1995 Ford Explorer Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 119about this part
- Share
- 14%of 843 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 103,310miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 119 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1995 Ford Explorer, 14% of the 843 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 103,310 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving my car when it began to down shift around 35mph. Eventually, after adding more gas, it kicked into gear. My vehicle is an automatic. Once it down shifts, the od light begins flashing on and off. It has now been doing this consistently. The drive is not a smooth drive and when I am going approximately 50-60mph or more, the car begins to shake.”
NHTSA complaint #10475384, filed 2012-09, 220,000 miles“I have had 3 transmission failures on my 1995 Ford Explorer. I bought it new. The first failure occured just out of warranty. It was rebuilt. The next failure occurred just out of the warranty for the first rebuild. I had a new transmission put in. The third failure is just beginning with the od light flashing and a hard clunk when the auto transmission downshifts into first gear.”
NHTSA complaint #10075259, filed 2004-06, 61,000 miles“I have a 1995 Ford Explorer that has had many problems..currently I am having trouble with the coverter clutch. I have checked into this and it seems that many explorers are having this same trouble. I wrote a letter to Ford motors companies and recieved a phone call from them telling me how sorry they were to hear of my complaints... I think this is pretty poor that they won't do something about this”
NHTSA complaint #10040835, filed 2003-09, 91,000 miles“I have a 1995 Ford Explorer the windows work sometimes you mit drive a block than thay don'tand the 4/4 will the same thing . My son has 1995 Explorer it will do the same thing is there a recall if not ther shough be thank you .”
NHTSA complaint #10056704, filed 2004-02, 30,000 miles“Driving in light city traffic, overdrive indicator light began blinking on and off a few seconds after pulling away from a traffic light, engine raced and wouldn't upshift, then it just coasted to a stop, and wouldn't go anymore. We had to have vehicle flatbedded to a repair shop, and found transmission needed a complete rebuild, which cost about $3,800.”
NHTSA complaint #10442017, filed 2012-01, 137,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10017891Apr 1, 2005Front axle leaks fluid from vent tube - vehicles equipped with 4x4 or awd.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 7% |
| 2025 | 16 | 15% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 12 | 11% |
| 2022 | 61 | 23% |
| 2021 | 127 | 28% |
| 2020 | 504 | 40% |
| 2019 | 35 | 12% |
| 2018 | 50 | 7% |
| 2017 | 125 | 7% |
| 2016 | 215 | 9% |
| 2015 | 86 | 5% |
| 2014 | 80 | 5% |
| 2013 | 119 | 5% |
| 2012 | 55 | 7% |
| 2011 | 64 | 5% |
| 2010 | 28 | 24% |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% |
| 2008 | 36 | 24% |
| 2007 | 57 | 27% |
| 2006 | 296 | 47% |
| 2005 | 99 | 20% |
| 2004 | 460 | 35% |
| 2003 | 335 | 30% |
| 2002 | 1,502 | 46% |
| 2001 | 42 | 11% |
| 2000 | 133 | 14% |
| 1999 | 115 | 9% |
| 1998 | 103 | 5% |
| 1997 | 104 | 6% |
| 1996 | 120 | 8% |
| 1995 | 119 | 14% |
| 1994 | 86 | 7% |
| 1993 | 72 | 8% |
| 1992 | 77 | 12% |
| 1991 | 69 | 11% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1995 Ford Explorer
205 complaintsSuspension
93 complaintsVehicle speed control
81 complaintsBrakes
80 complaintsSeat belts
59 complaintsElectrical system
55 complaintsSteering
52 complaintsEngine cooling
45 complaintsBody and structure
39 complaintsAir bags
27 complaintsSeats
19 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
19 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1995 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology