Power Train Problems of Ford Explorer - part 1

I purchased my 2020 Ford Explorer in December 2020. The first incident occurred around June 2021 while I was on a road trip. While driving, the vehicle unexpectedly shifted/downshifted on its own and caused a sudden change in the vehicle's movement. At first, I thought there might be an issue with the rotary gear selector. The problem occurred again, and in 2023 I took the vehicle to a Ford dealership and reported the issue. I was told there was a recall and recall-related work was performed. However, the unexpected shifting continued afterward. I contacted the Ford dealership multiple times about the continuing problem but was told that without an applicable recall I could be charged for diagnosis and that the problem might not be detected unless it occurred during a test drive. I reported the shifting problem again when the vehicle was at a Ford dealership for recall service in 2025. I specifically told the service advisor that the vehicle was still unexpectedly shifting while driving. The advisor told me the vehicle was driven but the problem did not occur during their test drive. The problem has continued. During a recent incident, the vehicle unexpectedly shifted/downshifted while I was driving and I nearly had an accident with my children in the vehicle. I am concerned that the sudden change in the vehicle's movement could cause me to lose control or be struck by another vehicle. I recently contacted the Ford dealership again and was informed that my vehicle has another open recall related to the transmission/park system. I was given an appointment for October 23, 2026, but was told Ford does not expect the recall remedy to be available until November. I am concerned about continuing to drive the vehicle while waiting for a remedy because this malfunction has occurred repeatedly while the vehicle is in motion and the most recent incident nearly resulted in an accident. The vehicle is available for inspection. The dealership has previously inspected/test-dr.

See all problems of the 2020 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle came to a complete stop in the middle of traffic. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact attempted to shift it into drive(d); however, the shifter returned to park(p) independently. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The dealer stated that the transmission needed to be replaced due to a transmission rollaway issue. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 26v402000 (power train). The contact stated that a yellow light was flashing on the instrument panel, with an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle during the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the fault codes listed for the transmission failure were associated with the recall.

See all problems of the 2021 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 26v402000 (power train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shaking and vibrating abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed that the failure was associated with the recall. The failure mileage was 70,000.

While attempting to operate the vehicle, the transmission/gear-selection system malfunctioned. When drive or reverse is selected, the vehicle does not remain in the selected gear and instead returns to park, preventing the vehicle from moving. The condition is repeatable and the vehicle is currently disabled. The exact failed component is unknown. The vehicle has not yet been repaired. An authorized Ford dealer has declined to work on the vehicle after we requested written clarification regarding coverage. Ford motor company has been contacted and a corporate case has been opened. This creates a safety concern because the vehicle can become completely immobile and cannot be relied upon to enter or remain in a drive gear when transportation is needed. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred. The vehicle remains available for inspection.

My 2020 Ford Explorer experienced a catastrophic mechanical failure directly tied to active safety recall 26s48 / NHTSA campaign 26v402000. While operating the vehicle, the transmission's internal parking pawl failed/shattered, completely locking the rear wheels mechanism. The vehicle is entirely immobilized and cannot move even an inch, even when the gear selector is manually turned to neutral or when the manual park release (mpr) tether is fully engaged. [1, 2] the vehicle had to be flatbed-towed using specialized wheel dollies to prevent severe structural and drivetrain destruction because the wheels are locked solid. When attempting to have the vehicle received at an authorized Ford dealership, the dealership refused to accept the vehicle or open a formal repair ticket, claiming that because the final recall remedy parts are delayed until 2027, they "cannot take the vehicle. " [1] Ford motor company is failing to provide a timely safety remedy or manage its dealership network to accommodate a vehicle that has already suffered a total mechanical failure due to this exact recalled defect. The vehicle is a severe rollaway and structural hazard, completely undriveable, and Ford is denying responsibility or alternative transportation assistance because the parts do not yet exist. I am requesting immediate federal intervention to compel Ford to ground this vehicle, provide a safe loaner, and initiate a manufacturer buyback.

