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.

- West Allis, WI, USA

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.

- Berkley, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle jerked when the contact shifted gears. The failure occurred intermittently at any speed. The failure also occurred while the vehicle was in reverse gear. The vehicle was taken to an authorized three times but the failure could not be duplicated. The solenoid was replaced, but the failure continued to occur more frequently over time. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 16. The current mileage was approximately 53,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Prospect Heights, IL, USA

2000 Ford Explorer [xxx] XLT 4 dr 4X4 OHV "X" VIN 4.0 OHV engine. 2 re-built 5R55E transmissions. Both times po-741 codes torque converter clutch system stuck off. Had to start in low and shift to drive to move thru gears. No reverse unless you gun engine then slowly moves in reverse sometimes. Re-built at 113K and again at 195,000 miles. Sometimes no gear when driving. Have to switch overdrive off to gain traction. Trans finally quit again. Dangerous condition. Ford dealers tell me nothing extraordinary. Have never experienced so much transmission problems with all the SUVS and sedans I've owned. I believe a safety re-call is in order. It is no coincidence that retail shops refer to the Ford Explorer as the Ford "exploder".

- Palm Coast, FL, USA

2000 Ford Explorer 4.0L SOHC. O/D light started blinking while driving down a hill, without the accelerator pressed. When I started to ascend the next hill I was almost rear ended since the transmission would not shift to 4th (overdrive) and I had to depress the accelerator pedal almost to the floor to get the power to get up the hill. Bought this vehicle to replace my 1999 Ford ZX2 which ran great minus the fact the sub-frame had completely rotted out between the driver seat and the rear strut mount. I'm sure you will get complaints when those start breaking in half on the highway.

- Queensbury, NY, USA

2000 Ford Explorer, transmission will slip, lock up in overdrive, place in reverse car lurches forward.the O/D off light flashes engine rpms are very high.there are thousands of people that keep having the same problems with this vehicle. It has 4.0 engine and the 5R55E automatic transmission. This vehicle is dangerous to my family and to the public you never know what type of reaction will come out of this transmission. The vehicle has 100,000 miles on it. Taken to aamco they quoted $2300 for repairs. My warrant companycomplete automotive repair servives (C.a.R.S)will only pay for a salvage yard transmission.these transmission were only made fro a short time. Any transmission from a salvage yard will have the operating problems. While at aamco a customer brought his 1999 Explorer in his transmission was rebuilt by aamco Feb of this year.it is stuck in overdrive and will not go into reverse. Warranty company sent a used transmission to the aamco shop at 4210 red bluff road pasadena Texas, it was installed, transmission would not go into overdrive and set a computer code of torque converter failure along with solenoid failure. Ford Motor Company has turned loose a very unsafe to the public they must be held accountable and made to repair this type of transmission.

- Laporte, TX, USA

Faulty transmission on 2000 Ford Explorer. O/D light flashes and transmission shifts hard. Occurs on mid to long range trips and will likely require a transmission rebuild. It is known that this is a common issue with Ford SUV's/trucks from late 90's and early 2000's, but Ford refuses to "acknowledge" the issue.

- Marshall, WI, USA

Vehicles transmission slips causing loss of power to gearing. Unsafe conditions exists while trying to use power to avoid accidents. When vehicle key is switched off then on again, transmission resets until next event of power loss.

- Santa Maria, CA, USA

My transmission on my 2000 Ford Explorer XLT over drive O/D light started to flash on and off. I only have 169,000 miles on the truck. When I was driving it started to jerk and slip out of gear. Now it only let me drive only in one gear. I've called the Ford dealerships and says there is nothing we can do. It should be a recall on this problem because so many Ford Explorer owners up to the 2002 model has the same problem with their truck and they the same response when call Ford dealerships. This the website with all of the complaints: www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explorer/2002/transmission/O_D_light_is_blinking.shtml. this issue needs to addressed because no one wants to be in the middle of on coming traffic and can't move because of the vehicle's transmission want allow them too. They will be in an accident or cause one.

