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 · Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2004

Power Train

THERE IS A DELAY IN THE GEAR WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. VEHICLE TENDS TO JERK WHEN THE GEAR POPS. MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED BY CONSUMER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10105144

2004 model year · 6,500 miles · Dec 20, 2004

Power Train

Read full complaint

THE TRANSMISSION OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER DOES NOT ALWAYS RESPOND WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. THIS PROBLEM IS ALSO OCCURING OCCASIONALLY WHEN SHIFTING INTO FORWARD OR DRIVE. THE PROBLEM GOING INTO REVERSE HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A WHILE AND QUITE OFTEN BUT YES IT IS INTERMITTENT. WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE TRANSMISSION INITIALLY DOES NOTHING AND WHEN YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE LURCHES OR THE DRIVE TRAIN BANGS, DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY THAT IT HAS TO HAPPEN IN THEIR PRESENCE. THIS IS NOT ALWAYS CONVIENENT AND COULD TAKE SEVERAL VISITS FOR THEM TO AGREE THAT I AM EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT SURE THAT THE PRESENT APPROACH TO RECTIFYING THE ISSUE IS THE CORRECT OR FINAL ONE. I ASKED FOR A SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING MY VEHICLE AND THEIR POLICY ON REPAIRING THIS AND THEY REFUSED. I FEEL I AM ENTITLED TO ANY AND ALL SERVICE BULLETINS CONCERNING THIS VEHICLE. SINCE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT CAN OCCUR CREATING A UNEXPECTED AMOUNT OF MOTION OR MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE VEHICLE LURCHES THERE SHOULD BE A GREATER EFFEORT TO BE PROACTIVE IN ADDRESSING CONSUMER INQUIRIES NOT TRYING TO AVOID ANY EXPENSE ON THEIR PART IN FIXING THE ISSUE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10104132

2004 model year · 30,000 miles · Dec 19, 2004

Power Train

2004 FORD EXPLORER HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE TO REVERSE. HAS A HESITATION BEFORE IT GOES INTO GEAR. THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED. THERE COULD BE INJURIES BECAUSE WHEN IT HESITATES ONE IS PUSHING ON THE GAS PEDAL AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT GOES INTO GEAR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10104073

1999 model year · 80,016 miles · Dec 17, 2004

Electrical SystemPower Train

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I PURCHASED MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER IN MAY OF 2004 AND WITHIN A MONTH, I BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH MY TRANSMISSION. MORE SPECIFICALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION COULD BE HEARD SHIFTING AND ALSO SHIFTING MOVEMENT WAS FELT WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO RIO VALLEY IN ESPANOLA, NEW MEXICO WHERE I PAID CASH ($8700.00) AND WAS TOLD THAT I DID NOT PURCHASE THE WARRANTY AND MY VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND IT WOULD COST ME $3200.00 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. I COMPLAINED AND WAS TOLD THAT MY GASKET WAS SEALED WITH A SEALANT THAT WENT IN TO MY GASKETS AND DAMAGED MY SOLENOID. I HAS JUST TAKEN IT FOR A TRANSMISSION OIL CHANGE AND THOUGHT WELL THAT COULD BE, HOWEVER, AFTER TALKING TO THE OWNER OF HINDI'S OIL STOP, I FELT CERTAIN THAT THIS WAS NOT THE CAUSE. RIO VALLEY FORD DID CLEAN OUT THE TRANSMISSION A COUPLE OF TIMES AND CHARGED ME $340.00 AND I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS BASICALLY GOING TO HAVE A BAND-AID EFFECT AND I WOULD ULTIMATELY NEED TO GET MY TRANSMISSION FIXED. IT WAS GETTING ME AROUND FOR AWHILE BUT LATELY THE SAME SHIFTING NOISES AND FEELINGS I HAD HEARD AND FELT ARE RECURRING. MY OVERDRIVE LIGHT ALSO GOES OF AND ON CONTINUOUSLY SOMETIMES WHILE I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10104035

2004 model year · 500 miles · Dec 17, 2004

Power Train

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A PROBLEM IN THE TRANSMISSION CAUSES THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THE ENGINE WILL SHUTTER, THEN DIE. THIS RESULTS IN THE LOSS OF THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES MAKING THIS PROBLEM A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD FOR ALL MOTORIST AND PASSENGERS. FORD HAS BEEN NOTIFIED BUT DECLINES TO ADMIT THIS INCIDENT. IT HAS TO DO WITH THE JERKING OF THE HARSH REVERSE ENGAGEMENT NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 10008268. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE FEB 2004, ONE WEEK AFTER THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED. THEY COULD NOT FIND WHAT CAUSED IT UNTIL I HAD THE HARSH TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT PROBLEM. AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED THE PROBLEM STOPPED. ON DEC 14, 2004 THE ENGINE SHUTOFF STARTED AGAIN. ON DEC 16, 2004 THE HARSH ENGAGEMENT STARTED AGAIN. THIS TRUCK WAS PURCHASED NEW AND ALL SERVICES HAVE BEEN DONE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10104008

2004 model year · Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2004

Power Train

VEHICLE TRANSMISSION PERFORMANCE IS INCONSISTENT AND INTERMITTENT, TRANSMISSION WILL "BANG" INTO REVERSE, REV UP BEFORE ENGAGING WHILE GOING FORWARD FROM A STOP, HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS AT LOWER SPEEDS, APPEARS TO "SLIP" WHEN MAKING TURNS. TRANSMISSION AND REAR END REPLACEMENT DID NOT RESOLVE PROBLEMS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10104004

2002 model year · Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2004

Power Train

WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH DRIVER'S GEAR POPPED OUT, AND VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10103874

2004 model year · 24,100 miles · Dec 16, 2004

Power Train

WHEN DOWN SHIFTING TO REVERSE GEAR VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10103909

2004 model year · 9,501 miles · Dec 16, 2004

Power Train

AS I PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE, WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE, THERE IS A HESITATION IN THE SHIFT INTO REVERSE BETWEEN 4 AND 8 SECONDS, THEN THE TRANSMISSION GOES INTO REVERSE WITH A BANG. THIS JUST STARTED HAPPENING TO ME, LATELY, ON A NUMBER OF OCCAISIONS. THE EXPLORER WAS BOUGHT IN JULY OF 2004 AND AS OF THIS DATE H…

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NHTSA ODI #10103080

2004 model year · 10,000 miles · Dec 13, 2004

Power Train

DELAY AND HARSH TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT IN REVERSE AND DRIVE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10102897

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