2004 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

STARTED OF BEING AN ENGINE VIBRATION, 2 MONTH LATER CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE. JUST MADE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY FIXED IT BUT MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE PULLEY COMING OFF ON THE HIGHWAY WORRY ME. *NM

PAINT IS PEELING ON THE ROOF OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WENT TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND HAD THEM LOOK AT IT. THEY SAID I"N 6 YEARS I AM ONLY THE 2ND PERSON TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM" AND "THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY". THEY WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT OR PROBLEM. I AM JUST WRITING HERE TO GET THIS INFORMATION ON RECORD, BECAUSE IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM AND THAT THIS IS VERY TYPICAL WITH FORD VEHICLES. THANK YOU *TR

WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE CAR JERKS (SHIFTS HARD) BACKWARDS EVERY TIME. EVENTUALLY, TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT. THE PROBLEM NO LONGER EXISTS. *TR

TRANSMISSION HAS A HARD CLUNK ENGAGEMENT WHEN PUTTING IN GEAR AND TOTAL DISENGAGEMENT WHILE DRIVING, THEN THE OD LIGHT STARTS TO BLINK, AND YOU HAVE TO EITHER LET OFF THE GAS, OR TAP THE GAS TO GET IT TO ENGAGE AGAIN, IT STARTED AROUND 50,000 MILES, AND CONTINUES TO DO SO, THE IS NO RECALL AND NO WARRANTY FOR IT, DEALER SHIP SAID IT NEEDS REBUILT OR REPLACED 2200.00 OR 4200.00 DOLLARS, WE DON'T HAVE. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4 WHICH RECENTLY HAD TO BASICALLY HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT SIMPLY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. SINCE THE WARRANTY IS EXCEEDED IN MILEAGE I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS, WHICH TOTALED $1652.78. THE VEHICLE HAD JUST UNDER 56,000 MILES WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY HELP WITH INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM. JUST A LITTLE PIECE OF INFO, I ALSO HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAS A 2002 EXPLORER THAT HAD THE SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEM. I DO NOT FIND THAT TO BE COINCIDENTAL! AND HER VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 70,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED TO HER. *NM

2004 FORD EXPLORER GEAR SHIFTER LEVER BROKE IN MY HAND WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE. THE VEHICLE IS AN AUTOMATIC. THIS IS A HUGE SAFTEY ISSUE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED IN DRIVE AT THE POINT OF THE LEVER BREAKING. THE LEVER WAS NOT A STEEL PIECE AND WAS DEFECTIVE. FORD IS UNRESPONSIVE TO THIS ISSUE. *JB

2004 FORD EXPLORER WHEN SHIFTED INTO PARK WILL SHOW IT IS IN PARK BUT IS REALLY STILL IN REVERSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHICH HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. IN ADDITION THERE WAS A RECALL FOR IMPROPER TRANSMISSION ADDITIVE BEING USED AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID ON THESE MODELS ARE GOING BAD CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT ERRATICALLY. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DID NOT ENGAGE GEARS IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE PROBLEM STARTED AFTER 41000 MILES AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ACTIVATED ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO REPLACED THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. AFTERWARDS, UPON APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT ANY SPEED THERE WAS A PRONOUNCED VIBRATION WITHIN THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.

MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR IN 8/12/05 BECAUSE THE AC STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO WORLD FORD OF KENDALL IN MIAMI, FL ONE OF THE SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASKED ME IF HOW MY TRANSMISSION WAS WORKING AND AT THE TIME IT WAS FINE. UPON RECEIVING MY CAR BACK ON 8/16/05 THE AC WAS FIXED AND MY RECEIPT STATED THE AC WAS FIXED BUT IT ALSO MENTIONED SOMETHING REGARDING A RECALL IN MY TRANSMISSION. THE RECEIPT SAID THERE WAS AN OIL ADDITIVE PLACED IN MY TRANSMISSION. 1 YEAR AND 1 MONTH LATER MY TRANSMISSION HAS BEGUN SLIPPING AND HESITATING. WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR BACK TO WORLD FORD OF KENDALL IN MIAMI, FL TO SPEAK TO THEM REGARDING MY TRANSMISSION I WAS TOLD THAT THEIR SERVICE WORK IS GUARANTEED UP TO 12 MONTHS SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME. UPON DOING MY OWN RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THE OIL ADDITIVE THAT WAS PLACED IN MY FORD WAS TO PREVENT THE SLIPPING AND HESITATION OF MY TRANSMISSION. I CALLED THE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS OF FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT FORD KNEW ABOUT MY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS OR A RECALL SERVICE WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN DONE. THEY NOW WANT TO CHARGE ME TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION ON A CAR THAT WAS BROKEN WHEN IT LEFT THE MANUFACTURING PLANT. MY CAR HAS 45,000 MILES AND NO WHERE IN MY PAPERWORK OR MY CAR MANUAL DOES IT STATE I WOULD HAVE TO PUT AND OIL ADDITIVE IN MY CAR BY 45,000 MILES. WHEN I SPOKE TO FORD CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS THEY TOLD ME IF THE OIL ADDITIVE DOES NOT WORK ANOTHER PROCEDURE WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE BUT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE ESPECIALLY FROM A LARGE CORPORATION SUCH AS FORD. MY FAMILY DRIVES THIS CAR AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE AN UNSAFE CAR RESULTING FROM A RECALL IN MY TRANSMISSION. I ADDITION TO THE TRANSMISSION RECALL, THE AC IN MY CAR HAS ALSO BROKEN TWICE AND NOBODY WANTS TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THERE ARE SO MY PROBLEMS WITH A 2 YEAR OLD CAR. I WOULD APPRECIATE A RESPONSE OR AT LEAST SOME GOOD ADVICE. THANKS AGAIN. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING BETWEEN GEARS AND MADE CLUNKING NOISES. THE VEHICLE ALSO MADE HUMMING SOUNDS FROM THE ENGINE WHILE ACCELERATED OVER 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE REVERSING. WHEN THE GEAR FINALLY ENGAGED, THERE WAS A JOLT FELT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SOLENOID IN MAY 2004 BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER MALFUNCTIONED AND THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMED. THE DEALER INSTALLED A WIRE HARNESS, CLUSTER, AND PCM; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

WE WERE TRAVELING IN THE HOV LANE HEADED EAST ON I-635 BETWEEN 60-65 MPH. ONE OF THE TIRES ON OUR EXPLORER FAILED. WHEN I GOT OUT TO CHECK THE TIRE I FOUND THAT THE ENTIRE TREAD OF THE TIRE HAD SEPARATED AND ONLY THE EDGE OF THE TIRE REMAINED ALONG THE RIM. WE CALLED BOTH AAA AND 911. THE POLICE ARRIVED ABOUT 15 MIN LATER AND STOPPED TRAFFIC SO THAT WE COULD MOVE TO A SAFER LOCATION AS CARS WERE SPEEDING AT US GOING 60-70 MILES AN HOUR WITH LITTLE ROOM TO REACT TO OUR SITUATION (B.F.GOODRICH TIRE). *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ALL FOUR MICHELIN TIRES ARE CRACKING. THE DEALERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE INFORMED THE CONTACT THE TIRES WERE ONLY WARRANTED FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES. MICHELIN OFFERED TO SWAP OUT THE TIRES AND PRO-RATE THEM. THE TIRE SIZE IS: P23570R16.

THE LEFT HINGE ON THE GLASS HATCH FAILED DURING A NORMAL CLOSING OPERATION. THE LIGHT ALUMINUM CASTING FAILED AS A RESULT OF METAL FATIGUE CAUSING THE FULL WEIGHT OF THE HATCH TO FALL ON MY WIFE. THE FORD DEALER CLAIMS THIS FAILURE IS NOT COVERED UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V442000 AND THAT MY WIFE MUST HAVE BRUTALIZED THIS TRUCK. THE REPLACEMENT PARTS THAT I PURCHASED FROM THE DEALER AND INSTALLED ARE CLEARLY MUCH HEAVIER CASTINGS. THE ISSUES CONCERNING CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V442000 STILL EXIST ON THIS 2004 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE. I HAVE THE OLD PARTS AND PICTURES COMPARING THEM TO THE NEW ONES. *NM

1. I HAVE HAD BAD VIBRATION AND A LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR END OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE VIBRATION HAS BEEN SO BAD IT HAS ACTUALLY BLOWN OUT 2 TIRES IN THE REAR WHILE I AM ON THE HIGHWAY. 2. REAR DIFFERENTRAL, IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, IT IS GOING TO CAUSE MY VECHILE TO BREAK DOWN AND IF THAT HAPPENS THE VECHILE IS NO GOOD TO ME BECAUSE OF THE COST TO FIX IT. 3. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR THE PROBLEM AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME OVER A $1000 TO FIX IT WHEN THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH IT BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN OVER 3 MORE CASES OTHER THAN ME THEY HAVE TOLD ME. *TR

