Recalls

CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
91V189000FORD MOTOR COMPANYfrom 07/01/1989 to 08/01/1991V (Vehicle)79200003/02/1992ODIFORD MOTOR COMPANY11/04/199111/06/1991
Defect SummaryWhen the automatic transmission shift lever is placed in the park position, the park pawl does not always abut or engage the park gear.
Consequence SummaryDriver may believe the vehicle is safely engaged in parkwhen the gear is not truly engaged. this can lead to the vehicle jumping out ofgear unintentionally, vehicle rollaway when parked on a sloped surface, andinadvertent motion when the vehicle is started. all of these conditions canresult in a vehicle accident.
Corrective SummaryRepair the transmission with a new park pawl.
NotesSystem: transmission.vehicle description: pickup trucks, vans, and multi-purpose vehicles equippedwith a4ld automatic transmissions.

Bulletins

BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
9915207/26/1999608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda. *tt01/05/2001
001501/10/2000612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *mjs06/06/2000
9811201/19/1998605573Subject regarding a new service center support that uses a thrust bearing (#3 and #4) in place of thrust washers has been released. *tt07/12/1999
988804/27/1998601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart. *yc07/10/1998
9751103/03/199751945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts. *jd07/17/1997
BC135095090609/01/199545756High altitude transmission available. *tw04/25/1996
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - TORQUE CONVERTER
9624911/18/199650908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip. *tw06/17/1997
96261212/16/199650997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip. *tw06/17/1997
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
98307402/27/1998607369Concerns with axle wind-up and / or clunking, popping, ratcheting type noises when making cornering maneuvers. *tt09/21/1999
1290506/01/1999606937Some vehicles may experience axle wind up and / or clunking, popping, ratcheting type noises when making cornering maneuvers on vehicles equipped with a four wheel drive hi or low range mode. *tt09/08/1999
BC013196010212/01/1995464384x4 front axles must use hypoid 4x4 gear oil p/n f1tz-19580-a & high temp 4x4 front axle & wheel bearing grease when servicing. it is not recommended to use heavier weight lubes in these front axles.04/25/1996
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE
660307/01/1999610704Some vehicles may exhibit an audible pinging or creaking noise that may be heard from the driveline when engine torque is initially applied to the driveline. *tt05/11/2000
97111097231211/10/199753668Concerns with pinging or creaking being heard from the driveline when shifting from park to drive or reverse, between drive and reverse, or when engaging the clutch. *yc03/30/1998
96241711/18/199650915Noise - pinging or creaking from driveline when vehicle is put into gear. *tw06/17/1997
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DRIVESHAFT
BC522596100110/01/199650500Vehicles may experience a vibration during wide open throttle acceleration or while cruising at highway speeds. revised front driveshaft. *tt04/24/1997
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
736611/01/1999610793Some vehicles equipped with manual transmission may exhibit neutral gear rollover noise (a light metallic rattling sound from the transmission) which occurs at idle with transmission in neutral clutch engaged (clutch pedal up). *tt05/15/2000

Investigations

NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
RQ97015FORD MOTOR COMPANY10/29/199704/01/1999PARKING PAWL91V189000
 When the automatic shift lever is placed in the park position, the parking pawl does not always engage the park gear.this can lead to the vehicle jumping out of gear unintentionally and cause the vehicle to start rolling inadvertently
PE91127FORD MOTOR COMPANY09/16/199111/08/1991PARK PAWL BENDING91V189000
 There is no summary currently available
PE91127FORD MOTOR COMPANY09/16/199111/08/1991PARK PAWL BENDING91V189001
 There is no summary currently available

Consumer Complaints

Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
POWER TRAIN
10/01/19923
 Speedometer doesn't work in cold weather. registers 20-30mph faster then actual speed, when warm appears to register correctly. tt
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
08/16/20071000002
