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 - COOLING UNIT AND LINES
0314807/21/200310003748New transmission cooler flusher - service tips. 2003 escort and super duty f series included. *tt10/29/2003
00231011/13/2000616522Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system. *tt03/05/2001
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
BC230197050105/01/199752797New clutch slave cylinder with a redesigned lip seal. *tw09/12/1997
BC067896102510/25/199650356Information on aode/4r7w transmission main control & case replacement. *tt04/24/1997

Consumer Complaints

Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
POWER TRAIN
03/12/2000108/01/2094
 The first time noticed this problem i was traveling about 65mph, i glanced at the speedometer which showed 90mph! my first instinct was to lift off the gas pedal and hit the brake! as i lifted off on the gas, i realized the the truck was not going that fast. so i continued on my trip at a speed that felt right because the speedometer was more a distraction than a help. the speedometer kept doing this from time to time but only at freeway speeds. then after a short time it would always add about 30mph to any speed over 35mph. i checked with ford to find out if this had been a problem or subject to any recalls and was told no. at that time had the speedometer repaired at an independent shop (san diego speedo tach inc. 619-235-0314). they told me it was a common problem on ford explorers and ford rangers and that they repaired several a week! nlm
200012/01/1995
 Speedometer/odometer inaccurate at speeds above 40 mph. odometer records 1.4 miles per every mile at highway speeds and speedometer shows actual speed plus 10-25 mph with a bouncing needle. many other owners seem to have the same problem as local dealer mentioned large number of inquiries for the specific part. *ak
12/01/199902/01/1997
 Speedometer reading fluctuates 20+ mph at highway speeds. buzzing sound associated. *ak
02/01/2000111/01/1999
 Speedometer needle jumps while driving at all speeds. cannot determine exact speed of vehicle while moving. in my opinion, this is a safety hazard! *ak
01/29/19990
 During cold weather there is a clicking noise, as if vehicle is going about 55 mph. speedometer will jump to 90 mph. then back down 50 mph. then back to 90 mph. when this occurs consumer is unable to tell how fast vehicle is going. *ak
10/21/1999
 Speedometer box is defective. when vehicile goes up to 60 to 65 mph it goes crazy and up to 80mph. *ak
108/01/1996
 Speedometer fails when traveling at higher speeds.
02/01/1998111/01/1997
 Odometer failed to provide accurate reading and jumped back and forth with a 15 mile difference.
06/01/1994
 Speedometer does not show accurate speed.
112/01/1995
 Protective plastic over speedometer/odometer fell off.
09/01/19962
 Vehicle's speedometer malfunctioned at 55-60mph, showing at times 85mph. this is causing great difficulty in drivers speed control. the speedometer head is defective. *ak consumer states manufacturer not willing to help because warraty has expired, dealership not will to assit as well.*jb
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
02/07/2006217821
 Vehicle's automatic transmission engaged at 2500 rpm during a ca. state smog inspection . resulted in technician being pinned and crushed to vehicle parked in front . tech was ambulanced to hospital with severe lower leg and ankle injuries transmission was rebuilt at other shop after said failure. *jb
11/02/200273001705/18/2002
 (1) purchase of a new 2002 ford explorer; (2) defective vehicle from the onset. ongoing problems with serious safety issues. (3) have repeated taken the vehicle into the dealership, but the problems have not been rectified. *nm
07/24/2001101/18/1998
 The transmission on the 1994 ford explorer appears to be defective. they fail after only between 75,000-125,000 miles. *jb
10/20/20041140001008/01/2001
 1994 explorer 4.0 v6 automatic transmission rebiult 3 times in past year .countless times vehicle has stalled acting as if the fuel pump quit, fuel pump replaced, coil packs replaced, relays replaced. once on the highway at 70 mph, another time while pulling into traffic. usually upon start up. air conditioner switch shorted out, saw burned wires on switch upon replacement. antifreeze spewed out from side of motor, assumed to be around heads but has not been to shop yet.*ak
01/05/200488000210/08/1998
 Door handles on passenger side interior broken. transmission slipping. *ak
06/28/199850006/01/1995
 Check engine light comes on at times when the vehicle is towing a small trailer and using the transmission in drive instead of overdrive. vehicle mileage and driveability/performance suffer. o2 sensors have been replaced by dealer with new yet problem still exists.*ak
08/25/2001204/01/2000
 Transmission overheated causing major malfunctioning in transmission.. this is second time this has happened within a year and a half. truck has never been off road to my knowledge(body and underneath are in excellent condition, i.e. no rust). after talking to a few repair shops and dealerships i was told that this is very common with the ford explorer. i have always had the vehicle serviced regularly and taken pride in it's appearance. it runs great but there has to be a problem with the manufacturing of the transmission, or this problem would not have occured twice. i stand by ford's but, this makes me leary of ever buying another ford product that the company will not stand by. sincerely, jeremy.*ak
