Power Train Problems of Ford Explorer - part 1

The driver side keyless door entry pillar has come off on the highway and hit something. The keyless door entry panel came off in 2023 and koons Ford of annapolis charged me $ 523. 00 to fix the panel. The panel has a small clip and double stick tape. Sorry, double stick tape is not going to hold up to weather variations throughout the year, wind speed and age. Terrible and dangerous design. You gave 2017 a recall 25s53 for Ford but not 2018.

See all problems of the 2018 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Transmission failure caused my vehicle to jump/jerk and left me out of control of the speed of my truck at times. It has been confirmed that I need a new transmission. A service light came on only after issues started. Said light would turn off once the vehicle was turned off and not come back on until driven again.

See all problems of the 2020 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Rear bolt recall. The small leak due to technician replacing bolt caused the rear end to eventually lose all fluid.

When trying to accelerate on interstate drive train light and I have to pull over turn off car on interstate then start again to keep out of limping mode also when backing up car stalls jumps and makes a grinding noise need a remedy.

Transmission failed at 83k miles.

Sudden transmission issues, no warnings. Ford Explorer 2020 XLT, had sporadic issues while driving on the highway, decided not to take it to pick up my children a few hours away after sudden jerking and revving high rpm's on the highway, proceeded to take backroads home. Following day, only issue in slowing down to under 35mph with a hard jerk into first gear and delayed reaction. Transmission needs a complete replacement at about $9k, with $19k still being paid on the vehicle. Ford is refusing to acknowledge or offer any help on a known transmission issue with the 10 speed transmission in this model year.

While the vehicle was under warranty, I reported a transmission problem to an authorized Ford dealership involving sudden slipping out of gear into neutral at highway speeds, resulting in momentary loss of power and acceleration. The dealership performed diagnostic testing but stated they could not identify a problem and advised that the vehicle was safe to continue driving. The condition persisted intermittently. After the warranty period expired, the vehicle experienced a catastrophic transmission failure while on a heavily traveled highway. The vehicle suddenly lost power and the rear wheels locked, creating a dangerous traffic situation requiring assistance from two state police vehicles until the vehicle could be towed. The vehicle was taken to the same Ford dealership that previously evaluated the transmission concern. The dealership then diagnosed a complete transmission failure requiring replacement at a cost of approximately $9,000. I contacted Ford headquarters regarding this issue and the prior warranty period complaint, but Ford has not responded to the matter in any way. I believe the transmission failure is a continuation of the original transmission defect that was reported during the warranty period but not repaired. I am submitting this complaint because of the significant safety risk created by sudden loss of power and rear wheel lockup while driving at highway speeds. All documentation of original issue and current repair is at the Ford dealership.

Powertrain system fault will cause the vehicle to lose power possibly leaving the vehicle and passengers in danger if crossing traffic, pulling onto a road, etc.

See all problems of the 2022 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Car starts to jerk all of a sudden when breaking ( from 30-26 miles) .

The transmission completely failed without any warning lights or any other audible or visible signs of failure. This left my stranded on the side of the road. The local dealership has told me that I do have to replace the transmission. I have since called Ford manufacturing's customer service department who told me there are no programs available to help assist with the cost of the transmission repair. There were no lamps, messages, sounds, smells, or visual cues.

At approximately 1,700 miles, my brand-new 2026 Ford Explorer st (3. 0l ecoboost) suffered a sudden, catastrophic engine failure while driving, causing an immediate and dangerous loss of motive power. Prior to the failure, the engine experienced severe misfires. Following manufacturer technical service bulletin (TSB) guidance regarding ecoboost engine misfires, a step-colder spark plug heat range (ngk ltr7ix-11) was utilized to remedy pre-ignition. Ford motor company has denied warranty coverage for this catastrophic powertrain failure, falsely claiming the TSB-compliant heat-range plugs caused the destruction. The sudden loss of engine power poses an immediate safety hazard on public roads. I request an investigation into 2025-2026 Ford 3. 0l ecoboost spark plug issues, pre-ignition failures, and unfair warranty denials leaving dangerous vehicles unresolved. ".

Vehicle stuck in park. But will go in gear but just won’t move.

