25/2006 - THE HINGES SHEARED OFF AND THE HATCH ON THE LIFTGATE FELL OFF WHEN OPENING. THE PART HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT FORDS REPLACEMENT HINGES HAVE NOT BEEN MODIFIED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. FORD REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIR. *NM

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 COMMON PROBLEM. BEGINNING AGAIN IN EARLY DECEMBER OF THIS YEAR, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN THE SAME PATTERN OF SLIPPING. THE TRUCK WAS NOW IN SERVICE FOR 2 YEARS, BUT HAD 40,000 MILES. THE TRUCK WAS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE NEW "SOLENOID" SWITCH IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS LAST TIME. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER ANYTHING OFF OF THE REPAIR CHARGE SO WE CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. WE WERE TOLD WE SHOULD HAVE HAD ALL OF OUR REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THIS PROBLEM WOULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT SOONER. NEXT WE WERE TOLD THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT NOT ENOUGH HAD FAILED YET SO THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE SERVICE REP OFFERED TO PAY FOR $400 OF THE REPAIR SINCE WE HAD REPLACED THIS PART ONCE AND TOLD US THAT WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FORD PAID FOR ANYTHING SINCE THE TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I AM GRATEFUL FORD PAID FOR PART OF THE REPAIR, BUT I FEEL STRONGLY A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPAIRED TWICE IN ONE YEAR FOR THE SAME PART. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT TRANSMISSION FAILURE SON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. WHEN SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED FOR A FEW SECONDS, MAKING A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND THEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY THE DEALER SIX TIMES. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT COULD NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE REPLACED ON ORDER TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION, INCLUDING THE REAR SPEED SENSOR, THE SOLENOID BODY, AND SEVERAL COMPONENTS WERE LUBRICATED. NONE OF THESE REPLACEMENTS SEEMED TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION. DURING THE MOST RECENT FAILURE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS INVOLVED ACCIDENT WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. HE ATTEMPTED TO BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY DURING ICY CONDITIONS. THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED. HE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE AND STEPPED ON THE GAS. THE TRANSMISSION IMMEDIATELY ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE IN THE YARD. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED HEAVY DAMAGE. THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED BECAUSE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. THE VEHICLE IS NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF THE INSURANCE COMPANY AT THEIR IMPOUND LOT. *AK

1. OPENED THE BACK HATCH GLASS 2. THE LEFT HINGE BROKE AND THE GLASS FELL. I WAS ABLE TO CATCH THE GLASS TO KEEP IT FROM FALLING. I PUSHED THE GLASS BACK UP AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE GLASS CLOSED AND LATCHED. MY LEFT SHOULDER HAS BEEN HURTING SINCE THE INCIDENT. *JB 3. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE HINGE BRACKET. THEY REPLACED BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT HINGES.

DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL GO IN AND OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. FORD HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY FORD EXPLORER 4DOOR SPORT TRAC HAS STALLED, BECAUSE MY TEENAGE CHILDREN HAVE ACCIDENTALLY BUMPED/KICKED THE INERTIA CONTROL DEVICE FOR FUEL SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING/DRIVING. THIS DEVICE HAS ITS OWN PUSH START BUTTON TO RESTART FUEL OPERATIONS ONCE THE VEHICLE STOPPED. I WAS ON THE BELTWAY 495 DOING 65 MPH THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED. I HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY PULL OFF AND ALMOST GOT HIT BY A TRACTOR TRAILER ON TWO OCCASIONS. ON 11-18-2005 THE DEALER FAILED TO COVER THIS DEVICE SAYING THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. HOWEVER THE TECHNICIAN STATED HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL CARS RETURNED FOR THE SAME THING. *NM

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE COMING TO A STOP. THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO THE GARAGE WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE TIRES STARTED SQUEALING AND SPINNING. THE VEHICLE THEN HAD GONE OUT OF CONTROL AND LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO GO THROUGH A SET OF CABINETS AND PINNED THE CONSUMERS HUSBAND BETWEEN A WALL AND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SUFFERED MAJOR DAMAGE AND WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE CONSUMERS HUSBAND SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES AND SPENT A WEEK IN THE TRAUMA UNIT. THE ACCIDENT HAD BEEN INVESTIGATED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. PICTURES AND OTHER DOCUMENTATION ARE AVAILABLE. THERE WAS OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGE. *AK (12/08/05) *SC

