Six problems related to transmission failure have been reported for the 1998 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Original transmission failed and replaced, new transmission failed several times causing leak prior to replacing.
Transmission failed causing vehicle to loose reverse gear.
Transmission failed due to broken support, however vibrations in drivetrain prior to failure.
Transmission failure; transmission is slow to engage and then will jerk once it does.
Automatic transmission intermittently fails while in reverse.
Transmission failed.