Transmission shifts very hard so bad that it jerks me and my children's heads forward when it happens. This occurs the worst when going into reverse and into 2nd and 3rd gears. Brakes lock up/stick after being pressed for 3 seconds.

- Tell City, IN, USA

Cannot accelerate, feels like transmission is shifting hard. Scares me to be in traffic with two small children in backseat. Put into reverse it jolts into gear after a few seconds. Makes a loud noise when driving down the road. Sometimes there is almost no acceleration making it impossible to get around town.

- Palm Coast, FL, USA

Driving, and and light came on, 4X4 light blinking 5times every 2/3 miles. Went to reverse and got a hard jerk. Car started making a rubbing noise. Took ithe shop was told it was either the transmission or the transfer case.

- Hobart, IN, USA

Transmission is slipping, not fully gone yet, only a matter of time before it completely goes. I do not have the $2500 to replace the transmission. Every person I have talked to say this is a common problem with the Ford Explorer. I have taken into the garage over 10 times. Ford should be forced to recall these transmissions and Ford should have to pay for it.

- Rome, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to accelerate from stops. The failure occurred while in drive or reverse. The contact also stated that the vehicle jerked violently while shifting gears. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 75,000.

- Dallas, TX, USA

The transmissions for Ford Explorer have about a 10% failure rate. The safety issue is that the car may not accelerate when needed. The transmission acts as though it is in neutral when shifting from second to third gears. The symptom also appears during normal acceleration (merging onto highways, trying to pass other vehicles). The danger is that you may not be able move out of the way of other vehicles. We have not been hit, but we no longer drive this vehicle on the highway. We expect a total failure at any moment, and do not want to be in a situation where the vehicle will need to be towed for a large number of miles. This vehicle is unsafe, and unreliable. Ford should fix this product, much like Honda did for their 2003 Acura TL.

- Garland, TX, USA

O/D light came on and the transmission started slipping and slamming in and out of gears and the engine started over revving. I have to pull off the road and turn car off and wait about 10 seconds to start car again in order for problem to clear. This has happened may times since. I bought the car new and have returned it to the Ford dealer 3 times while under warranty and there fixes would not last long. Now they want $3,000 to replace the transmission which I feel they should have done in the first place. I contacted Ford customer service and of course they said there was nothing they could do because it was out of warranty. I feel because of the cars history and low miles on it they should have at least done something. I feel if this happens on a major highway it could cause a major accident.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

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).

- Federal Heights, CO, USA

Vehicle's transmission started to slip, as we were driving we would hit the gas harder to compensate and then the transmission would catch causing the vehicle to surge forward unexpectedly.

- East Hampton, CT, USA

Transmission failure, slips between gears, replacement required.

- Denver, CO, USA

First had my transmission looked at in May 2008 where it was slipping into reverse and jolting the vehicle, which had only 44133 miles. Had it looked at my a Ford dealer that told me there was nothing wrong. Now in May 2012 at 110,000 miles my transmission was re-looked at for slipping into first and second gear. Which at this time I was told that I needed a new transmission and yet I am still making payments. Ford complaint line tells me they are not doing anything to resolve this problem at this time and now me and my 3 children are without a vehicle because my transmission had now completely failed and the vehicle remains in a store parking lot broke down. Thanks Ford!

- Elmira, NY, USA

The O/D off light began blinking and there was uncontrolled deceleration and when accelerating from a stop there is higher than the usual RPM's needed to shift from first to second gear. My investigation revealed this is a known problem with this particular year of Ford Explorer and there was an article in April, 21, 2009, atlanta constitution-journal reports regarding an announcement by the NHTSA regarding the faulty transmission problems. At this time there is no current recall for this issue, however, it is a costly repair to consumers for an issue which Ford and the NHTSA is aware of.

- Milford, CT, USA

After starting vehicle and moving shift lever from park to reverse - rotating shift handle mount broke off- required towing and $1800 repair cost. Have seen similar instances on consumer complaint boards - Ford fails to recognize as being a safety manufacturing defect.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph and without warning, the vehicle slipped into various gears. The contact also stated that the only way the first gear could be disengaged was to apply pressure on the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the transmission had to be replaced twice. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 85,000.

- Morrs Plain , NJ, USA

Transmission and throttle body failed.

- North Miami Bea, FL, USA

Wife and kids where driving home and the tranny started kicking in and out of gear (slipping). It jerked into first at the stoplight in town.

- Pleasant Hill, MO, USA

I was trying to park the car when I took it from drive to reverse the whole gear shift came right off. It will no longer switch gears nor can I drive it. I searched online and there are numerous other 2004 Explorer that this has happened too. There are 16 different complaints which all were exactly like mine on carcomplaints.com. This is super dangerous, imagine if my children were in the car when I went to switch gears and it broke off and the were no way to move or stop it from hitting someone. The expense to fix this 'little' problem of Ford is costing me more than I make in 2 months.

- Pekin, IN, USA

There was a noticeably jerk and the O/T off light came on with the computer saying to "check transmission". the transmission mechanic said replace the transmission.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

I purchased a 2004 Ford Explorer brand new from the dealership. At 70,000 miles I started to notice a change in the transmission slipping and suddenly kicking when going into gear. I took the vehicle to the dealership and they advised that the transmission would need to be replaced at my cost and there is no recall at the present moment. This is a safety concern because no transmission should start having problems with such little mileage. This matter really needs to be investigated and Ford needs to correct this issue promptly.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

In April of 2009 I bought a 2004 Explorer from car connections in palm bay Florida! this has been nothing but a nightmare! but my "main" complaint 2 weeks ago I took the truck in for regular service to find out that my "over drive" gear is gone. Aamco explained to me that Ford knew that and it is a defective part! so, to get a 2nd opinion I took my truck to meineke, they also made the same comment of "that is a defective part from Ford" and they will not recall the part! well, I am being charged from $3,400 to the lowest of $2,800 for repairs "excluding" tax! why am I and thousands of others paying for something that Ford knew was going to be a costly repair for us consumers in this horrible recession! I feel that we/I should be compensated in some sort of way just to help for something bad they sent out. I can't even trade the truck in due to the value has decreased tremendously! I am stuck with a vehicle that is basically going to rust in my driveway for being so costly! please let Ford know that they should honor what they knew was wrong! please help!

- Palm Bay, FL, USA