Parked on a slight slope with the engine off, my 97 ford explorer rolled back 5 feet by itself, coming close with coming traffic!
1997 Ford Explorer transmission complaints
Page 2 of 5: complaints 11 to 40 of 104, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Dt: 1997 ford explorer. The consumer states the four wheel/ two wheel lights are flashing on and off. This will happen until the vehicle is turned off. The vehicle automatically engages into four wheel drive. The only way one can tell this has happened is from the popping and cracking noises coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to cumberland falls ford twice. They have not been able to diagnose the problem. The vehicle was also taken to a local mechanic, they thought it was the switch. The transfer switch was replaced, but the problem recurred. The vehicle automatically slows down when it goes into four wheel drive.
Dt: the overdrive light intermittently came on. Dealer said it could either be a loose connection or moisture in the system. After about five miles on the road, the transmission was slipping. Pulls in second gear. Transmission finally failed.*ak
While driving 35 MPH transmission engaged itself into 4-wheel drive. As a result, vehicle lost power, and would not shift gears. Dealer stated transmission burned itself out, and needed to be rebuilt.
While shifting gears vehicle jerked and vibrated uncontrollably. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to a garage for inspection. Mechanic determined that transmission needed to be replaced, and replaced it. However, the problem recurred.
While driving at any speed vehicle jerked and the overdrive light appeareed on the dashboard and remained on. Vehicle was taken to dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that transmission needed to be replaced.
On 5 separate occasions when driving in the snow, the 4-wheel drive failed, resulting in the vehicle skidding and hitting a guard rail, a mail box and rocks. *ak when the four wheel drive engaged the vehicle went into a skid.
In searching the internet, I've found there are many people who have suffered the same problems that I have had. I have a 1997 ford explorer eddie bauer edition. The climate control system failed in 1998 and I took it to les pinkam lincoln mercury in elizabethtown, ky for repair. Without even looking at it, the technician told me that the blend air door had broken and it would costs $800 to repair it. Thinking he was lying, I took it to bill collins ford in louisville, ky. Again, the same results and repair estimate. Technicians at both places, told me it's a common problem. I eventually had les pinkam repair it. It seems that ford would design a system that wouldn't require the complete removal of the dash to repair it, much continue with a design with so many problems. Years later and the problem has happened again. In addition I came across tsb article number 98-23-20 in my searches, but couldn't find the article at your web-site. I also have had the transmission rebuilt twice and finally replaced it with one from a salvage yard. I couldn't see repairing it a third time when a ford technician and private yard couldn't fix it. Both times within 13 months after repair, the car would suddenly completely fail and tach out as if it were in neutral. I could get it to do it with a ford technician and his code sensor plugged in. This has come close to having me get rear ended on the interstate 65, especially when its in cruise control. For no reason at all the transmission would completely disengage and the engine would almost completely tack out before I could hit the brake pedals to dis-engage. To make a long story short, I've spent almost $6000 in repairs since owning this vehicle. In addition, I've had it in for many recalls. All I've ever got out of ford or the dealers is, sorry about your luck. Surely there is something your agency can do about this. My transmission problems, were pretty scary.
The automatic 4wd system selects 4wd on dry pavement during sharp turns causing the gears to bind, intermittently - about half the time. However the same "automatic" 4wd selection does not result in 4wd when wheels are slipping. In fact the implementation of 4wd when "auto" is selected seems to be completely random. This has happened since the vehicle was new. I complained to the dealer when it was under warranty and they said "it is supposed to do that." I am about to rewire the system to a manual selector as I am now on my own with the warranty expired. However ford has seen the last of my money.
Transfer case failed with no apparent problems. When taken apart by tech. It looked perfectly fine. Must have complete replace of transfer case, can't just change parts. Msn auto-tecs brings up a number of mechanics who found same problems. Ford has built better after market replacement but never notified anyone of this problem. Some mechanics say that customers have brought in with this problem and they have never engaged their 4x4.
Transmission out before I reached 87,000 miles. When my husband changed the transmission fluid, large chunks of metal came out. The problem occured when driving home from krogers and vehicle did not shift out of 2nd gear, rmps went up past 4000, then vehicle would loss power. Would take my foot off gas til rmps 0, then repeat this cycle for my 5 miles home. My husband towed vehicle to peffley ford of dayton, ohio on dec 24, 2003. They said this is normal for that many miles, but according to my search, this is not. Ford transmissions have been problems for other buyers. Could have been fatal if I was on interstate. We are being charge $2100 for a new transmission, today is jan 1, 2004 and I don't even have it back.
The truck's overdrive light blinked and the engine lights came on. When this occurred the truck failed to go into overdrive and the # 3 cylinder misfired. The dealership indicated this could be caused by automatic transmission failure. Please provide any additional information.
Loss of reverse. Failure of bearing race above valve body caused fluid to be ported to both forward and reverse drive at same time. When reverse was selected, the vehicle would only travel in rearward direction two to three feet before binding and all motion ceased. Drive forward was not adversely effected before the repairs were completed. Ford motor company recommended the replacement of the transmission with a rebuilt unit at the cost of $2800. With only 61000 miles on the vehicle, I opted for a second opinion. A reliable transmission shop diagnosed the problem with the "exploder" transmission and completely rebuilt the unit for half the ford replacement cost.
Consumer turned on the ignition switch and the alarm chimed, indicating that a door was ajar. Driver got out to check the doors. Heard something that sounded like the gear was engaging. Then vehicle suddenly began to roll backwards. Consumer grabbed the steering wheel but was dragged 300 feet before the vehicle came to a stop by slamming into a neighbor's house.
The front differential had to be replaced.
