Which Ford Explorer years have the most transmission problems?

The 2020 model year has the most by far, with 390 complaints in this area. The 2021 year has 95 and 2022 has 49. Newer years show few complaints, but they have had less time to collect reports, so that is not proof they are better.

Is it safe to drive an Explorer with transmission problems?

It depends on the symptom. Harsh shifts are annoying, but sudden power loss on a highway and failure to hold park are real safety risks. Owners report low-speed crashes from rollaways and lunging in reverse. Have any such symptom checked before driving.

How much does an Explorer transmission repair cost?

Costs vary by repair. Owners of 2019 models quote $4,000 to over $9,400 for torque converter and transmission work. Recall repairs are free of charge from dealers. Independent repair-cost data puts the model's overall annual repair cost at $732.

Do the problems come back after repair?

Often, according to owners. Reports from 2018 through 2022 models describe another failure after a transmission or torque converter replacement. Others say software reflashes helped only for a while, and some say a rear axle bolt broke after the recall repair.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Ford Explorer Transmission Problems

Harsh, jerking shifts that end in lost drive power are the Ford Explorer's top transmission problem, worst on 2020 models.

Owner complaints: 619
Share of all complaints: 23%
Crash / fire / injury reports: 12 / 0 / 5
Related recalls: 11

Explorer transmission complaints by model year

The 2020 model year leads by a wide margin, with 390 transmission complaints and 17.2 per 10,000 sold. The 2021 model year follows with 95, then 2022 with 49. The 2018 and 2019 years have far fewer, at 37 and 29. The 2023 through 2026 years show very few complaints, but they have had less time on the road to collect reports, so low counts there do not prove they are trouble free. The 2025 model year already has a park rollaway injury report and recalls.

2018
37 · 1.4/10k sold
2019
29 · 1.6/10k sold
2020
390 · 17.2/10k sold
2021
95 · 4.3/10k sold
2022
49 · 2.4/10k sold
2023
9 · 0.5/10k sold
2024
1 · 0/10k sold
2025
9 · 0.4/10k sold

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA under power train. Newer model years have had less time to collect complaints.

What goes wrong

Harsh, delayed, or jerking shifts are the core transmission complaint on this SUV. The 10-speed automatic jerks between first, second, and third gear, hesitates when merging, shudders, or clunks on downshifts. A wrench light often comes on, though some drivers say no warning appeared at all. A second group of reports covers park and reverse. The SUV fails to hold park, rolls on hills, or lunges forward when Reverse is selected.

The park and reverse failures carry the clearest safety risk, because they led to low-speed crashes into garages, parked cars, and walls. Complaints in this area include crashes and injuries, but no fires. Sudden power loss on the highway is the other serious risk, and some cars stopped moving and had to be towed. Dealers often could not reproduce the fault or called the behavior normal, and some problems returned after repairs.

Symptoms owners report

Harsh or jerking shifts

The car jerks hard on 1-2 and 2-3 shifts, slams into gear from a stop, or drops suddenly into a low gear at speed. Owners also report hesitation when merging and a noise during shifts. Repairs under service bulletins sometimes did not last.

Loss of drive power

The wrench light comes on, the engine revs, and the SUV will not go faster or will not move at all. Some stayed stuck in second gear or went into a low-speed mode. Several owners were stranded and towed from highways.

Fails to hold park

The SUV rolls on driveways, hills, or ramps after being put in park. Some owners say the shifter moved out of park on its own. These reports include crashes into a garage, a parked car, and a wall.

Delayed or lunging reverse

After selecting Reverse, some 2022 owners wait several seconds, and one reports 15 to 20 seconds. The SUV can then lunge forward before it catches. Dealers often called the delay normal, and software reflashes helped only for a while.

Fluid leaks and burnt fluid

Owners report transmission fluid on the driveway after a clunk or a shudder. One 2020 owner had a cracked weld at the transmission oil cooler replaced three times. Another dealer found burnt-smelling fluid with debris.

Rear axle bolt fracture

On 2021 and 2022 models, the rear axle mounting bolt can break and the rear wheels wobble. One officer's SUV fishtailed into a tree. Some owners say the bolt failed again after the recall repair.

When the problems start

Many failures show up early, especially on 2020 models. Owners report trouble at 453 miles, 5,600 miles, and 16,000 miles. Others start at 25,000 miles or between 50,000 and 67,000 miles. Older 2018 and 2019 cars tend to fail later, with transmission replacements reported between 62,000 and 100,000 miles. One 2020 owner hit a downshift clunk near 82,000 miles.

Repairs and recalls

Owners report dealer visits that end in valve replacements, software reflashes, torque converter or full transmission replacement, and driveshaft replacement. Some problems came back after the repair. Quoted costs for 2019 models run from $4,000 to over $9,400. Federal recall records list 11 recalls in this area. They cover a fracturing drive shaft, rear axle bolt fractures, PCM resets that damage the park system, a loose transmission bolt that can stop park from engaging, and a 2025 valve body that can cause reverse gear failure. Ford fixes them free of charge.

Model years	Campaign	Problem
2025	25V020000	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.
2025	25V164000	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…
2025	25V239000	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.
2022, 2023	23V070000	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…
2020, 2021, 2022	23V069000	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…
2020, 2021, 2022	22V255000	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…
2020, 2021, 2022	23V199000	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…
2020, 2021, 2022	23V675000	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.
2020, 2021, 2022	25V166000	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…
2020	19V575000	Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The Manual Park Release (MPR) cover may not be installed. In addition, the vehicles may be in Factory Mode, which disables…
2020	20V693000	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…

Checking a used Explorer for transmission problems

Run the VIN through the federal recall lookup and confirm every transmission, park, and rear axle recall was completed.
Ask for service records showing transmission repairs, software updates, or oil cooler replacements, and walk away if the same repair appears twice.
On a test drive, accelerate gently and hard from a stop and feel for jerks, shudder, or clunks on 1-2 and 2-3 shifts.
Select Reverse and Drive on a slope and count how long each takes to engage. Any multi-second delay or lunge is a warning sign.
Park on a hill, release the brake, and confirm the SUV holds in Park without creeping.
Check the dash for a wrench light or powertrain message, and look under the car for fresh fluid.

11 transmission recalls cover the Ford Explorer. A VIN check shows whether the car you're looking at had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.

Look Up a VIN →