1. I HAVE HAD BAD VIBRATION AND A LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR END OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE VIBRATION HAS BEEN SO BAD IT HAS ACTUALLY BLOWN OUT 2 TIRES IN THE REAR WHILE I AM ON THE HIGHWAY. 2. REAR DIFFERENTIAL, IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, IT IS GOING TO CAUSE MY VEHICLE TO BREAK DOWN AND IF THAT HAPPENS THE VEHICLE IS NO GOOD TO ME BECAUSE OF THE COST TO FIX IT. 3. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR THE PROBLEM AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME OVER A $1000 TO FIX IT WHEN THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH IT BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN OVER 3 MORE CASES OTHER THAN ME THEY HAVE TOLD ME. *TR

04 EXPLORER HAD HARSH REVERSE. RPM'S WENT TO 7 SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. FORD REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD A "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN",FORDS ALTERNATIVE TO A RECALL, THAT EXPIRED LAST YEAR TO PUT AN ADDITIVE IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID BECAUSE THE PUT IN THE WRONG TYPE. HAD THE SOLENOID REPLACED ONCE BEFORE. FORD CLAIMED IT TO BE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. COST 1300.00 TO REPAIR BAD SOLENOID,AND 2 PISTON AND RODS. *NM

2004 EXPLORER HAS STALLED TWO TIMES WITHOUT ANY WARNING. RESTARTS FINE. SEEMS TO BE WITH CRUISE ON AND GOING DOWN HILL AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 30 AND 40. HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE. SEE SEVERAL OF SAME COMPLAINTS ON YOUR SITE. VERY DANGEROUS. HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES DON'T KNOW WHAT TO PUT FOR INCIDENT DATE. *JB

PURCHASED A NEW 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN AUGUST OF 2004. BROUGHT SUV IN FOR RECALL OF TRANSMISSION FLUID ADDITIVE/REPLACEMENT. SUV STARTING TO HESITATE AND JUMP INTO REVERSE. WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN ON A HILL THE VEHICLE ROLLS BACKWARD WHEN MOVING MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE TO THE GAS PEDAL. BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER IN JULY OF 2006, REPLACED SOLENOID AT APPROXIMATELY 16,000 MILES. WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED REVS A LITTLE HIGH THEN BALANCES OUT. LEATHER SEATS ALSO CRACKING AND DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE THEM STATING THAT IT IS SIMPLY WEAR AND TEAR. *JB

DETAILS: ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THROTTLE CONTROL, WHEN YOU ARE STOPPED OR JUST STARTING OUT AND GIVE GAS IT DOSE NOT START TO GO SO YOU GIVE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE GAS AND THEN IT WILL JUMP FORWARD OR BACKWARD( IF YOU ARE BACKING UP) TO APPOINT THAT IT WILL SOME TIMES SQUEAL THE TIRES. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO WOULD SHIFT SO HARD IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE HIT FROM BEHIND. IN FOR REPAIR AT SELLERS SEXTON FORD, ST ROBERT MO. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IT HESITATES DURING ACCELERATION. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY AND MAY APPEAR ABNORMAL SINCE IT HAS A V8 ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY IS NOT ACCELERATING AT ALL. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THE VEHICLE IS A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO THE LACK OF ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH OCCURRING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

A CRACK APPEARED ABOVE AND BELOW THE FORD EMBLEM ON THE BACK FLIP UP WINDOW AT APPROX 50,000 MILES. *TR

SPEED CONTROL OPERATES ONLY INTERMITTENTLY, DISCONNECTS WITHOUT WARNING, AND OCCASIONALLY SPEEDS THE CAR UP WITHOUT WARNING. REAR WARNING SYSTEM IS ALSO INTERMITTENT. *TR

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. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A SHIFT DELAY BEFORE GOING INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE, AFTER A 5-10 SECOND DELAY IT GOES INTO GEAR. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. LAST WEEK THE SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER BECAUSE IT BROKE OFF IN THE COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE DELAY PROBLEM HOWEVER THEY ARE UNABLE TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC CODE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

