MajorCommonTransmission

Ford Explorer: 5R55E automatic transmission 2-3 flare & band/servo wear

5R55E automatic transmission 2-3 flare & band/servo wear is a common transmission fault on the Ford Explorer on the 1996–2001 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $2,500 to $4,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 11 documented faults on the Ford Explorer.

Vehicle: Ford Explorer
Engine: 4.0L
Years: 1996–2001
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: auto
System: Transmission

This page covers the Ford Explorer as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Ford Explorer faults11 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Mechatronic / valve body yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The 5R55E five-speed automatic behind the 4.0 V6 in the Australian-delivered Explorer is a known weak point. It suffers a '2-3 flare' (a momentary rev-up between second and third), overheating from a failing thermostatic element in the valve body, and wear or breakage of the intermediate/second-gear bands and the rear sprag's nylon cage, which can leave it slipping or shifting erratically (for example 1-2-1-4-5). It was never strong enough for heavy towing and problems worsen with heat. Symptoms typically build past roughly 150,000-200,000 km, sooner on cars that towed or ran the fluid dark.

What you would notice

Brief flare or rev-up when shifting from 2nd to 3rd
Slipping in one or more gears, or delayed engagement
Harsh, erratic or missed shifts (e.g. skipping 3rd)
Overdrive/'O/D OFF' light flashing
Burnt-smelling or very dark transmission fluid

How to check it

Where to look. Automatic transmission (5R55E), valve body and band/servo assemblies

On a test drive feel for a flare between 2nd and 3rd and any slip under load up a hill; check the transmission fluid colour and smell (should be red, not brown/burnt); watch for a flashing overdrive light indicating a stored fault.

Parts involved: Mechatronic / valve body.

What it costs to put right

$2,500 to $4,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the transmission been rebuilt or serviced, and when was the fluid last changed?”
“Has the car ever been used for towing?”
“Does the overdrive light ever flash, or does it flare between gears?”

Now check the Ford Explorer you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in the sources below. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them.

explorerforum.com Serious Explorations threads on 5R55E slipping and the '2-3 flare' (multiple owner reports)
transmissionrepaircostguide.com - 'Ford Explorer Transmission Problems (5R55)'
ford-trucks.com '4R55E/5R55E Ranger/Explorer Transmission Problems' long-running technical thread (band, sprag and valve-body failures)

Ford Explorer buyer questions

Is 5r55e automatic transmission 2-3 flare & band/servo wear serious on a Ford Explorer?

We rate it major and common on the Ford Explorer. The 5R55E five-speed automatic behind the 4.0 V6 in the Australian-delivered Explorer is a known weak point. It suffers a '2-3 flare' (a momentary rev-up between second and third), overheating from a failing thermostatic element in the valve body, and wear or breakage of the intermediate/second-gear bands and the rear sprag's nylon cage, which can leave it slipping or shifting erratically (for example 1-2-1-4-5). It was never strong enough for heavy towing and problems worsen with heat. Symptoms typically build past roughly 150,000-200,000 km, sooner on cars that towed or ran the fluid dark.

How much does it cost to fix on a Ford Explorer?

$2,500 to $4,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Ford Explorer years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 1996–2001 Ford Explorer. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.