TRANSMISSION FAILURE LEFT ME STRANDED IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC WITH KIDS IN THE CAR. WON'T STAY IN REVERSE AND SLIPS SEVERELY IN LOW GEAR FORWARD. REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THE FIX WAS NEW TRANSMISSION FOR $3000 OR REBUILD CURRENT TRANSMISSION FOR $2000. I WAS TOLD THE BANDS WERE WORN WHICH HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR EXPLORERS FOR MANY YEAR…
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TRANSMISSION FAILURE LEFT ME STRANDED IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC WITH KIDS IN THE CAR. WON'T STAY IN REVERSE AND SLIPS SEVERELY IN LOW GEAR FORWARD. REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THE FIX WAS NEW TRANSMISSION FOR $3000 OR REBUILD CURRENT TRANSMISSION FOR $2000. I WAS TOLD THE BANDS WERE WORN WHICH HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR EXPLORERS FOR MANY YEARS. I TAKE GOOD CARE OF VEHICLE AND DO NOT DRIVE IT HARD. ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD AND FEWER THAN 90,000 MILES POINTS TO A DESIGN/MANUFACTURING FLAW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10453399
60,000 miles · Feb 17, 2012
Power Train
WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE FROM PARK, OR ANY OTHER GEARS, THE SHIFT IS EXTREMELY DELAYED. IT APPEARS TO BE "HITTING HARD." IT EVEN LURCHES BACKWARDS ABOUT 2 FEET WHILE THIS HAPPENS. WHICH, IF PARKED AROUND OTHER PEOPLE THIS POSES AS AN EXTREME DANGER, AS I COULD ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE OTHER CAR (AND HAVE TO PAY) OR I COULD HIT SOM…
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WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE FROM PARK, OR ANY OTHER GEARS, THE SHIFT IS EXTREMELY DELAYED. IT APPEARS TO BE "HITTING HARD." IT EVEN LURCHES BACKWARDS ABOUT 2 FEET WHILE THIS HAPPENS. WHICH, IF PARKED AROUND OTHER PEOPLE THIS POSES AS AN EXTREME DANGER, AS I COULD ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE OTHER CAR (AND HAVE TO PAY) OR I COULD HIT SOMEONE THAT LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE STANDING FAR ENOUGH AWAY THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM; WHILE I DON'T INTEND TO PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE WHEN SOMEONE IS BEHIND IT EVER IN THE FIRST PLACE BUT SOMEONE COULD BE RUNNING BEHIND IT... REGARDLESS... IT'S A DANGER. I'VE HEARD ABOUT FURTHER PROBLEMS THAT HAVE OCCURRED WITH CARS SHOWING THESE SYMPTOMS AS WELL.. LIKE SHIFTING OUT OF PARK INTO A GEAR AND ROLLING BACKWARDS?! HOW DOES FORD NOT SEE THIS AS A PROBLEM? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10448377
33,000 miles · Jun 13, 2011
Power Train
AROUND 33K TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD...DEALERSHIP TIGHTENED THE BANDS AROUND 45K TRANSMISSION STILL SHIFTED HARD....DEALERSHIP REPROGRAMMED NOW AT 54K TRANSMISSION STILL SHIFTS HARD AND THE DEALERSHIP JUST REPLACED THE SOLENOID VALVE IN THE TRANSMISSION EVEN AFTER THE REPAIR WORK I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10406231
55,000 miles · May 20, 2010
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BEGINNING TO SLIP AND WOULD HESITATE WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT WAS REPLACED ONCE AND WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE A MANUFACTURED DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,0…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BEGINNING TO SLIP AND WOULD HESITATE WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT WAS REPLACED ONCE AND WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE A MANUFACTURED DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10331347
4,000 miles · Apr 20, 2009
Power Train
WE HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FROM THE START WITH THIS 2008 EXPLORER. WHEN SLOWING TO MAKE A TURN THE TRANSMISSION GETS HUNG BETWEEN GEARS, THEN THE ENGINE REVS UP, THEN THE TRANSMISSION WILL DROP INTO GEAR WITH NECK SNAPPING RESULT, LUNGING FORWARD QUICKLY. I'M AFRAID THAT THIS COULD CAUSE MY WIFE TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE V…
