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 · 61,500 miles · May 4, 2009

Power TrainSuspension

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I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, PURCHASED NEW IN 2001. FIRST A FEW YEARS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, MY O/D LIGHT STATED FLASHING. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AS IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED AND HAVEN'T HAD A PROBLEM. IN 2008 I HAD ROUTINE BRAKE REPLACEMENT DONE ON MY VEHICLE AT A LOCAL GARAGE AND WHEN THIS WAS DONE THE TECHNICIAN WORKING ON THE VEHICLE NOTICED THAT MY REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN AND NEARLY FELL OUT. I HAD THIS PROBLEM REPLACED WITH NEW SHOCKS AND SPRINGS AND DID NOT THINK SOMETHING LIKE THIS WOULD HAPPEN BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD LOW MILEAGE. NOW JUST RECENTLY WITH 61000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE THE O/D LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH AGAIN, I HAD PROBLEMS SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, THEIR WAS A DEFINITE SLIP, AND ALSO NOTICED A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE LIGHT CAME ON THAT THEIR WAS A SHUDDER WHEN UPSHIFTING FROM 4TH TO 5TH GEAR. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. DUE TO THE COST OF THIS BEING OVER $4000.00, I DECIDED TO BRING IT TO A REPUTABLE TRANSMISSION REPAIR FACILITY. I DID GET A LOWER QUOTE AND AUTHORIZED THE REPAIR. I SPOKE TO THE OWNER OF THE BUSINESS AND HE ADVISED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REMANUFACTURED AND THEY ALSO FOUND WATER OR COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE OWNER ALSO ADVISED ME OF THE FACT THAT THEIR IS A VENT FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WAS PLUGGED WITH SOME SORT OF PLUG WHICH SHOULD NOT BE THEIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267720

2002 model year · Mileage unknown · May 4, 2009

Power Train

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS A TRANSMISSION GOING BAD. AT THE END OF MY 36,000 MILE WARRANTY I TOOK IT IN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP WHO SAID SINCE THE VEHICLE JUST WENT OVER THE WARRANTY BY LESS THAN A 1,000 MILES THAT THEY WOULD SHARE IN THE COST OF DOING THE WORK. IT COST ME APPROX. $700. FOR WHAT I HAVE SINCE LEARNED WAS A SOLENOID. …

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NHTSA ODI #10267637

2004 model year · 78,000 miles · May 3, 2009

Power Train

TRANSMISSION SLIPS - LURCHES INTO REVERSE - RECENTLY SLIPPED AND WOULDN'T PULL GOING UP HILL - 2 TIMES IN 2 DAYS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267610

2005 model year · 90,659 miles · May 1, 2009

Power Train

2007 FORD EXPLORER WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM PARK. HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. WE TESTED IT ON THE TOW TRUCK AND IT STILL WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. AFTER TOWING IT TO A REPAIR SHOP, IT FINALLY SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267524

2002 model year · 76,000 miles · May 1, 2009

Latches/locks/linkagesPower Train

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I BOUGHT A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 19,000 MILES ON IT ALSO THINKING WHAT A GREAT DEAL I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK FOR 3 YEARS IT NOW HAS 76,000 MILES ON IT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON AND THE O/D LIGHT WILL START BLINKING I TOW A BOAT SO I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP THEY SAID IT WAS VERY COMMON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN WITH THE YEAR OF TRUCK THAT I HAVE. THEY SAID THE CAUSE WAS SERVO PISTON BORE WHAT EVER THAT MEANS THEY ALSO SAID THAT IF I DON'T REPAIR IT FOR $2,400.00 THAT THE LIGHTS WILL CONTINUE TO COME ON AND THE TRUCK WILL CONTINUE TO SLIP. THE OTHER WEIRD THING IS I'LL BE DRIVING AND I HEAR A DING YOU KNOW THE SOUND YOU HAVE WHEN YOU LEAVE YOUR KEYS IN THE TRUCK BUT I'M DRIVING MY TRUCK WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND THE DOOR LOCK WILL GO OFF LIKE I'M LOCKING THE DOORS. I REALLY LOVE MY TRUCK THE BODY IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE I STILL OWE ON MY TRUCK SO BUYING SOMETHING NEW ISN'T AN OPTION. THE SAD THING IS I TOW A BOAT EVERY WEEKEND AND I'M WORRIED THAT SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267459

2004 model year · Mileage unknown · May 1, 2009

Power Train

VEHICLE GOES FORWARD AFTER PUT IN PARK AND TURNED OFF. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN CHECKED AT FORD DEALERSHIP. HAVE LETTER EXPLAINING THAT IF TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS NOT CHANGED OUT THAT SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES MAY OCCUR. FORD DEALERSHIP NOT AWARE AS THIS WAS NOT DISPLAYED AS A RECALL. HEREFORE,TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS NOT CHANGED AT TH…

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NHTSA ODI #10267411

2003 model year · 52,000 miles · Apr 30, 2009

Power Train

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I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I JUST READ THE ARTICLE IN THE PAPER REGARDING TRANSMISSION HAZARDS. I CAN HONESTLY SAY I DO BELIEVE THESE SUV'S DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION SLIPPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR ON THERE OWN. I HAVE SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHERE MINE HAS DONE IT. ONE TIME I HAD PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE AND IT JUMPED FORWARD AND I ACTUALLY RAN OVER THE CURB IN FRONT OF ME BUT THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN REVERSE. THERE IS PROBLEMS REGARDING THIS SUV. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO CARMAX WHERE I PURCHASED IT FROM BUT IT STILL DOES IT. THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW. IT WILL DO IT RANDOMLY. I DON'T KNOW THE REASON BUT I DO THINK IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267377

2004 model year · 55,000 miles · Apr 30, 2009

Power Train

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ON JANUARY 17, 2009, I WAS ATTEMPTING TO BACK MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE TRUCK INTO REVERSE, THE STEERING COLUMN-MOUNTED GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM BROKE. THE "WAND" BROKE COMPLETELY AWAY FROM THE COLUMN, WITH ONLY THE RUBBER COVERING HOLDING IT IN PLACE. LATER, WHEN A MECHANIC OPENED UP THE STEERING COLUMN, IT WAS APPARENT THAT THE GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM FAILED BECAUSE A PIECE OF METAL BROKE IN HALF; IT LOOKED TO BE MADE OF SOME SOFT METAL. BECAUSE OF THE WAY FORD DESIGNED THE TRANSMISSION, THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE EXPLORER HAD ONLY 55,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. TOTAL EXPENSES FOR REPAIRS WERE IN EXCESS OF $1,600. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267352

2004 model year · Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2009

Power Train

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I AM ALSO HAVING THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. MY VEHICLE JUMPS VIOLENTLY WHEN IT IS PUT IN REVERSE. WHEN YOU FIRST PUT IT IN REVERSE IT WILL NOT MOVE THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT JUMPS BACKWARD. I ALSO HAVE BEEN NOTICING THAT THE TRUCK FEELS LIKE IT IS NOT IN GEAR FEELS LIKE IT SLIPS . I HAVE MADE NO REPAIRS ON MY VEHICLE AS OF YET, BUT AFTER READING THE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE I SEE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS OCCURRING WITH OTHER VEHICLES,. WE ALL SEEM TO BE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I HOPE THAT FORD WILL TAKE CARE OF THESE FORD EXPLORER PROBLEMS BEFORE THEIR ARE MORE ACCIDENTS. I HAVE NOT HAD AN INCIDENT AS OF THIS DATE 4/30/09, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT WHEN I PUT MY VEHICLE IN REVERSE I AM VERY WORRIED BECAUSE OF HOW VIOLENT THE TRUCK JUMPS BACKWARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267310

2002 model year · 102,252 miles · Apr 29, 2009

Power Train

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I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT IS NOW HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHICH WILL COST IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $3000 TO FIX. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I CAN'T BELIEVE THE NUMBER OF OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD APPARENTLY KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS DECLINED TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. I KNOW ITS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE BUT WE ARE HAVING TO PAY FOR REPAIRS OF A FAULTY PRODUCT IN BAD TIMES WHEN SOME OF US DON'T HAVE JOBS. I AM ASKING THE NHTSA TO HELP ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM TO FORD. THANK YOU! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267292

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