Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 7% | — |
| 2025 | 16 | 15% | 9,000 miles |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2023 | 12 | 11% | 20,000 miles |
| 2022 | 61 | 23% | 26,000 miles |
| 2021 | 127 | 28% | 46,000 miles |
| 2020 | 499 | 40% | 43,000 miles |
| 2019 | 35 | 12% | 83,000 miles |
| 2018 | 50 | 7% | 86,000 miles |
| 2017 | 124 | 7% | 58,000 miles |
| 2016 | 215 | 9% | 47,000 miles |
| 2015 | 86 | 5% | 50,000 miles |
| 2014 | 80 | 5% | 75,000 miles |
| 2013 | 119 | 5% | 60,000 miles |
| 2012 | 55 | 7% | 47,000 miles |
| 2011 | 64 | 5% | 53,000 miles |
| 2010 | 28 | 24% | 81,000 miles |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% | 78,000 miles |
| 2008 | 36 | 24% | 86,000 miles |
| 2007 | 57 | 27% | 69,000 miles |
| 2006 | 296 | 47% | 60,000 miles |
| 2005 | 99 | 20% | 75,000 miles |
| 2004 | 460 | 35% | 50,000 miles |
| 2003 | 335 | 30% | 77,000 miles |
| 2002 | 1,502 | 46% | 80,000 miles |
| 2001 | 42 | 11% | 110,000 miles |
| 2000 | 133 | 14% | 78,000 miles |
| 1999 | 115 | 9% | 95,000 miles |
| 1998 | 103 | 5% | 108,000 miles |
| 1997 | 104 | 6% | 97,000 miles |
| 1996 | 120 | 8% | 139,000 miles |
| 1995 | 119 | 14% | 103,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I had my car in drive in a parking spot. I was ready to go, put the car in drive, DID NOT MOVE but needed to put it in park fast to assist to a child in the back seat. I put it in park pretty fast. Took my seatbelt off and assisted child. It must have not engaged. Car rolled into my office metal mailbox. I 100% put it in park. I took my seatbelt off after so I seen it. It was fast with the gear shift though. Should this have been an issue? I feel like if it was any other car you with a manual gear shifter , not electrical, it's fine. I feel this was not my fault at all and was a malfunction of the car. The car did not automatically stop either. It hit the mailbox at like 3-4mph. I have never been in an accident of my fault in 10 years of driving. I've never made a crazy mistake like that. It should've never happened. I drive all types of cars/ and trucks. …
Description On your vehicle, it may be possible that one or more engine camshaft roller finger followers were not properly installed at the time of engine assembly. Safety Risk An improperly installed engine camshaft roller finger follower may result in engine failure, resulting in a no-start condition or a loss of motive power. A loss of motive power increases the risk of a crash. Your vehicle may also experience engine ticking or tapping noise, and or a low-volume oil leak due to this condition. Remedy A remedy is not yet available. Ford Motor Company is working to provide parts for this repair. When the remedy becomes available, Ford Motor Company will notify you via mail to schedule a service appointment with your dealer for repairs to be completed free of charge. The remedy is anticipated to be available 4TH quarter of 2026. …
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed through a drive-thru, the Auto Hold feature was activated, but the vehicle failed to respond. No warning light was illuminated. The contact opened the front driver's side door, causing the transmission to inadvertently shift to park (P), and the vehicle turned off. The vehicle failed to restart until a tow truck driver had disconnected and reconnected the battery. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who updated the software for the SYNC module (APIM), gear shift module, powertrain control module (PCM), and Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module, as well as an oil change. 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 8,967.
Automatic Return To Park safety feature failed to stop vehicle from forward rolling causing vehicle to crash into open garage. The drivers door hit side of garage frame, closing onto my left leg causing calf muscle pain and bruising.
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the transmission slipped and unexpectedly downshifted to first gear, causing the vehicle to jerk. The contact pulled to the side of the road and parked the vehicle. The contact revved the engine, shifted the transmission to drive(D), and drove to the destination. Additionally, on a separate occasion, the vehicle lost motive power while driving. A bystander helped the contact by pushing the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure recurred and later the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but no diagnostic trouble codes were retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. …
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 60-70 MPH, the rear subframe bolt detached, and destroyed the axle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V675000 (Power Train). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear axle was damaged, and the horizontal bolt had fractured in half. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
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. …
Related recalls (12)
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for park system damage and replace the park system components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2026.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module › Software
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer vehicles. The powertrain control module (PCM) may reset while driving, which can damage the park system or cause an engine stall.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 23V-199 or 22V-255. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Fluid/lubricant › Valves/valve body
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Show 7 more recalls
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the subframe bushing and rear axle bolt. They will also inspect the rear axle cover for damage near the bolt hole location and replace with a new cover if any damage is found.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
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.
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission
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…
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.
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Explorer, 2014-2015 Taurus and 2014 Edge vehicles equipped with 2.0L or 2.3L engines and front wheel drive. The support bracket for the front drive axle halfshaft may fail.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the link shaft bracket, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners received an interim notification detailing safety risk December 8, 2020.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with a 2.0L or 3.3L engine and a 10 Speed Automatic Transmission with the All Wheel Drive package. The drive shaft may fracture along the weld seam.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shaft label inspected and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
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.
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
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.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module.
NHTSA investigations
Accelerator pedal
There is no summary currently available
Vehicle hesitation/stalling
There is no summary currently available
Vehicle Rollaway Allegations
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…
Rear Axle Bolt Failure
On July 17, 2023, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) opened this Recall Query (RQ) after receiving 2 consumer complaints alleging loss of vehicle forward power and/or loss of transmission torque of the rear wheels in model year (MY) 2020-2022 Ford Explorer vehicles (subject vehicles). The RQ was opened to focus on the effectiveness of the remedies of Recalls 22V-255 and 23V-199 related to the alleged problem.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Explorer years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (1,502), 2020 (499), 2004 (460), 2003 (335) and 2006 (296) model years. Transmission complaints make up 46% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for Ford Explorer transmission problems?
Yes — 12 recalls, including 26V-402 (automatic transmission, Jun 24, 2026); 26V-371 (automatic transmission, Jun 9, 2026); 25V-239 (software, Apr 11, 2025). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Explorer transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles; 31% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (1,923 mentions), followed by the driveline › differential unit (220).
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.