1998 FORD EXPLORER Power Train Problems

I WAS GOING DOWN CLINTON KEITH IN MURRIETA WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT PASSED 3RD. IT WAS WORKING FINE THE DAY BEFORE. SO I TOOK IT SLOW BACK HOME AND THE CLOSER I GOT HOME THE TRANSMISSON STARTED SLIPPING GEARS.

Mileage: 167,000

REAR END ROARS AND SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING

THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BROKE ALLOWING THE CHAIN TO SLIP. IT WAS A RECALL PROBLEM BUT I WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE PROBLEM MUST NOT HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED, OR ELSE THE RECALL DIDN'T GET DONE PROPERLY. AFTER THE REPAIR IT HASN'T HAD GOOD OIL PRESSURE AT IDLE. IT IS TOO BAD THAT FORD PUT THIS MOTOR IN SO MANY VEHICLES AND DOESN'T STAND BEHIND THEY. IT IS POOR DESIGN IN MY OPINION TO HAVE FOUR TIMING CHAINS ON A 4.0 LITER MOTOR IS CRAZY. I WISH THAT FORD WOULD HAVE PUT MORE EFFORT INTO SEEING THAT MY VEHICLE WERE RECALLED AND NOT ALLOWED TO DEPRECIATE BECAUSE IT WAS HAPPENING TO SO MANY OTHER EXPLORER. *TR

Mileage: 166,000

MY 1998 EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER DOES NOT MOVE AND WHEN I TRY TO PUT IT IN ANY GEAR IT SQUEALS. *TR

Mileage: 250,000

VEHICLE ACCELERATES FROM STOPPED AND BRAKE POSITION FOR 3 SECONDS AND THEN RETURNS TO NORMAL. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND O2 SENSORS HAVE TO BE REPLACE EVERY THIRTY TO FORTY THOUSAND MILES. NOW O/D OFF LIGHT IS FLASHING AND CAR DRIVES LIKE IT IS IN FIRST GEAR, SHIFTS HARD. *TR

Mileage: 158,000

1998 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND TRANS STARTED SLIPPING BADLY ALL AT ONCE. CAN NOT DRIVE NOW. I DON'T YET KNOW HOW MUCH A NEW TRANS WILL COST, BUT VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND SERVICED REGULARLY. I BELIEVE THIS TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

Mileage: 152,600

98 FORD EXPLORER IS THERE A RECALL ON TRANSMISSION 2 WHEEL DRIVE

WE WERE DRIVING ALONG IN OUR 1998 FORD EXPLORER AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THEN IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR. IT OCCURS EVERYTIME WE DRIVE THE CAR NOW. WE TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS A TORQUE CONVERTER AND THAT IT WAS 2000 DOLLARS. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER IT WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THIRD GEAR. FORD DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACED FOR 4000 DOLLARS. WE DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FROM 98-04 EXPLORERS, AS THEY SHARE THE SAME TRANSMISSION. LINK: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/TRANSMISSION/TRANSMISSION_FAILURE.SHTML FEEL FREE TO CALL ME ANYTIME. *TR

Mileage: 78,952

REVERSE SOMETIMES IT WORKS SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. *TR

Mileage: 96,112

FAULTY TRANSMISSION IN 1998 FORD EXPLORER. VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT FROM FORD DEALERSHIP, APPROXIMATELY 4 YRS. OLD WHEN PURCHASED. TRANS. NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY AFTER FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP OR APPROX. 65,000 MILES. WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE AT ALL SHORTLY AFTERWARD. HARD AND LATE SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD, AND TRANSMISSION WILL FREQUENTLY TOTALLY DISENGAGE WHILE DRIVING AT 55 TO 60 MPH, ENGINE WILL REV., BUT CAR WILL START SLOWING DOWN. ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BLOW UP WHILE WAITING FOR TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT. HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT BY PRIVATE MECHANIC AND PROBLEM IS STILL THE SAME. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR AND CLUNKS. TRANSMISSION DISENGAGING OUT OF DRIVE GEAR; WILL NOT STAY IN GEAR WHEN MOVING IN THE FORWARD (DRIVE) DIRECTION. ALMOST WAS IN WRECK DUE TO TRANSMISSION/DRIVE FAILURE. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE IN TO TRANSMISSION SPECIALTY SERVICE STATION TO HAVE LOOKED AT. FAULTY SOLENOID AND STUCK MECHANISM DUE TO FAILURE. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR $1700.00. *TR

