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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 1
Average Mileage:
12,296 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

1995 Ford Explorer transmission problems

transmission problem

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1995 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #77

Mar 172009

Explorer

  • 170,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1995 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving, she noticed that the vehicle would "shimmy and shake". recently, she noticed that the vehicle would not shift into park so she had to use the parking brake to keep it stable. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired at the time of the complaint. The contact called the dealership and the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The current mileage was approximately 184,000. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

- Georgetown, KY, USA

problem #76

Mar 282009

Explorer

  • miles
On my sixth transmission on 1995 Ford Explorer have a life time warranty from tanner transmission but they will no longer stand behind there warranty because of the transmission being junk.

- Plesasant View, UT, USA

problem #75

Jan 012007

Explorer

  • 200 miles
I own a 1995 Ford Explorer 4X4. I purchased it new and did not have any problems with the transmission until last year when I had it flushed. I started to work the next morning and the transmission began to slip coming out of first gear. I took it into aamco and they told me the transmission needed to be replaced. They also informed me the engine was strong, but the transmission would have to be replaced. I have no problem after it gets to second and third gear. It is really unsafe trying to merged into traffic, because of the hesitation trying to get out of first. If Ford knows this is a major problem with this year vehicle, they should at least agree to recall these transmissions. I am sure most people have junked there trucks by name, but I am still hanging in strong 237,000 miles and counting, with the same slipping transmission. If anyone knows a solution to this issue, please let the rest of us know how to rectify our problems with the 1995 Ford Explorer transmission.

- Clinton, MD, USA

problem #74

Jun 172008

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1995 Ford Explorer transmission. O/D off light blinking. From the sources on the net it looks as though I will have to junk it. Ford knows this trans is no good. It just started tonight. My wife has heart disease and my have to carry to hospital at anytime now I learn I will have to have a new trans. We are both disabled and bought this for dependability. Now from all the sites I have checked it is a pieces of junk. On the highway it just revs and goes no were that is bad in traffic can cause wrecks. It is not right for Ford to know this is junk and not recall these transmission hopefully U can help all of us with these junk Ford. If someone there would get on the net and check out O/D off blinking on Ford Explorer you will see what I am and others are talking about.

- Vanleer, TN, USA

problem #73

Aug 082006

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 1995 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 25-30 mph with the accelerator pedal depressed, the first and second gear slipped. This failure occurs on all road surfaces, including hills and leveled road and begins as soon as the vehicle is driven. The failure began six years after the vehicle was purchased. After the transmission was serviced at an authorized dealer, fluid began leaking. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer for the third time and was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle is able to be driven, but the transmission has not yet been replaced. The failure mileage was 120,000 and current mileage was 131,000. Updated 06/25/08

- Dale City, VA, USA

problem #72

Sep 022007

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 165,000 miles
O/D light began to flash then the transmission went out, Ford wants $2,000, so im going through an auto salvage for $845, will never buy Ford again, they have a history of problems with there transmission. Of course the transmission went out 2 weeks after my warranty! I got a 1 year warranty for free from them because I had gone to carfax.com and found out that when I bought it from them there was an odometer roll back!

- Gillette, WY, USA

problem #71

Jun 052006

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1995 Ford Explorer XLT rolled backwards after put in park. Customer states that the vehicle pinned her against the garage door. Customer states the vehicle rolled backwards on an incline and pinned her against the door. The consumer was injured. The muscle tissue and nerves to her right pelvis and upper thigh were severely damaged.

- Ishpeming, MI, USA

problem #70

Mar 072004

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
One year ago I noticed the overdirve light began flashing on my 1995 Ford Explorer. I was told by a local mechanic that my transmission had to be rebuilt. We spent $1000 on the repairs. Now, one year later, the overdrive light is flashing again and I'm told that all that is required is to clear the code because Explorer do this all the time. I'm hearing from several other owners of Explorer that these vehicles have very frequent transmission problems which would indicate a manufacturer defect.