REAR LIFTGATE GLASS HINGE FAILED AND GLASS STRUCK ME IN ARM AND CHEST AS I LOWERED GLASS. *JB

2004 EXPLORER HAS HAD ONGOING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED IT. I ONLY BECAME AWARE OF THE FACTORY MISTAKE IN TRANSMISSION FLUID TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING A LEFTOVER. SOMEHOW IT WASN'T DISCOVERED UNTIL MORE THAN A YEAR LATER? I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR LURCHING INTO REVERSE AND NOT ENGAGING IN PARK CORRECTLY. THE CAR ROLLS ABOUT 2-4 FEET WHEN IN PARK AND NOW THE NEW PROBLEM IS IT REFUSES TO GO INTO DRIVE AND REVS IN NEUTRAL UNTIL YOU PRESS ON THE ARM OF THE GEAR SHIFTER WITH CONSIDERABLE FORCE. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS INTO THE DEALER TWO TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. TWICE I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG AND THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. WHEN I WAS LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP THE SECOND TIME THE CAR LURCHED INTO REVERSE IN THEIR PARKING LOT, I'M ONLY SORRY THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER'S CARE WASN'T PARKED BEHIND ME! I AM BRINGING IT IN AGAIN SINCE THE NEW TRICK IS WHEN YOU STOP ON THE HIGHWAY (TO PAY A TOLL) THE ENTIRE CHASSIS AND BODY OF THE CAR SHAKE AND VIBRATE SO VIOLENTLY THAT THINGS FALL OFF THE DASHBOARD. ONLY BY DEPRESSING AND HOLDING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR CAN I DIMINISH THE SHAKING. I USE MY CAR FOR TRANSPORTING MY FAMILY. IF IT IS NOT CORRECTED THIS TIME TO MY SATISFACTION, FORD WILL TAKE THIS CAR BACK. I'M DISGUSTED WITH THE ATTITUDE OF THE DEALERSHIPS I HAVE TAKEN IT TO AND THE INCOMPETENT SERVICE I HAVE RECEIVED SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. *JB

TRANSMISSION BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS SHIFTING BETWEEN 2 AND 3 RD GEAR, INTO OVERDRIVE, AND INTO REVERSE. ON 5/12/06 I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE WITH THE KEYS STILL IN MY PURSE AND THE VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT. BASED ON THE OTHER VEHICLES HE HAD SEEN HE HAD A GOOD IDEA WHAT MY EXPLORER'S PROBLEM WAS. UNBEKNOWNST TO ME, THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO MY PROBLEM MY NEIGHBOR HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH HIS EXPLORER. EVIDENTLY THE TRANSMISSION, SOLENOID, PROBLEM WIT THE EXPLORER IS COMMON AND WOULD LEAVE ON TO BELIEVE IT TIS A PRODUCTS LIABILITY CLAIM ON EITHER THE MANUFACTURER OR ONE OF ITS PARTS SUPPLIERS. 3 SOLENOIDS WERE REPLACED AND MY AIR FILTER WAS REPLACED. MY OUT OF POCKET COST WAS $996.. *JB

VEHICLE GOES FORWARD AFTER PUT IN PARK AND TURNED OFF. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN CHECKED AT FORD DEALERSHIP. HAVE LETTER EXPLAINING THAT IF TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS NOT CHANGED OUT THAT SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES MAY OCCUR. FORD DEALERSHIP NOT AWARE AS THIS WAS NOT DISPLAYED AS A RECALL. HEREFORE,TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS NOT CHANGED AT THAT TIME. *TR

I HAVE TWO ISSUES WITH A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. FIRST ISSUE THE SYSTEM THAT NOTIFIES TIRE PRESSURE HAS FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE INDICATOR LIGHTS GO ON OR OFF WHEN THE TIRES ARE PROPERLY INFLATED OR NOT PROPERLY INFLATED. VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER ORIGINAL WARRANTY. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT FIX OR CHECK THE SENSORS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS AREA THEY CAN NOT RECREATE THE ISSUE. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION FROM PASSENGERS AND ANOTHER TIRE COMPANY OF THE ISSUE HAPPENING. SECOND ISSUE. 2004 FORD EXPLORER STALLED WHILE TURNING BRAKING AND STEERING LOCKED UP. IDENTICAL REACTION AS TO THE PROBLEM STATED IN THE FAILURE OF THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IN OTHER VEHICLES FROM FORD THAT IS BEING INVESTIGATED. *NM

