2000 Ford Explorer: complete transmission failure

Filed Jul 31, 2015 · 36,000 miles · NY

I purchased the ford explorer xlt in october 2000 and within three years the transmission went of service. I took the vehicle to ford company to see whether or not the vehicle was able to be repaired under the warranty and I was told that the vehicle was not under warranty because it over 36,000 miles and three (3) years has elapsed. I then took the vehicle to amaco co. To repair the vehicle with my personal expenses at $2,000.00. They provided at one (1) year 12, 000 miles warranty. Within two years the transmission went out again and I had to take it to another transmission company because I did not have a warranty anymore. I took the vehicle to a auto shop to service the transmission again and was given after the repair an one (1) year warranty at 12,000 miles. Three years later the transmission went out again in 2014 and now I had to have the vehicle repair for transmission failure. Now again the vehicle was repaired and given a one (1) year warranty at 12, 000 miles. Now we are in 2015, the transmission is requiring repair for the fourth time. This vehicle has been a lemon from the beginning first with the firestone tires and now with the transmission. I cannot afford to repair this vehicle, it is at 293,500 miles. I have contacted ford company several times to no resolution. Ford company has indicated that the vehicle is not under warranty and that there is nothing they can do. They indicated that the national highway and safety must deem the vehicle to be a lemon, have sufficent customer complaints and move forward to have a national recall. Based on internet findings the year 2000 to 2004 of ford explore's has had many issues with the transmission. Ford company has refused to perform a "goodwill" gesture on repairing this lemon. This is unacceptable that now I have replaced and repaired this transmission three (3) times within the span of 8 years.......updated 12/10/15 *bf

Filed May 21, 2015 · Electrical, Transmission · 147,000 miles · CA

Before my transmission went out my over drive would flash then my 4wheel drive stopped working. I had the 4wheel drive switch replaced and everything was fine until I went to sacramento. After taking care of my eddie bauer explorer having the transmission flushed and filled on a regular basis. While leaving sacramento stopped at a chevron to fill up before heading back up to tahoe. As im leaving the gas station all of the sudden there's a loud crunch of metal sound coming from under my car and it wont kick into any gear. Had to have it towed and after reading the thousands of complaints from other owners about their exploders doing the sme thing I figured I would complain. Im tired of big companies screwing the little people over who purchase their products when they are perfectly able to fix it. Shame on u ford.

Filed Oct 14, 2009 · Transmission · 171,000 miles · GA

I have a 2000 ford explorer. Several years ago I had to replace the transmission, which I understand is very common in ford vehicles. Now just a few years later I'm having transmission issues again. The car is jolting ahead when at a complete stop. And also not want to get into the next gear properly. I am now told that I have to repair the transmission valve body. It seems these vehicles have way too many transmission issues.

Filed Jul 14, 2008 · Transmission · VT

O/d light flashing. Griffen ford could not id problem. Unaccustomed to how this transmission should handle, I had no idea how the lowest gear ratio should feel and assumed what it did feel like was normal. At 110,000 a/tran failed and had to be remanufactured. Used private shop. Outstanding re-build and that is when I found out that I never had a low(est) gear but did after the transmission was rebuilt. Faithful change and cleaning of trans fluid, no towing ever, and excellent maintenance record did not prevent a transmission failure which is evidence of ford poor quality control at the manufacturing or assembly level. Obviously no one ever picked up the fact that the low gear never worked, not at the ford factory, at the dealership, by sales, or service, and was never properly road tested. Poor reflection on ford motor corporation.

Filed Jul 11, 2008 · Transmission · HI

O/d light started flashing and wouldn't correct with the button on the gear shift. Explorer would rev at inappropriate times. Mileage has dropped from 21 to 16 mpg which outrageous. Took it in to be checked expecting the sensors to be off but was told the transmission was shot, the converter was busted, metal in the transmission, would need to completely replace the transmission.

Filed Mar 15, 2007 · Transmission · 98,000 miles · AE

Vehicle underwent 95000 mile inspection which included change of transmission fluid and filter in oct 06. In feb the transmission failed on return from short trip. Local ford garage advised that likely cause was leaking transmission seal. There was no evidence of any transmission leak on driveway, or garage floor. There was no problem with vehicle not shifting correctly until evening of problem. It was as if all fluid was lost at once but garage claims that it was pressure leak?

Filed Apr 17, 2006 · Transmission · 54,000 miles · SC

2000 ford explorer transmission went out at 54,000 miles, rebuilt cost $1,350. Car is at 128500 miles and transmission has gone out again! Car has not piled trailer or load on system. Ford transmissions are junk!

Filed Jan 17, 2006 · Transmission · 43,000 miles · MA

Dt*: the contact stated while driving, the overdrive light was flashing. The vehicle was pulled over to determine a problem. When the vehicle was put in drive there was no reaction, and reverse was inoperable. The vehicle was put in second gear and taken to the dealership. The dealership determined the transmission needs to be replaced.

Filed May 3, 2005 · Transmission · 113,000 miles · MO

Explorer 4/4 eddie bauer. Easter driving down highway smoke came from front of vehicle. Dealer advised that gears had burned out and repaired. Transmission went out again and was rebuilt. Fluid was thrown out on to the highway. On third failure transmission was replaced. On saturday this week transmission went out again punta gored florida and is currently at the dealer for repair.

Filed Oct 13, 2004 · Transmission · 20,000 miles · NJ

Purchased explorer xlt with automatic transmission. Repeated problems holding gears, lack of power. Twice was brought to dealer for diagnostics, which were inconclusive. Problem continued and eventually transmission was replaced by dealer. No problems for first eight months with the new transmission, but now when travelling at high speeds, the overdrive dis-engages causing a loss of power. Upon re-start of car, problem subsides. The car was examined at the dealer two more times, but they were unable to replicate the failure and no work has been done.

Filed Apr 6, 2004 · Transmission · 59,034 miles · IL

On the 27th of march in 2004, my 2000 ford explorer transmission went out in chicago. The vehicle malfunctioned while stopped at a stop light. The car then would not move. The vehicle does have 59,000 miles on it. When I moved the vehicle back to my hometown via my own hauling capabilites, the dealership where the car has been serviced since the time of purchase, refused to help me with any repairs even though it had been in their shop only five days before the transmission went out. When I asked them what they suggested, they informed me that I needed to contact ford myself and start talking with them. After talking with ford several times I realized taht I was no where. They refused to help and did absolutely nothing to make me satisfied. I have received no assistance whatso ever from them. Ia m persoanlly aware that other car companies take care of situations like this for their consumers. I hope that by submitting this, ford will be required to recall a product that they know to be defective.

Filed Jan 20, 2004 · Transmission · 77,000 miles · PA

Transmission failed prematurely. Transmission was replaced three times.