DT: THE CONTACT STATES HIS VEHICLE IS STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND THE PCM WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE STALLED THREE TIMES ON NOVEMBER 6, 2005. THIS HAPPENS WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. *AK

2004 FORD EXPLORER SHIFTING/TRANSMISSION SELANOID SHIFTING PROBLEM CAUSING A SAFETY DEFECT WITH THE VEHICLE. I HAVE SOPKEN WITH TWO DIFFERENT SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE DEALERSHIP WHO HAVE INDICATED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT AND HAVE WRITTEN MANY OF THESE ISSUES. FIRST INCIDENT 11/02/2004, SECOND INCIDENT 11/2/2004. ANOTHER PERSON IN MY OFFICE HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. ATTORNEYS HAVE WEB SITE REQUESTING PEOPLE TO COME FORWARD WITH 2004 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION OR SHIFTING PROBLEM THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN.

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

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE TIE ROD HOUSING THAT ATTACHES TO THE WHEEL FAILED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL. THIS INCIDENT CAUSE D AN ACCIDENT WITH NO INJURIES. THIS OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING AT 15 -20 MPH. THE WHEEL HIT THE TELEPHONE POLE WHICH CAUSED MAJOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THE VEHICLE, AND URGED HIM TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

HELLO, I HAVE A FRIEND WHO WORKS AT CARMAX, HE TOLD ME ALL EXPLORERS NO MATTER WHICH SUFFER FROM REALLY BAD RING AND PINION GEARS. MY FATHER IN LAW BOUGHT A BRAND NEW EXPLORER LAST YEAR, THIS YEAR IT HAS 50K MILES AND THE RING AND PINION ARE WHINING LIKE CRAZY. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE DEFECT BUT THEY WANT TO WAIT UNTIL 2010 WHEN MOST OF THE PEOPLE'S WARRANTIES EXPIRE IN MY OPINION. THEY SAY THE SAME TO EVERYONE, THAT ITS NOT TOO BAD TO CONSIDER REPLACING IT. *JB

2004 FORD EXPLORER - I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW IN DEC. 03. STARTING AT APPROXIMATELY 14 MONTHS OLD, IT STARTS STALLING OUT, JUST DYING COMPLETELY. NO SIGNS, NO SYMPTOMS, JUST DIE AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I CHALKED IT UP TO BAD GAS OR SOMETHING? FINALLY, ON THE 3RD. DEAD TIME, I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THEY CHANGED A FUSE AND IT SHOULD BE FINE. IT DIED AGAIN ... AND AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK. THEY INSTALLED A BLACK BOX (FLIGHT RECORDER & TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT UNTIL THE MACHINE REGESTERED "3". I HAD TO KEEP THE BUTTON BY THE STEERING COLUMN SO I COULD PUSH IT QUICKLY WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FIRST STALL, I PUSHED THE BUTTON & IT REGISTERED "2". IT DIED AGAIN JUST A BLOCK DOWN THE ROAD (RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON CASINO ROW, HWY 90). I PUSHED THE BUTTON AGAIN & IT REGISTERED "3". THE NEXT WEEK I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY HAD THE CAR 4 DAYS THIS TIME & COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT. FINALLY THEY CALLED THE ENGINEERS WHO SAID TO "CLEAN & TIGHTEN THE GROUNDING STRAPS". THAT FRIDAY, IT DIED AGAIN. A COUPLE OF TIMES IT HAS DIES, MY NEWLY LICENSED DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING & NOW SHE IS AFFRAID OF MY CAR! THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS WHEN IT DIES. WE WERE COMING BACK FROM WALMART & I KEPT TELLING HER "TURN, TURN", SHE YELLED "I CAN'T". THE CAR HAD DIED AGAIN! BECAUSE OF THE HURRICANE, I COULDN'T TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK IN. IT DIED A TOTAL OF 6 TIMES DURING EVACUATION. 5 IN SLOW TRAFFIC JAMS & ONCE WHEN COMING 60 MPH OFF THE INTERSTATE ONTO AN EXIT. I HAVE SINCE TA

