21 problems related to automatic transmission have been reported for the 1998 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Reverse sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't.
Ford Explorer transmission problems ~ haven't had my vehicle in about a month due to continuining problems with the transmission.
Consumer heard a loud noise when attempting to back up. The vehicle failed to move because the reverse gear failed.
The transmission experienced problems.
Vehicle lost power to wheels, grinding gear noise in all gears - park selection would not hold.
Vehicle would not move, rolled off of highway required towing. Very dangerous.
TSB 99-14-02, repair cost $799. 40, repair includes adding a jumper which should be considered a manufacturing flaw and this problem should be listed as a recall. The cost for reapir should be refunded by manufacturer. No safety defect listed.
After coming off a highway stopped at a red light, tried to avoid hitting another vehicle, and red light came on dashboard. Took vehicle to dealer, where they said that transmission had broken down. Please provide more information.
The vehicle the consumer was towing caught fire, it appeared that the drivetrain/transmission possibly overheated on the towed vehicle damaging the engine compartment (all wheel drive - ohio traffic crash report). Nlm.
Put truck in reverse - truck stuck in reverse - had to be towed to Ford dealer - waiting for response from dealer - they said never heard of this happening before.
At very low speeds, or after releasing the foot brake, and then accelerating briskly, the entire drive train goes into neutral. The engine speeds up, but no vehicle movement. You must stop, or coast until the drive line violently "clunks" back into gear. This has happened several times, twice nearly causing accidents. This is very dangerous, and I would like to know if other similar vehicles have the same problem. It has just been reported to the manufacturer, so they have not had time to respond.
Automatic transmission.
Transmission is leaking. Yh.
Stalls when shifting from reverse to drive. Dealer cannot duplicate. Near collision in parking lot.
Gear shift failed, could not get it out of park.
On-going / intermittent problem with transmission; whenever slowing down from highway speed,transmission would remain in 3rd gear and cause engine to stall out. Dealer notified.
When applying the brakes pedal gets stuck,causing the brakes to hesitate. When putting the gear in park the vehicle hesitates. Consumer doesn't know whenever the vehicle is going to move, and the dealer can't determine the problem.
Transmission.
The valve body in transmision failed, causing noise. Yh.
Drive train vibration throughout the vehicle.
There is a mild to moderate vibration that can be felt in the steering wheel, floor board, and center console while driving at highway speeds (most obvious at approximately 65 - 70 mph). It seems worse when applying slight throttle, and seems to subside when you let completely off the throttle.