10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
12,323 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #43

Jan 162021

Explorer 4-cyl

  • 15,160 miles
Two days prior to the vehicle not working, I heard a whining and grinding sound. I took it to the nearest Ford dealership and they said it was the transmission. I couldn't get an appointment until 10 days later. So, I went home. The next day I tried to take the vehicle to the dealership that I purchased it from and the vehicle wouldn't move. My Ford app said it was the powertrain. I called a tow truck and they took it to the dealership (where I purchased it). The dealership called two days later and said it was the transmission. Now, I am awaiting a "new" transmission to be put in my vehicle.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #42

Jan 032021

Explorer

  • 16,000 miles
Complete failure of the transmission. 16,000 miles a whining noise started while shifting in low gears (similar sound to low power steering fluid) while my family was 4 states away over the new year weekend. Upon stopping I checked under the vehicle for leaking transmission fluid but saw no wet spot. We continued to drive a few more hours to a hotel. When stopping to make a left turn the whole vehicle shuttered and suddenly downshifted very hard. It hesitated to accelerate again across 2 lanes. This time I got out and checked under the vehicle while it was still running and found fluid leaking from the transmission cooler. I have a video of fluid coming out. The next attempt to even move the vehicle it has no power and would not move.

- Parrish, FL, USA

problem #41

Dec 122020

Explorer

  • 9,900 miles
I purchased my 2020 Ford Explorer in February 2020. Since purchasing I've had several electrical and other problems. I wish I had never purchased Ford. I've had issues with the camera which had a recall which was fixed in November. I've also had a problem with both passenger and driver window not being operable or operating incorrectly, which stills happens periodically. I also had to have the transmission repaired due to a recall. However, I still receive messages within dash that tells me transmission not in park when backing up. I sometimes am driving and it feels as if transmission is slipping. I've had nothing but problem after problem with Ford and do not recommend that anyone purchases.

- Ellenwood, GA, USA

problem #40

Aug 272020

Explorer

  • 9,000 miles
Transmission started violently shifting and jerking the car at city and highway speeds. The transmission was determined to be damaged and took 2.5 months to fix because parts were not available. Additionally, the driver's seat massage feature failed, interior columns kept popping out, defective pull down sun glass holder, gap in lift gate interior plastic bolted to it and replacing of damaged seat clips.

- Bothell, WA, USA

problem #39

Dec 042020

Explorer

  • 9,998 miles
No recalls or notices as of December 4th. Took a road trip for wifes birthday from Texas to Oklahoma, car has less than 10K miles on it. On December 5th while driving to get breakfast tranamition started to slip on hills and gears started grinding. Called Ford when I was in an area with reception. Ford was notified that the tranamition was slipping in an out of gear and there was a grinding noise. We were 300 miles from home with no dealership or tow option and limited service. Service adviser asked if we had the recall done on the transmition and told him we have received no notice. We played a back and fourth game were I told him we got no notice of the recall and he thought I was wrong. On December 5th when we were schedule to drive back, car would not come out of park, had to rip apart the center console to get to the emergency park override. While driving back car would commonly go out of gear, grind and while at constant speed fall out of gear. Ford advisor confirmed there was no way to add or check transmition fluid.almost got rear ended on highway, service roads and on ramps on numerous occasions but knew Ford would not pay for tow. Ford confirmed that the oil cooler was leaking but only replaced the cooler. Transmitionwas running low on fluid the entire time so now we have a new car with a damaged transmission. Ford advisor confirmed after I showed proof that recall was not on Ford pass app, NHTSA website under VIN. Ford is hiding issue to save money. Long time Ford customer in 30S with over 5 new cars but this will be the last Ford. Only got recall notice 5 days after car was taken to shop. NHTSA still does not have recall. "recall" notice cites its a customer satisfaction program 20B34 but the trasmition will latterly fail due to this part issue causing long term issues on reliability of a $40K car. Tried to call for recall hot line and was hung up on!

- Garland, TX, USA

problem #38

Nov 252020

Explorer

  • 7,300 miles
Vehicle has been in multiple repair shops multiple times for fuel pump, electrical, and power train problems. The first time it shut down in the middle of a parking lot, it was towed was at 1720 miles. It currently has 7772 miles. I would get it out of the shop one day the car would either have the same warning lights appear or break down totally. Prime example picked it up on Monday, November 23, 2020 and it started experiencing problems on the 24th as soon as the gas warning light came on the car shut off at 65 mph and all the cabin lights came on inside the car. I managed to get it restarted after 20 minutes around 8:15 pm and get to a gas station and I put gas in it and the gas warning lights went out. Then shut down completely at 70 mph on the 25th on highway 421 near yadkinville, nc. Warning lights would appear at the moment the car shuts down. (near hit by a tractor-trailer that swerved to miss hitting me.) had it towed to two separate Ford dealerships. The first said they could not work on it because it was a holiday and they knew I was out-of-town from Virginia. The second dealership inquired about the problem. Ohmed out the fuel component and discovered the connector was defective on the fuel pump and it had been wired improperly and replaced the missing screws on the fuel pump. The shop rewired the component correctly and the vehicle runs. I still consider the car unsafe because I can still feel the powertrain jerk subtlety.

