The contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle leaked anti-freeze and transmission fluid. There was also rust underneath the vehicle and a hole in the running boards, which almost caused them to detach. The contact claimed that the ground could be seen through the hole. The vehicle also produced thick smoke. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The contact planned to have the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 170,000.

- Daniels, WV, USA

Driving around 30 mph on a flat straight paved road when it suddenly shifted into 4 wheel low.

- Sparks, NV, USA

Switched into 4 wheel drive low without a command while driving around 30 mph on a dry level paved road.

- Sparks, NV, USA

The Ford Explorer 2001 XLS 4.0L rear wheel drive transmission is defective in slip 4 to 5 gear in 75000 miles.

- Dorado, PR, USA

I took my car to astoria Ford late last year, because it was stalling and losing power. The charged me almost $1,000 and the problem persists. The O/D on off light will stop and start. When it comes on which just started today, the car in any gear while only go forward. In reverse and neutral, only forward. As a police officer this is very dangerous, and I cannot drive the vehicle. Many have submitted complaints about this to Ford, they call it a phantom problem. I hope this phantom problem does not occur in front of a day care.

- Shoreline, WA, USA

For the second time, the vehicle's transmission failed, leaving the vehicle completely powerless while driving. The transmission also failed at approximately 70,000 miles in 2006, again while driving the vehicle in traffic. In both cases, I, as the driver, was nearly involved in accidents with other vehicles because of the complete loss of the transmission power train. The vehicle also gave no warning of the failure prior to these events. It is my understanding that this has been a long-standing design defect with Ford Explorer, with a high number of vehicles from the early 2000S suffering similar transmission failures. This is both dangerous and, I believe, a defect that could cause injury and/or death.. I also wish to add that this vehicle, which is 4 wheel drive and includes a factory installed towing package, has only occasionally been used for towing a boat (2X per year) and is seldom used in its 4 wheel drive capacity (only on snow covered roads 2-3 times per year). The vehicle has been well maintained. The cost of the repairs in each case was over $2,000.

- Rensselaer, NY, USA

As with so many Explorer I have read about, my O/D light comes on and flashes. I lose all power during initial acceleration and then the truck shoots off like a rocket. If I turn the ignition off, the light resets and the vehicle is ok for a while until the light as with so many Explorer I have read about, my O/D light comes on and flashes. I lose all power during initial acceleration and then the truck shoots off like a rocket. If I turn the ignition off, the light resets and the vehicle is ok for a while until the light comes on again. I had the codes read and it came up a solenoid problem. I had them replaced and ten miles from the lot, the light came on again. I have read that this is a known issue from Ford, but they have yet to act on this issue. Comes on again. I had the codes read and it came up a solenoid problem. I had them replaced and ten miles from the lot, the light came on again. I have read that this is a known issue from Ford, but they have yet to act on this issue. I took it to the Ford shop and they told me that they have fixed several and they go right back out it was a waste of my time.. does someone have to get killed before U all fix this if U try to take off and it slips and will not go U can and will get hit.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 45 mph, the transmission failed to respond with an unusual whining noise. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road and the engine was turned off. Upon restarting, the vehicle resumed normally. The failure recurred on a separate occasion. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Rocky Mt., VA, USA

Vehicle was idling in driveway with the drivers door open. Transmission was in park. Transmission dropped into reverse, rolled backwards in driveway, crashing through two chainlink gates, the door was torn back against the fender, I tried to reach into the truck to turn it off, and was pinned between the truck, and the chain link fence. Explorer currently in the collision shop, and transmission will be repaired when the bodywork is done.

- Lexington, KY, USA

Transmission failed without warning. Would not catch 3rd gear and then sounded like a toolbox was scattered under the car. Car successively lost all gears except 1st. Repair cost over $2800.

- United States Of America, NC, USA

'O/D off' light if blinking, on and off. While light is blinking the car seems to be sluggish and does not respond to throttle properly. Rough shifts while driving.

- Bartlett, IL, USA

Ford part # 1L24-7H473-ag vendor # M799G motorola model # 01mu152B06 date code 01211 serial # 21396939

- Keswick, 00, USA

I purchased this car on October 8,2003. Three days after I bought it the check engine light came on. I brought the car back four times back to back. The first time they said nothing was wrong. The second and third time the same thing. On the fourth attempt, they had me take it to one of "their" mechanics. He said it was a bad switch in the system. Not even a whole week later, the check guage light came on. The car lot where I bought it from said they were not going to look at my car because out of the kindness of their heart they've already looked at it. So I took it to a Ford dealership, they fixed it and said it was a problem with transmission, and the steering wheel. They car lot said it was not their problem. I had to pay out of my pocket for some problems that are still under warranty. Then the first time the check engine light came on I later found out that a sales person who was not certified mechanic, tried to fix the car when they said they were sending it to a mechanic. I'm still having problems and it seems like there just getting worse!

- Inglewood, CA, USA

Transmission failure- no warning-

- Woodstock, GA, USA