The reverse in the transmission went out without any warning. How does this happen? Not taken to dealer yet. Probably is not worth it. Probably will have to get another car. At least for now. I pretty much use the car only after work now since I started taking public transportation for the last 2 years. Came home, drove the car from the train station, (about 1/4 of a mile) went into the house to drop off my workbags, came back out, started the car, put it into reverse and heard a loud ping. Put the car back in park and tried reverse again and the car would not move. Go figure. Tried going forward and the car moved. Neighbor came out and said that he heard the ping and that the pin broke when I tried reverse. Advised that I would need to get either a new car or a new transmission, because it cannot be corrected otherwise. Needed to get another car for now, because not sure if it may be worth it to get a new transmission for an 11 yr old vehicle. Just replaced a timing belt, tensioner and pulley just 2 1/2 months before that. Now repairs are starting to add up just to keep it running and the car looks virtually looks like it is only about 5 years old. Would understand better if it was slipping, but again, no prior warning. One day it worked fine and the next day it was not.
1999 Ford Explorer: complete transmission failure
16 of the 1,347 complaints about the 1999 Ford Explorer describe complete transmission failure.
- owner complaints
- 16
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- typical mileage
- 86,872
- recalls
- 1
Complete transmission failure by model year
What owners say
Transmission failure reverse gear at 115k miles in july 2010.
1999 ford explorer- reverse went out in transmission, then after spending 1500. To get that fixed , worked good for awhile, now the o/d light flashes and won't kick into overdrive, now I am told I need a new transmission. This vehicle only has 110,000 miles should not be on it's 3rd transmission fix.. Very disappointed !
Ford explorer 1999... O/d blinking, transmission missed 2nd or 3rd gears, fixed couple times including switches, solenoid,etc. The mechanic suggest to replace transmission, but not guarantee that will fix it.
My truck began revving for no reason, it only happens below 40 MPH. It doesn't always happen and happens more when it is cold outside. A few weeks back, I couldn't drive forward, I had to back up and then it finally decided to go forward. I just took the truck in and had a number of things checked and replaced. I was told that the transmission is going and it is just a matter of time. I don't understand why ford is not doing anything about the problems with their transmissions. I do not have money to throw away on a new transmission, especially with the price of gas. Please fix these problems.
Transmission failure, twice. First @ 90,000 miles, second @ 115,000 miles.
Transmission failure 1999 ford explorer 1. Transmission started slipping, after a transmission flush at the valvoline oil change company. Mileage on vehicle approx 75000 miles when service was completed. 2. Catastrophic failure of transmission, resulting in complete transmission rebuild at cost of $3000.00.
I purchased my 1999 ford explorer in may of 2004 and within a month, I began experiencing problems with my transmission. More specifically, the vehicle would loose power while driving, the transmission could be heard shifting and also shifting movement was felt while driving. I took the vehicle back to rio valley in espanola, new mexico where I paid cash ($8700.00) and was told that I did not purchase the warranty and my vehicle needed a new transmission and it would cost me $3200.00 to have it repaired. I complained and was told that my gasket was sealed with a sealant that went in to my gaskets and damaged my solenoid. I has just taken it for a transmission oil change and thought well that could be, however, after talking to the owner of hindi's oil stop, I felt certain that this was not the cause. Rio valley ford did clean out the transmission a couple of times and charged me $340.00 and I was told that this was basically going to have a band-aid effect and I would ultimately need to get my transmission fixed. It was getting me around for awhile but lately the same shifting noises and feelings I had heard and felt are recurring. My overdrive light also goes of and on continuously sometimes while I am driving the vehicle.
The transmission in my 1999 ford explorer xls failed completely while driving. The transmission had been slipping intermittently for a couple of weeks when shifting from first into second gear. I took it to the dealer for service and repair. The dealer flushed the transmission and said to drive it for a couple of days. The flushing did not work and three days later the transmission failed. This is the second time the transmission has failed in this vehicle. The first transmission was replaced under warranty but the dealership will not pay for the replacement of this transmission because it is over the mileage limit of the warranty by 4000 miles.
Odometer problem, and costly repairs on a car/SUV not disclosed as being from canada. Within 18000 miles, transmission failed, odometer didnt work, been through 2 sets of plugs and wires in 6 months.
The transmission went out at 50,000 miles.
Engine began to race whether the car was waiting for a light or traveling making it necessary to depress the brake pedal forcefully to keep the vehicle from surging ahead, while waiting at a light the consumer had to turn the vehicle off because it was racing so forcefully the vehicle may have hit crossing pedestrians, the overdrive indicator was illuminated and the vehicle began shifting erratically, the transmission was replaced and the vehicle is racing again, possibly related to the linkages. Nlm
Service bulletins that may apply
- Front axle leaks fluid from vent tube - vehicles equipped with 4X4 or AWD
- General (PCM) power train control module programming procedures
- Low line pressure reading at wide open throttle (WOT), slipping shifts and / or delayed engagements with...
- New transmission cooler flusher - service tips
- An uncommanded shift to 4X4 low
- Fluid may leak out of the front axle vent tube
- New service part - number 5 needle bearing and race kit - 4R70W transmission - service tip
- Some vehicles may exhibit a no 1-2 upshift, no 2-3 upshift, a no engine braking condition in manual 1 or...
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with the 3.27 or 3.55 axle ration. The subject vehicles have a powertrain control module that could allow the vehicle to exceed the design intent top speed. At these extreme speeds, the vehicle could be capable of exceeding the speed rating of the tire.
- Risk
- Operating the vehicle above the maximum speed rating could lead to a tire failure which at these speeds could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module.
Recall number 00V395000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1999 Ford Explorer transmission failure
Is complete transmission failure a common problem on the 1999 Ford Explorer?
16 of 1,347 owner complaints about the 1999 Ford Explorer (1%) mention complete transmission failure. The model year with the most reports is 2002.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1999 Ford Explorer?
There is 1 recall and 82 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1999 Ford Explorer
Wipers 191Tire blowout 139Airbag light 45Stalling 44Fire or smoke 42Adaptive cruise 41No deployment 22Door locks 21Pulling 18Slipping 16Check engine light 15Ball joint 13Grinding brakes 13Headlights 10Hesitation 10Sudden acceleration 10Won't start 10Brake failure 9ABS 8Fuel pump 7Premature wear 7Engine failure 6Jerking 6Seat belt 6Misfire 5
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