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #37

Nov 102020

Explorer

  • 2,400 miles
I was parked on an incline ramp in a parking lot and tried to maneuver out between the vehicle in front and behind me. I put the vehicle in drive and reverse a few times to get out. I maneuvered enough to get out of the space but when I put the vehicle in drive (D), it revved as I stepped on the gas (like it was in neutral) but the vehicle kicked back into reverse which is what my previous gear was. My vehicle then rolled back. When I looked at the gear select it was on drive (D). This caused me to hit the parked vehicle behind me causing minor damage to my vehicle but major damage to the other vehicle. The transmission lags but I was certain that it was in drive before I stepped on the gas. The cause is probably due to the drivetrain not engaging causing a loss of drive. I believe its related to Ford recall 20S65 which I did not know of at the time of the crash.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #36

Nov 212020

Explorer

  • 2,800 miles
I had driven 8 hours, (around 575miles) into a 14.5 hour drive. The mechanical shift default flashed on the dash screen & the wrench symbol. I exited the highway to the nearest gas station. I checked the manual, did a google search & it said this was a transmission fault. I checked to see if the car would start, after filling up the gas tank. It started, but as soon as the Explorer was put into any gear, it shifted itself back into park & made an audible "clunk" sound. I called aaa to get it towed to the nearest dealership, which was Chevy. This was sat, dealership didn't open until mon. Called the Chevy dealer & he said he could not repair it. Called 5 Ford dealerships & no one could get it repaired this week, so we had to have our Explorer towed from al to ok to our mechanic. We were told by 3 dealerships that Ford is having transmission problems with this model & we should check recalls. I don't see 2020 Explorer included in the current transmission recalls, but this Ford Explorer 2020 has less than 3,000 miles & due to the "shift system fault" defect, it can't be driven without a major repair. I'm a very un-happy customer right now!🤬😡

- Edmond, OK, USA

problem #35

Jun 152020

Explorer

  • 1,400 miles
I had been driving with no problems. Turned in to a minimart, parked vehicle. When I returned a few minutes later, I started the vehicle, backed up, stopped, then started to pull out of the parking lot to turn onto the highway. I accelerated and the transmission would not go out of second gear. I pulled off the highway shut the vehicle off, restarted and tried to continue my trip. The transmission would not go out of second gear. I continued with the engine running at high RPM until I reached home. I called for assistance, and had the vehicle towed to the dealer where I got a rental car and returned home. They called the house and said the vehicle was ready. I returned and found that they reprogrammed the PCM module and road checked the car with no problems found. I had received a Ford recall notice in late may about the problem and recall is good until May 31, 2021. Vehicle had 1406 miles when I left the dealer.

- Gig Harbor, WA, USA

problem #34

Nov 102020

Explorer

  • 5,175 miles
2020 Ford Explorer St with approximately 5,200 miles. Yesterday, I started the vehicle and put it into reverse and it started to roll backwards even though my foot was on the brake. Regardless of how hard I pushed the brake, the car continued to lunge backward until I fully depressed/repressed the brake. With my foot on the brake the vehicle continued to move. This same event occurred a few months ago but when in drive and the vehicle continued to lunge forward despite my foot full pressing the brake as much as possible. I shut off the vehicle, waited a few minutes, and attempted to restart. Restarted without issue. Today, I attempted to start the car and all lights on the dashboard began flashing and the engine failed to turnover. The in-dash display then began beeping, flashing all service/hazard/warning indicators, and cycling through the following error messages: - steering assist fault service required; - see manual (with wrench icon indicating powertrain fault); - front camera fault service required; - service advancetrac; - full accessory power active; - park brake fault service now; - pre-collision assist not available; - check park aid; - reverse brake assist not available see manual; - hill descent control fault; - normal cruise active adaptive braking off; I turned off the vehicle and attempted a few more restarts ranging in intervals from an immediate start/stop, 1 minute, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes without success (same error messages displayed as described above). My next attempt was a few hours later and the vehicle started without error, but did not give any indication that the vehicle had failed to start the previous time and the 'powertrain fault' wrench icon remained lit.

- Montgomery, OH, USA

problem #33

Mar 012020

Explorer

  • 12,000 miles
There are many issues with this vehicle. The first issue is that water is coming inside of the vehicle and pooling up on the passenger side floor. The second issue is water inside the passenger taillight. The third issue is the allwheel drive sensor is malfunctioning. The fourth and last issue with the vehicle is that the converter is cracked on the driver's side and exhaust fumes are coming into the cabin and is making the passengers sick. This is after Ford had replaced the motor at 12,000 miles because cylinder two malfunctioned.