- Wayne , MI, USA

2000 Ford Explorer has O/D light blinking. Rough shifting from 1st to 2nd. Barely is able to get into park which leaves the vehicle able to roll away. (automatic transmission).

- Kansas City, MO, USA

2000 Ford Explorer has a delay in shifting on transmission, O/D off light flashing and car winds out in between gears... very costly so far and extremely dangerous!!!!!!!!!

- Colonie, NY, USA

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.

- Auburn, AL, USA

2000 Ford Explorer transmission malfunction. This is a safety problem which seems to be rapid on the Ford Explorer line in several years. The transmission seems to fail at an early or late into ownership. I talked to dealer in my area and there comments where. Don't tell transmission O/D light blinking and tranny slips, the minute I just said light comes on! this is a serious safety issue as when driving it just gives out without warning and slips when accelerating. I'm sure if you get a service related transmission problem for this particular vehicle you will find Ford has and is aware of the problem. But it goes back to money! I was making a left turn with oncoming traffic and it just slipped and had to punch it to leave intersection.

- Miami, FL, USA

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.

- Lilburn, GA, USA

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.

- Avon, MA, USA

My first car was a 2000 Ford Explorer and I could not be more disappointed with the performance of this vehicle. Although I have had the car now for a few years, it has never been in an accident. There have been some minor issues with the car that are expected with normal wear and tear. However at only about 60,000 miles I started having very bad transmission problems. The O/D light flashes nearly every time I drive the car and the transmission (automatic) skips every time after first gear. After doing some research I realized that this is not a random occurrence. There are numerous Ford Explorer owners with this same problem and Ford has yet to acknowledge and help fix this problem. I initially thought that it was just my car possibly getting old, however after spending hours researching my problem I quickly realized that this is not an age issue. I also do not have that many miles on my car. Unfortunately I do not have the $2000+ to completely replace my transmission which apparently seems to be my only option. It has gotten to the point where I am afraid to drive my car because every time I turn it on and start driving these problems occur.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

I noticed a slight hesitation in the transmission shifting from 1st to 2nd gear once in a while yesterday. Within 5 miles the O/D light was flashing and by the time I go home(luckily)5 miles later, reverse was now not working. I have a car that has already had 1 transmission replaced, needing another one. I am extremely lucky that I did not get stranded!!!!

- Flemington, NJ, USA

At 166,000 head gasket blew plus there were other engine problems. Replaced with another engine. Now transmission is going out. It will go into reverse fine but will go into drive with problems. If vehicle is cold it will go into drive faster than when it is warmed up. At warm temp it may take several tries of shifting from park back to drive or waiting several minutes for it to drop into drive after shifting out of park. Have only owned this vehicle less than 2 years.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

O/D light flashing. Griffen Ford could not id problem. Unaccustomed to how this transmission should handle, I had no idea how the lowest gear ratio should feel and assumed what it did feel like was normal. At 110,000 A/tran failed and had to be remanufactured. Used private shop. Outstanding re-build and that is when I found out that I never had a low(est) gear but did after the transmission was rebuilt. Faithful change and cleaning of trans fluid, no towing ever, and excellent maintenance record did not prevent a transmission failure which is evidence of Ford poor quality control at the manufacturing or assembly level. Obviously no one ever picked up the fact that the low gear never worked, not at the Ford factory, at the dealership, by sales, or service, and was never properly road tested. Poor reflection on Ford Motor Corporation.

- Alburgh, VT, USA

O/D light started flashing and wouldn't correct with the button on the gear shift. Explorer would rev at inappropriate times. Mileage has dropped from 21 to 16 mpg which outrageous. Took it in to be checked expecting the sensors to be off but was told the transmission was shot, the converter was busted, metal in the transmission, would need to completely replace the transmission.

- Kapolei, HI, USA