COMPONENT SPOTLIGHT

Ford Explorer transmission problems

2,441 distinct owner reports with a transmission-specific component in this snapshot.

General power-train reports are not automatically counted as transmission problems. Related recalls and investigations must also name this component; they are not linked by narrative keyword alone.

89 crash reports24 fire reports36 injury reports

Reports by model year

Recall and investigation columns show each year’s full history. A report naming several years can appear in more than one row.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

242

0–25K

245

25–50K

392

50–75K

339

75–100K

321

100–150K

150K+

1,608 reports with mileage · 833 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What owners actually said

2,441 reports

2002 model year · 97,000 miles · Dec 11, 2007

Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND IT NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. FORD STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CURRENT…

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NHTSA ODI #10211491

2002 model year · 116,000 miles · Dec 10, 2007

Power Train

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2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE, ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION OVER-REVVING BETWEEN GEARS AND THEN SHIFTING GEARS AT HIGH RPMS CAUSING VEHICLE INSTABILITY, O/D OFF LIGHT ON CONSOLE BLINKS CONSISTENTLY, "CHECK TRANSMISSION" NOTIFIED ON DISPLAY SCREEN ON CONSOLE, OCCURS EVEN AFTER ENGINE RESTART, INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD EXPLORER WITH A 5R55W TRANSMISSION. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS EVENT BECAUSE OF SUDDEN NATURE IN FAILURE, OCCURRED TO ME AT APPROX. 55MPH WHEN THE RPMS RAN HIGH DURING THE SLIPPAGE AND THEN THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN THE GEARS SUDDENLY SHIFTED EVEN AFTER TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR. NO PARTS REPLACED/REPAIRED AS OF YET, BUT AGAIN RESEARCH SHOWS THAT TRANSMISSION REBUILD IS IMMINENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211413

2002 model year · 55,000 miles · Dec 8, 2007

Power Train

WAS DRIVING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH ONLY 55K MILES, OVERDRIVE LIGHT SUDDENLY STARTED FLASHING AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT FROM SECOND GEAR INTO THIRD GEAR. THE RPM`S REV VERY HIGH AND THEN IT CLUNKS INTO THIRD GEAR. I UNDERSTAND THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DON…

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NHTSA ODI #10211248

2003 model year · 59,500 miles · Dec 8, 2007

Power Train

WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE - AND TRANSMISSION ONLY LASTED 59,500MILES (LESS THAN 5 YEARS). COVERT FORD DEALER IN AUSTIN, TX ONLY MONEY HUNGRY. WOULDN'T HELP AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211249

2002 model year · 57,000 miles · Dec 6, 2007

Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER BEGAN TO SLIP AT 57,000 MILES. FROM FIRST GEAR INTO SECOND IT WOULD REV HIGH AND THEN WITH A CLUNK AND A GRINDING NOISE RELUCTANTLY GO INTO SECOND GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211009

2007 model year · 60,000 miles · Dec 6, 2007

Power Train

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THE LATEST COMPLAINT/ISSUE IS THAT I AM GETTING A BLINKING "O/D OFF" LIGHT AND "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT IN MY EXPLORER. I HAD JUST HAD MY TRUCK IN FOR SOME EXTENSIVE ASSESSMENT, FOLLOWING A LITANY OF BACK-TO-BACK ELECTRICAL ISSUES (FULL BATTERY FAILURE, FAILURE OF THE 4WD COMPONENT, BROKEN OR DETACHED WIRE IN DRIVER'S DOOR, RESULTING IN INABILITY TO LOCK/ALARM THAT DOOR WITH REMOTE) AS WELL AS, LONG AS IT WAS IN THERE, THE 60K MAINTENANCE CYCLE (WHICH INCLUDED ELECTRICAL, TRANSMISSION, CLUTCH, AND AXLE CHECKUP). THEN, PROBLEMS AGAIN - I NOTED A BLINKING "O/D OFF" LIGHT AND "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT ON THE CONSOLE WHILE DRIVING ON THE WEEKEND. I WAS FORCED TO TAKE IT BACK IN FOR MAINTENANCE, ABOUT 3-4 WEEKS AFTER THE LAST SERVICE. JUST TALKING THROUGH THIS ON THE PHONE WITH THE SERVICE DEPT, THE INDICATED IT WAS PROBABLY A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM - QUICK SEARCH ON THE WEB FOR OTHER FORD OWNERS WITH SIMILAR INDICATIONS/WARNING LIGHTS SEEMED TO BACK THAT UP - SO I ANTICIPATED I WAS LOOKING AT A FULL TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, THE FORD DEALER WHERE I GET SERVICE DONE WAS IN A 2-WEEK BACKLOG ON TRANSMISSION WORK (SEEMS FORD HAS A LOT OF THESE ISSUES...)...SO I ENDED UP DROPPING OFF MY TRUCK AND DID NOT SEE IT FOR 2 WEEKS WHILE THE WORK WAS DONE - THEN, WHEN I ASKED IF THEY HAD REBUILT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION (SO THAT I COULD EXPECT, AT LEAST, ANOTHER 50-60K W/O THE NEXT ISSUE), THEY NOTED THAT THEY HAD NOT REBUILT IT ALL - HERE AT AM A FEW WEEKS LATER AND THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE ACTING UP AGAIN...VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE QUALITY OF THIS FORD WITH THE REPEATED, BACK-TO-BACK ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ISSUES THAT ALL SEEM TO HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME - RIGHT AROUND 50-60K FOR THE 2003 MODEL XLT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10210990