When I am driving at a speed limit of 35-45 mph, there is a shutter in my transmission accompanied by a rattling noise. It only happens at that range of speed, below 35 and above 45 it seems to work just fine. If I have to drive a considerate amount of time at that speed, it does it constantly and I can't make it stop. It feels like the transmission will blow up. I have seen multiple articles and recalls for the torque converter in the 2016-2020 models, but apparently my VIN number isn't included, although the symptoms are exactly like the open recall symptoms of other Explorers. I have taken it to a transmission shop to get it test driven and diagnosed and they agreed that it did feel like the torque converter was slipping, but their advise was to rebuild the whole transmission since there wasn't any recalls specifically for my VIN number. It does not show any messages or have any warning lights about this issue on the car itself, I don't know if the computer recognizes these type of issues or not.

See all problems of the 2016 Ford Explorer 🔎.

I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2020 Ford Explorer (2. 3l engine) experiencing a transmission-related failure. At approximately 112,000 miles, the vehicle began exhibiting a dangerous failure pattern. While braking, a loud mechanical noise occurs, followed by hesitation and inability to properly accelerate. The vehicle then displays a “shift system fault” warning. After this occurs, the vehicle struggles to respond when attempting to accelerate, creating a serious safety hazard, especially when merging into traffic or crossing intersections. This issue appears to be consistent with Ford technical service bulletin 23-2249, indicating the manufacturer is aware of a defect involving the transmission system. Despite this, no recall has been issued, and I have been quoted a significant out-of-pocket repair cost. The sudden loss of acceleration and erratic shifting presents a clear safety risk that could lead to a crash. I am requesting that this issue be investigated for a potential recall due to the safety implications.

My 2017 Ford Explorer suddenly started vibrating intensely whenever I am at a stop or start slowing down. Episodes of hesitation when attempting to take off from a start with significant rpm surges. I am told I need to have my torque converter replaced. My vehicle has 84,697 miles on it, and was bought brand new from a dealer. I already had to have a new engine a month ago. This level of multiple engine and powertrain failures puts consumers and other drivers at risk for harm on the roadway. Not to mention the economic and employment impacts it has on the vehicle owners.

See all problems of the 2017 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power. While attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that after pulling over, an unknown warning light illuminated. Additionally, while depressing the brake pedal, the message to activate the electronic parking brake was displayed due to a critical fault within the shift lever and parking system. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000.

Vehicle suffered a catastrophic drivetrain lock-up while traveling at approximately 25 mph. The rear wheels physically halted, creating an immediate loss of control and safety hazard. Upon inspection, the rear drive unit (rdu) was found to have a failed pinion bearing/internal gear failure, resulting in dual fluid leaks. This is a remedy failure related to safety recall 23s55 (NHTSA campaign #23v675000). The vehicle underwent the 23s55 recall repair 90 days prior (Jan 2026). The internal failure is a direct consequence of latent fatigue and stress placed on the rdu pinion and housing due to the defective axle mounting bolts and subframe bushings addressed in the recall. Furthermore, the vehicle is within the coverage window of Ford customer satisfaction program 24n01 (10-year/150,000-mile extension for rear axle bolt and housing). The dealer (hertrich Ford) and Ford corporate case management (aso case #xxx) have refused to authorize an administrative rental or acknowledge the related damage, leaving the owner in a hazardous financial and logistical situation. I am reporting this as a failure of the federal safety remedy to adequately protect the vehicle’s drivetrain from consequential damage. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

My 2020 Ford Explorer XLT sustained a major transmission failure at 94,574 miles without any warning lights. On a 200 mile trip home from long island NY to new jersey the car began to jerk when changing from highway speed to a complete stop due to traffic. As we slowed down the jerking was more pronounce. When reaccelerating the car again jerked forward and at sporadic times did not respond. This was very scary and stressful for my family with the fear of being hit from behind! we made it through the mile long midtown tunnel and to [xxx] were a red light turned green and as I stepped on the gas the engine reved up and the car just rolled into the intersection as I stepped on the gas a second time again the car just jerked and rolled luckily I rolled through the cross walk into a empty spot due to a fire hydrant. Backed up traffic was able to pass and my car was done. I needed to put my family in a uber for the last 60 miles home at 250. 00 dollars on a Saturday night. While I waited for a tow truck back to the Ford dealership. Thankyou aaa! after a diagnostic inspection I needed a new transmission. It took the dealer one month to repair and the cost was 8,500. 00 dollars. This issue is consistent with this Ford transmission system. There is a severe safety risk with sudden loss of acceleration and erratic shifting and jerking when braking and no warning lights. This is a clear safety risk that could lead to a crash. There is enough complaints on this site to warrant am investigation for a potential recall due to safety !! information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

This vehicle has sustained a complete transmission failure at 117,000 miles. There are known issues with this 10 speed transmission that the automaker needs to own to and address. This poses a safety risk when traveling and there were no apparent signals of anything prior to this. The vehicle is a garage to have a new transmission installed and had to get a rental car to continue to work and will cost thousands of dollars out of pocket as a result of this issue.

