Automatic Transmission problems of the 1996 Ford Explorer - part 1

38 problems related to automatic transmission have been reported for the 1996 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.

1 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 02/02/2005

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.

2 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 10/31/2002

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. Mr.

3 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 03/09/2002

No summary listed for above vehicle.

4 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 02/01/2002

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.

5 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2001

Transmission not shifting into 3rd gear onced warmed up. This vehicle has been serviced by Ford since new at the dealer it was purchased at. Service verified problem but didn't know what caused it, said they've seen this 3-4 times and could only recommend overhual or replacement. Fluid for transmission had been overfilled when serviced by them in febuary 2000. Est cost of repair 2-3000.

6 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 12/28/2000

No safety defect listed.

7 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 11/24/2000

This SUV v-8 is four years old with 63,000 miles on it, and the transmission went out, I am the original owner and had taken the car in for all of it services , there is no reason why this transmission should of gone out @ 63,000 miles, 4 years old, something is wrong with the make of this, it cost 2,300. 00 to replace it with a Ford rebuilt transmission.

8 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 07/17/2000

The transmission has been replaced three times and is continuing to experience failure.

9 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 07/01/2000

On August 9, 2000, Explorer was towed to dealership because transmission would not shift into drive. Dealership stated that transmission needed to be replaced. Consumer states that prior to transmission replacement there had been some slipping, consumer is requesting reimbursement.

10 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 06/22/2000

I will never buy a Ford again. Nosafety defect listed in summary.

11 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2000

Vehicle stopped running while driving at 35-40 mph. Vehicle taken to a independent repair shop for transmisson repairs. Please provide any further information.

12 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 03/14/2000

My vehicle was in need of multiple transmission parts under 40,000miles, is this common for this vehicle?.

13 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 01/21/2000

O/d and check engine light went on and the truck would not shift from first to second gear.

14 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 01/15/2000

Vehicle experienced problem with transmisson. After shifting into four- wheel drive. Transmission lost low gears. Dealer and manufacturer notified. Common problem.

15 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 12/23/1999

In June of 1996, 1 new tire blew out, and I was lucky to get a replacement and goodyear reinbursed me for the cost of a new tire. Eventually, my tires started wearing oddly, and after getting a whole new set, my sway bar link broke. I had the sway bar replaced, but my new tires are also wearing very oddly. I have had several front end alignments, tire balance and frequent rotations. No one is sure why my tires are wearing as they are, on the inside only. The tread is very thin, and I think I will need a third set of tires on this truck. I wonder if the sway bar is part of the problem. It seems like everything big and expensive went out on this car as soon as it hit just over 100k miles. Of course my transimission, and catalytic converter problems were not covered under warranty, even though both were very close. I plan to take the car to Ford to discuss the tire problem, I hope someone can explain why I am going through so many sets of tire. I have never had an accident in this vehicle, and have maintined it carefully. Could the sway bar be a problem? (tiresize: lt23s/75r1)( dot number: tire size: lt23s/75r1 ).

16 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 11/30/1999

No summary.

17 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 10/13/1999

While driving vehicle at approximately 20-25mph, forward drum broke on the transmission. Vehicle kept trying to downshift on its own. Vehicle would work fine in reverse, but not in forward. Had vehicle towed to dealer to correct problem.

18 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 09/29/1999

Replaced overdrive assembly. Mjs.

19 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 09/17/1999

While driving on the highwayvehicle was going up a hill when it started to lose power and suddenly cut off due to a broken transmission part.

20 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 09/08/1999

3rd transmission in 35k miles, Ford won't warranty. Transmissions fail at highway speed and has nearly caused 3 accidents.

21 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 09/01/1999

While driving on the highway transmission went out, and the vehicle was not able to accelerate. Dealer has seen vehicle.

22 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 06/04/1999

Speed control failed to disengage when braking or using off button, throttle cable hung up shifted to neutral, but transmission shifted between neutral and reverse and destroyed transmission.

23 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 06/04/1999

While backing out vehicle started to roll. Shifted into drive, but vehicle kept rolling. Shifted into park & vehicle still failed to stop. Had to use the emergency brakes. After several attempts, it finally stopped. Dealer is having vehicle towed to be checked by the mechanic.

24 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 04/27/1999

On 4-27-99 the truck was brought to the dealership because I felt the transmission was not shifting properly. After driving it, the mechanic said that the transmission was "burnt". It was then rebuilt by dealer. 2-3 weeks later returned because too much delay when put into reverse. Fixed. Mid July 99 odometer stopped turning. 8-12-99 was told did not have 4wd. Dealer said nothing to do with trans overhaul and part was $500 + install. My feeling is that these things are all related, and should not be going bad this early in life of truck. Ford says too bad.

25 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 02/01/1999

No summary listed for this vehicle.

26 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 12/12/1998

Transmission malfunctions. Also, when driving at 35 to 45 mph without prior warning, the vehicle will cut off. Dealer has the vehicle in shop to repair the problem.

27 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 06/25/1998

Uncontrolled rapid acceleration. Only stop by set tronsmission in neutral and/or punch down on gas pedal. Happened 3 times to date.

28 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 06/01/1998

Noticed gas was being splattered on the wheel wells, and on the back of the car. Called Ford, and was not able to help. While driving on local street stopped in the middle of traffic. Could not get the vehicle out of neutral. Vehicle was towed home.

29 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 12/30/1996

Overdrive unit broke.

30 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 12/29/1996

Vehicle parked in driveway, went to unlock the door to the house and went back out to turn motor off vehicle started moving back and driver was unable to stop vehicle. Ran over driver's arm and ankle and backed into a gravel pit.

31 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 10/12/1996

The consumer when driving at any speed and there wa s a problem with the overdrive. Also, when consumer applied brakes, they went straight to the floorboard and the vehicle accelerated by itself. Vehicle has been into repair shop 20 times for repairs, and the dealer can't determine the problem.

32 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 08/25/1996

Transmission jerks/bucks.

33 Automatic Transmission problem

Two pistons in the transmission busted, causing the transmission to go. The manufacturer and dealer have been notified.

34 Automatic Transmission problem

Transmission was not bolted in during manufacturing.

35 Automatic Transmission problem

Problems with 1996 Ford Explorer's engine and transmission.



Safety Ratings of Explorer Cars
Fuel Economy of Explorer Vehicles
Explorer Service Bulletins
Explorer Safety Recalls
Explorer Defect Investigations