06/16/2001310/01/2001
 While driving 65 km the rpms will go up in red, and not go back down until consumer slows down to about 30 km. then, she can feel transmission kick in, and rpms go down. this has happened 3 times . mechanic stated transmission needed to be rebuilt and upgraded. consumer called ford, and was told there were a lot of complaints on explorer's transmissions with this problem. *ak
12/15/2000
 This appears to be a common problem for the 1994 ford explorer that the manufacturer will not acknowledge. i know of 3 other owners personally that have the same coincidental problem. the automatic transmission will not shift out of first gear unless nursed to do so. this has nearly caused several potential crashes. not to mention very very poor fuel economy. *ak
 While driving vehicle will not upshift, and has problems shifting into different gears, cause unknown. please give any further details.*ak
11/11/1999509/01/1999
 No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
12/12/19994
 Consumer has replaced four transmissions on the vehicle, one incident the choke stuck and the truck accelerated and was hard to stop. *mjs
01/17/2000
 When putting car in park it will roll forward. consumer feels there is a problem with transmission. there is a recall for same problem, but this vehicle is not included due to vin. *ak
08/06/199807/01/1994
 My original transmission failed at 79,484 miles. i did not purchase an extended drive train warranty. i asked my mechanic if transmission problems were common with explorers and he said yes. he provided me with a copy of several years of advisories that ford sent to mechanics, warning them of problems with the transmissions, and specifically with the torque converter. this is the main part which went on my transmission. i felt that if ford felt the need to send repeated advisories to mechanics, that there was a problem(s) that should have involved a recall. i sent a letter to ford on november 4, 1998 and never received a reply. i am enclosing a copy of this letter. i since have had to replace the second transmission at 100,000 miles. the first one cost me $1881.50 and the second one $1465. i feel that ford should reimburse me for the cost of both transmissions because they failed to accept responsibility for transmission failures due to problems they notified mechanics about in their advisories. i look forward to your response. *ak
110/31/1996
 The transmission failed. *mjs
08/01/2000106/01/1994
 Transmission will not shift properly, mechanic says that it will eventually fail completely, and the transmission needs to be replaced. the mechanic stated that this is not an unusual occurance for a 1994 ford explorer. *ak
04/14/2000108/01/1994
 Defects with a transmission should not occur this early in the life of a vehicle that is bought brand new. i have corresponded with many explorer owners and have read 100's of instances on the internet where ford explorer transmissions have failed early in the lifespan of the vehicle - less than 70,000 miles. ford obviously has installed a defective and unsafe component in this vehicle and does not want to take reponsibility for it. something needs to be done before a serious injury or death results from this unsafe component. *ak
02/17/200002/01/1996
 This was second time for the transmission to be replaced since jan-13-1999. vehicle has been squealing & not shifting. dealer told consumer transmission had to be rebuilt. ford has been of no help to the owner. *ak
03/29/2000
 Consumer took vehicle to dealer because it wasn't shifting. dealer said transmission needed to be replaced. consumer has 70,000 miles on truck, and it was serviced on time. also told that the truck neede new shocks, ball joints, and tie-rods. vehicle has never been driven off-road or in a harsh manner. *ak
01/01/2000
 The front wheel drive activates unexpectedly which causes the vehicle not to turn to the right side. front wheel driver must be replaced to solve the problem. *ak *ml
12/16/1999111/01/1993
 Transmission will not shift into second gear. clutch material found in pan. vehicle has been used solely for commuting. *ak
06/14/1999310/01/1994
 This is the third time the transmission has had to be replaced since i have owned this car. i would like to find out why the transmission continues to not support the suv. *ak
03/10/1998
 Transmission only engages in park and reverse. several attempts to replace converter resulted in complet transmission failure. the transmission is being replaced. the problem was reported to the manufacturer. manufacture does not acknowledge a problem with the explorer. *ak
08/15/1998111/30/1996
 Transmission stopped operating while driving. vehicle was taken to dealer shop and repair was made,cost went to the consumer. *ak engine light comes on and off. *yd
05/13/199812/01/1994
 Customer states clunks under car when shifting.
