Two problems related to transmission not go into gear have been reported for the 1996 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The vehicle began hesitating during takeoff, allowing the engine to experience high rpm's but very little acceleration. The vehicle then began to not fall into 1st gear, when you shifted the car into drive from park the vehicle would hesitate for about 4 seconds then lurch heavily, the vehicle also does this at every stop, after you make a complete stop and precede to attempt to drive again the vehicle will rpm as you push the accelerator but won't move for about 4 seconds, after the 4 seconds the vehicle lurches forward heavily and spins both rear tires.
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.