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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
19,762 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.

1996 Ford Explorer transmission problems

transmission problem

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1996 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #78

Nov 172009

Explorer

  • 149,800 miles

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

Our 96 Ford Explorer transmission has slipped out of gear at unpredictable times, speeds, and inclines. Only have had a back bumper "bumped" when this happened, but would really like for some dept or entity to refer us to a truly knowledgeable and experienced transmission shop or other helpful source.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #77

Feb 022005

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The vehicle started on February 2, 2005 took it to the dealer, and they said the water pump went out, but did not replace it. Also, there was a radiator leak. They did not replace anything. When putting the vehicle into gear the truck will jerk. Ford said this was the way it was suppose to drive. Took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, they said it was the transmission. The independent mechanic could tell it was not hooked up properly. Now the independent mechanic stated this was why the vehicle was torn up due to the way Ford had the consumer drive the vehicle.

- Flint , MI, USA

problem #76

Jul 292004

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 888,275 miles
Thursday July 29th,2004 started to make left turn stalled rolled out of way of to avoid accident.few seconds later was able to go forward drove app.20 miles no problems, normal.parked in drive vehicle sat over night app.14hrs.July 30th drove app.5-6 miles then begin to not feel gears shifting, drove home.parked waited 3-4 hrs checked transmissiom fluid did not look right.waited over night was told looked like water in fluid, was told to check radiator, found transmission fluid in radiator.how did this happen.no warning, nothing.

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

problem #75

May 072004

(reported on)

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 123,345 miles

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

Problems with 1996 Ford Explorer's engine and transmission.

- Williamsport, PA, USA

problem #74

Oct 142003

(reported on)

Explorer

  • 75,000 miles
While pulling out of a parking lot vehicle died. Vehicle would not go into reverse or drive.

- Clarksdale, MS, USA

problem #73

Jul 162003

(reported on)

Explorer

  • 153,000 miles
While driving vehicle suddenly hesitated to accelerate, transmission had gone bad, per dealership.

- Athens, GA, USA

problem #72

May 072003

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

We purchased our vehicle used in 1999 with 33000 miles. 6 months after the purchase we needed a new transmission, another new transmission last year (2002), new ball joints, and now we are being told the rack and pinion needs to be replaced. Ford has not offered any recalls on this part but I have seen other complaints regarding this. My vehicle is constantly shaking (feels like I am going over rumble strips) when I am over 30-40 mph. We also just had our vehicle aligned and it is out of alignment again because of this problem.

- Lewisberry, PA, USA

problem #71

Feb 062003

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles
We have a 1996 Ford Explorer with only 74,000 miles. When we bought the vehicle it had only 25,000 miles. The maintenance on the transmission was done according to the maintenance book. When the vehicle is put into gear it slips in each forward gear. Reverse gear no longer works. When in reverse its as though in park. The overdrive light flashes rapidly.

- Plaistow, NH, USA

problem #70

Nov 182002

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles
1) no heat, only blows cold air. 2) transmission does not shift smoothly from reverse to drive.

- Wethersfield, CT, USA

problem #69

Oct 312002

Explorer

  • miles
While driving vehicle will skip gears. Vehicle will shift from first to third gear. Consumer had vehicle serviced and was informed by the mechanic that the 2nd gear band had broken. Vehicle has an automactic transmission.

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #68

Mar 182002

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Transmission failed.

- Lawton, OK, USA

problem #67

May 032002

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
While driving, vehicle makes a loud humming sound which comes from front end of vehicle. Also, transmission has failed. Consumer constantly has to take vehicle to dealer. The check engine light illuminated. The speed sensor and the O2 sensor were replaced.

- Columbus, NJ, USA

problem #66

Mar 092002

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Traverse City, MI, USA

problem #65

Feb 222002

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Bloomingdale, IL, USA

problem #64

Feb 012002

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Within a 6 month span consumer has replaced transmission twice. Transmiission exploded while consumer was driving. Consumer was trying to accelerate, and the vehicel was not accelerati ng.

- Chesterville, FL, USA

problem #63

Dec 262001

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
After I bought this vehicle, I have taken it back at least 6 times due to a vibration. On Feb.2001, the transmission was replaced. This problem still existed, just not as much. I took the mechanic on a test drive 2 times after the transmission was replaced. Unfortunitely it did not do the vibration. Just recently, it started getting worse. I took it to another Ford dealer today, I was told that it was the torque converter. At the time of the transmission replacement, I asked about the torque converter, I was told that it was replaced with the transmission. Obviously this was not done.

- Highland Lakes, NJ, USA

problem #62

Apr 012000

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle stopped running while driving at 35-40 mph. Vehicle taken to a independent repair shop for transmisson repairs.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #61

Sep 072001

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Was traveling 30mph and vehicle would not shift into 3rd gear from 2nd gear. Transmission would slip hard. Vehicle would jerk when this happened. At dealership, transmission was replaced with a used one, but same problem occurred.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #60

Jun 012001

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The vehicles overdrive failed resulting in transmission failure, the manufacturer has been contacted. Nlm

- Lakeville, MN, USA

problem #59

May 222001

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
O/D light flashes after 15 min. Of running vehicle. Transmission then shifts hard up and down. Ford service says they cannot find anything wrong.

- Taftville, CT, USA

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