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8.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,000
Average Mileage:
138,550 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (5 reports)
  2. replaced transmission (3 reports)
1997 Ford Explorer transmission problems

transmission problem

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1997 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #8

Nov 112011

Explorer XLT 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 155,343 miles

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

I just bought a ford explorer 1997 ,3hrs after the automatic transmission stopped drive in all gears -now I've no idea about the cost I opened the trans to see if valve body gaskets had breached and no luck all gaskets in tact ,so it's up for a replacement trans

this is a joke as these 5r55 ford trans are just junk as all ford trash

I could be up for 2-3000$ I just bought it .I feel sick from this mess need trans in Sydney new Au ASAP

- mchristie, Sydney, NSW, Australia

problem #7

Jun 282011

Explorer 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 175,000 miles

this is the second transmission i had to put if this dam thing moter runs good but the trannie are junk i can aford to go buy a new car and i think ford should work there bad trannies out 2 in less the 3 years what the %$%%$^%*

- Brent L., Cadyville, NY, US

problem #6

Nov 012010

Explorer XLT V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 188,000 miles

transmission often won't immediately shift into drive or reverse when after starting. Often slips in and out of gear (auto transmission). Issues began after having transmission fluid changed.

- travelingsun, Parsons, KS, US

problem #5

Apr 122010

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 118,061 miles

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

Had just got my engine reconditioned after the timing chain went, not one month later the transmission went, this year I have spent more on the car in repairs than the value of the car itself, it's absolutely pitiful!

- Krystina K., Melbourne, VIC, Australia

problem #4

Aug 052010

Explorer 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,671 miles

97 ford explorer will not dis engage from park. recently changed front brake pads and changed the emergency brake cables. will not shift into reverse or drive

- Wilma P., Timmins, ON, Canada

problem #3

Jan 012007

(reported on)

Explorer 4.0 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles

Ford UK are rubbish!. My Explorer stopped engaging into reverse initially. Then was not engaging any forward gears in "Drive" (although you can manually select them). The recovery guy topped up the transmission fluid and explained the problem. There is an oil seal on the back of the gearbox and another on the side that joind the engine. These have perished and the hydraulic oil had leaked away. This is not the oil in the gearbox, it is used to hydraulically select the gears. This was OK with a top up but eventually drained away again and again and again. I took it to my local Ford dealer who charged me £150 just to look at it and agree with what the recovery guy told me. He had not done anything other than see the leaking fluid.

- Masood S., Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK

problem #2

Jun 172006

(reported on)

Explorer XL

  • 122,000 miles

I have paid about 10,000 in repairs into this explorer and still having so may problems i replaced the transmission still not fixed replaced all sensors replaced all gaskets, heat pump, all belts, heating and A/C, steering column, exhaust system and the list goes on ford will not even speak with me anymore they are awful never buy a ford !!!

- lara1026, Pasadena, MD, US

problem #1

Feb 222006

(reported on)

Explorer

  • 160,000 miles

I dont have drive or reverse in 2 wheel drive or in 4 high but in 4 low i have both drive and reverse. what is the problem?

- Ryan K., Lena, WI, US

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