On Tuesday April 7 as I was driving to work, as I was stepping on the break to pull into the parking lot and when the car hit 25 mph it jerked forward. ; this was the first time I’ve ever experienced this so I didn’t think much of it. When I was leaving work that evening pulling out of the parking lot onto the main street the car jerked forward once I hit hit 35 miles an hour and then again jerking as I was slowing down to 25 to make the stop at a light this happened five or six times I live 3. 9 miles away from my job. This had never happened before. I called the Ford dealership in brentwood, CA bill brant Ford as I had an oil change scheduled for Friday, April 10. They told me they would check it out at the time of my appointment. I got a call from the service department saying that my transmission was shot and then I would have to buy a new one for $8000. My car is a 2020. It has 53,000 miles on it and I need to buy a new transmission? I’ve had cars for over 10 years that had never needed a new transmission!! there was never a maintenance light or a check light, so who knows how long this was going on and I wasn’t aware and now five days after the first experience I have to replace the transmission. The service department says it is an internal issue that is why I was not seeing any warning lights… so the owner does get to know there is a problem until it’s too late far a repair?? this does not sound like something that can happen in 5 days.

I brought my vehicle to Ford motor place in webster massachusetts to do two recalls, my car was driving normally before the recall service. Immediately after recall work, it does not run properly. The dealer claims transmission failure without prior symptoms. The vehicle only has 70,000 miles.

See all problems of the 2019 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Thank you for your time reviewing my complaint. I've answered each of your bullet points below. - the transmission is hard shifting in low gears however no warning/no dashboard lights to indicate issue. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. - I use my car for work which includes transporting individuals to work and appointments. This hard shift happened with a passenger while on the freeway in traffic, then continued for the remainder of the ride each time I approached low speeds. - a vehicle diagnostic was performed by an independent service center/certified mechanic and no errors registered with the transmission. However the transmission diagnosis was determined by the service center driving the car and experiencing the hard shifts. I have a copy of the report. - the vehicle or component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance or any other representatives. _ there were no warning lamp messages leading to the problem or a this current time and currently there are no warning lights indicating the transmission issue, although it has been diagnosed by a certified mechanic/service center as "engine concern - neutralizing in gears between 1st & 2nd". There were sporadic episodes of this "hard shifting" within the last few months and the frequency of hard stops occurring were random. Additionally, there were no warning lamps or messages to indicate an issue. On 4/4/26 a hard shift happened on the freeway and has been consistent daily at low speeds.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly vibrated and shifted in and out of gear with the transmission warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,135.

The failure involves the automatic transmission system (10-speed 10r60) in my Ford Explorer 2020. The issue appears to be internal, affecting clutch packs and/or internal components (spring-related failure was initially noted by the dealership). Yes, the vehicle and transmission are available for inspection upon request. The transmission malfunction caused delayed engagement and loss of proper power delivery, which created unsafe driving conditions. There were moments where the vehicle hesitated or failed to respond properly when accelerating, increasing the risk of being struck in traffic or being unable to move out of the way of oncoming vehicles. This presents a clear safety concern, especially in traffic or intersections. Yes, the issue was inspected and confirmed by an authorized Ford dealership. The dealership initially diagnosed the problem as an internal transmission failure involving clutch-related components. However, those diagnostic notes were later removed or altered in the service record. I have retained screenshots of the original diagnosis as evidence. The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized dealership representing Ford motor company. At this time, it has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives. The manufacturer has not physically inspected the vehicle but has reviewed the case and offered partial financial assistance. Yes. Prior to the failure, the vehicle experienced symptoms including harsh shifting, delayed engagement when shifting into drive or reverse, and abnormal transmission behavior. These symptoms developed over time before the failure occurred. In some cases, there were no warning lights present before the issue became severe, which made the failure more sudden and unexpected. I was informed the original technician is no longer employed and there is no service manager currently overseeing the department. This lack of oversight makes it difficult to verify the original diagnosis or changes made to service records.