Mileage: 108,201

FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ~ HAVEN'T HAD MY VEHICLE IN ABOUT A MONTH DUE TO CONTINUINING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION

Mileage: 115,000

THE 1998 FORD EXPLORER ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELL OFF. I WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH IN A STRAIGHT LINE AND ACCELERATING TO 65 MPH WHEN I FELT A POP. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPED WORKING. DESPITE THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS, I WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED BY A CAR THAT DIDN'T NOTICE I WAS SLOWING DOWN ON THE FREEWAY. LUCKILY, I PULLED OVER AND STOPPED SAFELY. LOOKING AT THE BREAK, I THINK THE SHEET METAL HOLDING THE RIVETS WAS TOO WEAK.*AK ON 5/23/07 I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS HOT LINE. THEY REFUSED TO HELP STATING ONLY THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON MY CAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND CAN VERY EASILY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT AND DEATHS. FORD SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS AND PAY FOR REPAIRS OF DEFECTIVE MATERIALS USED OR IMPROPER INSTALLATION. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HEARD OF AN ACCELERATOR PEDDLE FALLING OFF?

Mileage: 128,000

DT: WHILE DRIVING IN JULY THE OWNER NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFT MECHANISM. THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR WAS NOT CORRECT. THE VEHICLE HAD A NORMAL POSITION INDICATOR FOR ABOUT 7 YEARS. THEN ONE DAY IT WENT OUT OF WACK. THE REVERSE WAS WHERE NEUTRAL SHOULD BE, NEUTRAL WAS WHERE DRIVE SHOULD BE, AND DRIVE WAS WHERE SECOND GEAR SHOULD BE. THE OWNER HAS NOT TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP OR CONTACTED THEM YET. THE OWNER HAS NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION'S PERFORMANCE, THE OWNER IS JUST CONCERNED BECAUSE HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT GEAR THE CAR WAS IN. THE OWNER ADDED THAT THE GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK YESTERDAY. THE OWNER WAS BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. THE OWNER WAS GOING SLOWLY AND AND WENT TO PUSH THE ACCELERATOR AND IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. THE GAS PEDAL WAS JAMMED. THE OWNER THINKS THE PEDAL WAS DOWN A LITTLE BIT AND THERE WAS NO REACTION. THE OWNER STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND SHOUTED FOR HUSBAND TO COME OVER AND LOOK. THEN SHE TRIED AGAIN. THIS TIME THE ACCELERATOR WORKED. THIS WAS THE FIRST AND LAST TIME THE VEHICLE HAS EVER THIS PROBLEM.*AK *NM

Mileage: 74,800

DRIVE TRAIN FAILURE, DIFFERENTIAL, WITHIN 12 MONTHS AFTER HAVING 60,000 MILE DIFFERENTIAL FLUID REPLACED WITH SYNTHETIC ,TO FORD SPECS. DIFFERENTIAL GEARS AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY DISENTIGRATED. RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL. COULD HAVE CAUSED GEARS TO LOCK-UP WHILE DRIVING.*AK

Mileage: 63,674

RE:FORD EXPLORER WHEEL LOCKUP AND UNCONTROLLED SKID AT HIGHWAY SPEED. *BF THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND SIGNIFICANT METAL FRAGMENTS IN THE TRANSFER CASE INDICATING SEVERE GEAR STRESS WHEN THE VEHICLE SELF SHIFTED INTO 4X4 LOW ENGAGEMENT. *NM

VEHICLE LOST POWER (TO ACCELERATE) YESTERDAY AFTER GRINDING NOISE FROM TRANSMISSION. COASTED INTO A PARKING LOT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE IT FROM THERE. CONTINUED TO GRIND MOVING SHIFT LEVER FROM ANY GEAR INTO PARK. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT. CURRENT TRANSMISSION IS A REPLACEMENT. PREVIOUS (ORIGINAL) TRANSMISSION DROPPED INTO NEUTRAL AND ENGINE REVVED (W/ LOSS OF POWER) AT INOPPORTUNE MOMENTS- WHILE ACCELERATING OR TRYING TO ACCELERATE, WHILE COASTING OR WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP. BEGAN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ABOUT A MONTH AFTER PURCHASE, BUT TRANSMISSION WAS NOT REPLACED UNTIL JAN. 2002. I WAS GIVEN A 12-MONTH WARRANTY ON IT THEN, ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO COVER EVERYTHING (BUMPER TO BUMPER) TO 50,000 MILES.

