1996 Ford Explorer: complete transmission failure

Filed May 7, 2003 · Steering, Suspension · PA

We purchased our vehicle used in 1999 with 33000 miles. 6 months after the purchase we needed a new transmission, another new transmission last year (2002), new ball joints, and now we are being told the rack and pinion needs to be replaced. Ford has not offered any recalls on this part but I have seen other complaints regarding this. My vehicle is constantly shaking (feels like I am going over rumble strips) when I am over 30-40 MPH. We also just had our vehicle aligned and it is out of alignment again because of this problem.

Filed May 7, 2002 · Transmission · OK

Transmission failed.

Filed Dec 26, 2001 · Transmission · NJ

After I bought this vehicle, I have taken it back at least 6 times due to a vibration. On feb.2001, the transmission was replaced. This problem still existed, just not as much. I took the mechanic on a test drive 2 times after the transmission was replaced. Unfortunitely it did not do the vibration. Just recently, it started getting worse. I took it to another ford dealer today, I was told that it was the torque converter. At the time of the transmission replacement, I asked about the torque converter, I was told that it was replaced with the transmission. Obviously this was not done.

Filed Oct 2, 2001 · Transmission · CA

Was traveling 30mph and vehicle would not shift into 3rd gear from 2nd gear. Transmission would slip hard. Vehicle would jerk when this happened. At dealership, transmission was replaced with a used one, but same problem occurred.

Filed Jul 31, 2001 · Transmission · MN

The vehicles overdrive failed resulting in transmission failure, the manufacturer has been contacted. Nlm

Filed Feb 5, 2001 · Fuel system, Steering · NM

During a routine transmission fluid and filter change I discovered a potential problem.during the refill and check of proper fluid level the dipstick gives a false indication that the fluid is at the correct level. It indicated to me that the level was over full. This was even verified by a certified ase technician at a local walmart. He noted the level was low. I discovered that you have to look at the opposite side of the dipstick to acquire the correct reading. By doing this I discovered the fluid was nearly 2 quarts low. The reading on the front side never changed where the cross hatched indicators are. This could be fixed by a simple change in the dipstick. This presents a problem of transmission failure due to improper fluid levels. I believe owners should be notified.

Filed Jan 28, 2001 · Engine, Fuel system · HI

Transmission failed twice under normal driving conditions. Lost power under certain circumstances. Same problem both times. Engine seized when vehicle hit a puddle of water at low speed. Air intake is mounted unusally low on this explorer allowing water into the combustion chamber and causing hydrostatic lock. Ford motor company has been contacted and reads a scripted response when I have tried to get any additional information about what I consider a serious design flaw.

Filed Jan 16, 2001 · Transmission · NY

Transmission was whistling/rubbling, and would not drive. At 13 months old transmission was replaced. Currently, noises were back, but it was running. Dealer told consumer not to drive vehicle.

Filed Nov 30, 2000 · Transmission · CA

This SUV v-8 is four years old with 63,000 miles on it, and the transmission went out, I am the original owner and had taken the car in for all of it services , there is no reason why this transmission should of gone out @ 63,000 miles, 4 years old, something is wrong with the make of this, it cost 2,300.00 to replace it with a ford rebuilt transmission.

Filed Sep 8, 2000 · Transmission · IL

On august 9, 2000, explorer was towed to dealership because transmission would not shift into drive. Dealership stated that transmission needed to be replaced. *ak consumer states that prior to transmission replacement there had been some slipping, consumer is requesting reimbursement.

Filed Jul 4, 2000 · Transmission · AZ

Transmission failed while driving 30 MPH. Vehicle drives only in reverse.

Filed May 8, 2000 · Body, Locks · OH

The broken interior door handle may have been broken for a long time but, because of the child safety lock feature being activated it wasn't noticed until the child safety lock was deactiveted only to find that the door handle would not open the door. Upon disassembly, I found the plastic cam that unlocks the latch of the door to be cracked off rendering the handle useless. As for the transmission, the premature and expensive failure should become a recall item for ford as I have found that many owners of this type vehicle are experiencing problems of great financial consequence and possible tragic health consequence.. I'd say a disporportionate number of explorer owners are encountering similar transmission failures. The life threatening condition of a bad transimission could have LED to a lock-up or unexpected rapid deceleration at highway speeds which could have rolled the truck. Internal components were badly scarred and irrepairebly damaged. Initial symptons were hesitation on accelleration at shift points ford issued several service bulletins to address these symptoms but never recalled the defective product.