2017 Ford Explorer transmission and drivetrain problems
126 of the 1,703 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2017 Ford Explorer name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 33 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database4 of the 126 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 1 injury. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2017: 4 · 2018: 4 · 2019: 10 · 2020: 13 · 2021: 7 · 2022: 8 · 2023: 21 · 2024: 35 · 2025: 14 · 2026: 10
Half of the 67 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 30,000 and 97,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
1,703 complaints in all about the 2017 Ford Explorer, 10 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ford Explorer transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Purchased 2017 Ford Explorer new with only 549 miles. 16 months after purchase, at approx. 39,000 miles, torque converter went out and had to be replaced. 16 months later, at approx. 79,000 miles, torque converter went out again and had to be replaced.
Vehicle started jerking, so took it to Ford after scheduling an appointment and still couldn't get it seen. Clerk said it needed to stay overnight but will not give me a loaner so let me leave with the same conditions.
Here was a problem with the transmission stalling had the transmission replaced at 44000 miles
Ford Explorer transmission complaint I took my 2017 Ford Explorer into Ford dealer and explained about a shifting problem between 1st and 2nd gear the but they found nothing during technician diagnostics in october of 2017 I started experiencing the jerking problem again except this time it was during my first morning start up and…
Transmition failure. The vehicle was on a highway and lost acceleration and power to drive creating an unsafe condition
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications33 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- SSM 54366 Service bulletinNov 12, 2025
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
The 1 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P0012 P0011 P0014 P0015 P0016 P0017 P0018 P0019
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2017 Ford Explorer names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2017 Ford Explorer
Source: the same files- body and structure problems 663 complaints
- engine problems 315 complaints
- electrical problems 94 complaints
- steering problems 76 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2017 Ford Explorer?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 126 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (7% of everything owners filed about it), and 33 manufacturer bulletins are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the 2017 Ford Explorer?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 14 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2017 Ford Explorer?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 59,000 miles; half of them between 30,000 and 97,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.