1998 Ford Explorer: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Feb 12, 2008 · Transmission · 108,201 miles · NC

Transmission slips when shifting into gear and clunks. Transmission disengaging out of drive gear; will not stay in gear when moving in the forward (drive) direction. Almost was in wreck due to transmission/drive failure. Had taken vehicle in to transmission specialty service station to have looked at. Faulty solenoid and stuck mechanism due to failure. Total cost of repair $1700.00.

Filed Nov 9, 2003 · Transmission · 45 miles · OH

Have ford exeplorer 1998 transmission has been acting up for a year and a half. Jerking when you put it in reverse and clunking when you put it in to drive. My exeplorer just turned 60.000 miles and the transmission is no longer working,I can not believe the problems I have had with this car,from having a wreck and airbag not deploying to all of the recalls,had the bad tires and windsheild wipers not working.they should really have to do something about the exeplorer from that year.ibought my exeplorer in oct,98 of that year new. When my exeplorer was hit head on ,the police asked if I turned off my airbags.the car had to be towed.

Filed Aug 8, 2003 · Fuel system · 34,100 miles · CA

Vehicle engine idle will jump up to 2300 rpms while in park or netural without touching gas pedal, A/C and acc's off. The only way this is noticed is when you shift out of drive while engine is running, or hear the transmission making a clunking sound tyring to downshift at such a high RPM. Vehilce will also increase speed on it's own without pressing gas pedal. It's almost a daily occurance.

Filed Jan 17, 2002 · Transmission · OH

Vehicle makes loud clunk noise and act as if it has been bumped from behind, action aslo felt in the brake pedal and resulting in forward motion. Ford invoice indicates customer statement resulting in r&r transmision and overhal, to no avail. Problem can not be determin

Filed Jul 27, 1999 · Transmission · CO

At very low speeds, or after releasing the foot brake, and then accelerating briskly, the entire drive train goes into neutral. The engine speeds up, but no vehicle movement. You must stop, or coast until the drive line violently "clunks" back into gear. This has happened several times, twice nearly causing accidents. This is very dangerous, and I would like to know if other similar vehicles have the same problem. It has just been reported to the manufacturer, so they have not had time to respond.