Ford corporate office has responded with the following: “you are not responsible for paying the actually recall remedy out of pocket. The recall remedy has not yet been released. At this time, the costs being discussed are specific transmission repairs related to damages the recall may cause. The dealership is offering to complete those repairs at your expense, and we recommend keeping all receipts for potential reimbursement once the official recall remedy becomes available. Again, I want to clarify the reason for the costs of the needed repairs, those are being done under normal diagnosis and because the vehicle is outside of nvwl, it is coming up as a customer pay repair. The advanced notice recall also does not authorize for a rental vehicle to be provided” we are requesting additional review of this case and are rejecting the proposal to complete repairs at my own expense or through partial "financial assistance”, which is not the case since we are being asked to pay $4,400 for an interim repair. I explicitly request that you do not close this case file. The physical damage to my vehicle's transmission pump, valve, and park pawl is not a "normal diagnosis" issue. The servicing dealership and corporate office have explicitly confirmed that this mechanical failure is the exact manifestation of the safety risk detailed under Ford safety recall 26s48 / NHTSA 26v402. Under federal regulation 49 cfr § 573. 13 (I)(1)(ii), a manufacturer's recall program cannot exclude or deny coverage simply because an interim or pre-notification.

I had my car in drive in a parking spot. I was ready to go, put the car in drive, did not move but needed to put it in park fast to assist to a child in the back seat. I put it in park pretty fast. Took my seatbelt off and assisted child. It must have not engaged. Car rolled into my office metal mailbox. I 100% put it in park. I took my seatbelt off after so I seen it. It was fast with the gear shift though. Should this have been an issue? I feel like if it was any other car you with a manual gear shifter , not electrical, it’s fine. I feel this was not my fault at all and was a malfunction of the car. The car did not automatically stop either. It hit the mailbox at like 3-4mph. I have never been in an accident of my fault in 10 years of driving. I’ve never made a crazy mistake like that. It should’ve never happened. I drive all types of cars/ and trucks. This is also a lease and I’m so pissed. Especially because my kids were in the car. Luckily no one was hurt and no property damage. Just the car.

The transmission is sporadically shifting causing the vehicle to lose or stop during acceleration and deceleration making it unsafe to pull away from a stop or during deceleration and causing it to stop in the in the rd and then it would shift extremely hard after it would gain power to the transmission again. The vehicle is available for inspection and no codes indicated a transmission issue. Only codes are vacuum leak codes. I've had my snap on scanner attached and have had it at 3 different garages. The vehicle had transmission issues repaired shortly after purchasing at a certified Ford dealer (fred beans) of mechanicsburg. My family and I have been in quite a few near miss accidents stemming from this issue. I've had fluids checked multiple times for the transmission and even had a Ford tech do a complete transmission flush.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA campaign number: 23v675000 (power train), 25v093000 (seat belts), 26v402000 (power train), and 26v451000 (seats) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that whenever the transmission shifted into sixth gear, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, and the vehicle was shaking erratically. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a transmission parking system failure. The contact was informed that the failure was associated with an unrepaired recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the parts were unavailable. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 26v402000 (power train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

While driving my car, the transmission suffered a mechanical failure. The vehicle is shuddering when decelerating, causing sudden jolting and knocking sounds with no warning or error messages. Because of this defect, the vehicle poses an immediate hazard and cannot be safely driven. The vehicle was dropped off on Monday August 24 with the Ford dealership and the service team has made contact to confirm the transmission valve body, pump and park pawl are damaged and confirmed that this is a result of NHTSA recall 26v402 (Ford recall 26s48). The Ford service team have advised that they are able to complete a temporary repair to get the car working again only if I agree to pay them $4,400 despite the recall. Ford’s interim remedy involves replacing failed components with identical, un-remediated parts that possess the exact same engineering flaw, which fails to permanently resolve the safety crisis. Furthermore, I am facing severe difficulties obtaining immediate vehicle recovery, interim repairs, and alternative transportation (such as a loaner or rental vehicle) from authorized Ford dealerships while the vehicle remains grounded due to this manufacturer safety defect. Ford’s corporate office was also contacted on Tuesday to discuss after we were advised that we would need to pay to get the car drivable and the dealership refused a temporary vehicle or rental during repairs. A Ford corporate employee replied that they would make contact within 24 hours. When we did not hear back, we contacted the corporate office again on Thursday and spoke to a rep who stated they would escalate and we would hear back Friday (today). Ford has failed to make contact with any resolution. I am filing this complaint to document a premature, complete component failure under this recall, and to request that NHTSA review the manufacturer’s remedy timeline, as leaving safety-compromised vehicles un-remediated on the road or stranded presents an unreasonable risk to public safety.

