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

2004 model year · 55,900 miles · Sep 12, 2006

Power Train

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I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4 WHICH RECENTLY HAD TO BASICALLY HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT SIMPLY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. SINCE THE WARRANTY IS EXCEEDED IN MILEAGE I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS, WHICH TOTALED $1652.78. THE VEHICLE HAD JUST UNDER 56,000 MILES WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY HELP WITH INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM. JUST A LITTLE PIECE OF INFO, I ALSO HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAS A 2002 EXPLORER THAT HAD THE SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEM. I DO NOT FIND THAT TO BE COINCIDENTAL! AND HER VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 70,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED TO HER. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10167938

2002 model year · 70,480 miles · Sep 11, 2006

Power Train

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2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4WD: I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY TRANSMISSION ON 5 OCCASIONS. EACH TIME THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT REALLY HARD AND THUMP. FORD FIXED IT AND A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM. ON THE LAST OCCASION, I BROUGHT IT IN BECAUSE IT WOULD STUTTER IN 2ND GEAR LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING (IT FELT LIKE A STALLING VEHICLE). FORD REBUILT THE TRANNY AND I GOT IT 2 DAYS LATER. IT IS NOW 3 DAYS AFTER THE FIX AND IT IS DOING IT AGAIN. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AS LONG AS I LIVE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10167834

2006 model year · 4,600 miles · Sep 11, 2006

Power Train

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THIS TRANSMISSION EXHIBITS A HARD SHIFT AT NEAR 0 MPH WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES TO SLOW TO A STOP, TO THE POINT THAT THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD APPROXIMATELY ONE FOOT AND COULD IF YOU ARE NOT HARD ON THE BRAKE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF STRIKING CLOSE OBJECTS, OTHER VEHICLES OR PERSONS. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT IS UNPREDICTABLE, REPEATABLE AND VERY FRIGHTENING. FORDS RESPONSE IS THAT THEY DO NOT RECOGNIZE THIS AS A PROBLEM AND HAVE NO FIX FOR THESE SYMPTOMS. THIS PROBLEM DID NOT EXIST UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 4000 MILES AND IT HAS BECOME WORSE WITH TIME. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10167811

2006 model year · Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2006

Power Train

PROBLEM WITH SHIFTING GEARS FROM PARK, CAN TAKE UP TO ONE MINUTE IN CASES. THIS HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS. I TOOK VEHICLE TO AL LONG FORD, THEY KEPT MY CAR FOR THREE WEEKS WORKING ON THE PROBLEM. AFTER I GOT MY CAR BACK, THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10167801

2002 model year · 82,820 miles · Sep 9, 2006

Power Train

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BEGINNING LATE JULY, 2006 MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT BEGAN EXHIBITING HALTING OR DELAYED SHIFTING. AFTER A FEW DAYS, THE O/D WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY AND THE SHIFTING BECAME NOTICEABLY WORSE. A READING THE DTCS CODES BY MULTIPLE SOURCES CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT AT A COST OF $3,400. A MONTH FOLLOWING THIS COMPLETE REBUILD, I NOW HAVE A MAJOR FAILURE IN THE REAR END DIFFERENTIAL AND ANOTHER ESTIMATED $1500-$2500 REPAIR. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 82820 MILES. FORD IS AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION, DRIVELINE AND DIFFERENTIAL COMPONENT DEFECTS ON THIS SERIES OF EXPLORER AND HAS ADDRESSED THEM IN MULTIPLE TSB'S TO THEIR DEALERS AND SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. THEY HAVE FAILED TO ADVISE INDIVIDUAL OWNERS OF THESE PROBLEMS, AND THE MAJOR DRIVELINE COMPONENTS ARE DESIGNED SO THAT THEY ARE NOT USER SERVICEABLE. I URGE ALL OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES TO CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AND FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED THESE PROBLEMS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10167747

2002 model year · 68,000 miles · Sep 8, 2006

Power Train

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TODAY THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO HANG IN 1ST GEAR, THEN SLAMMED INTO THE NEXT GEAR. IT JERKS AND SLIPS CONSISTENTLY. THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT IS FLASHING, AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THE CAR SAYS "CHECK TRANSMISSION" ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I CALLED 4 FORD DEALERS AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE CAR IS A 2002 EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER 4X4 WITH THE 6 CYLINDER. I KNEW IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AS IT HAS 68,000 MILES ON IT. HOWEVER, THIS IS LOW MILEAGE TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THESE CARS, AND FORD DOESN'T CARE. I AM STUCK WITH THE CAR THAT CANNOT BE SAFELY DRIVEN NOW. OWNERS OF THESE CARS NEED HELP TO GET FORD TO ISSUE A RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10167683

