Consumer stated the overdrive off indicator light located on the instrument cluster flashed steadily, the vehicle then began braking roughly including a slight grinding sound during braking, consumer is requesting reimbursement for the replacement of the transmission, stating the manufacturer was aware of the transmission defects.

- Everett, WA, USA

Driving from san diego to lax airport. 1/3 of way there, O/D off light starts flashing, see in manual to contact dealership and to have vehicle checked. Call rancho Ford in temecula, ca, they said vehicle fine to drive, come in for appointment a few days later. Vehicle not in correct gears, RPM awkward, too high, too low. Then 1/2 back and hear pop sound, like gunfire, and see smoke coming from under vehicle. Past experience with Ford tells me not to trust them, so I pull over and call my mechanic. Transmission blew cap off and cover undercarriage of car with trans fluid. Mechanic said that as long as I did not rev above 2700, I would be okay. Made it all the way home. Had transmission rebuilt and reinstalled, two weeks later, same symptoms. This time new transmission. Then 4 weeks later, problems occur again. Take to aamco, and they say needs new torque converter, take to regualr mechanic, says needs new transfer case, take to rancho Ford, they don't know what to do, and take to lake elsinore Ford, where they run diagnostic, and find nothing is wrong.

- San Diego, CA, USA

While driving 65 mph vehicle suddenly would not accelerate over 40 mph, overdrive light came on. Had vehicle towed to dealer who replaced transmission.

- Holmesville, NJ, USA

While driving 65 mph transmission quit without prior warning.

- Troy, NY, USA

O/D light starts flashing. Very commen on 94-96 Ford Explorer transmissions. Must replace transmission. Should be recalled. Mine happed at 55,000. Had a new one installed by Ford, happened again 20,000 miles later.

- Eastpointe, MI, USA

I believe this truck was involved in a rollover accident before I purchased it. I think this because of the bad fiberglass work on the roof and bad paint job. I also believe this because of all of the front end problems I have encountered. I believe once this truck is involved in an accident there is no repair to make it safe again. I also wonder if the accident the truck was involved in is related to the tire and rollover recall from Ford and Firestone.

- Watertport, NY, USA

Had to totally rebuild the transmission, something that should have to be done on such a low mileage car.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Glen Allen, VA, USA

Transmission problems since vehcile was purchased. This was second transmission, and it was a rebuilt transmission. Contacted dealer.

- Batesburg, SC, USA

On Tuesday January 16, 2001, the O/D off light started flashing while my wife was driving to work. I checked the ownerS manual for this status and it stated to have the vehicle serviced. I scheduled an appointment with columbiana Ford for Thursday January 18, 2001. I test drove the vehicle to see if anything felt wrong and all I could determine was the automatic shifting into overdrive was not working. On Thursday January 18, 2001, I was shocked by the phone call from the Ford dealer. They informed me that while the vehicle was in overdrive a part had broken. During this breakage, they stated that 3rd gear was damaged. The final shock occurred when they stated the repair estimate was $2313 for a new transmission. The final bill was for $2484. When I inquired about repairing or rebuilding the transmission they stated that it would cost the same as the new one. I called other transmission service companies and they verified the same conclusion as the Ford dealer. This vehicle only has 67,000 miles on it and the transmission needed replaced.

- Columbiana, OH, USA

It should be noted that freedom Ford is the dealership that provided a $2,772.85 estimate to rebuild the transmission again. We purchased the vehicle from Colorado springs Jeep/Eagle Inc. The transmission has failed twice. The first time at 55706 miles, rebuilt at a cost of $2,628.92. Now it has failed a second time with an additional 51644 miles on the odometer. This vehicle has been used mostly for highway driving, as I commute a 101 miles each day. It has not been used to tow and has only been used in 4-wheel drive during snow storms. The upkeep and maintenance on the vehicle has never been neglected and there is no reason that the transmission should have failed unless there is a manufacturer defect. I have contacted Ford and was told there was nothing they could do to compensate me for the repair costs. I did brief research on the internet and found that this is a problem experienced by many Ford Explorer owners. There is information that indicates that Ford is aware that the transmissions used in these vehicles have design defects, are poor quality and that they have a high failure rate. However, Ford has done nothing to compensate their customers. I intend to pursue this situation and I would appreciate any information, assistance or investigative research your organization can provide. Thank you for protecting us.