02/21/1998102/21/1998
 Transmission failure.
08/14/19970
 Went around a curve, applied the brakes and then applied the accelerator again and the engine idled like the gear was in neutral, so, the driver coasted about 200 feet and then stopped and put the vehicle in park. went to put the vehicle in reverse and the engine just idled and would not work in any other gear. *ak
03/17/19970
 When putting the vehicle in park the vehicle continues to roll, causing the emergency brake to be applied. please describe details. *ak
03/18/1997
 Automatic transmission: vehicle in garage for a test on check engine light. vehicle in park position, went from park to neutral. when shifted gear from reverse to drive, vehiicle took off across floor, pushed a tool box into an explorer before it stopped. *ak
02/28/1996
 The transmission broke down after 8k miles and one year of use.please describe. *ak
07/23/1995
 The vehicle rolled away after being parked, and hit a retaining wall. tt
10/12/19941
 Transmission/overdrive failed. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - COLUMN SHIFT
06/11/20041
 While vehicle was idling it popped into reverse and rolled into a parked vehicle. transmission slipped into reverse and caused this mishap. vehicle is currently parked, and consumer is afraid to drive it. *ak
07/09/20031
 The vehicle was taken for inspection to an independent repair shop. consumer noticed, after receiving the vehicle that it was not driving right. consumer pulled over, and put vehicle in park. after a few minutes, consumer started the vehicle and tried to put the vehicle into the reverse. the shifter went passed all the gears and would not move. *ak
12/01/2000108/01/1994
 Low range system appears to opperate but regualar 4x4 system does't engage the hubs. *ak
 Vehicle engaged into four wheel drive mode. because vehicle was driving in four wheel drive mode front end needed to be replaced by the dealer. also, front disc pads and calipers needed to be replaced again because vehicle contiued to engage in the four wheel drive mode.*ak
04/28/1999
 4-wheel drive malfunctioned, causing a loss of control, and vehicle rolled over which resulted in injuries. please provide further information. *ak
09/24/1996104/01/1995
 4 wheel drive engages by itself.
06/04/1992
 When in four wheel drive, vehicle kicks it out, causing sudden jerking to the car, resulting in control lost. tt
12/06/19946
 4-wheel drive failed to engage during bad weather, causing vehicle to lose control. *skd
10/03/19941
 Transfer case failed, causing oil to leak.
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH
02/09/20021
 While parked gear jumped from park to drive at a very rapid speed. however, an accident did occur. there were no injuries. *ak while vehicle was parked consumer revved engine to 3000 rpm, transmission violently banged in to drive, lurched forward and ran into a rock wall. *yd
10/01/1999
 Vehicle was parked and then was turned on and transmission jumped into reverse, and hit consumer's wife. contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything about problem. *ak
01/18/19961
 Transmission has difficulty putting into gear, when finally engaged in park with emergency brake on vehicle jumped into reverse dragging consumer resulting in accident and injury.
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - TORQUE CONVERTER
09/28/1999112/01/1994
 Torque converter clutch failed causing the transmission cooler to be obstructed resulting in transmission failure during usage
08/06/1998107/21/1994
 Transmission torque converter failed.
