Consumer was told by dealer that the firestone wilderness tires were separating and stated it was dangerous to drive on them, when the vehicle was taken to firestone and firestone stated everything looked fine. Nlm
1997 Ford Explorer transmission complaints
Page 4 of 5: complaints 71 to 100 of 104, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Consumer had seen left front tire show initial separation. Consumer believed it was the axle.
Mechanic made comment that seals in transmission were defective and were supposed to be replaced but dealer neglected to do so when vehicle was traded in or in for prior services.
Transfer case failed.
The 4-wheel drive lites (4-wheel dr-low & 4-wheel dr) and the cruise control lite began flashing on the dash. I stopped at a ford dealership, pocatello, idaho. They put on computer, but said they could find nothing in the gem memory, so advised me to drive on to salt lake city, but do not put in cruise control, and this would not harm the car's equipment or be unsafe. I returned from my trip and stopped at a retirement home's parking lot in idaho falls on july 1, 2000 and the car made "banging" noises when reversed out of the parking slot. The dash lites that had been flashing previously were not showing. I called the broadway ford dealership that services the car to haul it in for repair. They found the sensors were not working properly. Then they test drove the car and said it had a noise in the transfer case and thought they should investigate. They found shavings in the fluid, and have parts on order. I am alarmed at what might have happened while driving on the interstate to and from salt lake city at 75 MPH, as the car lurched and banged in reverse and forward gear when I tried to drive out of the parking lot at the retirement home. It seemed to have the gears locked up, or the two 4-wheel drive transmissions not working together. They cannot assure me that the transmission might also be damaged from these sensors not working.
While driving on highway started slowing down and heard a clunking noise. When let go the gas pedal, all 4 wheels locked up. Also, cv joint on the front driveshaft had separated.
Engine "ticks" primarily at cold startup. Problem becoming more prevelant however, now it occurs also at a warm startup. Engine also "hisses" at low speeds to idle. Rear end leaks fluid and also shudders at high speeds. "clunking" noise often heard and felt from rear end when vehicle stops.
Vehicle has been taken in 4 times - some parts replaced -dealer can not find problem. Ford motor company contacted not resolved. Vehicle 4- wheel drive low and high lights blink while driving then the vehicle will not go into 4 wheel drive. After you turn off car and restart the system resets and 4 wheel drive works. This problem could be dangerious and could cause an accident if 4 wheel drive does not work and this would also probably include auto 4 wheel drive mode for slippery conditions.
- wheel drive high and low activated while driving at 30mph causing the steering to lock which resulted in a crash.
4-wheel drive activated while driving at 30mph, causing the steering to lock which resulted in a crash
Ea99001, throttle body system malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to jump forward or backward. Also, while starting vehicle, it will stall out when placing it in gear. Owner thinks part should be recalled. *ak
Automobile jumped out of park and rolled forward and hit a pole. No injuries were sustained.
Transfer case went out traveling between speeds of 40-60 MPH, no pulling power in gear.
4 wheel drive stuck in low. If switched out of low the transmission disengages from both the front and rear axel so the vehicle just stops. Even though the lights on dash indicate the vehicle is in 4 wheel high the vehicle remains in 4 wheel low. We have had the vehicle for 2 1/2 years and never once used 4 wheel low. With the snow this week I used 4 wheel low to get out of the driveway. I did not go more then 3 feet forward when the transmission became stuck. Nothing I did would fix the problem. When I contacted ford all they told me was my vehicle was out of warrenty so I had to pay for it. I know from other explorer owners that this is a common problem. The fear here is that the 4 wheel drive system completely disengages and my vehicle with my family is put at risk as others come up on us at speed. Thanks for the site. Kevin
While traveling 55 MPH with snow on pavement consumer heard noise under vehicle. All 4 wheels locked up, causing truck to rollover. Manufacturer has been notified. Please provide further information.
We (herndon, va residents - jane, my son tj-15, my daughter bobbie-13, and I) were returning from spending christmas with jane's sister, anne, and our brother-in-law, jack, in detroit. We departed from farmington hills mi (detroit) at 9:30am in a light snow. It worsened as we got into ohio, but the roads were cleared and in some areas were salted. Most traffic was moving at approximately 50 MPH in one lane, the far right one closest to the shoulder. That is where I was when the accident occurred. Shortly after we started the trip I heard a series of loud noises from under the car. My sport utility vehicle (SUV), a 1997 ford explorer, has a series of settings for 4 wheel drive (4wd), I.e., auto 4wd, 4wd high, and 4wd low. At the time I believed the noise to be the car shifting from 2wd to 4wd as it sensed the road conditions. I attempted to set it to 4wd, but the noise continued. Since the noise did not stop I set it back to the setting I had it in most of the time. At approximately 1pm, I am certain the transmission failed locking the wheels, which put me into a spin. During the spin the car rolled over, went in and out of a ditch (located to the right of the shoulder of the road) on its side, and eventually settled right side up with the front of the car pointed downward into the ditch toward the highway. I contacted my insurance company and the car is currently located at suburban collision center, 1151 west bagley road, burea, oh 44017 (440) 243-5533.
Ford powertrain system disengaged while driving down a highway with a steep grade. Auto engine braking control was lost with loud gear tearing sounds. Vehicle speed immediately encreased to a dangerous level during curved down-hill setion of the road. Heavy application of brakes kept us from sliding off the highway and down the mountain side. There was no warning that the ford gem control module was failing and subsequently instructing the transmission "transfer" case to release/engage in such a manner as to destroy the powertrain and disconnect the vehicle from the powertrain.
While driving at 45 MPH, applied brakes, and they went straight to the floorboard. Also, emergency brake didn't work at all, and consumer is having problems with the drive train.
Transmission problem occurred beginning in october 1997 until november 1998 when vehicle was returned to ford per a lemon law settlement. Transmission problems included lack of power, loss of power, erratic idle and throttle. Please contact me for more information per your investigation.
Pinion seal leaking.
Vehicle is not consitent switching in/out of overdrive/4 wd -sticks-ford denies there is a problem.
Brought vehichle into different ford dealer to complain of noise, was told that it was the air presssure valve and to wait till it got louder till they would fix, one week later transmission failed, they say it is a cracked drum and replaced entire transmission...never had an air valve problem
While the truck was parked with the ignition running, the gear popped out of park and took off in drive. The driver was able to jump in the truck and turn off the ignition switch. The truck hit a mail box, and the hood and fender were dented.
Started applying brakes after going 30mph. Vehicle did not slow down or stop. Rearended several vehicles. Upon impact, airbags did not deploy. Left front wheel came off. Prior to impact, cv joint made knocking noise when turning. Took to dealer twice for knocking noise.
While driving the vehicle made a cracking noise, driveshaft failed, and then became unable to drive. Dealer has fixed it.
While driving vehicle would automatically go into 4- wheel drive. Cannot drive on dry payment when in 4- wheel drive. Vheicle is heavy going for steering. Dealer reset computer & could not find anything wrong.
When changing gear into reverse defect in transmission will cause a ten seconds delay, vehicle will not move before it will actually engage the reverse gear. Dealer has rebuilt transmission, now saying this is normal with vehicle.
When backing up, the gas pedal may stick. You must tap the pedal to disengage it. If the transmission is in drive, the vehicle may lurtch forward and if you're on an incline it may roll backwards before engaging.
Transmission leaked on the converter causing fire.
While driving along at 25-3m MPH in rain, and after engaging 4-whhel drive, vehicle flipped over on its top.
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