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 · 85,000 miles · Jan 3, 2007

Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolinePower Train

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AT 74000 MILES OUR TRANSMISSION WENT OUT COMPLETELY WHILE WE WERE ON VACATION! THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, SAID THAT "WE WERE THE ONLY ONE'S WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM" (YEAH RIGHT!) IT COST US $6000 OUT OF OUR POCKET TO FIX. AT 86000 MILES THE REAR WINDOW CRACKED RIGHT BELOW THE WINDOW. FORD AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX IT. AGAIN, STAYTON FORD TOLD US THAT,"WE WERE THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE." AT AROUND 85000, 95000 AND 105000 MILES, THE REAR SEALS LEAKED. WE WERE PROMISED EACH TIME THAT THEY WOULD LAST "FOR AT LEAST 50000 MILES." WE WERE ALWAYS A FEW MILES AWAY FROM GETTING THEM REPLACED FOR FREE SINCE THEY'RE LIMITED WARRANTY IS ONLY GOOD FOR 10000 MILES. AT 111000 MILES THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT "HAYWIRE." EVEN WHEN ALL OF THE DOOR AND HATCH ARE CLOSED, THE DOME LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON AND OFF (MAKING IT HARD TO DRIVE AT NIGHT) BECAUSE IT SENSES THAT A "DOOR IS A JAR." SOMETIMES, THE KEY PAD THAT'S LOCATED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW SETS OFF THE ALARM WHEN WE PUSH THE FIRST NUMBER ON THE KEY. TOTALLY UNRELIABLE VEHICLE THAT I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE! *NM

NHTSA ODI #10177659

2002 model year · 72,000 miles · Jan 3, 2007

Power Train

2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED, O/D LIGHT FLASHING AND TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 72,000 MILES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10177641

2002 model year · 113,942 miles · Jan 2, 2007

Power Train

REGULAR DRIVING OF A FORD EXPLORER 2002 XLT, VERY EARLY TRANSMISSION FAILURE THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION JUST GIVES OUT O/D LIGHT STARTS FLASHING ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE DOES NOT GO IN TO GEAR ALL OF THIS WHILE DRIVING. CHECKED ONLINE TURNS OUT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, CALLED FORD THEY SA…

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NHTSA ODI #10177611

2004 model year · Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2007

Power Train

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TRANSMISSION/DIFFERENTIAL/REAR-END PROBLEMS, PURCHASED 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT IN MARCH OF 2006, FIRST COMPLAINT WAS THAT THE PRNDL INDICATOR WOULD NOT MOVE INTO THE RIGHT GEAR,REPORTED THE DEFECT IN MAY, PROBLEM STOPPED BUT THEN STARTED AGAIN. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND HAD TO PAY TO GET THE PROBLEM REPAIRED. BUT ALSO FOUND THAT THE REAR-END IS SHOT THE DRIVE SHAFT KEEPS TURNING AND THE VEHICLE KEEPS ROLLING WHILE IN PARK. THE VEHICLE ALSO LURCHES WHEN BRAKE IS DEPRESSED. DEALER STATES THAT THE REAR-END AND DIFFERENTIAL IS BAD HOW CAN THIS BE ON A VEHICLE THAT HAS ONLY 49000 MILES ON IT . *JB

NHTSA ODI #10177465

2004 model year · 50,000 miles · Dec 29, 2006

EquipmentPower Train

WHEN THE EXPLORER IS PUT IN REVERSE IT TAKES UP TO 5 SECONDS TO ENGAGE AND THEN JERKS BACKWARDS AFTER MAKING A LARGE CLUNKING NOISE. U JOINTS AND WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.

NHTSA ODI #10177354

2003 model year · 49,550 miles · Dec 26, 2006

Power Train

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WHILE CRUISING UPHILL ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED TO MAINTAIN SPEED. AFTER CRESTING THE HILL, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT BACK INTO OVERDRIVE AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND THE TRUCK WOULD NOT SHIFT 1-2 UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 4500 RPM AND THEN WOULD DO SO VERY HARSHLY. WHEN ACCELERATING THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND DOES NOT PROVIDE FULL ACCELERATION. ACCORDING TO MY LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP THE REPAIR WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $3000 AND REQUIRE AN ALL NEW TRANSMISSION. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10177021

2003 model year · 45,734 miles · Dec 11, 2006

Power TrainWheels

WHILE DRIVING THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER IT STARTED TO SHAKE CAUSING LOSE OF STEERING AND BRAKES. THE LEFT REAR WHEEL THE CAME OFF BECAUSE THE LUGS HAD UNSCREWED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL HAD BLOWN APART FROM THE INSIDE OUT. IT APPEARED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY UNEVEN TIRES…

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NHTSA ODI #10176460

2006 model year · 6,557 miles · Dec 11, 2006

Power Train

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2006 FORD EXPLORER. HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP THREE TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION TROUBLE. TOOK THE MECHANIC FOR A RIDE TO BE SURE HE FELT THE PROBLEM. HE AGREED THAT THERE WAS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFTING. THE CAR JUMPS INTO 2ND GEAR CAUSING THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD. REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER CAR WAS BETTER FOR TWO DAYS THEN IT RESUMED ITS PROBLEM AGAIN. FORD DEALER HAD CAR FOR TWO WEEKS THIS TIME AGAIN SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. PAID 40,000 + FOR THIS CAR. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10175829

2003 model year · 67,000 miles · Dec 6, 2006

Power Train

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN THE CONTACT STOPPED TO INSPECT THE PROBLEM, LEAKING TRANSMISSION WAS NOTICED. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS IDENTIFIE…

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NHTSA ODI #10175283

2002 model year · 95,000 miles · Dec 1, 2006

Power Train

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. MY COMPLAINT IS HAVING THIS CAR FOR ONLY 2 YEARS AFTER BUYING IT FROM THE RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA FORD DEALER, NOW THE CAR HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I HAVE LOOKED UP A LOT OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM WITH 2002 FORD EXPLORER. AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MINE.. AND WE GET STUCK WITH $4K FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE IT'S A COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE.. CONSUMERS SHOULDN'T BE PAYING $4K FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION AFTER ONLY 4 YEARS HAVING THE VEHICLE..SOME PEOPLE COMPLAINTS EVEN HAPPENS AFTER 2 YEARS BUYING THE VEHICLE. I THINK YOU SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND MAKE SURE FORD COMPANY IS NOT MAKING MONEY FROM CONSUMERS THROUGH REPAIRS OF A NEW TRANSMISSION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10174956

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