Mileage: 59,000

CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BACK UP. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE BECAUSE THE REVERSE GEAR FAILED. *AK *SC *JB

HAVE FORD EXEPLORER 1998 TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN ACTING UP FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. JERKING WHEN YOU PUT IT IN REVERSE AND CLUNKING WHEN YOU PUT IT IN TO DRIVE. MY EXEPLORER JUST TURNED 60.000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION IS NO LONGER WORKING,I CAN NOT BELIEVE THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR,FROM HAVING A WRECK AND AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING TO ALL OF THE RECALLS,HAD THE BAD TIRES AND WINDSHEILD WIPERS NOT WORKING.THEY SHOULD REALLY HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE EXEPLORER FROM THAT YEAR.IBOUGHT MY EXEPLORER IN OCT,98 OF THAT YEAR NEW. WHEN MY EXEPLORER WAS HIT HEAD ON ,THE POLICE ASKED IF I TURNED OFF MY AIRBAGS.THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED.*AK

Mileage: 45

WHEN DRIVING AT 40 MPH TRANSMISSION TRANSFER CASE WOULD MAKE A LOUD NOISE AND IT WOULD BE HARD FOR THE DRIVER TO ACCELERATE FORWARD. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WILL ENGAGE ON ITS OWN, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. *AK

CONSUMER NOTICED OIL LEAKING, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, DEALER STATED THAT SEALS WERE DEFECTIVE. *AK

Mileage: 37,000

THE TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS. *NLM

AT ABOUT 73,000 MILES THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT ON MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER.

Mileage: 73,400

CONSUMER STATES THAT THERES A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED THE NOISE STOPS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS THE PROBLEM, 4X4 SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. MR *NLM *DT

4 WHEEL DRIVE WILL NOT ENGAGE, AND INDICATOR LIGHT SAYS IT HAS ENGAGED.*AK

VEHICLE LOST POWER TO WHEELS, GRINDING GEAR NOISE IN ALL GEARS - PARK SELECTION WOULD NOT HOLD. *AK

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.*AK

EXPERIENCING A CLICKING NOISE FROM THE TRANSFER CASE AT LOW SPEED (FORWARD AND REVERSE).*AK

WHILE DRIVING, REAR AXLE BROKE ON DRIVER'S SIDE. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL, CAUSING A VEHICLE ROLL OVER. DRIVER INJURED. *AK *YH

TORQUE CONVERTER DID NOT DISENGAGE WHEN TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A STOP SIGN AND STOPPED WHEN BRAKING STALLED THE ENGINE. FORD RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE SOLONOID THAT CONTROLS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS FAILULE IS TOTALLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MAKES THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STOP. STOPPING OCCURES ONLY WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED HARD ENOUGH TO STALL THE ENGINE. *AK

APRIL 2, 2002, WHILE DRIVING ON A FLAT, STRAIGHT FREEWAY, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AXLE BROKE. THE TIRE CAME OFF THE CAR AND SAILED THROUGH THE AIR. I LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY, RESULTING IN A SEVERE SKID AND VEHICLE ROLL-OVER. CRASH RESULTED IN DRIVER SUSTAINING LARGE BUMP ON HEAD FROM ROOF COLLAPSE AND A CONCUSSION. NUMEROUS CUTS, BRUISES, AND SEVERE MUSCLE STRESS/STRAIN OF NECK, SHOULDERS AND BACK. ALSO RECEIVED DEEP CONTUSION ON CHEST DUE TO SEAT BELT RETRACTION. I FEEL BLESSED TO BE ALIVE TO MAKE THIS REPORT. 2 WEEKS AFTER ACCIDENT STILL EXPERIENCING BODY PAIN. I CAN JUST NOW TALK ABOUT THE ROLL-OVER WITHOUT CRYING. MY FAMILY AND MYSELF HAVE BEEN THROUGH HELL. VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS.*AK

VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE, ROLLED OFF OF HIGHWAY REQUIRED TOWING. VERY DANGEROUS.*AK

VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR INTO REVERSE AND ROLLED BACKWARDS.*AK