TRANSMISSION/DIFFERENTIAL/REAR-END PROBLEMS, PURCHASED 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT IN MARCH OF 2006, FIRST COMPLAINT WAS THAT THE PRNDL INDICATOR WOULD NOT MOVE INTO THE RIGHT GEAR,REPORTED THE DEFECT IN MAY, PROBLEM STOPPED BUT THEN STARTED AGAIN. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND HAD TO PAY TO GET THE PROBLEM REPAIRED. BUT ALSO FOUND THAT THE REAR-END IS SHOT THE DRIVE SHAFT KEEPS TURNING AND THE VEHICLE KEEPS ROLLING WHILE IN PARK. THE VEHICLE ALSO LURCHES WHEN BRAKE IS DEPRESSED. DEALER STATES THAT THE REAR-END AND DIFFERENTIAL IS BAD HOW CAN THIS BE ON A VEHICLE THAT HAS ONLY 49000 MILES ON IT . *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE HEARD COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN LURCHED FORWARD AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE HIGHWAY AS IF THE REAR WHEELS WERE LOCKED CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY DETERMINED THERE WAS METAL IN THE TRANSMISSION PAN. THEY REPLACED THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY ASSEMBLY, COMPRESSOR, POWER BELT, BOLT, VIBRATION DAMPER, SCREEN ASSEMBLY, BEARINGS, OUTPUT SHAFT, PISTONS, RODS AND THE CARRIER OVER DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING WHEN CHANGING GEARS, ESPECIALLY WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. SOMETIMES TAKES SEVERAL SECONDS FOR THE VEHICLE TO GO IN TO REVERSE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT 20-4 0MPH. NO WARNING LIGHTS HAVE ILLUMINATED. AFTER STALLING THE VEHICLE WILL RESTART, SURGE AND STALL AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES. THE LAST VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE ELEMENT, FILTER, COMPLETE MODULE ENGINE, THE KEY WAS REPROGRAMMED AND THE COOL RETURN WAS REPLACED. THE NEXT TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE CROSSING A RAIL ROAD TRACK. THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED A TOTAL OF FIVE TIMES. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR OF THE FIVE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 05/02/06. *JB

DT*:THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY ON THE VEHICLE RAN OUT DUE TO THE DRIVER LEAVING THE LIGHTS ON OVERNIGHT. HOWEVER, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS GIVEN A JUMP-START, ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON, BUT THE MOTOR DID NOT START. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED WITH A SEMI-USED BATTERY, AND THE VEHICLE STILL DID NOT START. NO MECHANIC WAS CONSULTED.

DELAYED HARSH REVERSE ENGAGEMENTS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE TRANSMISSION JUMPS INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

2004 FORD EXPLORER PURCHASED NEW, EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION ISSUES VERY QUICKLY, HARD ENGAGEMENT INTO REVERSE, CLUNKING WHEN DOWNSHIFTING, CAR LURCHES UPON ACCELERATION DURING A SLOW TURN. I HAVE HAD INTO DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES, BEGINNING 1 YEAR AGO AT 10,000 MILES. RECALL ADDITIVE PUT IN 1ST TIME, 2ND TIME AT 15,000 MILES I LOST THE ENTIRE RIGHT RACK AND PINION WHILE DRIVING (WOULD NOT STEER TO THE RIGHT), THEY TOLD ME AFTER REPAIR, THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WAS ALSO GONE. 3RD TIME THEY PUT IN A QT. OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. 4TH TIME THEY REPLACED THE SOLENOID. 5TH TIME I REQUESTED BUY-BACK. THEIR TRANSMISSION TECH GUY WENT WITH ME, HE OBSERVED THE PROBLEM; HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. THEY DID NOT KEEP VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. ONE MONTH LATER AFTER I HAD TO KEEP CALLING BACK THEY TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AGAIN AND THIS TIME THEY ADDED ANOTHER ADDITIVE AND REPROGRAMMED THE PCM. THEY ALSO HAD TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR CABLE, IT TOLD ME I WAS IN REVERSE WHEN I WAS IN PARK. PICKED UP CAR TODAY, THEY TOLD ME IT SHIFTED GREAT NOW, AND THEY WOULD GIVE ME AN EXTENDED 5 YR. 75,000 MILE WARRANTY. I DECLINED, STATED I WANTED A BUY-BACK. WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE CAR ONCE AGAIN CLUNKED WHILE DECELERATING AND ALSO WHILE ACCELERATING INTO A TURN. I HAVE FILED WITH THE BBB AUTO LINE.

