2022 Ford Explorer transmission and drivetrain problems
61 of the 269 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2022 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: 85 manufacturer bulletins, 6 recalls, 1 NHTSA investigation. 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 database2 of the 61 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 1 injury. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2022: 7 · 2023: 28 · 2024: 11 · 2025: 8 · 2026: 7
Half of the 14 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 10,000 and 40,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
269 complaints in all about the 2022 Ford Explorer, 7 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.
When accelerating the transmission has a rough engagement from 1-2 and at times from 2-3 it also downshifts hard from 3-2. At times it takes 2 seconds to engage second gear and when you hit the breaks hard it jerks you really badly.
While trying to reverse from drive there seems to be a 3-5 second delay before transmission engages reverse
When vehicle is put into reverse, there is a 15-20 second delay before reverse kicks in. You don't know when it is reverse yet , you let go of brakes and vehicle moves forward until transmission engages. Have taken vehicle to dealer to have checked out and ford and dealer says normal delay.
The powertrain failed together with the gearshift was shown in screen. Ther is also problem with the seat harness beacuse of wire problem. The car is available for inspection. There is huge risk in the passenger and others because there almost a lost control in the vehicle while running on the road.
While driving uphill on freeway the Ford Explorer lost all power going about 60mph. The warning of a wrench symbol came on indicating power train malfunction. Our mileage was at only 665 and after 10pm. Thankfully there was an adequate shoulder to pull off the road. It was not duplicated in the dealership.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 25V166000 HighMar 14, 2025 · 4,247 vehicles
- 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.
- 23V675000 HighOct 6, 2023 · 238,364 vehicles
- 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.
- 23V199000 HighMar 24, 2023 · 674 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L RWD, 3.3L GAS, 3.3L FHEV, or 3.0L ST powertrain. The previous powertrain control module (PCM) update completed under recall 22V-255 did not include the automatic electronic parking brake feature when the vehicle is shifted to park, as intended. In addition, the rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
- 23V069000 HighFeb 10, 2023 · 3,674 vehicles
- 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.
- 23V070000 CriticalFeb 10, 2023 · 1,138 vehicles
- 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 vehicle has been shifted to "PARK."
- 22V255000 HighApr 14, 2022 · 252,936 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer Police FHEV, Explorer Police 3.3L, and 2020-2022 Explorer 2.3L RWD, 3.0L PHEV, 3.3L FHEV, and 3.0L ST GAS vehicles. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
NHTSA investigation
- RQ23002 Rear Axle Bolt Failureopened Jun 20, 2023 · closed Feb 15, 2024
- 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 th…
85 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- TSB 26-2408 Service bulletinSep 22, 2026
- This bulletin supersedes 26-2309. Reason For Update: update the Model section to remove Aviator 10R80, update the Parts list to add 3.3L to W520514-S440, and add L1MZ-7Z490-G valve body separator plate for Aviator. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh 3-4, 4-5 upshifts * Harsh 5-3, 4-3 downshifts * Harsh reverse enga
- TSB 26-2395 Service bulletinAug 26, 2026
- This article supersedes 26-2287. Reason for update: update the labor operation numbers to add MT to operations C, F, G, H, J, K, L and M, and correct the part number LIMZ-4A015-B to L1MZ-4A015-B. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: Harsh engagement Delayed engagement Harsh shift Delayed shift Illuminated malfuncti
- TSB 26-2309 Service bulletinJul 2, 2026
- This bulletin supersedes 26-2241. Reason For Update: update the parts list to correct the claim quantity of the part number JB3Z-4B496-B from 3 to 6. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh 3-4, 4-5 upshifts * Harsh 5-3, 4-3 downshifts * Harsh reverse engagements These symptoms may be worse when cold. This may be due to
- TSB 26-2287 Service bulletinJun 18, 2026
- This article supersedes 25-2302. Reason for update: update the labor time allowance for F-150 vehicles, update the Parts list to replace the part number W716979-S439 with W721084-S439, and add a note for LV fluids XT-10-QLVC and CXT-10-LV6 "Transfer Case Fluid". Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: Harsh engagement Delay
The 4 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
P0729 P0731 P0732 P0733 P0734 P0735 P0736 P076F
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2022 Ford Explorer names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2022 Ford Explorer?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 61 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (23% of everything owners filed about it), and 85 manufacturer bulletins, 6 recalls, 1 NHTSA investigation 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 2022 Ford Explorer?
Yes — 6 campaigns are filed under this heading: 25V166000, 23V675000, 23V199000, 23V069000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2022 Ford Explorer?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 18,000 miles; half of them between 10,000 and 40,000. 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.