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE LOCKED IN 4 X 4 AND THE O/D LIGHT WAS BLINKING. *YH

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE LOCKED IN 4 X 4 AND THE O/D LIGHT WAS BLINKING. *YH

VEHICLE MAKES LOUD CLUNK NOISE AND ACT AS IF IT HAS BEEN BUMPED FROM BEHIND, ACTION ASLO FELT IN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND RESULTING IN FORWARD MOTION. FORD INVOICE INDICATES CUSTOMER STATEMENT RESULTING IN R&R TRANSMISION AND OVERHAL, TO NO AVAIL. PROBLEM CAN NOT BE DETERMIN

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. *AK

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.*AK

I FEEL THIS SUV IS VERY UNSAFE FORD AND DEALERSHIP STATE OTHERWISE. NO SAFETY DEFECT RECORDED. *AK

SUV SURGES WHEN BACKING BACK BOAT AND TRAILER.

WHEN FOOT IS NOT ON BRAKE, VEHICLE CAN BE SHIFTED INTO ANY GEAR. IGNITION WOULD BE IN BETWEEN ON AND OFF WHEN THIS OCCURS. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, AND INFORMED BY MECHANIC ALL VEHICLES ARE DESIGNED LIKE THAT.*AK CONSUMER STATES OWNERS MANUAL SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT VEHICLE HAS INTERLOCK SAFETY AND THE BRAKE MUST BE APPLIED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR, THIS CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHERE VEHICLE RAN INTO A FENCE. *SLC

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

THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WOULD JERK WHEN ACCELERATING, HAS DONE THIS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, THE DEALER FINALLY DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH THE AUTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM AND MADE COMPUTER ADJUSTMENT WHICH HAS REDUCED BUT NOT ELIMINATED THE PROBLEM. THEY SAY THIS IS NORMAL, IT OCCURS WHEN ACCELERATING USUALLY A FAST ACCELERATION AND IS MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN I PULL MY BOAT. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS SIGNIFICANT JERKING OVER A PERIOD OF TIME COULD BE CONTRBUTING TO THE TIRE SEPERATION PROBLEMS OR TIRE DAMAGE. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT ANY CAR MAKER WOULD MARKET A CAR WITH THE PROBLEM THAT I HAVE BEEN HAVING AND SAY THAT IS IS NOT UNUSUAL. I AM WONDERING IF THIS IS A LARGE PROBLEM SINCE THERE HAS BEEN A SERVICE BULLETIN ON IT. *AK

CONSUMER'S SON GOT INSIDE OF VEHICLE, TURNED ON IGNITION SWITCH WITHOUT STEPPING ON BRAKE PEDAL AND NOT TURNING ON ENGINE, SHIFTED GEAR WHERE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INCLINE HILL, AND VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD, CRASHING INTO A FENCE. DEALER SAID THAT WAS NORMAL ON THAT PARTICULAR MODEL.*AK

NOISE IN FRONT WHEELS, DEALER REMOVED AXLES AND REPLACED SEALS. *SLC

TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED, IT LOST INTERNAL INTEGRITY & EXPERIENCED INTERNAL CLUTCH DAMAGE. METAL EXITING THE TORQUE CONVERTER CAUSED OCCULUSSIONARY BLOCKAGES AT REAR SECTION LUBE ORIFICES ELEVATING INTERNAL AMBIENT TEMPERATURES WHILE ELEVATING STRESS TO GEARTRAIN COMPONENTS. CLUTCHES & BANDS BECAME METAL IMPREGNATED. BEARINGS BUSHINGS & WASHERS BECAME PITTED DUE TO METALIZED FLUID PASSING THROUGH INNER SURFACES. SPRAGS BECAME FLAT SPOTTED AT CAM SURFACE - DAMAGED THE RACE & CREATED MORE METAL. SOLENOIDS WERE METAL CONTAMINATED. INTERNAL SEALS WERE HARD, INDICATING METAL CONTAMINATION. VEHICLE WOULD ONLY RUN IN REVERSE AFTER THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND REQUIRES $2400 IN REPAIRS. CAR ONLY HAS 46000 MILES ON IT. *AK

BEARING FAILED CAUSED BY DIRT PASSING BY SEAL/ CAUSING SQUEAK IN FRONT L/R SIDES / WILL CAUSE BEARING FAIL "FORD SERVICE MANAGER HAS STATED THAT FORD KNOWS IS "ONLY FRONT DRIVE TRAIN COMPONET NOT COVERED. HAVE HAD TO REQUEST PAST RECALLS TO BE DONE AFTER 8 TIMES BEING TOLD THEY DID IT, I FOUND OUT WAS LIED TO AND HAD TO CONTACT YOU IN PAST TO GET FORD TO FIX. ATTY. GENERAL AZ HAS COMPLAINT FILED. *AK

