Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2019 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. While the contact's husband was driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping. The contact stated that the failure mostly occurred while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal with the transmission shifting between second and third gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The vehicle was then taken to Pioneer Transmission Services, where the transmission was replaced. The contact stated that the transmission warning light illuminated while driving at an undisclosed speed. The vehicle was taken back to Pioneer Transmission Services, where the torque converter was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. …
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle began making abnormal noises from under the floorboards. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing forward momentum. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle only revved and was not gaining forward momentum. The contact stated numerous warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that he was able to reach his destination, but was not able to exceed 30 MPH. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to a dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the transmission had been replaced a year prior and felt that the failure was related to the transmission. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, while depressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle failed to respond as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was shielded by a bystander so that the contact would not be rear-ended. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The vehicle was taken not to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact stated that cylinder #2 had been replaced three times and the spark plugs were replaced; however, the vehicle was not fixed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was an orange wrench warning light was illuminated when the vehicle was shifted into reverse. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the failure was with the torque converter. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the same information was provided. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised to contact NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at a complete stop, the vehicle shuddered. Additionally, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate while driving. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that the VIN was not included in Customer Satisfaction Program: 20N07 (Transmission Extended Warranty Coverage) and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after shifting to the drive position the vehicle would shake and vibrate. The failure continued while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the torque convert and reprogrammed the PCM but approximately one year later the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the torque converter needed to be replaced a second time. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 83,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered. The contact stated that while coming to a stop the vehicle shuddered and hesitated to resume driving. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: 20N07 (2.3L Engine and 6F35 Transmission). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle shuddered and failed to properly accelerate. The contact stated that the failure also occurred on several occasions while driving up an incline. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed and it was determined that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 84,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle suddenly started sputtering and decelerated unintendedly. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 52,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered while shifting gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the power transfer unit (PTU) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to the Customer Satisfaction Program: 20B27. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Transmission complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2019 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2019 Ford Explorer, 12% of the model year's 299 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › torque converter (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2019 Ford Explorer transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2019 Ford Explorer, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2019 Ford Explorer transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.