Loss of reverse in your Ford transmission 4R44E/4R55E 

Last night, I got into my 2012 Ford Flex AWD. I put it into reverse and it was like neutral. I gave it a little gas and nothing happened. I put it in park, then back to reverse and it worked. That's why I started looking into this. My gut feeling is that this is the beginning of something serious.

Thanks. My 2001 F150 lost reverse tonight and isn't shifting right. This was helpful.

Finally someone with knowledge lol !!!!! My Father is ur common old school A.T.R.A. Certified transmission rebuilder after customer could not afford to fix this rather nice exploder last time tearing into this 2wd newer 90's sport explorer another Tech from Ford Dealer shows him that something just hadn't latched pertaining to lower servo and Band once he did something to it he Said Ron I wouldn't tear it on down now it being 2wd stick it back in well it worked better than new for few weeks of bout 10 miles a day then same shit all forward no reverse!!!!!!!! I have nothing in this vehicle when u factor in the miles and shape of it but trying to find out if they are a TSB on this or updated Part# of this issue thanks in advance for any info I personally worked in Ford Parts Department several years and know we purchased from same Trans parts Distributor our self never remember seeing 1 thing Ford stock ordered or intrim order that was auto trans parts how wld a person get updated parts if Ford did such and kept hush hush from the repop parts companies

Yes I can, the valve body gasket on the bottom side where the valve body meets the case has a problem of blowing out where the reverse servo cover bolts down. Ford came out with a fix for this, they offer a separator plate that has a bonded gasket on both sides. This will stop the no reverse problem if the band is still intact.

I almost turned the video off because it was just talking but I’m glad I didn’t. Great info, Thanks for posting

I have a 98 Ford Explorer Xlt Fully loaded, v6 4.0L, with the 4r44e transmisson. The car has 227,000 miles, but I keep her running strong. My reverse band has just broke. I'm going to rebuild the transmisson, hopefully this transmisson rebuild will reward me with another 200,000 miles of solid driving.

Super. Thanks for you’re educational teaching on ford trans. With no reverse

Check the o-rings on the servo itself, the o-rings will get tiny cuts or just wear out. Also check the lower valve body gasket it maybe bad. Also check the servo bore itself make sure there are burs or anything thing that cause the servo pin the bind up in the bore. If the fluid is dark it needs to be changed it should be a clear pinkish red color. go to my web site:

You will have to drop the pan and check to see if any metal or friction material is in the pan. You may have to clean up the valve body and check the o rings on the solenoids.

Thank you! I do most all maintenance on my Ranger. Didn’t know what this may be. Glad I did some research. Vancouver Island BC

I just had the rear band break on my 98 Explorer and want to say thanks for confirming this was what happen. Cost me $2300 at AAMCO but drives much better than before, can feel TC working better and feels like more power even. They replace kit, sun shell seals, and labor was $1100, not cheap. And not a good time for me financially, but cars not good if doesn't drive and only has 130K miles, leather package, V6 with low 4WD, so am happy with the car that feels new again.

The Valve body is Over worn by the Extreme vacuum of the Pump. This will jam the Conduits of the Flow. And ya know that Reverse requires the most activity to engage...And yeah. Just pull the Pump then Pull the Drums and Hot Tank em. Just DID this Today and it Resolved the Problem.

Thank you very much, this was very informational and logical I bought a 98 explorer two days ago and it doesn't go in reverse I believe this is the problem,takes sense

Thanks for explaining that most commonly it is not just the reverse gear solenoid. This is why they are known as the Ford EXPLODER******

The servo does not go bad normally, but the reverse band has a week point right where the servo meets the band tab.