AXLE FAILURE. *SLC

GEAR SHIFT KNOB PULLS OFF INTO YOUR HAND AS YOU ARE SHIFTING, THIS IS A DANGER ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE MAKING TURNS AND HAVING TO ACCELERATE FAST. *AK

GEAR SHIFT KNOB PULLS OFF INTO YOUR HAND AS YOU ARE SHIFTING, THIS IS A DANGER ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE MAKING TURNS AND HAVING TO ACCELERATE FAST. *AK

THE TRANSMISSION STOP WORKING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH. FOWARD OR REVERSE GEARS WILL NOT ENGAGE. TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY I SWITCH TO 4W LOW. THE DEALER SAID THE TRANSMISSION GEAR BROKE AND THE 4W GEAR CHAMBER WERE DAMAGED. DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PART NEEDED IT WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL 2001. DEALER USED A SUBSITUTE PART..

THE TRANSMISSION STOP WORKING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH. FOWARD OR REVERSE GEARS WILL NOT ENGAGE. TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY I SWITCH TO 4W LOW. THE DEALER SAID THE TRANSMISSION GEAR BROKE AND THE 4W GEAR CHAMBER WERE DAMAGED. DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PART NEEDED IT WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL 2001. DEALER USED A SUBSITUTE PART..

THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT UPSHIFT AND I WOULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR'S ACCELAERATION POWER UNTIL IT WOULD SLIDE INTO GEAR. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS GOT OUT ON ME TWICE WHILE DRIVING. ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ZEROS OUT EXCEPT FOR THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER. THIS PROBLEM HAS STILL NOT BEEN FIXED.

WHILE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF A CHILD ACCIDENTALLY HIT TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER AND VEHICLE ROLLED, RESULTING IN INJURIES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

TRANSMISSION MAKES NOISE. YH

TRANSMISSION MAKES NOISE. YH

4- WHEEL DRIVE HI AND LO LIGHTS FLASHED ON/OFF. DEALER REPLACED SHIFT MOTOR AND HARNESS AS PER TSB 94-14-02. MECHANIC SAID IF I DID NOT DO IT, COULD HAVE DROPPED INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WHILE DRIVING. FORD REFUSES TO PAY COST OF $409.28. DEALER SAID PROBLEM HAS COME UP BEFORE. HAVE LESS THEN 500 MILES IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. BELIEVE IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THANK YOU.*AK

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. *AK

LEAKING BETWEEN CASE. *AK

INC #1 4--WHEEL DRIVE LIGHTS FLASHED 15 SECONDS, 4-WHEEL DRIVE MOTOR REPLACED. INC #2 - VEHICLE STALLED DURING LEFT TURNS AFTER TRAVLLING AT HWY SPEEDS. NEW PROCESSOR INSTALLED, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

RR AXLE SHAFT BROKEN, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL, VEHICLE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND OVERTURNED. (N.C. CRASH REPORT) *MJS

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. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY 4- WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT COMES ON . THE DEALER HAS DETERMINED THAT THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE HAS BURNED OUT. *AK

4X4 AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGING WHEN UNDER HEAVY LOAD ON DRY PAVEMENT AND WHEELS ARE NOT SLIPPING, 4X4 SELECTOR IS IN THE AUTO POSITION AND NO ERROR CODES ARE DISPLAYED OR FOUND. CAUSES PULSATION IN THE DRIVE TRAIN AND GROANING NOISES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, NOISE AND PULSTATION GOES AWAY WHEN ENGINE LOAD IS DECREASED AND OR 4X4 IS SWITCHED TO 4X4 HIGH. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE 4X4 COMPUTER AND CHECKED THE AXLES AND DIFFERENTIAL, PROBLEM STILL EXITS. DEALER HAS STATED THEY CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND THEY WILL TRY AND GET A TECHNICIAN FROM FORD THREE WEEKS AGO.