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WE HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FROM THE START WITH THIS 2008 EXPLORER. WHEN SLOWING TO MAKE A TURN THE TRANSMISSION GETS HUNG BETWEEN GEARS, THEN THE ENGINE REVS UP, THEN THE TRANSMISSION WILL DROP INTO GEAR WITH NECK SNAPPING RESULT, LUNGING FORWARD QUICKLY. I'M AFRAID THAT THIS COULD CAUSE MY WIFE TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO THE LOCKING TORQUE CONVERTER DISENGAGES CONSTANTLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THEN RE-ENGAGES, THEN DISENGAGES. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET A FORD ENGINEER NAMED DERRICK TO CHECK THE VEHICLE, BUT HE REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. ALL HE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT IS HOW SMOOTH THE VEHICLE RIDES ON THE HIGHWAY, JUST A LOT OF DOUBLE TALK TO DIVERT ATTENTION AWAY FROM THE PROBLEM. IT IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM, VERIFIED BY DAVID LAUGHLIN OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY, PAUL SANFORD OF COURTESY FORD, AND DAVE ADAMS OF COURTESY FORD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10266077
100 miles · Apr 7, 2009
Power Train
I PURCHASED MY 2008 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER ON AUGUST 16, 2008. IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE ON AUGUST 21ST, FOR A NOISE IN THE DIFFERENTIAL OR TRANSMISSION AS IT HAD A CLANGING NOISE WHEN STARTING AND DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. THEY RECOMMENDED TO WAIT FOR 300-500 MILES. ON SEPT. 17, IT WAS BROUGHT IN AGAIN AND THEY REPLA…
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I PURCHASED MY 2008 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER ON AUGUST 16, 2008. IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE ON AUGUST 21ST, FOR A NOISE IN THE DIFFERENTIAL OR TRANSMISSION AS IT HAD A CLANGING NOISE WHEN STARTING AND DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. THEY RECOMMENDED TO WAIT FOR 300-500 MILES. ON SEPT. 17, IT WAS BROUGHT IN AGAIN AND THEY REPLACE THE DRIVE SHAFT ASSEMBLY ON THE 19TH. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. IT WAS BROUGHT IN ON OCT. 23 AND I WAS TOLD TO WAIT FOR A REP FROM FORD. ON DEC. 4TH, A FORD REP SAID THE CLANGING NOISE WAS "NORMAL." I ASKED TO SPEAK TO THE REP, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO...HE DID NOT CALL. ON DED. 9TH ANOTHER REP CAME, BUT DID NOT SPEAK TO ME AND NOTHING WAS DONE. I FILED THE PAPERS UNDER THE LEMON LAW ON DECEMBER 16 AND A FORD REP LOOKED AT THE CAR ON JAN. 15, 2009. I WAS TOLD AT 1 PM THEY WERE LOOKING INTO REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION, AS THERE WAS A PROBLEM, BUT AT 4 PM THE SAME DAY, RECEIVED A PHONE CALL STATING THAT THE REP, DEEMED IT "WITHIN FORD SPECS." THE PROBLEM STILL EXITS AND IT WAS A LOT OF MONEY SPENT ON A CAR THAT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. I CONTACTED FORD AGAIN VIA A LETTER ATTACHED TO THEIR SURVEY ON MARCH 10, BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. ONE OF THE SERVICE MANAGERS CONFIDED TO US THAT 3 OTHER EXACT PROBLEMS OCCURRED WITH THE SAME MAKE/MODEL. IT SEEMS FORD MAY BE HESITANT TO FIX THIS AS IT MAY RESULT IN A RECALL. WE DO NOT ADVOCATE A MAJOR RECALL; WE JUST WOULD LIKE OUR CAR FIXED. IT CONTINUES TO CLANK AND DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. *TR
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.6L ENGINE AND 6R TRANSMISSION, THE BOLT SECURING THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE FITTINGS AT THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TORQUED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY LOOSEN AND THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID CONTACTS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, IT MAY POSE A RISK OF FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND HAVE THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE ATTACHMENT BOLT TIGHTENED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking
Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve
ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO
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