We have that 2006 explorer 4x4 of my dads that lost reverse 4 years 9 months ago, been driving it with no reverse since then. Well not me but my older brother who is 16 and me. but maybe that " tab" in there will show its ugly tab face in there one day dunno. Just have ta watch where we park make sure can roll back, or easy push back. Could have saved the $1,200 to fix it by now lol

Thank You for sharing your wonderful advice. At least you are willing to help. You're not like the owner of the local transmission repair shop here in my town. He won't even give a person the time-of-day unless a potential customer signs an agreement to allow him to be the one that repairs their transmission. It is a known fact that almost always, the customer's bill will never be less than a minimum of $2,000.00 if they allow him to do the repairs. But anyway, thank you for your wonderful advice. Also please see my previously posted comment. Maybe you can give me some advice there as well as he won't, unless I want to sign an agreement to allow him the privilege of doing the repairs of which I can't afford on a small, limited retirement income.

1999 - this is the 2nd transmission. Can't call right now but thanks for the offer to do so. Funny thing - the shop that does my regular maintenance calls it "The combination truck" now- due to the sequence needed to get the transmission to engage. :)

You did not tell why the tab broke. It is just going to break again if the relief switch(dont know the proper term) is bad or if the shifter linkages are not lined/ adjusted right. Thanks for the info though! This was very helpful in that I did not know how the servo could have gone bad.

I got lucky when my tab was broke it did not cause any other damage. I have never worked on a transmission before but getting the trany out of a 98' ford ranger 4x4 was really easy, took half a day, and tearing down the trany took a few hours. valve body was good, but the reverse band tab was broke. ordered the new parts, all new gaskets, seals, all bands, and friction plates (the teeth are stepped on the old ones). Probably take another day to get the new parts in and the drive train back together, but all in all super easy (and for $250 in parts, very cheap). I have no idea why people are so scared of rebuilding their transmission, I mean compared to rebuilding engine this trany is super simple, and dose not have that many parts. People transmissions and engines are amazing precise mechanical machines with 1000ths of an inch accuracy, one little thing off and it they will destroy themselves!!!!! If it makes a sound, or behaves "differently" then STOP and its time to check the mechanics. you could go from a $42 reverse band, to a cracked case and have to pay $1000's..............

Not what I wanted to hear! Thanks for the knowledge and the reality check though.

Thanks for the info. Sure don't like ford right now because my Explorer won't go into reverse. Checked the O-rings on the servo, ok. Jammed a screwdriver up against the belt, rattled everywhere inside the casing. Annoying! Well, thanks a lot for the info. Now I have to go brake my piggybank.

here in Calgary they're selling all kinds of engine tranmission, all you need is a mechanic to change your transmision

This would explain why my neighbor does a circle down the end of the street, instead of going in reverse to park, every time I hear that huge grinding noise in front of the house.

I have a saturn sedan that has no reverse. However if it is really cold out it does work. And when it does work when I go to put back in forward gear sometimes it won't go forward unless I sit for a few seconds and you can hear it go back in gear.

Thanks big fella! Wish I was closer

I lost 2nd gear but had reverse and 1 3 4 gears so I been driving my 95 explorer with 300,000 miles like this for a few months what I do is accelerate to 25 or 30 mph in gear 1 let off the gas it drops into gear 3 and keep going.

2004 Ford expedition eddie bauer edition, goes forward in reverse and neutral like drive down the road at 40 kind of forward not just rolling. It drives sluggish and At 40 it shudders and makes noise similar to hitting rumble strips and no longer shifts gears.

My mountaineer has been like this for 5 years now..Over drive works fine ..drove to Florida and back 3000 miles no problems

you have to have the exact transmission go in that's coming out, the power train computer is setup for a 4r44e not a 5r55e.

lovely...my wife just called and said she can't get it in reverse. then she called and said the got out of the parking lot (not sure how) and she is driving home (15 miles). I hope to god it's now making it worst!

I have 2001 Ford Escape works when it is cold, but when it is hot if you walk backwards but need to use the brake and accelerate pedal,,,,2 whells drive

Mine goes into reverse and moves under its own power at idle but when you touch the gas the slightest bit its like it kicks into neutral. Ideas?

