Be notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Ford Explorer:

We never share your personal information with other companies, & there is an unsubscribe link in every alert we send you!

10.0

really awful

Typical Repair Cost:

$3,000.00

Average Mileage:

131,333 miles

Total Complaints:

3 complaints

Most common solutions:

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

transmission problem

Helpful Websites About 1997 Ford Explorer won't shift into drive or reverse

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

problem #3

2007Jan 01

(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

SEND A COMMENT »
Add A Complaint
problem #2

2006Jun 17

(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, USA

SEND A COMMENT »
Add A Complaint
problem #1

2006Feb 22

(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, USA

SEND A COMMENT »
Add A Complaint

We have partnered with JustAnswer to offer online auto repair help and advice from expert professional automotive technicians. You describe your transmission problem or ask your question and they try to help you figure it out. The fee is typically $9 to $15, but you can offer to pay more for really tough questions. You will usually receive an answer in 10 minutes or less, and you do not have to pay anything unless you accept the answer.