- Pueblo West, CO, USA

Replaced 2nd transmission in October 1998, and 3rd in February 2001. Consumer felt transmissions were defective.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

Ford supposely replaced our transmission in Jan. 1999 due to a defect they could not explain, I paid $550, the dealer supposely paid $550 and Ford was warrantying the remainder. The check engine light came on the vehicle 18 Dec, 2000. I told them that the vehicle was not shifting out correctly. So not to damage the vehicle I had it towed to our Ford service department. Ford installed an ait sensor at a cost of $293.78. The vehicle was ready to pick up on the 19 Dec, 2000. Due to the weather we did not drive the vehicle for several days, then after about 15 miles the O/D off indicator started flashing. I again called Ford. I was told that we could drive the vehicle to the dealership. I talked with fred sizemore, service manager several times about the status of the vehicle. He told me that Ford was bringing in a special computer to see if they could find the problem. Finally on Dec. 29 fred told me that the transmission again was out and that he was talking with Ford about the problem. On Tuesday, 2 January fred called to tell me that Ford would not stand behind the new transmission. The person that fred spoke with said "there comes a time when the consumer has to take responsibility for the vehicle". I spoke with lovia at Ford costomer assistance this morning. She advised me that Ford had a 1 year/12,000 mile warranty on parts and we had exceeded that. I told her that this was "supposely" a new transmission and that it should have the same warranty as a new transmission. All service on this vehicle has been done at the dealer and we had the records to show that we had paid for the servicing. We can show the amount of money we have spent on this vehicle in maintenance. Ford knew when they supposely put in this new transmission that we would again have problems and will not stand behind defective equipment.

- Richmond, KY, USA

O/D off light flashed on and off for months. Ford would not admit a problem till it was out of warranty. RPM's would go up dramatically for a few seconds while going down the road. ABS sensor went bad causing unexpected and longer stopping distances at less than 20 mph. Thje ABS brakes would kick inon dry pavement at slow speeds when turning and braking at the same time. Almost caused a couple crashes.

- Chardon, OH, USA

O/D light flashing / transmission shifts hard into first gear when slowing down to a stop. Transmission always serviced according to owners manual.

- Allen, TX, USA

Check engine light comes on intermittently since approximately 30,000 miles. No cause could be determined by several Ford dealerships. At 109,000 miles O/D light began flashing. Dealer diagnosed transmission failure and recommended replacement ($2558). 5,000 miles later same symptoms appeared (O/D light flashing). Dealer diagnosed transmission and PCM failure - replaced transmission under warranty and replaced PCM ($264). 5,000 miles after that same symptoms presented themselves (O/D light flashing). Dealer diagnosed transmission failure and PCM failure - both replaced under warranty. Check engine light continues to present itself intermittently (typically on long drives). Summary: 3 transmissions and 2 pcms failed within 12,000 miles.

- Burbank, WA, USA

Overdrive light will start to blink, and almost immediately vehicle will not shift properly, it will keep slipping out of gear, eventually resulting in failure of transmission. Transmission has been replaced twice with the same light duty design transmission, but defect keeps occurring.

- Apple Valley, MN, USA

Transmission gets stuck between first and second gear after driving for a distance. Dealer has been contacted.

- Toledo, OH, USA

Consumer had a rebuilt transmission installed. But encountered the same problem as existed before. There was a humming noise, overdrive light stayed on.

- Antioch, CA, USA

Transmission slipped in and out of overdrive while driving. Would have no warning. This caused vehicle to jerk. Problem was not intermittent. Took vehicle to dealership & was informed by mechanic that transmission needed to be replaced.

- Valencia, CA, USA