Hybrid fault - service charging system fault displayed. Verified concern. Hooked up ids and checked for codes. Multiple codes in multiple modules present for engine restart, battery, and low voltage conditions. Hooked up Ford battery tester and performed battery test on both the 12-volt main and auxiliary batteries - main 12-volt battery failed at 70cca. Received warranty code: 11vbe9140l3k and aces code: hg1hr. Replaced 12-volt main battery and reassembled vehicle. Performed bms reset, cleared codes, and retest, ok.

See all problems of the 2025 Ford Explorer 🔎.

I purchased 2017 Ford Explorer from mark ficken. It was still under warranty. The transmission went out in a week something with the torque converter. They replaced the transmission free of charge. Two years two months outside of the warranty the transmission fails again due to the torque converter. I explained how ridiculous this was and they gave me a discount for replacing the transmission which I still had to pay thousands of dollars. Another two years and two months later outside of the warranty and the tourqe converter is bad again. Since they helped the last time they could not help again. They said it was normal wear and tear which is impossible because normal wear and tears on the same part within the same time frame is a faulty transmission period. I will never purchase another vehicle from them as they wouldn’t even acknowledge that was a problem. This experience with Ford has been horrible. This Ford dealership took no accountability and the corporate division didn’t seem to care that this dealership allows stuff like this to happen with the Ford name. I ended up taking my vehicle to a outside mechanic, he replaced the fly wheel, that repair lasted about 6 months until fly wheel has now broken again with in 3 months. Now my mechanic is saying he will no longer honor the warranty on the fly wheel because he keeps having to replace it too much and he insists that Ford knew something else was going on with the vehicle and its not normal to have to replace this many transmissions and fly wheels with in this time frame. Has anyone else had this problem?.

7/2024- harsh transmission shifts- lost power on very busy highway on 4th of July weekend- spent 12 weeks in the shop for transmission repair 64,000 miles 3/2025- harsh transmission shifts again- vehicle slammed into gear very hard- 3 weeks in the shop for another transmission repair 71,000 miles 3/2026- harsh transmission shifts again- 1 week in the shop- told it needed an adaptive relearn 88,000 miles 4/2026- still experiencing harsh transmission shifts!!! 90,000 miles.

Was driving on highway with 55 mph speed limit. Car in front slowed to turn right so I slowed briefly and then was accelerating back to speed limit and heard a loud bang and severe grinding noise after. Stopped at next safe area to inspect. Found that both cv axle boots were damaged. Was only a couple miles from home so placed hazard lights on and slowly crept the car to house for further inspection. Upon closer inspection found that when car was placed into forward gear the whole rear end would drop onto the exhaust and was causing cv axles to rub on exhaust.

While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle displays a "drive train malfunction" warning message and the traction control warning light illuminates. Shortly after the warning appears, the vehicle loses power and may enter a reduced-power mode or stall, creating a serious safety hazard in traffic. This has occurred while traveling on the highway, forcing sudden deceleration and creating the risk of being struck by other vehicles. The check engine light is illuminated, and diagnostic code p0a1e is present. The problem is intermittent and unpredictable, making it difficult to determine when the next failure will occur. The vehicle has been taken to Ford for diagnosis multiple times, and significant money has been spent attempting to repair the issue. Despite these efforts, the root cause has not been identified and the problem continues to occur. This defect affects the drivetrain system and impacts the safe operation of the vehicle. The sudden loss of power on the highway places the driver, passengers, and surrounding motorists at risk. Based on discussions with other owners, this appears to be a common issue affecting Ford Explorer police interceptor utility vehicles and warrants investigation by NHTSA.

See all problems of the 2021 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The car was up on ramps, to replace a sensor, in park and slipped out of gear rolling backwards with force. Someone could have been under or behind the vehicle. Other vehicles could have been behind, property could have been damaged. The cars door caught the building and pulled it all the way back against the front fender.

I was driving the vehicle through a neighborhood and there was a clunk noise and it sounded like my brakes were metal on metal. I stopped to ensure my brakes were okay. Then I continued to drive home when there was a louder clunk and the reared on my vehicle locked up and the car would no longer move. The reared differential unit had failed and exploded parts and put holes in the unit causing fluid to exit onto the street and lock up the drive tires. The vehicle was stranded in the middle of the street and could not move. There was no warning or indication of a failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and components were replaced under extended warranty.