Another problem with these transmissions is the overdrive and interm servos wear out the servo bores. If this happens you replace the case. You can sleeve the bore but that is costly and time consuming . Now the what you can do to stop this from happening is on the very end of the servo pin chaffer the sharp edges of the end. this should keep the bore in good shape.

What causes a delay on reverse and drive , is there a fix in the valve body?

I have an 01 4.6 2wd F150. Tonight I lost reverse, and while driving on interstate it was like the transmission would kick into nuetral. I could pull over go to park then drive maybe a tenth of a mile then it would High Rev like in nuetral, then the Transmission would kick back in for about a tenth of a mile. I turned od off and was able to drive 39 miles home and was able to do 60 mph instead of 30 mph. The first issue tonight when I left a stop sign there was a jeek like something finally kicked in, then a mile later it was like tranny kept popping in nuetral then it would drive then high rev, my band aid to get it home was turning on the tow oackage, no reverse at this point regardless of od off button, and forget doing 45 mph unless od is off. No check engine light or any other warning lights displayed.

i disconnected the negative batter and reset the ecu and then i let it warm up at idle and i got all gear and reverse working hope it helps look up ford tech make u loco

Would that be the same cause and problem if - "all forward gears work just fine", but yet you immediately hear the horrible sound of grinding gears when the transmission is placed into reverse? - FYI, It is a 4R44E in a 1994 (10th month 93), Ford Explorer LTD with V6 4.0 (OHV), engine. - The other problem I have had with this transmission is that "just prior to" reverse going out, (just prior to meaning; a time span of 4 months), the transmission would upshift normally in all forward gears when the transmission was at operating temperature but would have to be manually upshifted when first starting out (usually the first 8 to 10 miles until the transmission reached normal operating temperature), then it would automatically start shifting normally again. However, the transmission would always automatically downshift just fine without any problems at all. Note 1: This manual upshift requirement would also be required if the engine was shut off while shopping (even just for 10 minutes), unless you allowed the engine to idle for about 5 minutes prior to putting it in gear (any gear), after restarting the engine after returning from shopping even though the transmission was still basically at normal operating temperature. NOTE 2: This transmission was purchased used from an auto salvage yard with a 30-day warranty. Yes, it lasted 45 days prior to developing upshift problems, then lasted another 4 months before the grinding gear reverse problem. NOTE 3: Both the "transmission fluid" and the "transmission filter" was changed at the time of installation into the Explorer (even prior to the engine being started for the first time after the transmission installation was done).

Thank you so much for explaining my issue! Your video was very helpful!

At least your honest that you gonna reem the customer

Thanks for the video! Here's one for you...Parked my 1997 Ford Explorer on an incline (front uphill). When I put it into reverse, it made the most God awful metal to metal grinding noise! I had to put it in neutral and coast to flat land, then it shifts again. Any ideas or should I cut my losses and junk my "Beastie"???

Great explanation, Ty for your honesty !

I have a 2006 ford explorer v6 and last night I lost the use of my reverse shift. In addition my car will not transition any higher than 30mph. Are these issues related possibly??? I live in Canton so I would be willing to make to drive to Kalamazoo to get this fixed! Thank you

Hello I don't know where to began but I have bought a ford mondeo 2.5 v6 2002 automatic car about 2 years ago. And recently it started making some loud noises/vibrations around 43 mph, lower and above that the car behaves normaly so I thought it was nothing and kept on driving like that. Until one day when I got out of work and was on my way home. As I was driving, I came to the red light and stopped the car, when the green light went on. I tried to move but the car made loud noises and it didn't move forward as it would. And I smelled a bit of smoke, coming out of the car engine. Suddenly the car didn't move at all, only in reverse. I didn't find any problems with driving reverse, only driving forward was not working at all. Later on I took the car to a local mechanic, And they informed that I hade to replace the transmission. Even though it costs me a lot, I managed to buy a new one. When the mechanics put the transmission in, suddenly the car was moving forward normally. And lastly when the mechanics put the transmission in, we tried to see how it worked. And we found out that the shift box in the car only worked when we pulled the P (park) to D (drive) as fast as we could. At that moment the car managed to move forward. On thing we found again was when I drove at 43 mph, the car made noises and vibrations again. And on top of that the car didn't want to drive reverse. I really would want your help at this momet, so please help me. I think the problem is not in the atomatic transmission, but in the gearbox. so please help me and sorry for my bad english

