The first time noticed this problem I was traveling about 65mph, I glanced at the speedometer which showed 90mph! My first instinct was to lift off the gas pedal and hit the brake! As I lifted off on the gas, I realized the the truck was not going that fast. So I continued on my trip at a speed that "felt right" because the speedometer was more a distraction than a help. The speedometer kept doing this from time to time but only at freeway speeds. Then after a short time it would always add about 30mph to any speed over 35mph. I checked with ford to find out if this had been a problem or subject to any recalls and was told no. At that time had the speedometer repaired at an independent shop (san diego speedo tach inc. 619‑235‑0314). They told me it was a common problem on ford explorers and ford rangers and that they repaired several a week! Nlm
1994 Ford Explorer transmission complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 85, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Consumer has had the front brake pads replaced 6 different times due to overheating, and also the rotors have been turned, a brake master cylinder was installed, the rear brakes shoes were adjusted and the rear drums were resurfaced, the brake light was coming on due to low brake fluid.*jb
Consumer states 4 tires and 1 spare which are firestone wilderness at 15 inch tire(s) (dot # unknown) original equipment are highly defective. Consumer replaced them due to safety concerns, however manufacturer will not reimburse or replace tires stating the campaign was over. *tt the fuel pump was replaced 2 times and the air condition was replaced. Updated.
While parked gear jumped from park to drive at a very rapid speed. However, an accident did occur. There were no injuries. *ak while vehicle was parked consumer revved engine to 3000 RPM, transmission violently banged in to drive, lurched forward and ran into a rock wall.
Check engine light comes on at times when the vehicle is towing a small trailer and using the transmission in drive instead of overdrive. Vehicle mileage and driveability/performance suffer. O2 sensors have been replaced by dealer with new yet problem still exists.
While driving, consumer noticed smoke coming from the back of the vehicle, and was unalble to accelerate and had to coast to a stop, it was determined that a transmission was needed, however two years later @ 76,000 miles there was a roaring noise, consumer took vehicle into dealership and was informed that another transmission was needed, after the second transmission was installed consumer began having problems with the parking gear, the automobie tolled foward, also there was a lack of power.
Transmission overheated causing major malfunctioning in transmission.. This is second time this has happened within a year and a half. Truck has never been off road to my knowledge(body and underneath are in excellent condition, I.e. No rust). After talking to a few repair shops and dealerships I was told that this is very common with the ford explorer. I have always had the vehicle serviced regularly and taken pride in it's appearance. It runs great but there has to be a problem with the manufacturing of the transmission, or this problem would not have occured twice. I stand by ford's but, this makes me leary of ever buying another ford product that the company will not stand by. Sincerely, [xxx].*ak parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
At speeds of 55 to 70 MPH the vehicle shakes and vibrates excessively. Dealer recommends replacing the motor mounts and rear axle-to-frame lateral shock absorber.
Speedometer/odometer inaccurate at speeds above 40 MPH. Odometer records 1.4 miles per every mile at highway speeds and speedometer shows actual speed plus 10-25 MPH with a bouncing needle. Many other owners seem to have the same problem as local dealer mentioned large number of inquiries for the specific part.
While driving 65 km the rpms will go up in red, and not go back down until consumer slows down to about 30 km. Then, she can feel transmission kick in, and rpms go down. This has happened 3 times . Mechanic stated transmission needed to be rebuilt and upgraded. Consumer called ford, and was told there were a lot of complaints on explorer's transmissions with this problem.
This appears to be a common problem for the 1994 ford explorer that the manufacturer will not acknowledge. I know of 3 other owners personally that have the same coincidental problem. The automatic transmission will not shift out of first gear unless nursed to do so. This has nearly caused several potential crashes. Not to mention very very poor fuel economy.
Vehicle was parked and then was turned on and transmission jumped into reverse, and hit consumer's wife. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything about problem.
Went to ford dealer and they diagnosed problem was front hubs needed replacement for $1000, talked to another mechanic and he said samething but is not able to get any hubs because he has been told that ford is buying up all of the new/rebuilt hubs because they know there is a problem. Second mechanic asked some dealers when more hubs would be available and was told no dates available due to ford buying so many.
