1997 Ford Explorer: complete transmission failure

Filed Feb 19, 2013 · Transmission · 99,000 miles · WI

We maintained our vehicles regularly, after replacing the transfer case not 8 months ago now the transmission went out. Spent $2400 for a rebuild. Shop states this model is a piece of [xxx], and the have made a lot of money from fords poor engineering on this model. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Dec 21, 2012 · Transmission · 256,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the transmission failed causing the rpms to increase continuously. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and was advised that the speedometer needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified and stated there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The failure mileage was 256,000.

Filed Jan 1, 2004 · Transmission · 78,000 miles · OH

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.

Filed Dec 23, 2003 · Transmission · 61,000 miles · GA

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.

Filed Dec 17, 2002 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · IL

Transmission failure. Ts

Filed Jul 24, 2002 · Transmission · CA

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!!

Filed May 23, 2001 · Transmission · CT

This vehicle has a emmisions related torque converter problem which must be repaired by an authorized ford dealer. It effects the the shifting of the transmission and the engaging of the torque converter. This problem was reported to the dealer on august 17, 1999 with 22,941 miles and again on february 2, 2000 with 32,304 miles. The dealer stated it was a normal characteristic and since no trouble lights come on that the ford division would not be willing to do anything about the problem. This is fords problem not mine I have been driving this vehicle under much stress daily and ford needs to own up to the problem and make the repair at their cost not mine. Ford made the faulty vehicle and I should not be left with the expense of fixing their faulty equipment. Let me add torrington ford will not be involved in this nor will they touch this vehicle. The ford dealership will be of my choice and I want a loaner vehicle while the repair is being made. I don't care if they have to replace the transmission, torque converter, front driveshaft and the pinion seal. This vehicle is faulty and it will not be at my expense. Thank you, [xxx] 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).

Filed Dec 30, 1999 · Transmission · VA · crash · 4 injuries

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.

Filed Dec 17, 1998 · Transmission · PA

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