2004 model year · 36,800 miles · Dec 6, 2007

Power Train

IN ORDER TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER INTO THE PARK POSITION, IT IS NECESSARY TO PUSH THE LEVER UP, LET IT RETURN DOWN A SHORT BIT, AND THEN PUT IT INTO PARK. THE LEVER WANTS TO STOP HALF WAY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE VEHICLE MAY RETURN TO REVERSE WITHOUT ACTUALLY BEING IN THE PARK POSITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211025

2002 model year · 121,000 miles · Dec 1, 2007

Power TrainCrashInjury

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILED. O/D OFF LIGHT BLINKS CONSTANTLY. HARD SHIFTING AND SLIPPING IS CONSTANT. DEALER WANTS $3,000 TO REPAIR. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO HUNDREDS / THOUSANDS OF EXPLORER OWNERS. SOMEONE CAN GET KILLED IF THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE DRIVER LOSES CONTROL THE WAY I DID. I WAS LUCKY. …

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NHTSA ODI #10210469

2002 model year · Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2007

Power Train

I DRIVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4.0 V6 . MY OVER DRIVE LIGHT BEGUN FLASHING AND SHORTLY AFTER THAT MY TRANSMISSION FAILED. I OWN MANY FORDS AND THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT DEFIANTLY NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. PERFECT MAINTENANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10210149

2007 model year · 2,400 miles · Nov 28, 2007

Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD WHILE STOPPED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE ON FIVE OCCASIONS AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO RE…

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NHTSA ODI #10210158

Related Official recalls

26V402000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Jun 24, 2026

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.

23V199000 · Parking Brake:electrical; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Mar 24, 2023

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L RWD, 3.3L GAS, 3.3L FHEV, or 3.0L ST powertrain. The previous powertrain control module (PCM) update completed under recall 22V-255 did not include the automatic electronic parking brake feature when the vehicle is shifted to park, as intended. In addition, the rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Without the electronic parking brake applied, the vehicle could rollaway if the driveshaft disconnects. A disconnected driveshaft can also result in a loss of drive power. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 31, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S16.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Parking Brake:electrical

Consequence: Without the electronic parking brake applied, the vehicle could rollaway if the driveshaft disconnects. A disconnected driveshaft can also result in a loss of drive power. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 31, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S16.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

23V069000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Feb 10, 2023

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission. An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A park system that is damaged may not shift into "PARK," resulting in a vehicle rollaway and increasing the risk of injury or crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the park system for damage and repair as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S05.

23V070000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Feb 10, 2023

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The transmission may contain a loose bolt which could prevent the transmission from engaging the park gear, although the gear shifter position may indicate that the vehicle has been shifted to "PARK."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The inability to secure the vehicle in the park position can result in a rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transmissions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S06.

19V575000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel; Parking Brake; Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Aug 5, 2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The Manual Park Release (MPR) cover may not be installed. In addition, the vehicles may be in Factory Mode, which disables warning alerts and does not display the transmission gear selected. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 114, "Theft Prevention" and 102, "Trans Shift Lever Seq/Starter Interlock/Trans Braking Effect."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Without the cover, the MPR lever may be unintentionally moved, allowing the vehicle to roll away. Being in Factory Mode, the vehicle will not display warnings and/or gear selection on the instrument cluster. Both conditions increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, install a MPR cover. Dealers will verify the instrument cluster is not in Factory Mode and clear any fault codes, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C06.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Parking Brake

Consequence: Without the cover, the MPR lever may be unintentionally moved, allowing the vehicle to roll away. Being in Factory Mode, the vehicle will not display warnings and/or gear selection on the instrument cluster. Both conditions increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, install a MPR cover. Dealers will verify the instrument cluster is not in Factory Mode and clear any fault codes, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C06.

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel

Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

07V453000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines

Sep 26, 2007

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.6L ENGINE AND 6R TRANSMISSION, THE BOLT SECURING THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE FITTINGS AT THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TORQUED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY LOOSEN AND THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID CONTACTS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, IT MAY POSE A RISK OF FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND HAVE THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE ATTACHMENT BOLT TIGHTENED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

00V395000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Nov 28, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 3.27 OR 3.55 AXLE RATION. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE A POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE THAT COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO EXCEED THE DESIGN INTENT TOP SPEED. AT THESE EXTREME SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE COULD BE CAPABLE OF EXCEEDING THE SPEED RATING OF THE TIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OPERATING THE VEHICLE ABOVE THE MAXIMUM SPEED RATING COULD LEAD TO A TIRE FAILURE WHICH AT THESE SPEEDS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE.

91V189000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Nov 4, 1991

WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARK PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ABUT OR ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DRIVER MAY BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS SAFELY ENGAGED IN PARKWHEN THE GEAR IS NOT TRULY ENGAGED. THIS CAN LEAD TO THE VEHICLE JUMPING OUT OFGEAR UNINTENTIONALLY, VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHEN PARKED ON A SLOPED SURFACE, ANDINADVERTENT MOTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS CANRESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW PARK PAWL.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

Related NHTSA investigations

EA09013 · Vehicle Rollaway Allegations

Opened Aug 18, 2009 · Closed Feb 12, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift; Steering; Steering:column; Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device

This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.

Additional source detail variants (5)

Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift

Steering:column

Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device

Steering

RQ97015 · Parking Pawl

Opened Oct 29, 1997 · Closed Apr 1, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission

WHEN THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARKING PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR.THIS CAN LEAD TO THE VEHICLE JUMPING OUT OF GEAR UNINTENTIONALLY AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO START ROLLING INADVERTENTLY

PE91127 · Park Pawl Bending

Opened Sep 16, 1991 · Closed Nov 8, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission

There is no summary currently available

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:automatic Transmission

There is no summary currently available

Power Train:automatic Transmission

There is no summary currently available