I have a 2004 4.6 V8 with 8000 miles. The transmission is really getting on my nerves. Often when turning a corner there is a lag or dead spot when you get back on the gas then it kicks in and lunges away from the corner. At other times if you're riding along and take your foot off the gas to coast, when you put your foot on the gas again it goes into gear with a clunk. If I back out of a parking space and shift into Drive to go forward it sometimes slips momentarily before taking hold. I've had it to the dealer once who says everything is "in spec" and that it's a new transmission this year and that the linkage is computer controlled rather than mechanical hence the lag. I'm not convinced. Anyone else had this problem?

 

My 2003 NBX V-8 does the exact same thing. So far no problems with the transmission but like someone posted in an earlier thread, I sure do not like the "feel" of this transmission. Especially driving it around town. On the highway you don't notice it but around town, I just hate the feel of it. The hesitations and the clanking. Not something a $30K+ vehicle should be doing. Here's to hoping it will last 100 K to 150K like they say.

 

Steven, what do you mean "so far no problems with the transmission", like it hasn't expolode yet? I'm not sure I want to go 100-150K like this. I suspect this thing is a lemon and they're trying to stonewall. My dealer told me that his transmission tech had just come back from a Ford seminar where they discussed these transmissions. I'd like to have been a fly on the wall. Ford has a history of transmission problems in the last few years ( Windstar among others) and I hear one of the reasons Jacques Nasser was canned was because of it. I traded a '96 5.0 Liter Explorer on this 2004 and in a lot of ways the '96 was a better car. I get the feeling that the majority of posters on this site have older Explorers hence the low number of responses to questions about late models. I'd really like to get a feel for how big a problem this is. If it's as common as I think it may be, we could raise a little hell with Ford. Otherwise we just hear from the dealer, "that's just the way the new ones shift. No one else has complained."

 

I agree with your frustration. I traded in a 98 Mercury Mountaineer V8 AWD for this. The 98 had much smoother shifting and overall just felt "peppier". I've taken my 03 into the dealer complaining about these weird shifts. They flashed the computer and all of that. And that is what they say...."They all do that." Well if they all do that then who ever designed the thing is a dumb***. Don't get me wrong...there are alot of things I like better about the newer design. It rides better and quieter. But I know with the 98 I never felt like I had to cross my fingers hoping everything under the hood is going to keep on working. I guess only time will tell. Not much solace in that is there?

 

I've got a 2004 Explorer Eddie Bauer with the V8. I don't notice any problems with the transmission.

I had a 2000 Explorer and had no problems with that tranny either.

 

Jon B- My wife's 98 windstar transmission always performed the way you described when going around corners and it drove her bananas for 80K miles, but it never failed us. Dealer ( and service advisor whose wife also drove one) said "they're all like that." She finally convinced me to buy her a rice burner suv last month. I'm still driving my 98 explorer xlt and, with the help of this forum, solved numerous problems and kept happy. Changing your driving habits (ie keeping right foot on gas and using left foot for braking) could help keep rpm's up and avoiding hard shifing, but this is probably not reasonable to expect anyone to do. good luck

 

John -

I just went over 900 miles on my '04 XLT Sport with the 4.6L, and I haven't noticed any tranny problems YET (my '02 XLT with the 4.0L was a serious clunker, which is one reason I traded it in - had only 25,804 miles). After your post I will definitely be keeping a close watch on the tranny; if anything weird starts I'll let you know.

 

If anything, try adding lucas transmission fix.

www.lucasoil.com

it works, I have it in my tranny & added to my buddy's tranny & they love it.

If you don't have a tranny dipstick, you gotta drain some from underneath... like 300- 500 ml... when done, pour some into the add hole... not sure how difficult to access cause I have a 97 5.0L (Mercon V) with a dipstick & not a 2004.

The 95 I had (running on Mercon) didn't have a slight slip... but the 97, if compared, did ever so slightly...because Mercon is more slipperry than Merc V.

The additive mixes with all type of tranny fluid... Works well in my Suburban too.


It shifts smoother.

TOBOY. (From personal experience, you guys may try yourself if you wish)

ps. to know you have the right amount, it will over flow with a continuous stream... stop filling & screw the fill plug back on. you cannot over fill those compared to units with dipsticks.

I also have Lucas Powersteering stop leak & conditioner... mixed in with my tranny fluid in the P/S system.

 

Will the Lucas Oil quiet down a noisy power steering pump? My other ride (98 Windstar) has a really noisy power steering pump.

 

My 2000 5R55E occasionally has a "sliding" shift when going into second. So far I've just lived with it because it's so intermittant. Here's my theory:

I think the key to this problem is that it usually happens when going around corners. This makes me suspect the fluid level is not high enough to keep the filter covered under all conditions. If true, this would allow air to be sucked into the pump momentarily and lower the line pressure. This would also explain a "lazy" shift into drive after backing up. Maybe the fluid sloshing right to left, and front to rear in the pan is causing the shifting problems....?