 Tl*the contact owns a 1991 ford explorer. the contact experienced automatic transmission failure. he took the vehicle to a mechanic and they claimed to repair it, but actually did not. the vehicle failed and was towed to a ford dealer and they replaced the cruise control switch. the automatic transmission was not repaired. the vehicle is currently in the possession of another mechanic. the current and failure mileages were greater than 100,000. updated 03/11/08. *lj
04/05/2005306/04/2003
 I found several recalls for my vehicle. it is an old vehicle, but i only bought it in 2003. i know some of them expired, and it says to contact fod. i did via web site. they do not show any recalls. but, you showed me over 5 recalls? can i still get them fixed? my tires i guess, have been replaced but they did nit replace the spare tire. i still have the recalled spare tire?? what do i do now? can i do anything? but, i still have bad tires, the 2001 tire recall does not say what brand? i have atx and apt firestone tires. campain #92v113000,91v189000,00t005000 and another tire recall, i did not get the #, but it was in 2001. thank you. *ak
01/31/2005101/31/2005
 I was driving and all of a sudden the trasmission slipped and i woudnt go forward ten smoked poured out and people in the streets started yelling saying there's fire coming out the hood!! i pulled over and jumped out and the whole engine was engulfed in flames!!! vehicle totalled. *ak
12/14/20047
 Transmission went out, then the front main seal. it hasn't been two months and then my heater core went out and at the same time my heater fan. also, before the front main seal went out the rotors went bad and i still have problems with the braking system. this has all happened within a years time. i am thoroughly disgusted and broke. i praised ford before this, now i wouldn't recommend ford to anyone i know. i am a single mother trying to make ends meet and now i have no transportation because i can no longer afford to fix this truck. i have replaced the transmission, front main seal, water pump, starter, rotors, alternator, and the low wheel drive on my truck but now its the heater core and i have been quoted over 600-800 to fix this! that is if i can find anyone who wants to do it which by the way no one does. what do i do now? *nm
12/23/2001154233110/06/2001
 The automatic transmission failed. *jb
105/01/1991
 Black goo oozes out from around the lacing of steering wheel. constantly have the wipe wheel & hands. driver's seat broke and went backwards while driving. i only weight 185 lbs. so weight should not be a problem. there had been no rear-end collision either. front wheel hubs failed due to engineering defect. dealer tried to make me pay the first $55. i refused and won. the transmission problem was a shaft that snapped. valve gaskets are inferior material. have been tightened, but still leak.*ak
04/01/2001
 Transmission was noisy and causing a vibration during operation of vehicle. a private mechanic examined vehicle and determined that lower end shaft bearings went, and has replaced transmission for a temporary fix. please provide any additional information/attachments. *ak
07/14/1999201/01/1991
 Confirmation info...columes doesn't my info....but to add transmission was replace, was informed vehicle was repainted by aaa, brakes went out, replaced cable wires to battrery- wired coat hanger pieces in with cable wires...
01/15/1996
 Ongoing / intermittent problem with vehicle shifting itself into forward drive or low gear. dealer notified and unable to locate problem. *ak
07/12/19971
 Overdrive failed.
01/01/1997201/01/1995
 Original transmission failed 1/97, approx. 60000 miles. rebuilt by transmission shop. took back 4 times before they considered correct. still not right. clunked when slowing.. 2nd transmission failed 12/98. driving 65 mph...just quit...rpm's started revving...barely got to side of road...have been told by every transmission shop i'm dealing with that the original transmission put into these explorers are very poor quality, plus almost impossible to rebuild correctly...all transmission shops, including ford only give 12,000/12 month guarentee...that's ridiculous...you assume a tranny should outlast the car...they all say the transmission is unreliable to match to original ford tranny put in...i am now out $1875 for first transmission and one year later am looking at another transmission repair ($1400-1600)...i feel ford should back their products and at least offer a rebuilt tranny in their own shops that is guarenteed for more than 12 months....this is what gives our american cars a very bad reputation....
105/01/1998
 Transmission failed.
07/01/1997
 Jumps out of over drive on cold days while moving, will not engage part time 4-wheel drive.
03/02/1998
 While driving the transmission failed, causing the vehicle to go out of gear. the dealer is repairing the vehicle.