2004 model year · 18,300 miles · Sep 8, 2006

Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING BETWEEN GEARS AND MADE CLUNKING NOISES. THE VEHICLE ALSO MADE HUMMING SOUNDS FROM THE ENGINE WHILE ACCELERATED OVER 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #10167714

2002 model year · 70,000 miles · Sep 7, 2006

Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10167610

2004 model year · 45,000 miles · Sep 7, 2006

Power Train

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MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR IN 8/12/05 BECAUSE THE AC STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO WORLD FORD OF KENDALL IN MIAMI, FL ONE OF THE SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASKED ME IF HOW MY TRANSMISSION WAS WORKING AND AT THE TIME IT WAS FINE. UPON RECEIVING MY CAR BACK ON 8/16/05 THE AC WAS FIXED AND MY RECEIPT STATED THE AC WAS FIXED BUT IT ALSO MENTIONED SOMETHING REGARDING A RECALL IN MY TRANSMISSION. THE RECEIPT SAID THERE WAS AN OIL ADDITIVE PLACED IN MY TRANSMISSION. 1 YEAR AND 1 MONTH LATER MY TRANSMISSION HAS BEGUN SLIPPING AND HESITATING. WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR BACK TO WORLD FORD OF KENDALL IN MIAMI, FL TO SPEAK TO THEM REGARDING MY TRANSMISSION I WAS TOLD THAT THEIR SERVICE WORK IS GUARANTEED UP TO 12 MONTHS SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME. UPON DOING MY OWN RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THE OIL ADDITIVE THAT WAS PLACED IN MY FORD WAS TO PREVENT THE SLIPPING AND HESITATION OF MY TRANSMISSION. I CALLED THE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS OF FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT FORD KNEW ABOUT MY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS OR A RECALL SERVICE WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN DONE. THEY NOW WANT TO CHARGE ME TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION ON A CAR THAT WAS BROKEN WHEN IT LEFT THE MANUFACTURING PLANT. MY CAR HAS 45,000 MILES AND NO WHERE IN MY PAPERWORK OR MY CAR MANUAL DOES IT STATE I WOULD HAVE TO PUT AND OIL ADDITIVE IN MY CAR BY 45,000 MILES. WHEN I SPOKE TO FORD CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS THEY TOLD ME IF THE OIL ADDITIVE DOES NOT WORK ANOTHER PROCEDURE WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE BUT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE ESPECIALLY FROM A LARGE CORPORATION SUCH AS FORD. MY FAMILY DRIVES THIS CAR AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE AN UNSAFE CAR RESULTING FROM A RECALL IN MY TRANSMISSION. I ADDITION TO THE TRANSMISSION RECALL, THE AC IN MY CAR HAS ALSO BROKEN TWICE AND NOBODY WANTS TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THERE ARE SO MY PROBLEMS WITH A 2 YEAR OLD CAR. I WOULD APPRECIATE A RESPONSE OR AT LEAST SOME GOOD ADVICE. THANKS AGAIN. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10167579

2004 model year · 13,100 miles · Sep 6, 2006

Power Train

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BOUGHT IN FEB. 2006 WITH 12,000 MILES - THE 2004 EXPLORER XLS WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE HESITATED, THEN JERKED HARD AT FIRST -- THEN AS TIME WENT BY -- APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MONTHS THE JERKING WAS WHILE AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTING WHILE DRIVING. THE JERKING MOTION OCCURRED 17 TIMES WHILE DRIVING 35 MILES. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. I'VE BEEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER. THE DEALER MANAGER SAID THAT IT STILL JERKS IN REVERSE AFTER THE 3RD TIME AND OFFERED NO REMEDY OF ANY KIND, JUST $79.00 AND THERE YOU GO. ALL THIS WITHIN 20,000 MILES. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING - WHAT IF I NEED THAT REVERSE QUICK TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND THERE IS A HESITATION IN TRANSMISSION SHIFTING???*JB

NHTSA ODI #10167505

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