Automatic Transmission problems of the 2000 Ford Explorer - part 1

The 2000 Ford Explorer SUV began to slow down as the engine rpms increased. After pulling over and turning the ignition off, we noticed smoke coming from the hood. Underneath the car, flames were dripping down from the transmission. We used a fire extinguisher to extinguish the flames on the ground, and attempted to open the hood. After the hood was opened, large flames were observed in the engine compartment. The fire extinguisher was used until empty and had little impact. The car began to burn quickly and the flames spread from front to back. The emergency services arrived, extinguished the fire and collected witness statements. No one was hurt in the incident and the frame was towed via aaa to a nearby automotive shop.

I have a 2000 Ford Explorer. Several years ago I had to replace the transmission, which I understand is very common in Ford vehicles. Now just a few years later I'm having transmission issues again. The car is jolting ahead when at a complete stop. And also not want to get into the next gear properly. I am now told that I have to repair the transmission valve body. It seems these vehicles have way too many transmission issues.

On August 28, 2009 I was driving with my husband and two children under age 2 on the massachusetts turnpike when our 2000 Ford Explorer suddenly accelerated. I could not stop the car with the brakes and was forced to put the car in neutral to finally get the car to stop. I was using the cruise control at the time and had it set just under 70 mph. My car at one point was going almost 90 as we tried to figure out what to do while my foot was all the way on the brake. We were lucky to have survived this incident. A local garage said that the cruise control must have stuck and they have disconnected the wires but now leave us with damage to the car we are still trying to diagnose.

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the gear selector would not shift into the park position. The gear was shifted into neutral to allow the vehicle to remain stationary and the engine was turned off. The contact positioned bricks in front of each tire to prevent the vehicle from rolling. The failure was a continuous occurrence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and independent mechanic where they informed that the failure was related to the gear shifter cable. The vehicle was not repaired due to the part being discontinued. The failure mileage was approximately 120. The VIN was unavailable.

2000 Ford Explorer 4. 0 v6 sohc with less than 120,000miles- 5 speed overdrive transmission is going into failure. Slips consistently when shifting between second and third gear, rpms have to raise well above the necessary level to actuate the shifting mechanism, whether it may be valves or the bands.

Problem with transmission. Slips between 2nd and 3rd gear. Over drive light is flashing. Took to repair shop and cost $300, did not fix problem.

In early September, my transmission locked up while on a trip with my family. The mileage at the time was under 85,000 miles. It cost me over $1500 to have a rebuilt transmission installed. Apparently, other Ford Explorer XLT owners have had the same issue. In addition, several months later, both wheel hub assembly's have gone bad to the tune of over $800. The mileage is still under 90,000. I had to take the vehicle in again today and found out that a ball joint has gone bad near the wheel hub assembly and it's going to cost around $250 to replace that. It's unfathomable that Ford would be allowed to put out such a shoddy vehicle that falls apart once you get over 80,000 miles usage.

Premature failure of automatic transmission, 2000 Ford Explorer, transmission is the same used in the pinto. Very under rated for what it is expected to perform.

2000 Ford Explorer while parked in our driveway (parked- keys out and in my pocket) it began rolling backward. I was able to jump in and depress the brake pedal just before it would have rolled of the hill and into the street. Then it did the same thing again the next day.

2000 Ford Explorer transmission went out at 54,000 miles, rebuilt cost $1,350. Car is at 128500 miles and transmission has gone out again! car has not piled trailer or load on system. Ford transmissions are junk!.

The contact stated when the vehicle was shifting from second to third gear the engine revved. If he kicked the vehicle into passing gear the engine revved even more. A local repair shop stated that it was the blow-off valve that burned out the bands in the transmission. The repair shop did rebuild the transmission. Ford had previously issue a service bulletin for this component.

The consumer stated that when going to pass another vehicle the passing gear was not working. The passing gear was defective. The consumer had vehicle fixed by a dealer and it cost him $800. 00. The vehicle speed was about 50 mph, he hit the passing gear and the vehicle dropped to first gear. The consumer was involved in a near miss as a result. The consumer called the manufacturer, and they did not reimburse him any money. The dealer replaced the gears in the transmission. Updated 11/02/05.

1) slippage in 2-3 shift of automatic transmission car with 63k miles 2) premature failure of the automatic transmission; costly repair ($2700) 3) required rebuild of transmission.

Explorer 4/4 eddie bauer. Easter driving down highway smoke came from front of vehicle. Dealer advised that gears had burned out and repaired. Transmission went out again and was rebuilt. Fluid was thrown out on to the highway. On third failure transmission was replaced. On Saturday this week transmission went out again punta gored florida and is currently at the dealer for repair.

