This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
This vehicle was professionally serviced and maintained. At 74,000 miles the transmission began slipping. When Ford tested the vehicle they told me it broke down an that the starter, flywheel, torque converter and entire transmission had to be replaced. They said they have never seen this before. The more I talk about this, the more I hear about Ford Explorer transmission problems.
During a routine transmission fluid and filter change I discovered a potential problem.during the refill and check of proper fluid level the dipstick gives a false indication that the fluid is at the correct level. It indicated to me that the level was over full. This was even verified by a certified ase technician at a local walmart. He noted the level was low. I discovered that you have to look at the opposite side of the dipstick to acquire the correct reading. By doing this I discovered the fluid was nearly 2 quarts low. The reading on the front side never changed where the cross hatched indicators are. This could be fixed by a simple change in the dipstick. This presents a problem of transmission failure due to improper fluid levels. I believe owners should be notified.
Transmission failed twice under normal driving conditions. Lost power under certain circumstances. Same problem both times. Engine seized when vehicle hit a puddle of water at low speed. Air intake is mounted unusally low on this Explorer allowing water into the combustion chamber and causing hydrostatic lock. Ford Motor Company has been contacted and reads a scripted response when I have tried to get any additional information about what I consider a serious design flaw.
- Kihei, HI, USA
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Transmission not shifting into 3rd gear onced warmed up. This vehicle has been serviced by Ford since new at the dealer it was purchased at. Service verified problem but didn't know what caused it, said they've seen this 3-4 times and could only recommend overhual or replacement. Fluid for transmission had been overfilled when serviced by them in febuary 2000. Est cost of repair 2-3000.
Transmission was whistling/rubbling, and would not drive. At 13 months old transmission was replaced. Currently, noises were back, but it was running. Dealer told consumer not to drive vehicle.
In June of 1996, 1 new tire blew out, and I was lucky to get a replacement and Goodyear reinbursed me for the cost of a new tire. Eventually, my tires started wearing oddly, and after getting a whole new set, my sway bar link broke. I had the sway bar replaced, but my new tires are also wearing very oddly. I have had several front end alignments, tire balance and frequent rotations. No one is sure why my tires are wearing as they are, on the inside only. The tread is very thin, and I think I will need a third set of tires on this truck. I wonder if the sway bar is part of the problem. It seems like everything big and expensive went out on this car as soon as it hit just over 100K miles. Of course my transimission, and catalytic converter problems were not covered under warranty, even though both were very close. I plan to take the car to Ford to discuss the tire problem, I hope someone can explain why I am going through so many sets of tire. I have never had an accident in this vehicle, and have maintined it carefully. Could the sway bar be a problem?( dot number: Tire size: Lt23S/75R1 )
This SUV V-8 is four years old with 63,000 miles on it, and the transmission went out, I am the original owner and had taken the car in for all of it services, there is no reason why this transmission should of gone out @ 63,000 miles, 4 years old, something is wrong with the make of this, it cost $2,300 to replace it with a Ford rebuilt transmission.
In June of 1996, 1 new tire blew out, and I was lucky to get a replacement and Goodyear reinbursed me for the cost of a new tire. Eventually, my tires started wearing oddly, and after getting a whole new set, my sway bar link broke. I had the sway bar replaced, but my new tires are also wearing very oddly. I have had several front end alignments, tire balance and frequent rotations. No one is sure why my tires are wearing as they are, on the inside only. The tread is very thin, and I think I will need a third set of tires on this truck. I wonder if the sway bar is part of the problem. It seems like everything big and expensive went out on this car as soon as it hit just over 100K miles. Of course my transimission, and catalytic converter problems were not covered under warranty, even though both were very close. I plan to take the car to Ford to discuss the tire problem, I hope someone can explain why I am going through so many sets of tire. I have never had an accident in this vehicle, and have maintined it carefully. Could the sway bar be a problem? (tiresize: Lt23S/75R1)( dot number: Tire size: Lt23S/75R1 )
The transmission will not shift into drive. When in drive the car coasts at about 1 mph. It will go into reverse and park ok. The car is driven under normal to light driving conditions. I has never been used for towing. The transmission fluid has been checked and it is fine. The warranty expired on 3/9/2000. Just a week prior to the warranty expiration warranty work was completed on the transfer case and nothing was noted as being wrong with the transmission. The last scheduled maintenance was completed on the vehicle in June 2000. The brakes pulsate when slowing down from high speeds. They were serviced once by Ford for this problem and the servicing did not correct it. Ford refused to service them again and they continue to pulsate when slowing down from high speeds.
The transmission will not shift into drive. When in drive the car coasts at about 1 mph. It will go into reverse and park ok. The car is driven under normal to light driving conditions. I has never been used for towing. The transmission fluid has been checked and it is fine. The warranty expired on 3/9/2000. Just a week prior to the warranty expiration warranty work was completed on the transfer case and nothing was noted as being wrong with the transmission. The last scheduled maintenance was completed on the vehicle in June 2000. The brakes pulsate when slowing down from high speeds. They were serviced once by Ford for this problem and the servicing did not correct it. Ford refused to service them again and they continue to pulsate when slowing down from high speeds.
On August 9, 2000, Explorer was towed to dealership because transmission would not shift into drive. Dealership stated that transmission needed to be replaced. Consumer states that prior to transmission replacement there had been some slipping, consumer is requesting reimbursement.
I purchased my 1996 Ford Explorer, in November of 1998. When I purchased it, the mileage was at 23,000 miles. I took it to the dealership two or three times for minor repair work while it was still under warranty. It currently has aprrox. 54,000 miles on it and I am experiencing problems with the automatic transmission. It is slipping in first and second gear, and is on the verge of needing to be replaced. After doing some checking I found that it is going to cost me at least $2,400 for the repairs to the transmission. I normally do not have any problems with having to take care of vehicle repairs because I depend on my vehicles, for both myself and my family. However, it is my considered opinion that a nearly new vehicle such as this one with the low amount of mileage that it has, should not be having problems like it is currently having with the transmission. I would very much appreciate for this matter to be investigated so that I can determine if I am able to receive any assistance by Ford Motor Company, or to determine if there are additonal consumers that are having the same type of problem that I am having and just simply do not know how to resolve this matter. Thank you for any assistance that you may be able to offer me concerning this matter.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Briarcliff, NY, USA