 While driving about 70 mph the input shaft on the transmission broke . the vehicle is at the dealer for repair. *ak
09/07/19957
 Transmission failed due to premature wear. *dh
11/26/19956
 Tranmission locked up in 4th gear, causing self destruction. *sd
 Lost complete control of the car due to transmission failure. owner of the car was driving about 65 mph on the highway when this happened. tt
07/25/19955
 Transmission failed, causing vehicle to roll down incline when in park gear and emergency brake set, resulting in loss of control/accident. *skd
 Consumer had the #pe95-001 master booster cylinder, transmission rebuilt and the abs module replaced. tt
03/09/19959
 Transmission parking gear failed 3 times after recall repairs . (91s41)
04/17/19951
 Driving 55mph car was in dri, proceeded to shift into overdrive, transmission locked up in reverse, vehicle lost control and as result had accident. tt
12/23/19941
 Transmission failed. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - COOLING UNIT AND LINES
12/12/1999106/01/2090
 Transmission leaked out all of its oil while in high gear (5th) at 65 mph resulting in overheating and complete failure of the main drive shaft assembly. after a $1200 repair of the transmission, the exact occurence happened again, this time at 70 mph with only about 3500 miles on the, rebuilt transmission. another $1200 repair was accomplished but this time the rubber plugs at the top of the transmission case (which was explained as the point of the leak) were sealed. i traded the car about a year later and was told by the dealer that the transmission failed a third time during a test drive by a perspective buyer.*ak
06/26/2002
 While driving at 55 mph consumer smelled smoke. consumer pulled over, and saw transmission fluid all over the ground, and bottom of vehicle was on fire. please provide any further information.*ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
12/11/1999
 While vehicle was on and in the park position, transmission jumped into reverse gear, causing the vehicle to roll over and a crash. there was recall 91v189000 under which this vehicle was subject to, according to the manufacturer, but dealer never made the repairs. please provide further information. *ak
04/18/19958
 Tranmission jumped into reverse gear upon attempting to shift from drive to overdrive, causing loss of control/accident. *skd
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - COLUMN SHIFT
12/12/1999106/01/2090
 Transmission leaked out all of its oil while in high gear (5th) at 65 mph resulting in overheating and complete failure of the main drive shaft assembly. after a $1200 repair of the transmission, the exact occurence happened again, this time at 70 mph with only about 3500 miles on the, rebuilt transmission. another $1200 repair was accomplished but this time the rubber plugs at the top of the transmission case (which was explained as the point of the leak) were sealed. i traded the car about a year later and was told by the dealer that the transmission failed a third time during a test drive by a perspective buyer.*ak
07/07/2000101/01/1997
 Transfer case lock up low speed, 0-7mph mad. *ak
07/10/19971
 Four-wheel drive failed.
1
 Four wheel drive unit failed.
01/08/19968
 Electric motor on transfer case sticks, causing 4 wheel drive to fail. *dsh
01/01/1996
 When vehicle is put into 4 wheel drive, switch will not always engage. tt
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH
06/30/19951
 Vehicle was parked on an incline in park with emergency brake engaged, vehicle was in idle position, rolled impact 12:00 position hitting a tree. tt
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - TORQUE CONVERTER
 Consumer was driving and stopped at a light vehicle stopped working; took to dealer and it was the torque converter that went out . please describe . *ak
07/30/19950
 Transmission/torque converter failed.
02/21/19951
 Torque converter locked up, causing transmission to shift into high gear too late.
