Ford Explorer transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2027
1,145 of the 7,419 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford Explorer 2016–2027 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2020 (499), 2016 (218), 2017 (126). Filed under the same heading across these years: 7 manufacturer bulletins, 14 recall campaigns, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Ford Explorer transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 3 | 8% | — | 15 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 15 | 15% | — | 26 TSBs · 3 recalls | the year → |
| 2024 | 0 | — | — | 26 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2023 | 12 | 11% | — | 52 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2022 in depth | 61 | 23% | 18k | 85 TSBs · 6 recalls · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2021 in depth | 125 | 29% | 46k | 122 TSBs · 6 recalls · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2020 in depth | 499 | 41% | 42k | 134 TSBs · 8 recalls · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2019 | 36 | 12% | — | 32 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 in depth | 50 | 7% | 86k | 41 TSBs | the record → |
| 2017 in depth | 126 | 7% | 59k | 33 TSBs | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 218 | 9% | 49k | 43 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 49 · 2017: 14 · 2018: 14 · 2019: 34 · 2020: 65 · 2021: 73 · 2022: 89 · 2023: 184 · 2024: 229 · 2025: 223 · 2026: 171
Across the model years, half of the 484 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 11,000 and 84,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
On my 2020 police interceptor through a no issue for the transmission, failing at early mileage, jerking in a drive and slamming gears when shifting and low gears, I believe the component is the CDF drum in the transmission, which is thousands of dollars to fix Ford offered to replace it under warranty, but the issue typically doesn’t…
When the vehicle was started this morning, it sounded like it was chugging and did not wasn’t to stay on. Then when the driver went to drive, he got the notification on my dash to stop safely and the engine was disabled. The check engine light was on, as well as the battery light was on, and the warning light was on.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer Police interceptor. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle downshifted independently with the rpms increasing rapidly. The contact stated he was unaware if there was any warning light illuminated.
Started smelling sulfur/rotten eggs exhaust through the vents around 3k miles under hard acceleration. It's a police version with the 3.7l. Smelled it in re-circulation mode and the fresh air mode.
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.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 26V402000 HighJun 24, 2026 · 741,195 vehicles
- 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.
- 26V371000 HighJun 9, 2026 · 58 vehicles
- 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.
- 25V239000 HighApr 11, 2025 · 24,655 vehicles
- 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.
- 25V164000 CriticalMar 14, 2025 · 269 vehicles
- 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.
- 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.
- 25V020000 HighJan 17, 2025 · 259 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The transmission may be improperly secured due to loose cross member bolts.
- 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.
The 8 newest of 14; each model year’s page lists its own.
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…
7 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Sep 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
- Aug 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
- Aug 3, 2026
- Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine, 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine, and 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost hybrid engine may exhibit an illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0A1E stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). The vehicle may be unable
- Jul 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
- Jun 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
- Jun 5, 2026
- For 20202026 vehicles equipped with the 10R60 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). This test utilizes the pressure and vacuum transducer (PVT) when available. Workshop Manual (WSM) updates related to this diagnostic procedure are planned for release in Q4 2026. The new test improves the accuracy of detectin
- Nov 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.
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Ford Explorer
Source: the same files- engine problems
- electrical problems
- backup camera and parking sensor problems
- brake problems
- visibility and wiper problems
- body and structure problems
- steering problems
- fuel system problems
Every system, every model year: Ford Explorer problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Ford Explorer years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2020, 499; 2016, 218; 2017, 126. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2020 (41%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Ford Explorer?
Yes — 14 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 26V402000 (2021), 26V371000 (2024), 25V239000 (2025), 25V164000 (2025). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Ford Explorer?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 49,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 11,000 and 84,000. 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.