Vehicle issue description – 2020 Ford Explorer limited (transmission failure) the issue involves the transmission system in a 2020 Ford Explorer limited. The transmission began exhibiting hard and erratic shifting, particularly between lower gears and when decelerating to a stop. A within days experienced complete failure, leaving the vehicle unable to properly move or engage gears. There were no warning lights, messages, or dashboard indicators at any point prior to the failure. This lack of warning prevented any opportunity to address the issue before it became severe. This failure created a significant safety risk, as the vehicle became unreliable in traffic conditions. Hard shifting and delayed engagement made it difficult to predict acceleration and deceleration, increasing the risk of being rear-ended or unable to safely merge into traffic. The final failure rendered the vehicle inoperable, which could have been dangerous if it occurred in a high-traffic or unsafe location. The problem appears consistent with known transmission issues reported by other owners of 2020 Ford Explorers, including hard shifting, jerking, hesitation between gears, and sudden loss of drivability. ? many drivers report similar symptoms progressing to severe transmission problems or complete failure. At this time: •confirmation by dealer or service center: 3/18/26 despite the number of similar complaints and documented issues, there has not been a specific recall issued for the transmission system itself, although other drivetrain-related recalls (such as rear axle or driveline failures) have been issued for this model year. ? based on the pattern of symptoms and widespread reports, this appears to be a systemic issue affecting the transmission in this model year, rather than an isolated incident.

Vehicle was brought to an authorized Ford dealership for coolant leak. The dealer confirmed a coolant leak originating from the internal water pump. The water pump on this engine is chain-driven and located inside the engine behind the timing cover, requiring approximately 12 hours of labor to access and replace. This is a known design defect affecting millions of Ford vehicles with the 3. 5l cyclone/duratec engine across multiple model years (2007-2020). The defect allows coolant to leak past the bearing seal, with potential to mix with engine oil and cause catastrophic engine failure. This is a serious safety risk as failure can occur without warning while driving. The problem was confirmed and documented by the Ford dealership. No warning lights appeared prior to the leak being discovered. Repair cost exceeded $4,300. This defect was the subject of a federal class action lawsuit (roe v. Ford motor company, eastern district of michigan) which was settled confidentially in January 2024 without a recall being issued. Ford has not notified owners of this known defect or offered any remedy program to us customers, despite a canadian class action resulting in relief for affected owners there. I am providing the cost invoice but will provide an itemized invoice once repairs are finished.

On March 2nd 2026, while operating my 2025 Ford Explorer st at highway speeds of approximately 78 mph, the vehicle experienced a sudden, uncommanded shift from drive into neutral. This resulted in an immediate and total loss of motive power in live traffic, creating a life-threatening safety hazard as I was unable to maintain speed or accelerate away from surrounding vehicles. Notably, the dashboard displayed no warning lights, wrench icons, or error messages during or after the event. I was forced to coast across lanes of traffic to reach the shoulder. This is the 7th significant warranty-related issue this vehicle has experienced since purchase in may 2025, representing a substantial impairment to the vehicle's safety, use, and market value under wisconsin lemon law.

On 2/27/26 I heard a knocking sound in my car, no warning lights came on, took it to local car place and was told there was no oil in the tank. I immediately made an appt to take it to river view Ford dealership for service. They looked at it on 3/2 and found the engine to be damaged from the turbos pulling oil out of the oil tank and sucking it into the engine. They informed me nothing was being offered to replace the engine for that year 2020 and my warranty just ended 11/25. This car is worth $70,000 new, just paid it off early, otherwise in great condition. I called the customer service line and was told there is nothing they can do or offer and filed the complaint. My husband called back and spoke to 3 different rude people requesting someone call our dealer and talk with the service people- this didn't happen. Earlier this year this car had a differential leak that cost $3000; it also had the undercarriage of the car that holds the flex pipes up, fall apart and required the entire undercarriage to be replaced. I find it appalling that you google st engine issues and they specifically say 2020 models have issues with and suffer from severe oil-related issues, including high oil consumption, oil starvation, and, in some cases, turbocharger failure or engine knocking. How is this not a recall? no warning signs til its too late.