Transfer Case problems of the 1997 Ford Explorer

This letter is intended to address ineffective service by aamco that led to failure of a transmission in my vehicle. As you see by the attached letter, I voiced concern about this last year and all aamco suggested was to take it back to the dealer that performed the ineffective service. I requested the right to take the vehicle to another aamco center, but your response was to take it to the center that I already had doubts about. Let me set the scenario again. ?with initial grinding sounds and lack of reverse, I took to clinton transmissions in 2011 and they informed me the transmission needed to be rebuilt. The vehicle was parked until 2012. ?in 2012, I called the waldorf aamco center and they informed me it may not be the transmission and to let them look at it. It was towed in and I was informed that the transmission was fine but the transfer case was bad. ?all totaled, I paid $1534. 76 for transfer case, $430. 03 for parts, and $600 for labor. This does not include the other services that the center said I needed. ?the vehicle was taken back twice for an od light that came on as soon as I left the center. They seemed unable to diagnose the problem. ?I felt concern for the period I was driving and wrote corporate to request assistance. ?earlier this year while driving to south carolina, the grinding sound started again and reverse went out. I notified corporate and the waldorf center and was told to go to the nearest aamco. ?I went to the columbia, south carolina aamco and after diagnostic, told me the same thing that the clinton transmission told me in 2011. The transmission had internal damage and needed to be rebuilt. ?I left the vehicle in columbia and had to purchase a new vehicle. With these facts in mind, aamco can surely see where ineffective service led to a safety failure.

We maintained our vehicles regularly, after replacing the transfer case not 8 months ago now the transmission went out. Spent $2400 for a rebuild. Shop states this model is a piece of *, and the have made a lot of money from Fords poor engineering on this model.

After turning a corner at less than 15 mph a loud sound was heard and the engine raced but stopped moving. Tried all gears and after having it towed to a repair facility I was informed that the transfer case broke. I had to have it replaced.

1997 Ford Explorer. The consumer states the four wheel/ two wheel lights are flashing on and off. This will happen until the vehicle is turned off. The vehicle automatically engages into four wheel drive. The only way one can tell this has happened is from the popping and cracking noises coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to cumberland falls Ford twice. They have not been able to diagnose the problem. The vehicle was also taken to a local mechanic, they thought it was the switch. The transfer switch was replaced, but the problem recurred. The vehicle automatically slows down when it goes into four wheel drive.

Transfer case failed with no apparent problems. When taken apart by tech. It looked perfectly fine. Must have complete replace of transfer case, can't just change parts. Msn auto-tecs brings up a number of mechanics who found same problems. Ford has built better after market replacement but never notified anyone of this problem. Some mechanics say that customers have brought in with this problem and they have never engaged their 4x4.

The automatic 4wd system selects 4wd on dry pavement during sharp turns causing the gears to bind, intermittently - about half the time. However the same "automatic" 4wd selection does not result in 4wd when wheels are slipping. In fact the implementation of 4wd when "auto" is selected seems to be completely random. This has happened since the vehicle was new. I complained to the dealer when it was under warranty and they said "it is supposed to do that. " I am about to rewire the system to a manual selector as I am now on my own with the warranty expired. However Ford has seen the last of my money.

While driving at highway speed, consumer states "there was a sudden big bang and then sound like a machine gun". Consumer tried to keep driving, when a big cloud of smoke emerged from the rear. Cause is unknown. Dealer states transfer case had completely locked up. Please provide any further information. Ts.

Loss of drive accompanied by a ratcheting noise coming from the transfer case during coast or deceleration or when in reverse. After reseaching this problem on the net I have found many with this same problem. The dealer says the transfer case must be replaced at cost of $3000. 00. The September issue of gears magizine has an article on page 64 that address the cause and how to correct it. And states that this is a defect. However the article says that it is cheaper and more efficient to buy a new unit. You would think that a problem like this should at leased be addressed by Ford. Dt.

My vehicle developed a clunk in the rear end which I assumed was a problem with the rear differential. When I took it to my mechanic he found there was a problem in the transfer case. After repairing the transfer case he then found that the problem originated in the transmission and that it was a costly repair. I would not have thought much about this except for the fact that he had another Ford Explorer with the same problem in his shop at the same time. I contacted Ford motor company about this problem but they deny ever having this problem or having any dealerships reporting this type of defect.

4 wheel drive is inoperative, the dealer drained and filled the transfer case.

The 4-wheel drive lites (4-wheel dr-low & 4-wheel dr) and the cruise control lite began flashing on the dash. I stopped at a Ford dealership, pocatello, idaho. They put on computer, but said they could find nothing in the gem memory, so advised me to drive on to salt lake city, but do not put in cruise control, and this would not harm the car's equipment or be unsafe. I returned from my trip and stopped at a retirement home's parking lot in idaho falls on July 1, 2000 and the car made "banging" noises when reversed out of the parking slot. The dash lites that had been flashing previously were not showing. I called the broadway Ford dealership that services the car to haul it in for repair. They found the sensors were not working properly. Then they test drove the car and said it had a noise in the transfer case and thought they should investigate. They found shavings in the fluid, and have parts on order. I am alarmed at what might have happened while driving on the interstate to and from salt lake city at 75 mph, as the car lurched and banged in reverse and forward gear when I tried to drive out of the parking lot at the retirement home. It seemed to have the gears locked up, or the two 4-wheel drive transmissions not working together. They cannot assure me that the transmission might also be damaged from these sensors not working.

While traveling down a hill and letting off the gas, the transfer case makes a grinding sound, dealer stated that the transfer case is defective.

Transfer case failed.

On 5 separate occasions when driving in the snow, the 4-wheel drive failed, resulting in the vehicle skidding and hitting a guard rail, a mail box and rocks. When the four wheel drive engaged the vehicle went into a skid.

Consumer stated the transfer case in the front and rear fell out, dealer was unable to correct the problem completely, the vehicle was eventually sold.