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 NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO FIX IT. THEY TOLD ME TO JUST DRIVE THE VEHICLE. ALSO CONTACTED THE FORD MANUFACTURER I WAS TOLD THE SAME THING FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THIS VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

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

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 IN 2 DAYS ON 10/15/05... ALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY THE NECESSARY PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK-ORDER SO FORD CONSTANTLY PUTS A "BAND-AID" ON THE PROBLEM SO IN THE INTERIM, I AM SUBJECT TO MAJOR INCONVENIENCES AND DANGER BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. *JB

THE ISSUE I AM ENCOUNTERING WITH MY FORD 2004 IS ON SEVERAL OCCASION WHILE DRIVING THE FAIL SAFE INDICATOR CAME ON AND SHUTS THE ENTIRE VEHICLE DOWN. WELL AFTER THESE INCIDENTS I DECIDED TO REPORT THE MATTER TO ONE OFF THE DEALER''S, AFTER A WEEK OF HOLDING ON TO IT THE REPORT CAME BACK THAT THEY COULD FINE NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO TO HELP. WELL AFTER SHUTTING DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING, SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. SHE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP SIX TIMES SINCE 8-23-05. THE CAR STALLED AT 40 MPH OR LESS. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE COMPUTER CHIP AND AN AIR FILTER PIECE. IT STILL STALLED. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 8-19-05. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS THAT COME ON PRIOR TO STALLING. THE RPMS DROPPED DRAMATICALLY BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. THIS DID HAPPEN ONLY WHEN SHE TOOK FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR. SHE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE LEMON LAW BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR, 25,500 MILES. THE MILES THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED THE MILEAGE WAS 23,800. SHE SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER , AND SAID THEY WERE NOT SYMPATHETIC. *AK

LTR FWD EMAIL FM CONSUMER RE DEFECTIVE MICHELIN CROSS TERRAIN P235/70R-16 TIRES FOR A 2004 FORD EXPLORER, REQUEST A DEFECT INVESTIGATION, DOT/I32005-5097. *TS WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. A SOON AS THE CONSUMER PULLED OF THE ROAD THE TIRE BLEWOUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE DEALER. THE TIRE TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH RESULTED IN INTERIOR LINER SEPARATION AND SIDEWALL SEPARATION. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE BUT THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY A PRO-RATED PRICE FOR A NEW TIRE. THIS TIRE WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT O THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE OTHER THREE TIRE WILL FAIL IN THE SAME MANNER. *NM

2004 FORD EXPLORER IN DEALERSHIP SERVICE 5 TIMES FOR SLIPPING IN THE REAR WHILE DRIVING IN LOW SPEEDS AROUND CORNERS, STILL NOT FIXED! DEALERSHIP HAS ALSO ATTEMPTED TO FIX SEVERE DELAYED JERKING AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE ON 3 OCCASIONS. HAD VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP FOR 35,000 SERVICE, DEALERSHIP TOOK IT UPON THEMSELVES TO ATTEMPT TO FIX REAR END AGAIN AND REPLACE BEARINGS IN THE HUB WITH OUT MY PERMISSION! GOING TO ARBITRATION WITH THE BBB AUTOLINE TO REQUEST FORD REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE AS IT IS VERY EVIDENT THESE PROBLEMS HAVE EXISTED FOR YEARS AND STILL EXIST WITH THE NEWER MODELS. THANK GOODNESS NO ONE WAS HURT, EXCEPT MY WALLET! THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED ME AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR MY TROUBLES IN JULY, IT IS NOW THE LAST DAY OF SEPTEMBER AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT! LEMON LAW - 3 ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM AND YOU QUALIFY.