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS ACCELERATOR WOULD BECOME HARD. TRANSMISSION WOULD JUMP FROM NEUTRAL INTO DRIVE. THEN A LOUD NOISE, LIKE A BANG, WOULD BE HEARD. TRANSMISSION WOULD REENGAGE ITSELF INTO DRIVE. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. TOOK TO DEALER TO HAVE TRANSMISSION OVERHAULED. *AK

POWER SEAT. ROCKED BACK AND FORTH AND GOT WORSE. DEALER REPLACED. SEAT STARTED TO GET LOOSE AGAIN AND DEALER REPLACED IT AGAIN. ALSO SEAT BELT WAS NOT RETRACTING BACK IN. DEALER REPLACED. ADDITIONAL DEFECT NOT NOTED WAS THE 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAVING TO BE REBUILT AT 22,868 MILES. WOULD BE GLAD TO FILL OUT ADDITIONAL FORM OR PROVIDE SERVICE RECORDS ETC. IF NEEDED. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. KEITH

FOR NO REASON THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP AND CONSUMER WOULD HAVE AN ODOR AS IF WIRES WHERE BURNING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TWICE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *YC

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

TRANSMISSION.

VEHICLE WOULD LOCK INTO AND OUT OF 4-WHEEL DRIVE RAPIDLY ON DRY, SMOOTH PAVEMENT FOR NO REASON ,CAUSING VEHICLE TO LURCH AND LAG ( JERKING ) AND CAUSING FRONT LEFT WHEEL HOP AND VIBRATION. DEALERSHIP HAS REMOVED THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE CAPABILTY OF THIS VEHICLE TO RESLOVE THE PROBLEM INSTEAD OF REPAIRING. THE ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED 4 WHEEL DRIVE EXPLORER IS NOW ONLY 2 WHEEL DRIVE. INDICATOR LIGHTS ON DASH NOW CONTINUOUSLY FLASH PROVIDING SOMEWHAT OF A DRIVERS DISTRACTION. ALSO VEHICLE HAS A LOUD SQUEAL IN FRONT END AT SPEEDS FROM 1 THRU 40 MPH WHICH ONE FAILED REPAIR ATTEMPT HAS BEEN MADE. ALSO VEHICLE ENGINE HAS LOUD MECHANICAL ENGINE NOISE ( KNOCKING AND BANGING ) IN UPPER ENGINE AREA. *AK

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN AND OUT OF GEAR. YH

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING UPON ACCELERATION GREATER THAN 40 MPH. *YC

VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR, CAUSING PROPERY DAMAGE TO THE INSIDE WALL OF OWNER'S GARAGE WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURY. *YC

4- WHEEL DRIVE INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD FLASH CONTINUALLY, INDICATING THA T 4- WHEEL DRIVE WAS INOPERATIVE. ON TWO OCCASIONS VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALER'S SHOP FOR REPAIRS, AND DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT GEM MODULE PART REPLACEMENT HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER, AND WAS WAITING TO RECEIVE THE PARTS. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER OR PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

LOOSE TRANS COOLER LINES RESULTED IN LEAKAGE. MJS

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.

WHEN I TRIED TO USE THE AC IN MARCH IT BLEW OUT ONLY HOT AIR. A NEW COMPRESSOR HAD TO BE PUT IN IT. IT STILL LEAKS UNDER THE DASH WHEN IT RAINS HARD OR GOING THROUGH CAR WASH. REAR WIPER MOTOR BURNT OUT. WIPER WOULD NOT WORK, HAD TO BE REPLACED. REAR SEAL, PINON SEALS, AND REAR DRIVE SHAFT WERE REPLACED TWICE. THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR PANEL AND WINDOW RATTLED REALLY BAD. HAD REPAIRED. NOW FRONT DRIVER DOOR PANEL AND WINDOW RATTLES. HAD A "VIBRATING" NOISE REPAIRED. WHEN VEHICLE IDLED A PIECE OF METAL VIBRATED. SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE GONE TO TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS AND THEY WON'T COME ON. I HAVE TO TURN THE BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THEY WILL COME ON. AFTER MY AUTO HAS SET OVERNIGHT AND I START IT, IT IDLES VERY ROUGH FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE GAS PEDAL HAS BEEN STICKING FOR QUITE A FEW MONTHS. ONLY WHEN YOU INITIALLY PUSH ON THE GAS TO GO. YOU HAVE TO TAP ON IT TO GET IT TO UNSTICK; THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS, THE PA

