2022 Ford Explorer Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Axle assembly
  2
• Automatic transmission
  1

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

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  750%
• 25k–50k
  536%
• 50k–75k
  214%
• 75k–100k
  00%
• 100k–150k
  00%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2022 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated when she was shifting the vehicle into reverse (R), and as she depressed the brake pedal, the vehicle was lunging forward. The contact stated that the failure had occurred following a routine service appointment with a local dealer. The contact stated that the failure was occurring only when she was shifting into reverse (R). The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that she had had a crash in a parking lot after she had shifted to reverse (R). The contact stated that the vehicle lunged forward and the front end crashed into a concrete parking bollard. The contact stated that the front bumper was dented and there was no other damage. The contact stated that she later was in pain and had bruises on her right shoulder and chest. …

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V022000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating and lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the rearview camera was inoperable while reversing. The contact stated that the front driver's side seat inadvertently moved towards the steering wheel while driving. The headlights inadvertently turned off while driving at night. The contact stated that the transmission also failed to shift into gear. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with unknown electrical failures due to faulty programming. …

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed valve body. The contact was informed that the valve body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under warranty. The failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed output speed sensor. The contact was informed that the output speed sensor needed to be replaced and recalibrated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The manufacturer approved of the buyback; however, the contact stated that the Lemon Law requirement limited the ownership to two years. …

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while making a right turn at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear driveshaft. The traction control and Hill Assist warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the rear differential axle bolt had fractured and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 23V675000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the rear differential cover, rear drive shaft, and left rear axle shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH and ascending an incline, the transmission slipped out of gear, and the vehicle started to lose motive power. The contact stated that the "Pre-Collision Assist Unavailable" and "Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power" warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle would rev when the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact was able to return to the original destination however, the vehicle had to be restarted for the vehicle to operate as needed. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while attempting to reverse into a parking spot, the gear shifter was moved to reverse(R) however, there was a 5-second lag before the transmission selected the intended gear. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while receiving an oil change at the local dealer, the dealer stated that the valve body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the same failure. The contact took the vehicle to back the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to shift into reverse, the vehicle moved forward approximately 2 - 3 feet before reversing as intended. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V164000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer opened a case regarding the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine randomly disconnected from the transmission and the vehicle started idling while losing motive power while attempting to accelerate. During the failure the message "Brake Applied; Power Reduced" was displayed. The contact indicated that the failure occurred on six separate occasions and lasted approximately four minutes each time. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the brake sensors, but the failure continued to occur. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 1,200.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked abnormally. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that unknown parts had failed, the battery was low, and an unknown part on the transmission had failed. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The failure persisted, and the vehicle remained at the residence unrepaired. The vehicle was no longer driven due to safety concerns. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle was shaking and slow to respond. The contact stated that the back over prevention camera screen was gray while the vehicle was rolling backwards. The contact stated that the back over prevention camera screen then turned blue. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to a scheduling issue. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact back to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Transmission complaints in other Explorer years