While driving down a main road, the speed limit changed from 40 to 55 mph. When the gas pedal was pushed, the car violently jerked, did not speed up, and proceeded to have a grinding sound emitting from the engine. No warning lights appeared. The grinding noise continued until the vehicle was placed in neutral and back in drive. We began looking into it and found a recall for the transmission. We contacted a local dealership and were told that they would not be able to inspect or address the issue until Ford issues a remedy (projected to be 8-11 months from now). Since then, the car has experienced harsh upshifting, hesitation with acceleration, jerking, and grinding along with significant rolling when put in park and let off the brake. We contacted Ford directly with no avail. No one has had any advice to “help” with the issue until Ford decides to issue the remedy. We have essentially been told to either park it and continue to make payments on something that is of no use, or to keep driving it and go until it stops. The concern is we have two small children and can not risk engine/transmission failure while driving down the road. The safety of our children comes before anything else, and this vehicle no longer provides safety for them.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission shifted hard. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that a software update was needed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the parking brake engaged each time the vehicle was shifted into park, and the message "stuck in park" was displayed on the instrument panel while driving. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 26v402000 (power train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed the part was not available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

My car was banging into gear when downshifting. I took to the Ford dealer and they told me it was TSB 20-2337 a known issue. My warranty had just expired and I had to pay out of pocket for the damages. If this is a known issue, it should be covered by Ford not an out of pocket expense. I was told by the dealer if may turn into a recall and if it does, I can they get reimbursed for it. How can a known issue be the consumer's responsibility to pay for when there is a flaw in their building of this expensive vehicle. I do not even have 70k miles and the transmission is failing??.

Illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with dtcs c00a6 and c0631, caused by failure of the front axle disconnect actuator/intermediate shaft on an awd 2020 Explorer at 46,821 miles. The vehicle displayed the wrench light along with "service advancetrac," "4wd fault," "hill start assist not available," and "pre-collision assist not available. " multiple driver-assistance and stability systems disabled themselves simultaneously, including advancetrac stability control and pre-collision braking. Loss of stability control and automatic emergency braking without warning is a safety concern, particularly at highway speed. The fault was intermittent at first. The dealer had the vehicle five days and could not duplicate it. Within a week of getting it back the condition became nearly constant. The repair is Ford TSB 25-2568, which replaces the front axle disconnect actuator/intermediate shaft with a revised, non-disconnecting design and a new halfshaft. Ford has published this bulletin repeatedly since spring 2023 — 23-2114, then 23-2174 (July 2023), then 25-2373, then 25-2568 (January 2026) — for 2020-2021 Explorer and aviator awd vehicles built on or before 30-Aug-2021. Ford has redesigned the part and eliminated the disconnect feature entirely, but has issued no recall or customer satisfaction program. Because this vehicle is out of factory warranty by age at 46,821 miles, the roughly $2,500 repair fell to me. I request that NHTSA review whether a known design defect that disables stability control and pre-collision braking warrants a safety recall rather than a service bulletin.

At 30 to 40 mph, there is a shuttering or stutter in the transmission during acceleration. This is a problem when trying to enter traffic on the expressway (interstate or other lanes of traffic). I have taken this to the dealer and they indicate that the transmission needs to be replaced. They indicate that there is metal shavings in the trans fluid. This is in line with similar Ford SUV and transmission problems. At this point in time there is no recall, but this matter should be address as it is in line with similar Ford transmission failures.

See all problems of the 2018 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The transmission is actively slipping and dropping out of gear while driving causing unexpected loss of acceleration on public roads. This represents an extreme road safety hazard. The manufacture was notified but refused to offer assistance or grace coverage immediately following a premium care factory contract expiration.

