2018 Ford Explorer Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission
  2

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  211%
• 25k–50k
  316%
• 50k–75k
  211%
• 75k–100k
  421%
• 100k–150k
  737%
• 150k+
  15%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved DTC: P0303 (Misfire in cylinder #3). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, who confirmed the failure. The dealer replaced the spark plugs and ignition coils. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, after the contact had the tires serviced, and the engine overheated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the cylinders, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the torque converter and engine needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired for the most recent failure due to the cost. …

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while driving with Adaptive Cruise Control mode engaged. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the transmission fluid was flushed. The contact stated that the failure recurred increasingly after 4,000 miles. The contact stated while at a complete stop and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle shuddered significantly as if the vehicle was attempting to drive forward. The contact stated that he applied more pressure on the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V101000 (SUSPENSION). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the transmission seized. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to move forward or reverse(R) as needed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called a transmission specialty shop. The vehicle was not inspected or diagnosed. The vehicle remained at the residence and had not been driven since. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling at a stop, the vehicle hesitated while responding. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the torque converter had overheated. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic for a second opinion where it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was then towed to the residence where it remained. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started vibrating excessively and the vehicle hesitated with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that while driving uphill the message "Hill Start Assist Not Available" was displayed. The contact was able to drive uphill; however, the failure recurred after driving a short distance. The transmission unexpectedly downshifted and the vehicle was not able to pull into the driveway. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed that there were metal shards found in the engine and that the transmission had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was black smoke coming from under the hood. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the battery was faulty. The battery was replaced. The contact stated that while driving, there was black smoke coming from under the hood, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The transmission was replaced. Later, while driving again, the black smoke was again present coming from the hood of the vehicle, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine and turbo were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the engine overheated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the serpentine belt had failed. The contact replaced the serpentine belt, and the vehicle was repaired. Later, while operating the vehicle, several electrical warning lights were displayed. The battery was replaced, but the failure persisted. The contact replaced the alternator; however, after replacing the alternator, the transmission remained stuck in park(P), rendering the vehicle undrivable. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 155,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was shaking while idling, initially without warning. Recently, while the vehicle was in reverse(R), the vehicle shut off while idling with the transmission warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove to an independent mechanic. The mechanic performed a diagnostic test and diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle related to the transmission. The contact was provided a case number and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic signal, the vehicle was shaking and vibrating abnormally. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 20N07 Torque Converter Shudder (Power Train). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission experienced rough downshifting. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the transmission had previously been replaced twice; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with torque converter failure, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced for the third time. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

Transmission complaints in other Explorer years