While driving vehicle will not upshift, and has problems shifting into different gears, cause unknown. Please give any further details.
Low range system appears to opperate but regualar 4x4 system does't engage the hubs.
Clutch, slave cylinder, and 5ht gear in transmission replaced
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Speedometer reading fluctuates 20+ MPH at highway speeds. Buzzing sound associated.
When putting car in park it will roll forward. Consumer feels there is a problem with transmission. There is a recall for same problem, but this vehicle is not included due to VIN.
The upper and lower ball joints failed.
Vehicle engaged into four wheel drive mode. Because vehicle was driving in four wheel drive mode front end needed to be replaced by the dealer. Also, front disc pads and calipers needed to be replaced again because vehicle contiued to engage in the four wheel drive mode.
My original transmission failed at 79,484 miles. I did not purchase an extended drive train warranty. I asked my mechanic if transmission problems were common with explorers and he said yes. He provided me with a copy of several years of advisories that ford sent to mechanics, warning them of problems with the transmissions, and specifically with the torque converter. This is the main part which went on my transmission. I felt that if ford felt the need to send repeated advisories to mechanics, that there was a problem(s) that should have involved a recall. I sent a letter to ford on november 4, 1998 and never received a reply. I am enclosing a copy of this letter. I since have had to replace the second transmission at 100,000 miles. The first one cost me $1881.50 and the second one $1465. I feel that ford should reimburse me for the cost of both transmissions because they failed to accept responsibility for transmission failures due to problems they notified mechanics about in their advisories. I look forward to your response.
Excessive vibration around 65 MPH discovered not long after purchasing used with 19,000 miles on vehicle. I initially thought it was due to the tires, which I didn't replace until 40,000 miles. After installing new tires and double checking balance, etc. The dealer informed me that it was a known defect in the vehicle due to engine and drive train misalignment. They said an antivibration kit was available for $1,000 but they would not cover the cost due to now being out of warranty. The service manager at one dealership told me that the kit would not really cure the problem. He said it would only change the speed at which the vibration occurred. I wrote a letter to the president of ford on 7/26/98 explaining the problem and expressing my concern that the vibration could lead to further problems in the future. I expressed the fact that it was a known design problem and defect and that it existed within the warranty period and that the customer service department would not due anything to correct the problem. I never received a reply from mr. Trotman, nor anyone else. I sent a follow up letter on 10/28/98 but never received any acknowledgement or replies to that letter either. I sincerely feel that ford motor company has no concerns or desires toward their customers safety or product satisfaction. I still own the car but have real misgivings about it's safety or dependability due to this problem. I would like to get rid of it but hate to pass the problem on to someone else.
The transmission failed.
Drive train locked up causing the rear wheels to lock up. The front wheels may also have locked up, but unknown at this time. Total loss of control of vehicle causing the vehicle to slide sideways from the left hand passing lane across traffic to the right, hitting shoulder and rolling over one and one half times.
Transmission will not shift properly, mechanic says that it will eventually fail completely, and the transmission needs to be replaced. The mechanic stated that this is not an unusual occurance for a 1994 ford explorer.
Cruise control failed.
Defects with a transmission should not occur this early in the life of a vehicle that is bought brand new. I have corresponded with many explorer owners and have read 100's of instances on the internet where ford explorer transmissions have failed early in the lifespan of the vehicle - less than 70,000 miles. Ford obviously has installed a defective and unsafe component in this vehicle and does not want to take reponsibility for it. Something needs to be done before a serious injury or death results from this unsafe component.
This was second time for the transmission to be replaced since jan-13-1999. Vehicle has been squealing & not shifting. Dealer told consumer transmission had to be rebuilt. Ford has been of no help to the owner.
Consumer took vehicle to dealer because it wasn't shifting. Dealer said transmission needed to be replaced. Consumer has 70,000 miles on truck, and it was serviced on time. Also told that the truck neede new shocks, ball joints, and tie-rods. Vehicle has never been driven off-road or in a harsh manner.
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