Look at this all... is Can effect alot of Explorers Lincoln LS, and Ford Rangers

Ford Making Changes After CBS 2 Investigation<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>

· A CBS 2 Special Report<o></o>


<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:date Month="11" Day="19" Year="2004">Nov 19, 2004</st1:date> <st1:time Hour="18" Minute="30">6:30 pm</st1:time> US/<st1lace>Eastern
NEW YORK</st1lace>(CBS)Now that CBS 2 has uncovered a shocking defect with the brand new Ford Explorer, Ford is doing something about it. Over the next couple of weeks, it will mail letters to 750,000 people, telling them something may be wrong with their transmission.

Ford service managers have been swamped fixing the transmissions, with some seeing dozens each week. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has even started tracking the problem on their Web site, with drivers complaining in great volume.

Dealers did get a message from Ford in June warning them of delayed reverse problems, and have been replacing the solenoid, a transmission part. Today, Ford says they've found it isn't working properly with the transmission fluid that was installed during the manufacturing of the vehicle.

It's believed there have been no serious accidents or fatalities resulting from the problem, which is why Ford hasn't been federally mandated to issue a recall. However, after our story aired Thursday night detailing the problem with the faulty transmissions, Ford says it will now send a letter to 740,000 vehicle owners, including people who've bought an Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer, Ford Ranger Truck, or Lincoln LS in 2004.



I suggest that any one that has a 2004 should use the web and contact the NHTS and report any problems.

My 2004 Ford Explorer XLT PREM is now getting a transmission at 14,000 miles.

 

Thanks for this info mmcsween, just took my 98 Explorer in yesturday to have this solenoid replaced due to a flashing O/D light. Mechanic said there was a TSB but no recall as of yet. If my Explorer gets recalled what are my options if any. Do you know. Thanks for any help in this matter.

 

only the new vehicles will get recalled...the 2004 models even though this problem goes back to when they first started this new design in 2002 becasue mine had this problem...i traded it in

 

Thanks for the info jhromy, I should get my truck back in a few hours anyway. Had to ask the question because it's costing me $215.00.

 

I too had these problems w/ my 2002 exploder... it progressed to the point (all of a sudden) where I had to put a new one in it @ 55,000 miles. If they do this recall, I'll be asking for my money back.

 

My Truck went in at 14426 miles... and the dealer was swamped with this transmission. I took it in on November 18, 2004 and got it back in December 1, 2004. That is 13 days that I did not have it. The dealer had to basically reincarnate the transmission. Could be a Lemom Law here in VA... The dealer told me the repairs cost Ford $855.00. All if you should sent your information to the NHTS.

Good Luck with your trucks,

Martin

 

Check this out.......

Link Below......

http://wardsauto.com/ar/auto_ford_mulls_explorer/index.htm


FYI for the group...

Be save.... Be happy....

Martin

 

Yup, my 2003 with 45000 miles now cluncks whenever i pull away from a stop and seems to slip sometimes. No towing or anything special. If Ford recalls it, then I'll bring it right in, if not, I'll buy an extended warrenty from an independent company (I hear that AAA offers one). My build date 9/23/02, meaning that it really has all 2002 componets in it.

 

Go back to the dealer and demand that you get a copy of the TSB. Also bitch to NTSC and do a formal complaint.

Martin

 

Man I'm glad I peeled mahsef away from the Diesel Stop long enough to look into my wife's new (used) Explorer!

Bought an '04 w/ 17k miles. Noticed when she first tried reverse that the vehicle jumped, good thing she had the brakes applied.

Went home disconnected the battery and topped it off, left it disconnected for several hours. The shifting pattern is unusual for me. 2d & 3r gear seem to race. Kinda like the RPMs go up and shifts into 2d, then slows down a tad then shifts right into third with less than a 2 second delay. It hit the gears hard. Since disconnecting the battery and trying it out again it did not hit the gears so hard but same pattern of shifting. Also RPM's stay high >2k or so @ 'bout 70mph then the RPMs just slowly drop off from 2k to 1500 and don't even feel it shift into OD.

Is this normal? hmmm

Not sure how the new vehicles are programed to drive I was not sure about what is considered normal. So you guys really saved my bacon here thanks a bunch for the info.

Will call dealer and hammer the issue home so they won't try to tell me it's "normal".

If I have any info to share w/ the crowd here I'll post for everyone's benefit.
BTW forgive my ignorance but any link as to where to post my concern? I'd love to contribute to the recall data gathering!

regards,
C-man

 

Look at these auto tranny reverse issues:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/pr...0&summary=true

We've only had this truck 10 days! Now what??

Any of you folks had any success w/ this getting corrected???

Lemon Law here if I take a print out of all 2+ dozen complaint from the NHTSA website? My wife needs a small SUV for here housekeeping business and it's the right fit for her.

Now I feel like such an idiot for not doing my homework any better than this.

Any suggestions on how to diplomatically handle this w/ dealer/ Bought it here in Port Lavaca Texas for those homies near by.

Well thanks again.

I'll stop by tommorrow night for coffee and advice.

regards,

Chinookman

 

A. Its under warranty, if its broken they will fix it.

B. At 70 mph my 4L ranger is probably at about 2200 rpm in OD, wife drives Ex so Im not sure but I doubt any vehicle does 1500rpm at 70mph.

C. A comparative search on Ex's,,Durangos, and Trailblazer for 03/04 yielded similar numbers of complaints for all so Im not sure what your point is.

D. A few dozen complaints from a NHTSA web site is hardly grounds for trying to invoke a lemon law.

 

Well he-he this is all very interesting cuz it's been a long time since I've gone into a panic like I did over this. The info just kinda took the wind outta my sails because my wife cannot afford the long down times and 50 minute trips to the dealer and stay in business also.

Well, today is another day called dealer today and she could not find our vehicle, then she said her notes only talked about cleaning the upholstery, so for me not a good sign at this point. Communications is very challenging I know so I will be very patient, and try to work w/ them to get this addressed.

Sure would feel better if there were some that have had this issue actually corrected. The idea of taking a financial beating to get another vehicle makes me cringe.

Anyway thanks for the post, I'll reply when I get something back from the dealer and share the ordeal hopefully it'll help others down the road.

cheers, later guys/gals..

C-man