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
07/24/2001112/01/1994
 At speeds of 55 to 70 mph the vehicle shakes and vibrates excessively. dealer recommends replacing the motor mounts and rear axle-to-frame lateral shock absorber.*ak
02/24/1997
 Consumer was driving under normal conditions and experienced vibration in the steering wheel, pulled over and the left front wheel was deatached from the axle. *ak
10/26/19961
 Design defect causes rear axle vent hose to rub on rubber brake line, also continuous up and down motion of axle causes vent hose to rub through brake hose, resulting in brake failure. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY - AXLE SHAFT
03/03/19982
 When driving vehicle, cannot properly shift from 4 wheel drive to 2 wheel drive when it's needed. vehicle would make a lot of noise. sounds like bearings rolling around loose inside. *ak
 Consumer was traveling about 65 to 70 mph when the front left wheel separated due to front wheel bearings needing greasing. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AXLE HUBS
12/01/2000104/01/1998
 Went to ford dealer and they diagnosed problem was front hubs needed replacement for $1000, talked to another mechanic and he said samething but is not able to get any hubs because he has been told that ford is buying up all of the new/rebuilt hubs because they know there is a problem. second mechanic asked some dealers when more hubs would be available and was told no dates available due to ford buying so many.*ak
12/27/1999205/01/1994
 While having vehicle in 4-wheel drive automatic wheel hubs did not engage which may cause loss of vehicle control. brakes repaired including replacement of the rotors, when hubs were replaced they packed them with grease causing failure of the automatic hubs. *ak
03/25/19984
 4-wheel drive operates in 2-wheel drive. going around corner in 2-wheel drive, automatic hub engages & starts to drag. acts like brake lockup. nearly caused vehicle to be out of control. took to dealer & informed problem is known.*ak consumer states without warning, either automatic front hub will start to engage when going around a corner.*jb
01/31/1997111/01/1994
 Automatic locking hub failed, causing accident.
12/01/1996203/05/1994
 During snowing conditions, vehicle was engaged into four wheel drive using the dash mechanism. it did not engage properly and only worked in two wheel drive; the light indicated that it was in four wheel. the vehicle had been serviced within 30 days prior to prevent incidents like this.
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
10/23/1996108/01/1994
 Clutch, slave cylinder, and 5ht gear in transmission replaced
03/31/19951
 Noisy clutch. *skd
05/01/19941
 Clutch failure. *ak
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
02/01/1995111/01/1994
 Rear axle differential assembly ring and pinion failed due to factory misalignment, causing loss of control/accident.
01/10/19951
 Differential carrier assembly replaced due to clutches slipping, causing vehicle to ride rough after turning from a stopped position or at slow speeds. *aw
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DRIVESHAFT
06/01/19961
 While driving at 65 to 72mph, the vehicle shakes and vibrates due to a probelm with the driveshaft. dealer wants to replace motor mounts and stabilizer bar. dealer also wants to replace the transmission mount, however he is will not guarantee that these fixes will remedy the problem. *slc
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - UNIVERSAL JOINT
04/19/1999108/31/1994
 Ball joints and u-joints failed causing excessive vibrations. mjs
103/05/1994
 Noise heard in front end due to failure of the u-joints and ball joints.
1
 Universal joint failed.
