Tl*the contact owns a 1991 ford explorer. The contact experienced automatic transmission failure. He took the vehicle to a mechanic and they claimed to repair it, but actually did not. The vehicle failed and was towed to a ford dealer and they replaced the cruise control switch. The automatic transmission was not repaired. The vehicle is currently in the possession of another mechanic. The current and failure mileages were greater than 100,000. Updated 03/11/08.
1991 Ford Explorer: complete transmission failure
12 of the 608 complaints about the 1991 Ford Explorer describe complete transmission failure.
- owner complaints
- 12
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 16 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Complete transmission failure by model year
What owners say
Transmission went out, then the front main seal. It hasn't been two months and then my heater core went out and at the same time my heater fan. Also, before the front main seal went out the rotors went bad and I still have problems with the braking system. This has all happened within a years time. I am thoroughly disgusted and broke. I praised ford before this, now I wouldn't recommend ford to anyone I know. I am a single mother trying to make ends meet and now I have no transportation because I can no longer afford to fix this truck. I have replaced the transmission, front main seal, water pump, starter, rotors, alternator, and the low wheel drive on my truck but now its the heater core and I have been quoted over 600-800 to fix this! That is if I can find anyone who wants to do it which by the way no one does. What do I do now?
The automatic transmission failed.
Transmission leaked out all of its oil while in high gear (5th) at 65 MPH resulting in overheating and complete failure of the main drive shaft assembly. After a $1200 repair of the transmission, the exact occurence happened again, this time at 70 MPH with only about 3500 miles on the, rebuilt transmission. Another $1200 repair was accomplished but this time the rubber plugs at the top of the transmission case (which was explained as the point of the leak) were sealed. I traded the car about a year later and was told by the dealer that the transmission failed a third time during a test drive by a perspective buyer.
Transmission was noisy and causing a vibration during operation of vehicle. A private mechanic examined vehicle and determined that lower end shaft bearings went, and has replaced transmission for a temporary fix. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
Original transmission failed 1/97, approx. 60000 miles. Rebuilt by transmission shop. Took back 4 times before they considered correct. Still not right. Clunked when slowing.. 2nd transmission failed 12/98. Driving 65 MPH...just quit...RPM's started revving...barely got to side of road...have been told by every transmission shop I'm dealing with that the original transmission put into these explorers are very poor quality, plus almost impossible to rebuild correctly...all transmission shops, including ford only give 12,000/12 month guarentee...that's ridiculous...you assume a tranny should outlast the car...they all say the transmission is unreliable to match to original ford tranny put in...I am now out $1875 for first transmission and one year later am looking at another transmission repair ($1400-1600)...I feel ford should back their products and at least offer a rebuilt tranny in their own shops that is guarenteed for more than 12 months....this is what gives our american cars a very bad reputation....
Transmission failed.
While driving the transmission failed, causing the vehicle to go out of gear. The dealer is repairing the vehicle.
Transmission failed.
Transmission failed due to premature wear.
Lost complete control of the car due to transmission failure. Owner of the car was driving about 65 MPH on the highway when this happened. Tt
Transmission failed, causing vehicle to roll down incline when in park gear and emergency brake set, resulting in loss of control/accident.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip
- Some vehicles equipped with manual transmission may exhibit neutral gear rollover noise (a light metallic...
- Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda
- Some vehicles may exhibit an audible pinging or creaking noise that may be heard from the driveline when...
- Some vehicles may experience axle wind up and / or clunking, popping, ratcheting type noises when making...
- Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart
- Concerns with axle wind-up and / or clunking, popping, ratcheting type noises when making cornering maneuvers
- Subject regarding a new service center support that uses a thrust bearing (#3 and #4) in place of thrust...
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- When the automatic transmission shift lever is placed in the park position, the park pawl does not always abut or engage the park gear.
- Risk
- Driver may believe the vehicle is safely engaged in parkwhen the gear is not truly engaged. This can lead to the vehicle jumping out ofgear unintentionally, vehicle rollaway when parked on a sloped surface, andinadvertent motion when the vehicle is started. All of these conditions canresult in a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Repair the transmission with a new park pawl.
Recall number 91V189000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1991 Ford Explorer transmission failure
Is complete transmission failure a common problem on the 1991 Ford Explorer?
12 of 608 owner complaints about the 1991 Ford Explorer (2%) mention complete transmission failure. The model year with the most reports is 2002.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1991 Ford Explorer?
There is 1 recall and 16 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1991 Ford Explorer
Tire blowout 45Fire or smoke 44ABS 28Brake failure 20Seat belt 14Overheating 9Stalling 9Sudden acceleration 9Door locks 7Grinding brakes 6Fuel pump 6Adaptive cruise 5Fuel leak 5Sunroof shattered 5
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1991 Ford Explorer?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history