I have a question I have a 2005 ford explore all gears going smothered there's no reverse what can I do is it a quick fix???,

Hi Dave thanks Glad could be of help

DEAR TRANSMISSIONGUY1 I have a question. What is the generic general price of these items (guestimate for a Ford Explorer Sports Track 01) (1.) Brand new seals? (2.) Brand new gaskets? (3.) Brand new rings? (4.) Upper valve body gaskets ? (5.) Lower valve body gaskets? (thanks)

my Ford Expedition 98 will go in reverse but will not go forward take too long go go forward need help

I have the same problem with my explorer. Can i keep drive like that with this problem in the transmition???????

Sounds like my 2015 Chrysler Town and Country Limited Platinum

Well shit. Here I am freaking out wondering wtf it is, and it's the damn band. Mechanic is trying to quote me 1700 to rebuild it. Jesus

my 2001 ford explorer trans stop driving no reverse no foward can you help.

My 2011 escape goes into reverse and moves by itself. But when I hit the gas it stops as though it went to neutral.

Do you make house calls. I can't afford to tow it to MI...? ...kidding. Thanks for the info Bro...

my 2004 mustang 5 speed makes a clicking noise when i put it in reverse but i still have reverse power forward is fine . any ideas?

On a 1999 model would be better to just go ahead and have a transmission shop do a full rebuild since it has to be torn completely down any way??? I inherited this truck and it never felt right to me to begin with.

2011 f150 reverse not engaging.. the reverse or manual don’t engage.. on the shift display, the R and M12 don’t turn orange .. the park, neutral and Drive turn orange tho

This is a 01 f 250 v-8 triton...I have reverse but will slip if it is strained...like backing up a driveway with an incline

I have a 2000 ford ranger 2wd 4.0 V-6 that was rebuilt in 2018.. .....$2800 and ''19,000'' miles later it wont go in reverse.. 19,000 miles is less than 5000 miles a year. There basically saying the 4 YR.S ''lack of driving is bad on it''.. Your thoughts on this situation PLEASE....

Good vid .. thanks so much for posting

Looks like my exact problem, I have 183000 on the truck should I instead get the transmission rebuilt instead of just the tab fix considering the miles? Never had any slipping, all gears seem to work fine other than no reverse.

awesome, great vid

I understand this is a common problem - but you mentioned servo not working too - my band was replaced and was not broken originally - but had no reverse. Can you explain what the other problems could be for no reverse.- thanks

Appreciate your honesty

k i watched your video and i am trying to figure out how to tell if i am loosing my reverse. sometimes it works and then it acts like i am tied to a tree and cant keep going back

my 1995 Ford econoline e150 v6 4.9 have this problem and I will like to know that normaly cost please let me know I need suggestion that way mechanic don't lie me thanks

Very goof info here. You gave a lot of info for the 4 wheel drive, is it easier or less expensive for a 2 wheel drive.

I got that issue but when i go on neutral it it goes foward. U think this is the issue?

Why would you not replace all the gaskets and seals on a transmission after taking them apart? You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure that out, and it should be included in the price that would be kind of like buying a brand new set of aftermarket rims for your car and putting your wore out tires on them, same logic

Is it cheaper to replace the transmission with a new factory tyranny?

My C-6 in my 76 F250 acts like it doesn't pull good in reverse. Original transmission went 43 years and still pulled, sometimes I revved to get it to engage. I swapped this other one in and seems reverse is weak.

Jack up the battery and slide anew car under it is a possible solution. :D

Good vid. Is there a good way to tell if you have a broken reverse band tab or a servo/gasket issue? I can pick up a good condition exploder with the no reverse issue. I would suspect no without taking down the valve body.