AUTO GOES INTO FAIL SAFE MODE WHILE BEING DRIVEN. HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES SINCE MAR. 10, 2006. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP ON MAR. 14, APRIL 22, APRIL 27, MAY 25, AND JUNE 12, ALL FOR THE SAME CONCERN. THE ENGINE BOGS DOWN TO 4 CYLINDERS AND LOSES POWER. THE FIRST 3 TIMES IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT AROUND 35 MPH THE LAST TWO TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY COMING OFF A FEEDER ROAD. I'M AM AFRAID I WILL END UP IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I PUT IT IN THE SHOP ON JUNE 12, 2006 AND JUST PICKED IT UP YESTERDAY ON JULY 17,2006. IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR OVER A MONTH. AS I WAS FEEDING INTO TRAFFIC YESTERDAY EVENING OF JULY 17, THE ENGINE AGAIN DOWNSHIFTED INTO FAIL SAFE MODE CAUSING ME TO BOG DOWN. I HAVE LOST ALL FAITH IN THIS VEHICLE AND DO NOT WANT IT ANYMORE. I HAVE OWNED FORDS FOR THE LAST 35 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS KIND OF PROBLEM BEFORE WITH A FORD. *NM

I BOUGHT THIS 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN 2006. THE PANEL BELOW THE BACK WINDOW WAS LOOSE. THEY SENT A GLASS DEALER OUT TO FIX IT. THEY JUST PUT HOT GLUE OR SOMETHING TO MEND IT FOR THE TIME. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT'S 1/2 FALLING OFF NOW. *TR

TRANSMISSION IS SLOPPY WHEN SHIFTING IN GENERAL, SOMETIMES HAS LAG TIME WHEN SHIFTING FROM FORWARD TO REVERSE AND A CLUNKING NOISE CAN OCCUR. DEALER HAD INVESTIGATED MULTIPLE TIMES WITH MINOR ADJUSTMENTS HELPING TO REDUCE ABOUT 50-75% OF THE ISSUE. *JB

BOUGHT IN FEB. 2006 WITH 12,000 MILES - THE 2004 EXPLORER XLS WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE HESITATED, THEN JERKED HARD AT FIRST -- THEN AS TIME WENT BY -- APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MONTHS THE JERKING WAS WHILE AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTING WHILE DRIVING. THE JERKING MOTION OCCURRED 17 TIMES WHILE DRIVING 35 MILES. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. I'VE BEEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER. THE DEALER MANAGER SAID THAT IT STILL JERKS IN REVERSE AFTER THE 3RD TIME AND OFFERED NO REMEDY OF ANY KIND, JUST $79.00 AND THERE YOU GO. ALL THIS WITHIN 20,000 MILES. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING - WHAT IF I NEED THAT REVERSE QUICK TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND THERE IS A HESITATION IN TRANSMISSION SHIFTING???*JB

I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. LAST YEAR AT 38,000 MILES, THE KEY LOCKED IN THE IGNITION AND I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET IT OUT. PORTSMOUTH FORD N.H. SAYS TOO BAD: IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT WILL COST ME $400 TO GET IT OUT. TODAY I HAVE 56,000 MILES ON MY EXPLORER AND THE KEY IS STILL IN THE IGNITION. IT IS A PAIN. I WAS HOPING FOR A RECALL. HAVE YOU HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM?*JB

5 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING CAR NEW IN 8/04 IT WOULD NOT START(1/05) ;WAS ABLE TO RESET FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH AND START CAR. DEALER (MUZI FORD, NEEDHAM, MASS.)EXAMINED CAR AND FOUND NOTHING. IN 2/05 CAR WOULD NOT START,COULD NOT RESET FUEL PUMP SHUT OFF SWITCH; DEALER REPLACED IT. IN 4/05 SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AND DEALER REPLACED SWITCH , STATING IT WAS 'BURNED OUT'.IN 2/06 IDENTICAL PROBLEM OCCURRED AND BOTH SWITCH AND COMPUTER WERE REPLACED BY DEALER. FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AT THIS POINT. THE CAR IS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLS.*JB