WHEN I TRIED TO USE THE AC IN MARCH IT BLEW OUT ONLY HOT AIR. A NEW COMPRESSOR HAD TO BE PUT IN IT. IT STILL LEAKS UNDER THE DASH WHEN IT RAINS HARD OR GOING THROUGH CAR WASH. REAR WIPER MOTOR BURNT OUT. WIPER WOULD NOT WORK, HAD TO BE REPLACED. REAR SEAL, PINON SEALS, AND REAR DRIVE SHAFT WERE REPLACED TWICE. THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR PANEL AND WINDOW RATTLED REALLY BAD. HAD REPAIRED. NOW FRONT DRIVER DOOR PANEL AND WINDOW RATTLES. HAD A "VIBRATING" NOISE REPAIRED. WHEN VEHICLE IDLED A PIECE OF METAL VIBRATED. SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE GONE TO TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS AND THEY WON'T COME ON. I HAVE TO TURN THE BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THEY WILL COME ON. AFTER MY AUTO HAS SET OVERNIGHT AND I START IT, IT IDLES VERY ROUGH FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE GAS PEDAL HAS BEEN STICKING FOR QUITE A FEW MONTHS. ONLY WHEN YOU INITIALLY PUSH ON THE GAS TO GO. YOU HAVE TO TAP ON IT TO GET IT TO UNSTICK; THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS, THE PA

STALLS WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE. NEAR COLLISION IN PARKING LOT. *AK

VIBRATION IN DRIVETRAIN. MOST PRONOUNCED WHEN ACCELERATING ON UPHILL GRADE. OCCURS AT AROUND 35 MPH. NOT RELATED TO TIRES OR WHEELS, ALL HAVE BEEN REPLACED.

PROBLEM IS AN ALMOST CONSTANT GRINDING NOISE THAT DEALER SAYS CANNOT BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS NO PERMENANT FIX. REFER TO FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 12328.12329. DEALER REFUSED TO DOCUMENT THAT PROBLEM WAS NOT A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT THERE WOULD NOT BE A FAILURE OF THE DRIVE TRAIN SYSTEM, OR THAT THE WHEELS WOULD NOT FALL OFF. DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT MGR. FURTHER STATED THAT THERE WERE HUNDREDS AND PERHAPS THOUSANDS OF CARS WITH THE SAME DEFECT. MY OBSERVATION OF THIS PROBLEM IS THAT THERE IS A HIGH PITCHED GRINDING OR SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS SOUND IS A METAL ON METAL RUBBING NOISE, WHICH COULD CAUSE FRICTIION, HEAT AND PERHAPS PARTS FAILURE THAT COULD CAUSE POTENTIAL FAILURE OF THE DRIVE TRAIN SYSTEM.

SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGE 12328 - SOME 1998/1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEER 4X4 VEHICHLES MAY EXHIBIT A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL/WHISTLE TYPE NOISE FROM THE FRONT END AT SPEEDS FROM 10MPH TO 40MPH. THIS NOISE MAY BE COMING FROM THE FRONT HALFSHAFT EXCLUDER SEALS(3K070) AS THEY ROTATE AGAINST THE INNER HUBS. IF A VEHICLE COMES IN FOR THIS CONCERN, PERFORM THE FOLLOWING SERVICE PROCEDURE FOR BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE; 1. PERFORM THE FRONT HALF SHAFT REMOVAL PROCEDURE PER SECTION 205-04-6 THROUGH 205-04-8 OF THE 1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEER WORKSHOP MANUAL. 2. CLEAN THE EXTENDED LIP OF THE FRONT WHEEL EXCLUDER SEALS(3K070), THE INNER SURFACE OF THE KNUCKLE(3K185/3K186) IN WHICH THE WHEELS RIDE AGAINST THE AXLE SHAFT OIL SEALS(3254). 3. SPREAD APPROXIMATELY 1/8" THICK BEAD OF HIGH TEMP WHEEL BEARING GREESE(PART #E8TZ-19590-A) ONTO THE SEAL LIPS&SURFACES THEY CONTACT. 4. PERFORM THE FRONT HALFSHAFT INSTALLATION PROCEDURE PER SECTION 205-04-8 OF THE 1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEER WORKSHOP MANUAL. VERIFY THAT THE NOISE IS NO LONGER PRESENT. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED WHEN AVAILABLE. ENGINEERING IS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE. NOTE: DO NOT REPLACE THE SEALS UNLESS THEY ARE DAMAGED.