DT: WHILE DRIVING ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2005 THE ABS FAILED. WHEN THIS OCCURRED IT CAUSED THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE ABS, MAINTENANCE, AND FOUR WHEEL LIGHTS CAME ON AND BLINKED WHEN HE LOST THE BRAKES. A DIAGNOSIS TEST WAS PERFORMED, AND IT SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SPEED SENSOR. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SPEED SENSOR IN THE REAR WHICH WAS CALLED ASY-T. THE FUEL GAUGE BROKE. IT SHOWED THE FUEL TANK LEVEL WAS HIGHER THAN WHAT IT REALLY WAS. THE DRIVER'S REAR WINDOW MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COVER OVER THE HATCHBACK HANDLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, HAD TO REPLACE THE WEATHER STRIPPING. THERE HAS BEEN A REPAIR DONE TO THE FOUR BY FOUR UNIT. THERE WERE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK

WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IT WENT INTO GEAR ROUGH AND I ASKED THE SALES PERSON ABOUT IT AND HE SAID THAT IS HOW THIS VEHICLE GOES INTO GEAR. WE STARTED TO NOTICE HESITATION WHEN WE ACCELERATED FROM EITHER A STOP OR WHILE DRIVING. WE BROUGHT IT IN AND THEY SAID THEY CALIBRATED THE COMPUTER. THEN WE STARTED TO GET REAR END LEAKS AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED 3 TIMES. THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS CONTINUED AND WE BROUGHT IT TO ANOTHER DEALER BECAUSE OF THE POOR SERVICE AT THE PURCHASING DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED A SOLENOID VALVE AND OVERHAULED MAIN CONTROL. THIS DID NOT HELP AND THEN THE PROBLEM BEGAN TO SHOW NEW SYMPTOMS. NOW WHEN WE BACK UP IT LOCKS UP AND THEN JERKS BACK INTO GEAR GOING BACKWARDS. I HAVE TOLD BOTH DEALERSHIPS OF MY CONCERNS ABOUT RESIDUAL DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION AND WAS ASSURED THAT IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN. IT HAS. OUR LAST COUPLE OF VISITS WE HAVE BEEN LIED TO AND THE WORK ORDER HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTLY REFLECTING WHAT WE SAID AND WHAT WAS FOUND BY THE TECH'S. THERE IS NO MENTION ON THE REPORT THAT TWO OF THEN HAD THE REVERES PROBLEMS HAPPENING TO THEM. I DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE WITH IT LIKE THAT BUT THEY WOULD NOT CHANGE IT. I DO HAVE A TECH'S STATEMENT WRITTEN ON IT AND SIGNED. NOW THEY REPLACED THE REAR END ABS SENSOR AND FOLLOWED THE 05-3-8 RECALL 4X4 CONTROL MODULE PER HOTLINE. THEY SAID THEY DID TWO ROAD TESTS BUT I CHECKED MY MILEAGE AND THEY ONLY DROVE 1.9 MILES. HOW CAN YOU DO TWO TRANSMISSION ROAD TESTS WITHIN 1.9 MILES? WE ARE VERY CONCERNED AND AFRAID TO DR

DT: 2004 FORD EXPLORER - THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT STEERING DIFFICULTY AS WELL AS POPPING/JOLTING SENSATION. THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF SPEED, BUT ONLY OCCURS IN SHARP TURNS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN FIXED, BUT THIS INFORMATION IS NECESSARY FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE INFORMED. THIS APPLIES TO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ON 2004 AND 2005 MODELS. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A U TURN THE VEHICLE IS IN TWO WHEEL DRIVE BECAUSE THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE DID NOT ENGAGE ON ITS ON.*AK

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

SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS POPPED OUT AFTER THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS SHUT. *JB

WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE PAUSES AND THEN JUMPS INTO GEAR. IT HAS DONE THIS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.

WE LEASE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER [XXX]. THE VEHICLE STALLS. WE HAVE HAD DUTHLER FORD IN GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN TRY AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP OFF AND ON FOR WELL OVER 3-WEEKS. WE THOUGHT IT WAS REPAIRED THE LAST TIME BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS OVER THE LAST 3,000 MILES...UNTIL YESTERDAY. THEY VEHICLE STALLED 2-TIMES AND LOST ACCELERATION 3-TIMES. ALL THE DRIVERS IN MY FAMILY (4) HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM, AND FOTURNATELY NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED (YET). FORD AND THE DEALER SAY THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I NOTICED AN INCREASING NOISE COMING FROM MY FRONT TIRES OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER 2WD EDDIE BAUER ON 8/18/05 - 8/19/05. I CHECKED AND DISCOVERED THAT 2 OF THE 5 RIGHT FRONT WHEEL LUGS NUTS WERE BROKEN OFF. WHEN I FURTHER CHECKED THE TENSION OF THE 3 REAMINING LUG NUTS, I DISOVERD THAT 2 OF THEM WERE ALSO BROKEN OFF BUT WEDGED IN THE RIM. I HAD ONE LUG NUT HOLDING THE WHEEL ON IN PLACE. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT AS I DRIVE HOME FROM MY EMPLOYER AAA MICHIGAN AT SPEEDS OF 55 MPH. I ROTATED THESE TIRES 1,000 MILES AGO, JUST AS I HAVE ROTATED TIRES ON 20 CARS OVER THE COURSE OF 35 YEARS. I HAD HAND TIGHTENED THE LUG NUTS. SOMEONE NEEDS TO CHECK THE QUALITY OF THESE LUG NUTS FOR POTENTIAL DEFECTS.