The contact called on behalf of his wife, who owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently accelerated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact researched online and was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 25v164000 (power train); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

See all problems of the 2016 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Begin with cliff, I was not wanting to lock or locked or start the vehicle as I was driving. I stopped at the light vehicle started shaking, and as I drove through the light to pull over power steering assist failure, terrain, failure, and control failure.

See all problems of the 2017 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 26v402000 (power train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was shifting roughly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA campaign numbers: 25v685000 (equipment), 26v117000 (visibility), and 26v402000 (power train); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact was concerned that the incomplete recalls presented significant safety risks, specifically because the contact resided in alaska, where it rained constantly with low temperatures. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 26v402000 (power train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and sam wampler's freedom Ford of mcalester (720 s george nigh expy, mcalester, ok 74501); were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that while decelerating to approximately 25–30 mph, the vehicle jerked abnormally. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an incorrect response from the immobilizer control module. The contact was advised not to continue driving the vehicle. The contact relayed the diagnostic information to the dealer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 26v402000 (power train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair could be paid out of pocket with a possible reimbursement whenever the parts became available. The failure mileage was approximately 94,600.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 26v402000 (power train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that while driving and decelerating to merge onto the highway, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle felt as if the vehicle had been struck in the rear. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions while decelerating between 25-30 mph. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle, and while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 26v402000 (power train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle shuddered and failed to accelerate above 40 mph. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that there was an unknown black fluid inside the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer stated that the failure was not associated with NHTSA campaign number: 26v402000 (power train). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the transmission unexpectedly shifted to park(p). The transmission was inoperable after the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 26v402000 (power train). The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could be repaired out of pocket because the part was not yet available, and then to submit documents for reimbursement after the part became available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

The vehicle has been failing shifting. There is something from with failure to shift. The vehicle won’t accelerate, and slows down in the middle of traffic and the truck has no other problem. I’ve only have it for 3 years with no problems. But this is a big safety issue while driving.

My transmission, like several others' I have spoken to, is about to lose reverse. The incident happened when I encountered a problem on the road and was unable to put my car in reverse. I have taken it to several dealerships and nothing is ever done, it's been going on for years. Well now it's become more of a safety hazard since I do transport my children in the car.

While operating the vehicle it is jerking like the parking brake is activating or jerking transitioning from first and second gear. Received an alert: the powertrain control system has detected a transmission fluid over temperature condition. The engine continues to operate at a reduced power level.

While traveling uphill in a turn on a county highway the 4wd fault notification arrived on the dash cutting power to the front 2 wheels. The vehicle slipped however was able to regain control. If road condition had been poor I could of slipped into on coming traffic causing a wreck. I took the vehicle to the dealership and they identified that the front axle disconnect actuator was failing and needed to be replaced. Two weeks prior to the code appearing, I had two episodes of unusual binding while in reverse. Ford has issued a TSB long ago to fix this failed design however will not fix it until it fails.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his daughter was depressing the accelerator pedal to drive from a stop, the vehicle failed to respond, and the transmission failed to properly shift to the next gear and the vehicle went into limp mode. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.

This vehicle was inspected by a certified Ford dealership (premier Ford, service advisor: harry). Ford motor company’s consumer affairs department subsequently reviewed the case under complaint xxx. In their official written response, Ford explicitly admitted the root cause, stating: "the vehicle experienced a failure to the harness for the alternator which melted due to heat from the exhaust. " information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted and failed to shift properly. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired because parts for the repair were not available. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 26v402000 (power train). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,781.

The vehicle was parked on a slight incline and they were inside the vehicle rolled away and struck a fire hydrant. The vehicle was in park and rolled down the hill and struck multiple stationary objects.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 26v402000 (power train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal sound while downshifting, with a loud boom coming from the underbody of the vehicle. The vehicle was bouncing while downshifting from 4th gear to 3rd, 2nd, and into 1st gear. The failure reoccurred while downshifting. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired by the dealer. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, and the transmission was replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.