On 12-27-04 our 2000 Ford Explorer started to shift poorly and the over drive light stayed on, the light shows the car will not go into over-drive. I took the Explorer to the repair shop and was told the trans. Had a crack in the drum in the valve body of the trans. Vehicle was repaired cost 2229. 62 vehicle only has 56,000 miles. I looked on the net and found many complaints with the same problem two people said it occurred twice same problem. To me it sounds like a major problem with the 2000 Explorer my wife drives this vehicle very carefully never doing anything but going to work or going grocery shopping. I am very mad I think Ford is making a lot of junk this tranny for one. Maybe Ford should have a recall on this tranny.

While test driving the vehicle consumer saw a blinking over drive light on dash board. Vehicle was taken to another dealer, who found that the transmission needed to be replaced.

On the 27th of March in 2004, my 2000 Ford Explorer transmission went out in chicago. The vehicle malfunctioned while stopped at a stop light. The car then would not move. The vehicle does have 59,000 miles on it. When I moved the vehicle back to my hometown via my own hauling capabilites, the dealership where the car has been serviced since the time of purchase, refused to help me with any repairs even though it had been in their shop only five days before the transmission went out. When I asked them what they suggested, they informed me that I needed to contact Ford myself and start talking with them. After talking with Ford several times I realized taht I was no where. They refused to help and did absolutely nothing to make me satisfied. I have received no assistance whatso ever from them. Ia m persoanlly aware that other car companies take care of situations like this for their consumers. I hope that by submitting this, Ford will be required to recall a product that they know to be defective.

Consumer's 2000 Ford Explorer caught fire. Consumer stated he would like reimbursement for personal items which were in the vehicle at the time of the fire. Prior to the fire, the engine would not start. The consumer received a recall notice regarding a potential fire concerning the speed control deactivation switch. The transmission had been replaced a month earlier.

Independent shop replaced twice the automatic transmission. Dealer notified.

While car is shut off and in park, and without warning vehicle would pop out of gear into reverse. Consumer had been to the dealership on two separate occasions, but problem still occurring.

Purchased Explorer XLT with automatic transmission. Repeated problems holding gears, lack of power. Twice was brought to dealer for diagnostics, which were inconclusive. Problem continued and eventually transmission was replaced by dealer. No problems for first eight months with the new transmission, but now when travelling at high speeds, the overdrive dis-engages causing a loss of power. Upon re-start of car, problem subsides. The car was examined at the dealer two more times, but they were unable to replicate the failure and no work has been done.

The car while the day before ran fine,began by slipping while in reverse. Would not work in reverse so I immediately returned the car to drive where it would not go smoothly into that gear either. The car will drive in second but with not much power. This is one of many incidents with this vehicle in less than 3 years having also replacing the brakes three times in as many years, twice had to replace the rotors.

When placing the vehicle in reverse it will not move. Consumer has to floor the accelerator all the way down before it will move.

Trandsmission failed, replaced by dealer, failed again, now currently at dealership with another failure.

When shifting into reverse transmission would simultaneously shift into forward. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified. Consumer contacted world Ford and they refused any adjustments. They acknowledged that there is a problem and that the design has been changed to correct it.

I think something is wrong with Ford transmission because I only have this vehicle for 2 yrs and had to put a brand new transmission in this vehicle that cost me $1800. 00. ****dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12-12-02 cut over to artemis****761914.

When tried to put vehicle into reverse, made loud noise, as stepping on gas, car would not move. However vechile will go into drive.

At speeds over 60 mph vehicle intermittently bucks for a few seconds, feels like it's not shifting right. Also difficult to steer at that time.

Vehicle was traveling only five miles on highway and transmission malfunctioned. Also, when consumer applied brakes vehicle would take a long time to stop. Dealership was aware of problem.

While reversing engine could not decelerate. When stepping on brakes pedal went to the floor, but vehicle could not be stopped, crashing into garage. Then vehicle was towed to dealer, and they could not find out what caused problem.

I have had numersous complaints about this vehicle some have reoccurred, and some have never been fixed. No safety defect listed in summary. ( dot number: tire size: stock ).

While son was driving, he put vehicle into overdrive before passing an intersection. When he took foot off the accelerator to step on the brakes, vehicle accelerated out of control, crashing into another vehicle.

Problems with transmission on 2000 Ford Explorer. Component's within the transmission had to be replaced at 43000 miles. This is the second Ford Explorer the consumer has owned with transmission problems. The consumer seeks some financial assistance.

The four speed automatic transmission is inadequately designed for towing the loads for which it is advertised by manufacturer, the gear ratios are totally inadequate for the load, the vehicle stalls nearly stalls in first gear on the grade.

While shifting gears vehicle jerked. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the transmission needed to be replaced due to worn-out parts.