Any pics to go with your video? Or else, it's basically watching you talking.

These and the older taurus AXes keep trans guys in business. Fords worst trans. And even worse when they made it 5 speed, working all the bores at twice the rate.

Did Ford update the new band and make it stronger ????

I have a 89 Ford Bronco 2 and it’s leaking from the seal where the shifter rod goes into the transmission. How hard of a fix is it?

I have a brand new transmission in my truck failure light. I believe it is due to a bad ECM module. Do you have any experience with that and have you ever found that to happen

when people trying to sell a car with this problem they'll say its a shifter problem.

Hi Paul I have a 93 Explorer v6 auto 4x4 it sat for 29 months the tranz fluid was to low to see, topped it up, started on the 4th try & stayed running on the 7th but no reverse put it in revese or nutral & it still wants to go forward, I have to assume its a stuck valve or something like that, even on a hill it wont roll back wards, to go back wards I have to shut the truck off,constant forward pressure when running

I would really like your advice on my transmission is there anyway I can call you or you call me

Quick question. I have reverse when everything is cool. Drive it a few miles and reverse is lost. Plus it has trouble shifting into third. Old beater truck that used to be a daily driver and slowly got worse and worse. Probably what you are describing?

Just bought a 97 ranger 2wd 4 speed automatic. It'll reverse but the reps drop to about 3-400 and when the gas is to the floor it barely moved backwards. It will not go uphills. Is it more than likely that band starting to fail?

Is there an after market part that is better than the ford made? Will the thing just snap again in 60,000 miles?

Man thanks alot ford..

Wazzup doc ,got an issue with my car , same shjjt . Wont reverse if i want to backwards faster . But if im on a flat road and put it in reverse it will backup but doesnt react when you want to go backwards faster.

Sound like you might have a bad electronic pressure solenoid. Need to run DTC codes

mine is slow going into reverse sometimes. is this a sign its going out

I was watching this vid n I have to the same problem as everyone here I think…anyways my Ford Explorer reverse won’t work it’s a 06 n the front drive works just the reverse

I have the opposite problem my forward gears are gone on my 97 explorer i have reverse but no forward stopped at a stoplighf went to go and nothing

Can't I just drop pan solenoid pack and remove servo and replace with a sleeves reverse servo?

Yeah, I ended up having my 4R55E rebuilt for only $400. I just had to remove and install. I have another Q: Ever since I put my trans in, the O/D light has been blinking, the trans takes 3-9 seconds to engage in any gear, and it doesn't EVER kickdown. Hafta let off the throttle for it to kickdown. What could be the problem? It is leaking at the transfer case-trans seal BTW. I was thinking the EPC solenoid, or a bad trans cooler. Ideas? Thnx

All of a sudden, my 2015 Focus would not go into reverse. Turn car off and the reverse started working again.

05 mustang gt automatic wont go into reverse consistently, how do I know if this transmission is or is not this model that is affected? Could it be a low fluid level?

Was thinking about buying a f150 but after seeing this an the truck already has these exact problems im scared especially sincethey told me it will only go in low and not switch any kind of gears really. I'm thinking just Trans swap. Be great to get someone else's opinion.

I have a 2010 explorer that lost reverse if that peice breaks off of the drum on the reverse band will the car still feel like it goes into reverse but won’t move?

HI , i have a 2010 mountaineer awd V6 i believe its got the 5R55S my reverse is starting to slip but other gears work fine , just had motor rebuilt the truck was sitting for over a year if the ban is going bad about how much would this cost ?

What wrong when my 1995 ford explorer only take reverse after I run the vehicle and it warm up but when it cold it won't take reverse

A 1994 Ford 345d transmission will not go into reverse it's a quick shuttle type transmission to computer wire goes inside transmission case just aft of the engine below steering column two solenoids inside the transmission , one is for forward one is for reverse can you tell me anything about those?? appreciate a comment back ....Nick

I have an 06 Grand Marquis and it can’t reverse. I will shift into reverse but I can’t add gas to it