Maybe the dipstick is mis-marked? Or in the case of the later models without a dipstick, maybe the filter assembly was poorly designed and sits too high in the pan? I do know that 4x4's have a filter extension that locates the filter lower. I wonder if they have the same shifting problems?

I'm considering adding about 1/2 quart more of fluid in mine, just to see if it has any effect on the sliding shifts........

 

I have an 04 V6 and I don't have the problems you guys are mentioning. I don't know what tranny I have, but I have the limited slip with tow package and off-road package, if that means anything.

I've had maybe one occasion where I got on the gas, and I felt it hesitate a bit. That was it though, never a problem since. I'm very hard on the gas too, so I think I would know if there is a problem.

I have noticed that are very low speeds, say 5-10mph, just touching the gas a little bit will really make the car get up and go. This is the exact opposite of what you're saying.

The thing I always like to do when I have a problem with my truck and they say it is normal is to go take another one on the lot for a drive. If it doesn't do it, then you know there is something wrong with yours. If it does do it, then you know it is normal.

-Steve

 

Oh, it's not normal.....the question is what's causing it.

 

Well, if you're certain it is NOT normal, then take action against this. You guys are going about this all wrong just going to the dealer. Here are the steps when you have a problem:

1) Take it to the dealer and try to get it fixed. Give them a chance. Document who you spoke to, when, etc. Keep all paper work.

2) If they don't fix it after 2 attempts, ask to speak to the service manager at the dealer. Give him and attempt or 2. Again, document and keep paperwork.

3) If this still doesn't get it resolved, call Ford Customer Care. The number is in the back of the book. Explain in great detail every time you've visited, who you've spoken to, etc. They'll want to know your VIN, the problem, the dealer, who you spoke to, if you spoke to the service manager, etc. Ford customer care will then contact the dealer and see what is going on. Then either the dealer or FCC will contact you back and tell you how to proceed. Normally they will have you bring it back to the dealer where a 'drivability specialist' will drive your car to verify something is out of line. If it still isn't fixed after this, call FCC again. Keep calling. Every time you go in and it isn't fixed, call in again, and again, and again, and again. Once you have a sound case with ford customer care, you can submit your case to the Dispute Settlement Board. DO NOT SUBMIT TO THEM UNTIL YOU"VE DONE THE ABOVE!. The dispute settlement board is a board that consists of ford and non ford employees. They're the ones who can get you a new car or other things. A friend of mine got a brand new expedition this way!

By doing step #3 above, I had an 02 explorer that was having all sorts of problems that the dealer could never fix. After calling FCC and filing a dispute the dealer was calling me EVERY day to see when I could bring it in, what type of loaner I wanted, etc.

So, give the dealer a chance. Ford requires that they can verify the problem. If they can't verify it, Ford won't let them replace a thing. Then try ford customer care. Once you've exhausted these 2, file a dispute. Have you guys tried another dealer? If you search the threads here, people have posted the names and phone numbers of high ups in Ford. You make enough noise, you will be heard. Once one of you gets the problem resolved, others can refer to it to get theirs fixed.

Also note, your car is under a bumper to bumper warranty. It does not concern you what the problem is. Yes, you would like to be able to tell the dealer what is wrong, but that isn't your job. You have a new car, it is under warranty. You really don't give a hoot what the problem is, you just need it to be fixed. It is their responsibility to fix it. It is NOT your responsibility to hold their hand and guide them to fix it.

There are also those who like to go into the showroom on busy days and start yelling. While this may work for some, you can be certain you will get the crappiest service on your next visit.

-Steve

 

Bump. Well, Viper, I guess the point is I like others here are looking to find out if there's a systemic problem with the W tranny. If there is, how do we go into the dealer and say "apply TSB __ to my truck". Or something similar. There are some funky things going on with this new tranny. My '03 NBX definitely has a unique personality in the shifting department.

 

Hello guys ,I own and 04 /v6 explorer xlt offrdpkg /tow pkg vehicle.Mines been to the dealer ,I'm a retired mechanic and they know me .when I bring it in they know something is wrong

The hesitation you are speaking of is related to the fact that the 04 is a drive by wire (no physical connection to the throttlebody and the go pedal)
It is a design like a dimmer switch an a light

there is a servo motor that opens the throttle plate, that gets its electrical impulses through a pedal position sensor.Ford knows there is a delay and are working on something as we speak.
You may also have a servo motor or throttle body that is sticking.
Keep taking it in.

And yes you could have a tranny problem, not to rule it out
For you guys who think its in the tranny ,monitor the rpms at which it shifts through all gears and if any shifts are harder than others.
Tell the dealer your results

Rich