DT: 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING, THIS HAPPENED AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE ROLLED OFF OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF IN ORDER FOR IT COMES BACK ON. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. ALSO, COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT. *AK

THERE IS A WHINE OR "HOWL" COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE OF OUR 2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH LESS THAN 9000 MILES ON IT. WE BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE FORD DEALER IN CAMDENTON, MO WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM THAT THERE IS A LOUD WHINE COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50 AND PEAKS AT 62. THEY SAID THAT THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THOSE AND SAID SOMETHING ABOUT THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY NEED A REAR PINION SEAL. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR TWO DAYS AND HAVING GIVEN US THE IMPRESSION THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE FIXED, THEY SAID THAT THE PROBLEM ISN'T BAD ENOUGH TO WARRANT REPAIR AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE BROKEN IN LONGER. I WAS TOLD THAT TWICE, ONCE ON THE PHONE AND ONCE IN PERSON WHEN I GOT THERE TO PICK IT UP. I TOLD THE MAN THAT I DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT AND THAT THE WHINE IS GETTING WORSE, NOT BETTER. *NM

DELAY/HARSH CLUNK WHEN SHIFTING TO REVERSE. *NM

TIRE FAILURE. WE TOOK THE TIRE IN TO GET IT PLUGGED, BUT IT WAS THE INNER LINING, IT SPLIT APART AND THE TIRE WAS NOT SAFE TO PLUG. (GOODRICH TIRE) WE TOOK THE TIRE TO AN AUTHORIZED GOODRICH DEALER AND THEY TOLD US THAT IT WAS A COSMETIC FIX AND THAT IT WOULD BE SAFE TO FIX. AFTER THE FIRESTONE ORDEAL, I DON'T FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE MY EXPLORER ANY MORE. I WILL LET THE COMPANY KNOW ABOUT THE GOODRICH TIRE FAILURE. *NM

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, NOT KNOWING IF THE TRUCK WILL MOVE OR NOT. LEATHER SEAT COVERS WERE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE FROM THE DEALER, AS AFTER 6 MONTHS THERE WERE NUMEROUS CRACKS IN THE LEATHER. *NM

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 VEHICLE HESITATED FOR 3-4 SECONDS BEFORE ENGAGING. SEVERAL OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS THAT I KNOW HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY PROBLEM. *NM