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
 When traveling on highway at 65 mph and upon exiting the highway when coming to a graudal stop, consumer noticed rear of vehicle shaking. also, a grinding noise. consumer proceeded traveling at 15 mph when the right rear axle separated from the vehicle. contacted the dealer. dealer indicated that horse clip broke into several pieces, causing axle to separate. horse clip replaced. a couple weeks later when traveling, the same axle once again detached from vehicle. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY - AXLE SHAFT
12/30/2002158000204/09/1999
 The left front wheel came loose while driving 20 mph. *tt
04/01/2001
 Transmission was noisy and causing a vibration during operation of vehicle. a private mechanic examined vehicle and determined that lower end shaft bearings went, and has replaced transmission for a temporary fix. please provide any additional information/attachments. *ak
01/25/20000
 Bearings were loose, consumer was able to pull front wheels back and fowards, consumer fears that wheels may fall off. *ak
12/06/19941
 The bolt holding the cross shaft came out and caused mass destruction of the differential sending the vehicle into a skid. tt
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY - AXLE SHAFT - SEAL
07/11/19941
 Replaced bearings. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AXLE HUBS
01/28/200375200201/11/2003
 After purchasing this ford explorer i check all fluids and added and changed as nessasary about 2 weeks after i purchased it my stepson and my wife and large dog went on a little trip to check out this thing, after letting out the wife and dog my stepson and myself tried to go up a slight hill in 4 wheel drive to see if it worked, after it wouldn't make it up the hill we backed it down and headed back for my wife when the left front tire wheel and brake assy fell off due to the plastic piece failing inside automatic hubs causing c clip to fail, i had to call my brother in law to get my truck and trailer to get this thing home where by skinning my knuckles on rocks trying to get this on a jack, i later went to ford to try to buy just damaged part they wanted 385 dollars for whole kit which now has a locking devise that will not allow the nut to freely spin off, i believe the new piece is no longer made of plastic either, i went to junk yard and got a used plastic piece and made my own permant locking devise to keep this from happening again. faulty design.
02/20/19981
 Wrong material used in automatic hubs, causing premature failure.
02/03/199807/11/1991
 4-wheel drive is inoperative because hubs will not lock and vehicle will get stuck. because of no warranty, dealer will not fix problem. *ak
01/03/19972
 Automatic locking hubs for 4 wheel drive failed twice.
03/01/1995
 Automatic locking hub for four whell drive malfunctions. please give more details. *ak
05/15/1995
 Hubs on 4 wheel drive overheat and locks up while driving; no warning. *ak
07/11/19941
 Installed new seals. *ak
01/20/19950
 4-wheel drive hubs noisy/replaced.
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
09/13/1999310/01/1995
 I bought the truck from a respectable dealership in new jersey in oct. 1995. the clutch failed me in may 1997. it was repaired for approx. 600.00. it then failed me again in aug. 1998. it was repaired again but this time it costed me 1200.00. i was amazed the price doubled. the company that fixed it said the other company failed to do it the correct way. now once again it has failed me on sept. 1999. i am very disturbed about this. i cannot take my truck back to the previous company because they were replaced by midas. does this seem right?
03/15/19955
 Clutch failure. *aw
02/21/19951
 Clutch cycling pressure switch failed, emitting musty odor from hvac system.
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY - PEDAL/LINKAGE
04/01/1994
 Periodically, when beginning to contact the clutch pedal and if the explorer operator's left foot is too high, the top of the foot will come in contact with the fuse box lever (between the parking brake lever and the hood release lever) underneath the steering column. this will disengage the fuse box from its secure position and lower the fuse box. on the next attempt to contact the clutch pedal, the foot will come in contact with the fuse box, hindering and possibly preventing the operator's ability to contact the clutch pedal and effectively operate the clutch. *ak
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
08/10/2003004/14/2003
 Mva, damage to rearend & drivetrain; driverseat & seatbelt poss. compromised. *ak
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DRIVESHAFT
12/12/1999106/01/2090
 Transmission leaked out all of its oil while in high gear (5th) at 65 mph resulting in overheating and complete failure of the main drive shaft assembly. after a $1200 repair of the transmission, the exact occurence happened again, this time at 70 mph with only about 3500 miles on the, rebuilt transmission. another $1200 repair was accomplished but this time the rubber plugs at the top of the transmission case (which was explained as the point of the leak) were sealed. i traded the car about a year later and was told by the dealer that the transmission failed a third time during a test drive by a perspective buyer.*ak
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
08/27/1997202/19/1997
 Transmission has been replaced twice, once on 8-27-97 and again on 10-01-98. *slc
05/30/1996106/07/1991
 Transmission failed.
