Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I own a 1995 Ford Explorer 4x4. I purchased it new and did not have any problems with the transmission until last year when I had it flushed. I started to work the next morning and the transmission began to slip coming out of first gear. I took it into aamco and they told me the transmission needed to be replaced. They also informed me the engine was strong, but the transmission would have to be replaced. I have no problem after it gets to second and third gear. It is really unsafe trying to merged into traffic, because of the hesitation trying to get out of first. If Ford knows this is a major problem with this year vehicle, they should at least agree to recall these transmissions. I am sure most people have junked there trucks by name, but I am still hanging in strong 237,000 miles and counting, with the same slipping transmission. …
Tl contact owns a 1995 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 25-30 MPH with the accelerator pedal depressed, the first and second gear slipped. This failure occurs on all road surfaces, including hills and leveled road and begins as soon as the vehicle is driven. The failure began six years after the vehicle was purchased. After the transmission was serviced at an authorized dealer, fluid began leaking. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer for the third time and was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle is able to be driven, but the transmission has not yet been replaced. The failure mileage was 120,000 and current mileage was 131,000. Updated 06/25/08
Tl* the contact owns a 1995 Ford Explorer. While driving the over-drive warning light will illuminate on the instrument control panel, and then the vehicle will hesitate before decelerating. He contacted the dealer, and a technician stated that this was a common failure for this model type. He then added that the transmission control module and the PCM have failed. The PCM needed to be replaced at an expense of $500.00. No repairs were made. The failure mileage was 55,000. The current mileage was 107,000.
Tl contact owns a 1995 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving, she noticed that the vehicle would "shimmy and shake". Recently, she noticed that the vehicle would not shift into park so she had to use the parking brake to keep it stable. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired at the time of the complaint. The contact called the dealership and the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The current mileage was approximately 184,000. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
O/d light began to flash then the transmission went out, Ford wants $2,000, so im going through an auto salvage for $845, will never buy Ford again, they have a history of problems with there transmission. Of course the transmission went out 2 weeks after my warranty! I got a 1 year warranty for free from them because I had gone to carfax.com and found out that when I bought it from them there was an odometer roll back!
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
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.
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.
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.
Clear coat is pealing on hood and over back hatch, transmission problems and headlight problems the headlight will not work on dim I have taken it to the shop and they can not find anything wrong with it. The sensor keeps going out on the transmission.
NHTSA investigations
Accelerator pedal
There is no summary currently available
Transmission complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1995 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 119 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1995 Ford Explorer, 14% of the model year's 843 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (77 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Ford Explorer transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1995 Ford Explorer, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1995 Ford Explorer transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 103,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 2 injuries and 1 death to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.