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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,862 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.

1997 Ford Explorer transmission problems

transmission problem

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1997 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #4

Feb 182005

Explorer Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 123,260 miles

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

While driving 35 mph transmission engaged itself into 4-wheel drive. As a result, vehicle lost power, and would not shift gears. Dealer stated transmission burned itself out, and needed to be rebuilt.

- Grahamsville, NY, USA

problem #3

Oct 222003

(reported on)

Explorer

  • 46,000 miles
Consumer turned on the ignition switch and the alarm chimed, indicating that a door was ajar. Driver got out to check the doors. Heard something that sounded like the gear was engaging. Then vehicle suddenly began to roll backwards. Consumer grabbed the steering wheel but was dragged 300 feet before the vehicle came to a stop by slamming into a neighbor's house.

- Centennial, CO, USA

problem #2

Feb 072003

Explorer

  • 94,187 miles
The vehicle will not shift back to auto, its stuck on auto low.

- Norwalk, CT, USA

problem #1

May 121998

Explorer

  • miles
While the truck was parked with the ignition running, the gear popped out of park and took off in drive. The driver was able to jump in the truck and turn off the ignition switch. The truck hit a mail box, and the hood and fender were dented.

- Ft Charlotte, FL, USA

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