REPEATED REAR END HOUSING FAILURES. JAN 06 VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR WHINING IN REAR END, "CLUNK" NOISE WHEN SHIFTING TO REVERSE, HESITANT TRANSMISSION, AND HARD TO SHIFT BETWEEN DRIVE, PARK AND REVERSE. REAR END FROM FACTORY WAS FOUND TO BE EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED AND CRACKED DUE TO BROKEN CLIP PRESENT IN REAR END FOUND WHEN IT WAS BEING REMOVED. REAR END WAS REPLACED FOR WHINING NOISE. 2 WEEKS LATER, CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING REAR END GEAR OIL. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS OVERRUN AND WAS OK. 4 WEEKS LATER THE REAR END OIL PUDDLED IN MY GARAGE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. ONCE AGAIN THE WHOLE REAR END HOUSING WAS REPLACED. WE I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE AFTER OVER 3 WEEKS IN THE REPAIR SHOP, I ONLY DROVE 24 MILES AND THE REAR END BEGAN TO LEAK GEAR OIL AGAIN. ALSO THE MUFFLER WAS CHERRY RED AND EXTREMELY HOT WHEN THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP LAST WEEK. THE TECHNICIANS WERE PUZZLED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS COOL, BUT THE MUFFLER BURNING HOT WITH CHARRED SPOTS PRESENT. THE TRANSMISSION HAS ALSO BEEN A PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY IN REVERSE. THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES WHEN ENGAGES AND CLUNKS INTO GEAR. THE SOLENOID WAS REPLACED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BUT THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN OUT OF THE REPAIR SHOP LONG ENOUGH TO SEE IF THE TRANSMISSION IS FIXED. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP 37 DAYS SINCE JAN 1 2006. AT THIS POINT, THE REAR END COULD LOCK UP DUE TO CONSTANT LEAKING OF OIL AND THE EXTREMELY HOT MUFFLER POSED A SUBSTANTIAL FIRE HAZARD. *NM

TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO REVERSE FROM PARK - WARRANTY WORK PERFORMED AT DEALER 02/05 FORD CONSUMER RELATIONS CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS PROBLEM FROM MANUFACTURER INCORRECT FLUID ADDED AT ASSEMBLY PLANT 04/05 02/06 TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED SAME BEHAVIOR BEFORE - FORD TECH'S ADMIT TO PROBLEM BUT CAN NOT RESOLVE - TRANSMISSION STILL SLAMMING INTO REVERSE AFTER DEALER COMPUTER UPDATE - OBVIOUS DEFECT FROM DEALER AS THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB FOR SAME ISSUE POSSIBLE SAFETY HAZARD SHOULD A CHILD BE WALKING BEHIND VEHICLE OR ANYONE FOR THAT MATTER. *NM

. 3- NOW IT HAS ACTUALLY BEGAN TO DIE INSTEAD OF JUST STALLING AND HESITATING. NOW THEY ADVISE ITS THE THROTTLE SENSOR. IN ALL 3 CASES - WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE THERE IS ALWAYS A HESITATION, THEN IT WILL JERK HARD INTO REVERSE. WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT THERE WILL BE ANOTHER BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN DRIVE FROM THE REVERSE THERE IS ALWAYS A DELAY THEN WILL JERK IN FORWARD DRIVE. NOW THE LITTLE WRENCH COMES ON AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE CAR WILL DIE FOR NO APPARENT REASON, WHEN THIS HAPPENS I CAN NOT DO ANYTHING!!!! WHEN IS THIS GOING TO BE FIXED? FORD WAITING ON SOMEONE TO GET KILLED FIRST? I HAVE ALMOST CAUSED TWO WRECKS WITH MY CAR STALLING OUT ON THE HIGHWAY, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE GOING FROM 65 MPH AND THEN DIE WITHOUT A WARNING AND WHAT AM I TO DO WITH THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME? THIS IS SERIOUS!! I TOOK MY CAR IN AND HAD IT HOOKED UP TO THE MACHINE TO READ WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THE MECHANIC SHOULD ME THAT THE CAR WOULD READ NOTHING ON ANY OF THEIR MACHINES! THE CONSUMERS NEED YOUR HELP! WE HAVE THESE NEW (2004) VEHICLES THAT ARE DANGEROUS AND WE SHOULD NOT BE HAVING TO PAY FOR A LEMON. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD TO KNOW WHEN THIS HAPPEN IN THEIR PLANT AND SHOULD HAVE NOT SOLD THESE CARS!!!! PLEASE HELP AND ISSUE A RECALL, THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP. *JB

DRIVER'S SIDE AUTO WINDOW FAILS TO OPERATE. HAD IT REPAIRED ONCE AND FAILED AGAIN WITHIN A WEEK. TAKING IT IN FOR 2ND REPAIR. *JB