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
08/30/20001
 Consumer stated that the vehicle had gear shift problems. *yh
08/01/19982
 While driving, consumer noticed smoke coming from the back of the vehicle, and was unalble to accelerate and had to coast to a stop, it was determined that a transmission was needed, however two years later @ 76,000 miles there was a roaring noise, consumer took vehicle into dealership and was informed that another transmission was needed, after the second transmission was installed consumer began having problems with the parking gear, the automobie tolled foward, also there was a lack of power.*jb
10/23/1996108/01/1994
 Clutch, slave cylinder, and 5ht gear in transmission replaced
03/01/1996
 Excessive vibration around 65 mph discovered not long after purchasing used with 19,000 miles on vehicle. i initially thought it was due to the tires, which i didn't replace until 40,000 miles. after installing new tires and double checking balance, etc. the dealer informed me that it was a known defect in the vehicle due to engine and drive train misalignment. they said an antivibration kit was available for $1,000 but they would not cover the cost due to now being out of warranty. the service manager at one dealership told me that the kit would not really cure the problem. he said it would only change the speed at which the vibration occurred. i wrote a letter to the president of ford on 7/26/98 explaining the problem and expressing my concern that the vibration could lead to further problems in the future. i expressed the fact that it was a known design problem and defect and that it existed within the warranty period and that the customer service department would not due anything to correct the problem. i never received a reply from mr. trotman, nor anyone else. i sent a follow up letter on 10/28/98 but never received any acknowledgement or replies to that letter either. i sincerely feel that ford motor company has no concerns or desires toward their customers safety or product satisfaction. i still own the car but have real misgivings about it's safety or dependability due to this problem. i would like to get rid of it but hate to pass the problem on to someone else.
08/13/200012/01/1994
 Drive train locked up causing the rear wheels to lock up. the front wheels may also have locked up, but unknown at this time. total loss of control of vehicle causing the vehicle to slide sideways from the left hand passing lane across traffic to the right, hitting shoulder and rolling over one and one half times.
1
 Manual transmission failed due to faulty plugs which leaked onto the unit. *mjs
10/25/19990
 Transmission failed to shift gears when going up a hill. it also failed on level ground. consumer has contacted dealer, and dealer said that a couple of gears disintegrated. and destroyed some of the gears. *ak
08/16/1999108/01/1995
 5 speed manual transmission experianced catastophic failure while driving resulting in sudden deceleration and locked transmission. cause was determined to be due to gradual gearlube leak through 3 rubber oil plugs on rear of transmission access plate. transmission failed do to lack of required lubricant.
11/07/199803/01/1997
 Rubber plug ford uses in manufacturing blew out of transmission which allowed fluid to blow out and this caused transmisson to lock up.
01/01/199711/05/1993
 5-speed transmission is manufactured with rubber plugs which in time dry out and allow fluid to escape. the fluit gets blown out of the transmission when on highway speeds, causing the fifth gear to overheat and seize. *ak
03/08/1994
 Manual transmission slips when removing foot from clutch. tt
POWER TRAIN - TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
09/27/200799999509/27/2007
 I was browsing for a used car and came on an add selling cars i had no vehicle i asked if they can pick me up on the other side of the clinton ferry. they said yes they will pick me up. so checked out their inventory. i picked a 1994 ford explorer little damage to the body, tires needed changing, the front windshield has damage, and rear view mirror was gone. i accepted these and asked for a test ride proceeded off the lot there was no gas making a test drive short. it was as if they rushed me through the deal nothing was said about the problems. returning home is when i began running into problems that were safety issues. the rpms had gone to the limits of safe operation exceeding 6,000 rpms and not shifting to a hire gear making the motor screen nearly exploding the motor this is consistent every time you operate. so drove home with this problem. i accelerated and then let off the gas and it then shifted up. i gave it the gas it screamed and i let off the gas and it shifted into the higher gear i also have steering problems it pulls to the left pulling me into on going traffic, shimmies and the tie rods connected to the steering had some play in them. so when i turned left or right i had no steering until it got to certain point where it steered. the vehicle floats like a boat a strut problem. now when i went to estimates for the repairs its parts and labor came too about the same amount i paid for the truck approximately 4,400.00. so now i have this truck i refuse to drive. i told them to come and get it and no way was i going to drive an unsafe truck so it sits in my driveway. i refuse to pay them any money. they haven't called me, nor made any deal.
08/04/2003750003011/08/1993
 Gasoline guage works intermittently or not at all, 4 wheel drive does not work, passenger window in front side does not work. *ak
1
 Vehicle experienced the 4-wheel drive locking up while traveling causing the vehicle to slide repeatedly. *yh
04/06/199812/01/1994
 Transfer case failed.

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