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 OCCURRED YESTERDAY, 7/26/05, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED NOSE DOWN ON A HILL, REQUIRING ME TO BACK UP TO LEAVE A PARKING SPOT IN THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH, WELL KNOWN FOR ITS HILLY TERRAIN. BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION LAG, I ALMOST DRIFTED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME BEFORE THE VEHICLE FINALLY WENT INTO REVERSE. I HAVEN'T NOTICED THIS IN ANY FORWARD GEARS WITH THIS VEHICLE, BUT THIS IS THE THIRD AND MOST NOTICEABLE EVENT TO DATE. HAD A PEDESTRIAN WALKED IN FRONT OF ME, THERE MAY HAVE BEEN AN INJURY, OR EVEN A FATALITY. AFTER THIS EVENT, I AM RETURNING THE VEHICLE ASAP TO THE DEALER. I WILL ONLY USE REVERSE AT THIS TIME WITH MY LEFT FOOT ON THE BRAKE UNTIL I FEEL THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGE. UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW IN DECEMBER OF 2004 AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE DEPT. 8 TIMES IN THE PAST 7 MONTHS FOR WARRANTY REPAIRS. IT HAS BEEN IN 4 TIMES FOR "HARD CRANKS BUT NO START", 4 TIMES FOR ROUGH IDLING, 1 TIME FOR AN RPM PROBLEM (AND IN NEXT WEEK FOR A DIFFERENT ONE- IT STAYS AROUND 3 RPM AFTER ACCELERATING- I HAVE TO LET OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL FOR IT TO SHIFT DOWN), AND IT HAS BEEN IN FOR MISC. ISSUES (WHISTLING NOISE AT FRONT WINDOW, RATTLING CONSOLE, ETC.). EACH TIME IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN FOR THE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS, THEY "UPGRADE THE PCM". I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND I HAVE CONTACTED FORD DIRECTLY NUMEROUS TIMES FOR A REPURCHASE BECAUSE OF MY DAUGHTER'S MEDICAL CONDITION. IT REQUIRES THAT SHE HAS RELIABLE AND SAFE TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP KNEW ABOUT HER NEEDS WHEN WE BOUGHT THIS SUV. HOWEVER, I KEEP GETTING SHUTTLED BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE DEALERSHIP, (SCHIMMER FORD, ILLINOIS) AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY. AS A LONG TIME PURCHASER OF FORD VEHICLES, I AM REALLY DISAPPOINTED IN THE TREATMENT THAT I AM RECEIVING.

MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A FAIRLY SEVERE SIDE-IMPACT COLLISON THAT KNOCKED OUR 2004 FORD EXPLORER, EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL SIDE-IMPACT CURTAIN AIRBAGS, 4 FEET SIDEWAYS, DESTROYED THE DRIVER'S DOOR (DIRECT IMPACT TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR) COLLAPSED IT INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, AND RESULTED IN $6,000 OF INSURANCE-ESTIMATED DAMAGE. THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER THAT HAS THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS INDICATED THAT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHY THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND THAT THE ON-BOARD CHECK SYSTEM DOES NOT INDICATE ANY FAULTS. MY WIFE DID KNOCK HER HEAD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DURING THE COLLISION, BUT DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE SUSTAINED ANY LASTING INJURIES. I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS SAFETY SYSTEM WE PAID EXTRA FOR DOES NOT OPERATE AS INTENDED, AND DOES NOT APPEAR TO AFFORD THE PROTECTION PROMISED BY FORD. I HAVE DIGITAL PICTURES OF THE DAMAGED VEHICLE AND THE ACCIDENT IF YOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD LIKE TO INSPECT THEM...JUST NEED TO KNOW WHERE TO UPLOAD THEM TO.

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.

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.

2004 FORD EXPLORER...WELL KNOWN TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, DELAY AND "BUCKING" INTO REVERSE...FORD DEALER HAS TRIED TO FIX BUT TO NO AVAIL...

DT: THE CHROME ON THE WHEELS WAS CHIPPING OFF AND THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT HE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO GET THEM FIXED AND THAT THE CRACKING IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX THEM FOR FREE. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THAT THEY WILL ASSIST THE CONSUMER IN PAYING FOR THE PROBLEM BUT THE CONSUMER TURNED THEM DOWN. *AK *SC *JB

WITHIN 7,000 MILES OF PURCHASING MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER (EDDIE BAUER EDITION) I BEGAN NOTICING A PROGRESSIVELY WORSENING SLAMMING INTO GEAR. AT FIRST IT WAS JUST INTO REVERSE, THEN IT WAS FROM REVERSE INTO FORWARD DRIVE GEARS, THEN IT WOULD SLAM EVERY TIME IT CHANGED GEARS. WHEN I TOOK IT IN, FORD REPLACED THE VALVE BODY FOR THE TRANSMISSION, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, AND A SOLENOID. SEEMED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 10K MILES. THEN THE REVERSE SLAMMING STARTED AGAIN AND SOME SLIGHT SLAMMING WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO THE FORWARD GEAR. SO I TOOK IT BACK AND ALSO ASKED THEM TO DO SOME ROUTINE MAINTANENCE INSPECTIONS, DURING WHICH TIME THEY INFORMED ME MY REAR LEFT WHEEL BEARING WAS BAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEABLE. AT THIS TIME THEY ALSO TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. NOW, 10K MILES LATER, IT'S BACK IN THE SHOP WITH SLAMMING GEARS AND WHINING NOISES COMING FROM WHEEL AREA. THE SLAMMING TRANSMISSION IS BASICALLY SHAKING MY VEHICLE APART BIT BY BIT. MY FEAR OF COURSE IS THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. I'M HOPING I CAN GET RESOLUTION BEFORE A PART ACTUALLY FALLS OFF WHILE I'M GOING 70 DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I'VE BEEN READING NEWS RELEASES AND OWNER FORUMS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A RATHER COMMON ISSUE, THOUGH LUCKILY NO ONE HAS BEEN HURT AS OF YET.