WE HEAR A LOUD HISSING/WHISTLING NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT FORD IS WORKING ON FIXING THE PROBLEM AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS TRUE. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. STEVE AND GAYLENE SCHMITZ

3 PROBLEMS; #1. GAS PEDAL STICKS. DEALER SAYS NO PROBLEM, BUT KEEPS PUTTING LUBE ON LINKAGE. #2 LEFT FRONT BEARING REPLACED TWICE DUE TO SQEALING AT LOW SPEED, OTHER TIMES THEY LUBED RUBBER BOOT. #3 REAR HATCH WHEN COLD,LIFTS FAIL, HIT HEAD AND UPPER BACK.

SOME 1998/1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEER 4X4 VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL/WHISTLE TYPE NOISE FROM THE FRONT END AT SPEEDS FROM 10MPH TO 40MPH. THIS NOISE MAY BE COMING FROM THE FRONT HALF AXLE SHAFT EXCLUDER(DUST) SEALS (3K070) AS THEY ROTATE AGAINST THE INNER FRONT HUBS. PERFORM PROCEDURES 205-04-9 THROUGH 205-04-8 OF THE 1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTANEER WORKSHOP MANUAL APPLYING A 1/8 THICK BEAD OF HIGH TEMPATURE WHEEL BEARING GREASE (PART# E8TZ-19590-A) ONTO THE SEAL LIPS AND THE SURFACES, THEY CONTACT. PERFORM PROCEDURE 205-04-8 OF THE 1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEER WORKSHOP MANUAL. THIS IS A TEMPORARY FIX AND FORD ENGINEERS ARE CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED. *YC

TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE LEAK.

GEAR SHIFT FAILED, COULD NOT GET IT OUT OF PARK. *YC

THE VALVE BODY IN TRANSMISION FAILED, CAUSING NOISE. YH

TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING. YH

RUBBER SEALING FOR JUNCTION DRAFT SHAFT AND TRANSMISSION FAILED. YH

TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING. YH

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. *AK

WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE EMITS FROM THE FRONT HUBS. FORD HAS REPLACED THE SEALS TWICE AND SAYS THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY CAN DO. THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS THE RECEIVE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS A DAY ON THIS PROBLEM. EACH TIME I SEE A 98 EXPLORER COMING DOWN THE STREET, I LISTEN AND IT SEEMS ALL OF THEM HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED AND REPLACED, NEW TRANSMISSION FAILED SEVERAL TIMES CAUSING LEAK PRIOR TO REPLACING.

TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO BROKEN SUPPORT, HOWEVER VIBRATIONS IN DRIVETRAIN PRIOR TO FAILURE.

TRANFER CASE STILL NOT SWITCH OUT OF 4-WHEEL LOW. FORDS'S REMEDY: TURN IGNITION TO ON W/O STARTING, PUT TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL, TURN OFF IGNITION, PUT TRANSMISSION BACK INTO PARK. HAD 4X4 SOLINOID REPLACED. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. DEALER TOLD ME THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL BAD SOLINOID COME IN TO BE REPLACED.

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ONE OF THE FITTINGS FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES CAME LOOSE AND CAUSED THE FLUID TO LEAK, ALMOST CREATING A FIRE. THE FLUID LEAKED ON THE BRAKE PADS WHICH INCREASED THE STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY. THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION FITTING LINE WAS CORRECTED, BUT CONSUMER STILL EXPERIENCES A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. *AK

DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATIC 4X4 CONTROL AND VEHICLE ELECTRONICS.

TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOOSE REVERSE GEAR.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY AT 60 TO 65 MPH VEHICLE SWITCHES TO 4- WHEEL DRIVE WITHOUT WARNING. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON DRY STRAIGHT ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH VEHICLE JERKED SUDDENLY TO THE LEFT. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CORRECT STEERING, VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT, THE SPUN BACK TO THE LEFT. TURNED AROUND ON THE ROAD BACKWARDS AND FLIPPED ON PASSENGERS'S SIDE AND SLID INTO MEDIAN. ALSO, ABS BRAKES/SUSPENSION AND TRANSFER CASE FAILED.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILS TO ENGAGE PROPERLY IN EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE GEAR.

TRANSMISSION FAILURE; TRANSMISSION IS SLOW TO ENGAGE AND THEN WILL JERK ONCE IT DOES.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY FAILS WHILE IN REVERSE.

DRIVE TRAIN VIBRATION THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE.