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 · 99,000 miles · Jun 11, 2008

Power Train

INDICATOR LIGHTS FLASHING ON AND OFF ,TRANSMISSION RATTLING NOISE AND FAILURE AT 99,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10230553

2004 model year · 46,000 miles · Jun 11, 2008

Power Train

Read full complaint

WE PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER 4.0 LITER V6 APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO (46,000 MILES). SHORTLY AFTER THE PURCHASE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIFT HARD FROM "PARK" INTO "REVERSE". THE VEHICLE ALSO SHIFTS HARD WHILE IN MOTION. IT FEELS AS IF THE VEHICLE HAS ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. MECHANIC ADVISED THE TRANSMISSION WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $600.00 IN PARTS, AND APPROXIMATELY $800.00 IN LABOR. IT IS UNKNOWN HOW LONG THE TRANSMISSION WILL LAST UNTIL COMPLETE FAILURE. I HAVE GRAVE CONCERNS THAT IT MAY FAIL AS WE ARE ON THE INTERSTATE CAUSING DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10230776

2002 model year · 85,000 miles · Jun 4, 2008

Power Train

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MY WIFE AND I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE VEHICLE O/D LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AS WELL. THE SUV THEN JUST QUIT. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. AFTER READING MANY OTHER WEB SITES THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE AND MODEL YEAR. FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, EVEN GOING SO FAR AS ISSUING A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT IT. IF IT HAS BECOME STANDARD PRACTICE FOR THESE TRANSMISSIONS TO FAIL THEN FORD NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229877

2004 model year · 5,534 miles · Jun 4, 2008

Power Train

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I PURCHASED A 2004 EDDIE BAUER 4.0 LITER EXPLORER. THE PREVIOUS OWNER BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK FOR ALL RECALLS, PARTICULARLY THOSE RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS INCLUDED A COMPLETE TRANS FLUID FLUSH EVEN THOUGH THE FORD STATES THE 1ST MAINT. ON TRANNY IS 100 K MILES, CHANGED THE FRONT SEAL THAT SUPPOSEDLY "CORRODES IN THE PRESENCE OF THE OLD TRANSMISSION FLUID', AND HAD THE SOLENOID BODY CHANGED TO CORRECT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEM. NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING AGAIN AT 34,000 MILES. IT SHIFTS ERRATICALLY AND FEELS UNUSUAL WHILE DRIVING IN FORWARD, AND ONCE WARMED UP AND AT A STOP, WHEN SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE, THERE IS A 1 TOO 2 SECOND PAUSE AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VIOLENTLY INTO REVERSE. MECHANIC TELLS ME THAT TRANNY WILL EAT ITSELF UP. IN SHORT ALL PREVENTABLE MAINT. AND RECALLS HAVE BEEN DONE ON CAR TO AVOID PROBLEM, AND YET AT 34K MILES TRANNY IS EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. YOU REALLY NEED TO PUT FORDS FEET TO THE FIRE AND GET THIS FIXED AS A RECALL AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WEB IS FULL OF REPORTS OF TRANNYS DIE-ING ON THE ROAD WITH NO WARNING. YOU ALL ARE THE WATCHDOG, PLEASE DO YOUR JOB. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229876

2002 model year · 149,288 miles · May 29, 2008

Power Train

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WE OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH A V6 ENGINE. IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 149,000 MILES BUT HAS BEEN WELL-MAINTAINED. ON 5/24/08 WE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF OUR TRANSMISSION WHEN DRIVING IN DOWNTOWN SEATTLE. THE O/D LIGHT WOULD BLINK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THIS FOUND THAT FIRST GEAR WAS AVAILABLE IF WE WOULD ONLY GO FOR ABOUT 100 YARDS AT BEST. WE ENDED UP HAVING IT TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED IT AS A TOTAL FAILURE AND REQUIRED A FULL REBUILD. HE ALSO FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN MAINTAINED TO SPEC AND THERE WERE NO SERVICE-RELATED ISSUES. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHEN WE WERE ON I-5 OR GOING UP A STEEP HILL (OF WHICH THERE ARE MANY IN SEATTLE) THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. AS IT WAS, A FAMILY OF 5 WAS LEFT STRANDED ON A LONG HOLIDAY WEEKEND BY A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229271

1999 model year · 105,000 miles · May 28, 2008

Power Train

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A FEW MONTHS A AGO MY SUV STARTED TO MAKE A TAPPING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE ESPECIALLY WHEN IT WAS COLD. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE AND IS NOW ALL THE TIME. I HAD THE SUV CHECKED BY A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN. AND HE WOULD NOT FIX IT BECAUSE IT WAS TOO INVOLVED AND WAS NOT WORTH IT. PLUS IT WOULD COST ME $1500+. HE EVEN CONTACTED FORD AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A 'PROBLEM' AND THAT THE DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM WON'T EVEN TOUCH IT! I WAS TOLD BY A FORD REPRESENTATIVE TO 'DRIVE IT TIL IT DIES' AND I GOT MY MONEY OUT OF IT. THERE IS NOTHING ELSE WRONG WITH MY SUV, NOT EVEN RUST. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT FORD KNOWS THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IN THIS VEHICLE IS A PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO FIX IT. PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229154

2002 model year · 24,000 miles · May 27, 2008

Power Train

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WITH IN THE FIRST YEAR OF HAVING MY VEHICLE I HAD TO HAVE 2 TRANSMISSION REPAIRS. WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR IT WAS DONE AGAIN AND THEN I STARTED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT NOISES AND A THUMPING COMING FROM THE REAR DURING ACCELERATION. I NOW KNOW THAT THE THUMPING IS DUE TO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND AXLE NEEDING REPAIRS. NOW THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THIS IS GOING TO COST ME ABOUT $1,000.00 NOT TO MENTION THAT I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION DONE ALSO AT A COST OF $400.00 THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME COMPLAINT THAT I HAVE NOTICED ON THE INTERNET AND I THINK THAT SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228952

2002 model year · 74,000 miles · May 22, 2008

Power Train

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TRANSMISSION FAILED IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER..I WISH I WOULD HAVE RESEARCHED THE 2002 BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR. IF I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT THIS TRUCK. THIS IS THE SECOND ISSUE I'VE HAD WITH FORD, MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER HAD THE ISSUES WITH THE TIRES AND IT TOOK PEOPLE LOSING THEIR LIVES BEFORE FORD AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FINALLY RECALLED THE TIRES ON THE TRUCKS. I GAVE FORD ANOTHER CHANCE AND PURCHASED MY SECOND FORD EXPLORER..NEVER AGAIN WILL I EVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD EXPLORER OR ANY OTHER FORD PRODUCTS. I WILL NOT EVEN GET THE TRANS FIXED , I TRADED THE TRUCK IN FOR A CHEVY AND WILL NEVER PURCHASE FORD AGAIN. IF YOU LOOK ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TRANS , WHY WOULD FORD AND FEDS WAIT TO RECALL THESE CARS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228667

2002 model year · 98,000 miles · May 22, 2008

Power TrainSuspension

TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP WITH NO WARNING AND COMPLETELY WENT OUT ON MY WIFE'S WAY TO WORK. THIS HAPPENED AT 98,000 MILES. NOW THERE IS A ISSUE WITH THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE MODULE TWO YEARS EARLIER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228618

2004 model year · 12,500 miles · May 22, 2008

Power Train

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FORD EXPLORER 2004 - BOUGHT BRAND NEW IN 2004 MY FORD EXPLORER STARTED HAVING SHIFTING PROBLEMS AFTER 1 YEAR I BOUGHT IT. FORD DEALER FIXED IT BECAUSE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THEY CLAIMED THAT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID. I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE 1 YEAR AFTER THE FIX WAS MADE AND WENT BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THAT THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE AND IT WILL COST ME AROUND 1400 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. I DID NOT HAVE THEM FIX IT AND FIGURED THAT I CALL FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TO GET THIS FIXED FOR FREE. THAT DID NOT GET ME ANYWHERE. THIS WAS BACK IN 2006 OR 2007 AND I AM STILL HAVING THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A MECHANICAL HAZARD BECAUSE A FAILED TRANSMISSION DRIVING ON A FREEWAY CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT. I HAVE A WIFE, A 4 YEAR OLD AND A 1 YEAR OLD AND ALWAYS FEAR FOR THEIR SAFETY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228662

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