2004 FORD EXPLORER, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE NEW, VISITED THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS 3 TIMES WITH NO FIX

DT: THE CAR WILL NOT START IN THE MORNINGS, AND SOMETIMES WHEN IT SITS FOR A WHILE IT WILL NOT START. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND OUT WHY IT WILL NOT START. DEALERSHIP KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK, AND VEHICLE STARTED CORRECTLY AFTER THAT. AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS THIS PROBLEM CAME BACK. OWNER HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK FOR REPAIRS YET. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT COVER IS LOSE AND COMING OFF. THE CONSUMER BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN JANUARY OF 2004. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED FORD AT THIS TIME. FORD WAS CONTACTED WITH THE FIRST TIME WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD, BUT WA GOING TODAY.*AK

SEE FORD MOTOR CO TSB 04B22 OR NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 10013306, FORD EXPLORER 2004. SUBJECT VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION, TO A LESSER DEGREE, HAD STARTED TO EXHIBIT THE CHARACTERISTICS DESCRIBED THEREIN PRIOR TO RECEIPT OF THE 04B22 PROGRAM NOTICE. RANDOM VIOLENT TRANSMISSION OPERATION. CAUSES VEHICLE TO LURCH WHEN ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED AFTER PLACING TRANSMISSION IN GEAR WITH VEHICLE STATIONARY, OCCURS MOST OFTEN IN REVERSE , BEFORE OR AFTER VEHICLE STARTS TO MOVE, MOST OFTEN BEFORE VEHICLE HAS STARTED MOVING. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHORTENING SERVICE LIFE OF DRIVE LINE COMPONENTS. FIVE TIMES TO DEALERSHIP IN ATTEMPT TO HAVE PROBLEM CORRECTED UNDER WARRANTY, DEALERSHIP FINE; MANUFACTURER'S REPS. VERBALLY ADVISED ME THAT TRANSMISSION OPERATION IS "NORMAL", I REQUESTED THEY PUT IT IN WRITING, THEY REFUSED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING, VERBALLY, THEY WILL NOT DO ANYMORE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY. FORD RETAINED ALL ORIGINAL PARTS REMOVED FROM TRANSMISSION (WARRANTY WORK). AFTER FILING THIS COMPLAINT AND I RECEIVE CASE NUMBER I WILL FORWARD TO ODI COPIES OF ALL DOCUMENTS FROM MY FILES ON THIS ISSUE. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FAILURE MILEAGE(7500) LISTED ELSEWHERE HEREIN IS ONLY AN ESTIMATE OF THE MILEAGE AT WHICH THIS RANDOM MALFUNCTION OCURRED; IT STARTED SUBTLY AND INCREASED IN MAGNITUDE OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.

TRANSMISSION GOING INTO REVERSE HAD STARTED TO BE DELAYED AND ABRUPT STARTING AROUND APRIL OF 2005 AT APPR. 12,000 MILES. IT SEEMED TO NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR PROPERLY AND WOULD LURCH INTO GEAR UNEXPECTEDLY. WE RECEIVED A RECALL FROM FORD IN MAY 2005 STATING THAT WE HAD NOT YET BEEN IN FOR OUR RECALL. NO NOTICE HAD COME BEFORE THAT ONE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED DEALER AND TOOK IN FOR TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE 3 DAYS LATER. THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE AND IF ANYTHING THINGS HAVE GOTTEN WORSE. I NEED TO TAKE MY CHILD 75 MILES ONE WAY FREQUENTLY FOR DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS AND AM QUITE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE.