Five problems related to automatic transmission park/neutral start switch have been reported for the 1998 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Consumer's son got inside of vehicle, turned on ignition switch without stepping on brake pedal and not turning on engine, shifted gear where vehicle was at an incline hill, and vehicle rolled backward, crashing into a fence. Dealer said that was normal on that particular model.
While vehicle was shut off a child accidentally hit transmission shift lever and vehicle rolled, resulting in injuries. Dealer has been notified.
For no reason the vehicle would stop and consumer would have an odor as if wires where burning. Took vehicle to dealer twice. The transmission was overhauled. Problem still exists.
When foot is not on brake, vehicle can be shifted into any gear. Ignition would be in between on and off when this occurs. Have taken to dealership, and informed by mechanic all vehicles are designed like that. Consumer states owners manual specifically states that vehicle has interlock safety and the brake must be applied to shift into gear, this caused an accident where vehicle ran into a fence.
Vehicle was placed in park and without any warning vehicle jumped out of gear into reverse and rolled backwards.