Transmission not working

- Detroit, MI, USA

Car takes about 3 to 5 tries to start. I replaced gas pump, plugs, cables, temp sensor, still takes long to start.O/D off light started flashing, and now it has a rough gear change I believe from 2nd to 3rd

- Brownsville, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving various speeds. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was manually restarted and operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as a transmission malfunction. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and transferred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 186,000.

- Warren, OH, USA

Vehicle running in park while driver gathered boxes to place in bed of truck. Drive train engaged sending driverless vehicle down road, across intersection and into brick wall. Witness to impact ran to vehicle thinking to check on driver. Upon opening door, noted no driver and stated shifter still indicated vehicle was in park.

- Duluth, GA, USA

I purchased a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport tract I didn't get to test drive it because there were other vehical surrounding it. When I finally got to drive my truck home I noticed the transmission had a severe issue. When I turned a corner my tires rubbed badly on some other part to the trucks parts and the driver seat has a medal rod that jabs me in the back that's coming thru the fabric now my battery has leaked acid every where in the battery compartment and surrounding areas.

- Surprise, AZ, USA

Vehicle started having a chatter under the hood. Pulled out on to the highway and the transmission started slipping and would not engage (very dangerous, was in the middle of the highway and couldn't move). Took to a mechanic and he told me the noise had something to do with the tensioners or something to that effect on the transmission. He said there was a recall for this in the past but not sure if the recall is still in effect. This dangerous problem needs to be fixed before someone gets injured or worse and Ford will be liable.

- Hartford, KY, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the transmission slipped. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the servos needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 77,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Glenedenbeach, OR, USA

My Ford Explorer Sport Trac with an automatic transmission has a common problem that has plagued many Explorer, Sport Trac's, and Ranger. A youtube video explains the problem, "uploaded on Dec 7, 2011 - Ford used the 5R55E in many rear and 4 wheel drive applications. It is a good transmission but is susceptible to the valve body gasket "blowing out." The symptom of this in our vehicle was that the transmission missed second gear under acceleration but found a higher gear when we let off the gas pedal." This happens to me daily, and is a traffic hazard as the vehicle is unable to accelerate as it should. Ford published a tsb(technical service bulletin) on 03-22-10 acknowledging this problem. It is a dangerous occurrence in most vehicles where the valve body separator plate does not work as it should. When I took my vehicle to the dealer, they did not acknowledge the problem but wanted to charge over $4,000 for a new transmission. This is clearly a design flaw and should be addressed to all owners. Please check all complaints regarding Ford's automatic transmissions, the 5R55E and help us owners get a reasonably priced correction, before accidents occur. Thank you.

- Pomona, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The contact stated that while driving, the transmission exhibited a loud squeaking sound. The vehicle then became resistant to acceleration attempts and would no longer move. The contact stated that the engine continued to operate but the vehicle would not shift into driver or reverse. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or mechanic for diagnosis. The failure and current mileages were unknown.

- Rocky Mount , VA, USA

The rising price of gas discouraged me from using my Sport Trac (St) often, so it was garaged during the work week. On the weekends, I usually drove the St to run errands around town. On Jan 28, 2012, I drove less than a mile when my St began losing throttle response and an unfamiliar clattering can be heard generated in the engine bay. I quickly realized that this was not normal, so I proceeded to pull over. I then took the truck to a mechanic near my location. The mechanic after extensive diagnosis determined that the timing chain tensioner had failed, along with timing chain guides which shattered into multiple pieces (photos available). The timing chain and its components are suppose to last for a lifetime of the vehicle, and hence Ford provided no information or provision for its maintenance. The repair was expensive, because it required the removal of the engine which is based on the SOHC design having its right camshaft driven by a timing chain located behind the engine near the firewall. A recall of the timing chain guides and tensioner should be made because of the common problem this has been for this engine design, SOHC 4.0L after the removal of the engine and timing chain guide replacement, my vehicle began to experience transmission failure. The transmission registered an error on my dashboard, and after consultation with an expert, required a transmission rebuild. The cost of the engine and the transmission rebuild has been very expensive to say the least. The unpredictable nature of this failures would compromise safety during high speed operations. I hope NHTSA will review complaints regarding timing chain and transmission failures, which should reveal a pattern of design failures at Ford. Interestingly, Ford had issued a recall for the timing chain tensioners and engine removal to repair chain guides in the past.

- Fullerton, CA, USA