10/02/1998511/01/1993
 Apparently the mazda std 5 spd sold in these trucks is destined to fail. it has so i'm told (recently saw when i was forced to get rebuilt do to dealer refusing to act on my complaint)three rubber plugs that are designed to fail. why they are there is beyond me. after a time they start to seep and cause transmission fliud to slowly leak out only when vehicle is running ie in gear. as the fluid drips out moving down road you don't notice it. once it gets low enough it causes tranny to overheat. i brought vehicle in the first time this tell tale sign of no clutch occurred. transmission shop told me that dealer should have at least test drove vehicle when i brought it in. of course when i got there it was working properly because it had cooled down, both outside temp & vehicle since it was parked while in lawyers office. i pointed out it looked like it was leaking something & they shrugged it off as probaly an oil leak. since they wouldn't even make an appointment for me to bring in @ a later date i took it to mean, since they're the experts that i didn't have a serious problem. well apparently i did because after about a month the input shaft was severed while i was driving on highway driving beside a 18 wheeler. luckily nothing happened to vehicle but woody anderson put my life in danger unnecessarily by ignoring my problem. i found out later the service mgr was aware of the problem w/ these transmissions but neglected to train his staff on it. their general mgr ki. harris said to me on 12/15 that he was in business to service vehicles & he would do what would make me happy. well now it's me against the big dealership, for he has gone ack on his word. i need additional data to support my position from your data banks to show this is one a poor desigh & two a known problem was not conveyed to customer which could have resulted in serious injury if i lost power passing on a one lane road or similar situation where i could not avoid an accident .
10/11/1996
 Man-tran: while driving on freeway, transmission froze up in 4th gear, gears jammed, driver unable to shift gears. *ak
05/19/1996
 The truck was traveling at 60mph and the transmission locked up. the transmission is a standard. please describe.*ak
05/10/19961
 5 speed transmission locked in 4th gear during moderate driving/ will not shift into neutral or any other gear due to a broken gear tooth. *ak
11/09/1995109/14/1990
 Manual transmission locked up while driving at 65 mph on highway. tt consumer stated there would be a continous noise coming from the trasmission, but was advised by delaer that this is normal, after numerous complaints, the vehicle's transmission 5th gear was overhauled.*jb
02/21/19951
 Transmission difficult to shift into first gear.
06/23/19953
 Manual transmission slipped out of gear by itself and vehicle move forward 3 times, twice resulting in accidemts. *ak
04/14/19951
 Transmission failure. *ak
10/24/19941
 Transmission clutch assembly internal plugs failed. causing loss of fluid, resulting in hard shifting/inability to shift into reverse gear. *ak
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION - LUBRICANT
04/07/19953
 Man-tran: faulty transmission gear oil plugs causes gear oil to leak into transmission; grinds gear/bearings; freezes up. tt
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION - SHIFT PATTERN INDICATOR
11/26/19956
 Transmission locked up. *sd
POWER TRAIN - TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
12/14/20047
 Transmission went out, then the front main seal. it hasn't been two months and then my heater core went out and at the same time my heater fan. also, before the front main seal went out the rotors went bad and i still have problems with the braking system. this has all happened within a years time. i am thoroughly disgusted and broke. i praised ford before this, now i wouldn't recommend ford to anyone i know. i am a single mother trying to make ends meet and now i have no transportation because i can no longer afford to fix this truck. i have replaced the transmission, front main seal, water pump, starter, rotors, alternator, and the low wheel drive on my truck but now its the heater core and i have been quoted over 600-800 to fix this! that is if i can find anyone who wants to do it which by the way no one does. what do i do now? *nm
10/01/2003120003
 When driving 4-wheel drive engaged without warning. this caused steering wheel to pull either right or left. had to maintain control. driver shifted into reverse to disengage 4-wheel drive. *ak
1
 Consumer states that the 4 wheel drive froze up and broke, causing the front tire to blow, consumer lost control of the vehicle and it flipped over. *mj
1
 4-wheel drive malfunctioned, causing loud clunk when rotating tires.
07/02/19951
 Consumer was driving got on the highway tried to shift it did when letting the clutch out, there was no the second gear *ak

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