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #69

Apr 082003

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
In April 2003, the transmission in my 95 Ford Explorer went bad. The problem presented itself by the overdrive light coming on and blinking. Subsequently, the vehicle would not accelerate faster than 35-40 miles per hour. The problem was diagnosed as the transmission and it was replaced by cottman transmission. Since that time, I have had to have my vehicle in the shop on at least 5 occasions for replacement of a "module" in the transmission. As of July 17, 2004, this "module" is continuing to fail causing the overdrive light to come on and continuously blink. When discussed with cottman, I was told that Ford was aware of the defect of this item but would only continue to replace it and not replace the entire transmission. Since I am a heavy interstate user, I am concerned that my transmission will fail while speeding along the interstate and cause an accident.

- Glenn Dale, MD, USA

problem #68

Jul 151997

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles
I have had 3 transmission failures on my 1995 Ford Explorer. I bought it new. The first failure occured just out of warranty. It was rebuilt. The next failure occurred just out of the warranty for the first rebuild. I had a new transmission put in. The third failure is just beginning with the od light flashing and a hard clunk when the auto transmission downshifts into first gear.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #67

Apr 162004

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Over drive light flashing, transmission is slipping and noisy between 1st and 2nd gear, and also when it stops.

- Jonesville, VA, USA

problem #66

Jul 011998

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle exhibited hesitation while shifting, then, the pick up was slow. Six months ago consumer heard a clanking sound at slow speed. Currently, there was delay when shifting to drive and reverse. Also, intermittently vehicle would not shift while driving. Mechanic stated transmission needed to be replaced.

- Morton Grove, IL, USA

problem #65

Aug 201998

Explorer 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles
Have had extensive transmission and transfer case problems with this vehicle. I have replaced the transmission three times.

- Hart, MI, USA

problem #64

Jun 122003

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer states that transmission slips when trying to accelerate. Dealer notified.

- Indiana, PA, USA

problem #63

May 272003

(reported on)

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,310 miles
Problems with O/D light flashing, transmission shifts hard.

- Pittsford, NY, USA

problem #62

May 062003

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,310 miles
O/D light flashing/transmission failures.

- Pittsford, NY, USA

problem #61

Jan 132001

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,957 miles
Transmission failed. From park to reverse or drive took 8-10 sec's for it's position. Dealer says nothing wrong. Trans. Specialists charged $2500 for rebuilt Ford trans.

- Iselin, NJ, USA

problem #60

Oct 212002

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
The vehicle has given us good service until may of this year, when a problem developed in the transfer case. An oil pickup tube had broken, the unit had to be disassembled and repaired at a cost of $1304.53. This failure occurred at 72,202 miles and seemed peculiar at the time, but we accepted it as unusual wear at tear. On October 21st we took the car into the shop as the overdrive off light was flashing. The service advisor (jason savidge) called later that day and informed us that the transmission would have to be replaced. This was a total shock to me as an automobile driver for nearly 60 years. Having owned many vehicles (and driven many more) of various manufacturers both foreign and domestic, I have never experienced such failures. I do not abuse my vehicles and have them serviced regularly. As a one time apprentice auto mechanic, a graduate mechanical engineer with 40 years of professional experience I know that properly designed rotating machinery, maintained and not abused will last essentially indefinitely. I have retained most of my vehicles for 100,000 miles and more without such failures. I noted on your web site a number failures similar to ours, some multiple transmission replacements. I also realize this may not be a safety issue. But what does it take to get the manufacturer to stand behind their product. I contacted the customer service at Ford Motor Co. And received and I am sorry but nothing in our records indicate Ford Motor Co. Should pay or help pay for the transmission replacement.

- Bellevue, WA, USA

problem #59

Oct 162002

Explorer 6-cyl

  • miles
This is the second Ford Motor Co replacement transmission to fail. The last one lasted 18,00 miles. Ford Motor Company informs me that there are over 500 backorders for this replacement transmission. If this is the case then there seems to be a serious problem with Ford Explorer transmissions. I've been given the run around for two weeks, told today 10/31/02 that it will be another month before I can get a transmission. This is a major problem and Ford needs to be held accountable for producing inferior Explorer automatic transmissions. Thank you,

- Roseburg, OR, USA

problem #58

Aug 012002

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at any speed vehicle will jump out of its original gear. This slows vehicle down. Consumer is afraid of being rear ended.

- Fairhope, AL, USA

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