The vehicle will not shift back to auto, its stuck on auto low. Please provide any further information. Ph
Transmission failure. Ts
While driving at highway speed, consumer states "there was a sudden big bang and then sound like a machine gun". Consumer tried to keep driving, when a big cloud of smoke emerged from the rear. Cause is unknown. Dealer states transfer case had completely locked up. Please provide any further information. Ts
Loss of drive accompanied by a ratcheting noise coming from the transfer case during coast or deceleration or when in reverse. After reseaching this problem on the net I have found many with this same problem. The dealer says the transfer case must be replaced at cost of $3000.00. The september issue of gears magizine has an article on page 64 that address the cause and how to correct it. And states that this is a defect. However the article says that it is cheaper and more efficient to buy a new unit. You would think that a problem like this should at leased be addressed by ford. Dt
My vehicle suddenly started accelerating when I was proceeding down the interstate. I could slow the vehicle down somewhat by aggressively applying the brakes. However, this would just get me slowed down a little until I would release the brake. The vehicle would suddenly speed up again. I was traveling on a fairly busy stretch of interstate at the time of the incident. I luckily did not have a need to stop quickly while this problem occurred. I tried hitting the accelerator a few times to get it to stop sticking in the "wide open" position. I even tried manipulating the cruise control (which was off). After several failed attempts to remedy the problem, I started trying to think of a quick game plan to get out of this potential disaster. I am very thankful that my wife was not driving at the time and that I did not have others in the car during this nightmare. I was finally able to find a shoulder where I could pull off the road. As I said, the road was extremely busy and I was very worried about getting off the road safely with a semi-truck not far behind me. I pulled toward the shoulder and put the car into "neutral". The RPM's, which had been running extremely high for about 3 minutes, moved even higher at this point. The RPM's were pegged to the top of the gauge for about 30 seconds. As soon as I felt I was off of the roadway enough, I turned the key to the "off" position. When I got out of the car there was a horrible burning odor coming from the front of the car. I am not only concerned about the problem that may have triggered this incident, but I am also very worried about collateral damage that this undoubtedly caused. I feel that this caused an excessive amount of wear and tear to the engine and the braking system. On top of all of the physical damage done to the car, the experience was scary to say the least. My wife refuses to even get in the car at this point. Needless to say, she doesn't want my kids to ride in it either.
Tranfer case will lock up four wheel drive. And there was difficulty in steering. See service bullentin 99-14-2.
While on vacation from california going to montana I was driving down a 7% grade with my family in the car, our transmission started to spin and we lost all foward/backward propulsion. Upon contacting the nearest ford dealer, they stated the o-rings on our new transmission filter were broken. They stated they replaced them and charged us 200+ dollars (we have since found out that there are no o-rings on the transmission filter for this make and modle of vehicle) the problem reoccured while in the mountains. Ford then stated that we needed a new transmission, however, in the town we were in on vacation, they were unable to put one in. We then took the vehicle to the gmc dealer who put in the transmission according the instruciton and recommendation from ford at a cost of $2700. The gmc dealer was having difficulty finding a suitable place to attach the overdrive wireing to the new transmission. Ford talked them through it and I and my two small children were on our way home (after flying my husband home who had to return to work). We were headed out of town and the transmission started to spin again. We were towed back to the gmc dealer who contacted the ford techs. The ford techs. Stated that the transmission harness that was originally put on our vehicle was not correct and that they have been having a lot of problems with them because they don't allow the vehicle to shift properly and eventually everything locks up. They stated that it should be recalled but hasn't yet. They sent the gmc dealer a new harness which still was not the right one. The gmc dealer then built a harness for my vehicle to get me home as I had been stranded in montana for three weeks at this point living in motel rooms with my two small children. At this point ford is taking no responsiblity for this problem. Now my vehicle is at the ford service center in temecula ca and there cont. To be a problem with the transmission. Help please this is an extreme danger!!
On slight inclines vehicle rolls either up or down hill. Dealer has been notified.
While vehicle is parked on slight incline, vehicle rolls either up or down hill. *ak consumer states this happens when the engine is turned off and the emergency brake has not been applied.
Transfer case bearing broke while driving, causing excessive shimmering and shaking, driver lost control and the vehicle went off the road immediately. After repairs, main driveshaft bearing failed with same result.
While driving steering was stiff, and consumer could hear a grinding noise in front end of vehicle. When making a turn felt like wheels were going to lock up. Vehicle was towed to a ford dealer, and they stated that front and rear sensor in transfer case had gone bad. Consumer stated that on may 4th problem reoccurred. Please provide any further information.
Engine has been sounding different since throttle recall oov422000 was done in december of 2001. While driving 75-80 MPH there was a loud noise. Vehicle was taken to dealer who stated transmission needed to be replaced.
My vehicle developed a clunk in the rear end which I assumed was a problem with the rear differential. When I took it to my mechanic he found there was a problem in the transfer case. After repairing the transfer case he then found that the problem originated in the transmission and that it was a costly repair. I would not have thought much about this except for the fact that he had another ford explorer with the same problem in his shop at the same time. I contacted ford motor company about this problem but they deny ever having this problem or having any dealerships reporting this type of defect.
Consumer stated the transfer case in the front and rear fell out, dealer was unable to correct the problem completely, the vehicle was eventually sold.
The consumer states that both front axles failed in the same way: the rubber sleeve split allowing grease to come out causing the moving metal parts to disintegrate. The consumer doesn't drive over rough terrain, although I would expect an all wheel drove to be able to do so w/out damage to the axles. The consumer's mechanic has replaced the axles on three explorers in two months in an area with a small population seems more than coincidence.
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