- Mount Gilead, OH, USA

problem #32

Jul 142020

Explorer

  • 200 miles
Car was in drive or reverse but would not move, like the gearing was not engaged. Pressed on gas it finally took off almost hitting another car. Took to Ford, they fixed so they say, but it has happened 4 more times. Yesterday, was in parking lot and put in reverse and took off. When it is acting up, the transmission sounds like it clunks or gonna fall out. Back up camera is still not working and can not see behind you or when you are going to hit something.

- Whittier, NC, USA

problem #31

Sep 302020

Explorer

  • 5,950 miles
Vehicle jerked very hard while slowing down, around 30mph and 1500 RPM, worsening to include violent bucking when pulling out around 1000-2000 RPM and 20-30mph, worsening yet to affecting another gear while slowing down. Dealership told me to drive it until appt.(over a week later). Snap ring broke and transmission housing cracked upon inspection at dealership, new transmission installed

- York, PA, USA

problem #30

Sep 252020

Explorer

  • 12,100 miles
Received malfunction indicator lamp- regulatory

- Argyle, TX, USA

problem #29

Sep 112020

Explorer

  • 2,100 miles
Vehicule was purchased new end of May 2020 and transsmission had to be replaced with less than 2500 miles in September 2020. Frecuents jolts would occur when I would hit over 40mph and when I would slow down around 20-25 mph. I brought my Explorer to the dealership and I had to have my transmission replaced based on analysis performed by Ford technicians.

- Poway, CA, USA

problem #28

Sep 142020

Explorer

  • 2,500 miles
Vehicle is jerking while accelerating. RPM gauge hand is jumping back and forth between 1,750 and 2,250. Takes around 10 seconds to down shift when pressing the break after going freeway speeds.

- Grosse Ile, MI, USA

problem #27

Sep 072020

Explorer

  • 5,900 miles
Total electrical shutdown when stopped at turn lane of 6 lane hwy intersection. Reportedly due to low transmission fluid automatic shut-down. Vehicle was recall buy-back repair to transmission cooler failed to correct leaking line connections. No warning. Shuts down all power to all systems. No warning flasher. No window power; no door lock controls. Reset after 30 min. Stranded in center turn lane; could not open windows, rear hatch, or doors. Had disabled wife & 3 dogs in 95 deg. Temps. Inside car 115 deg. Plus. Computer protects drive trane over life & safety! when it reset after 30 min. Engine check light came on. No actual message. No way to check transmission fluid levels! no option to add fluid. Only dealer service option to check or remedy. This is unacceptable. I figured by-pass by turning transmission to park before each full stop. Kept running for 300 miles on return home to safety. Error message is appropriate. Safety over-ride is appropriate with warning signal like no seat-belt alarm. Shut-down of all systems is absurd response to low fluid levels. Add means to read fluid levels, mech. Or electronically. Add method to restore fluids w/O dealer service. My company owns 2 Ford Explorer & former Ford vehicles.

- Augusta, GA, USA

problem #26

Sep 032020

Explorer

  • 10,000 miles
While driving across state, Aug 3, the transmission experienced hard shifting between first and second gear and no warning light came on the dashboard. When taking it to the dealer the next morning the car, on it's own, went into park and would not shift out. This was frightening as it just it's self down shut down. It was towed to the dealership where they found a manual override switch to free it. The car was leaking transmission fluid and a new case installed. While driving it off the lot, it started doing it again. They looked at it for a second time, Aug 10, and said a sensor needed to be reset so it could "relearn my driving habits" once again, driving it off the lot, it still had issues shifting but not as hard. I gave it the 2 weeks they said it would take for it to relearn and it made it worse! on Sept 3, it then shifted hard when decelerating from second to firs and took it straight to the dealership. While going 50mph it did a hard shift and then started to decelerate on it's own like a break was being pushed and then hard shift out of it. It is now in the shop again, 3rd time in one month, waiting for a sensor from a tsb that came out Sept 1 that "should fix the problem" but the part is on back order until October. I bought a brand new 2020 Explorer in February and this is outrageous and had this many transmission issues. These bandages are not helping.

- Troy, IL, USA

problem #25

Aug 282020

Explorer

  • 8,000 miles
The vehicle malfunction while it was in motion on the highway going 70mph pulling a trailer. The car.would not accelerates properly and it seem like it was not shifting gears properly. The car kept going from driving to parking automatically. There were no indication lights during this process. Once the vehicle was brought to a stop, all the indication on the Ford pass app appear;powertrain malfunctions and indicator lamp. Once outside the vehicle, there was transmission fluid leaking. The car was not able to be driven and had to be towed to the nearest Ford dealership. Since it was after hours that the incident happen I was stuck in the highway for nearly 3 hrs awaiting for road side assistance from Ford I then had to sleep in the vehicle since the car broke down on highway I-71 Ohio and I reside in Florida.

- Live Oak, FL, USA

problem #24

Aug 132020

Explorer

  • 5,500 miles
While my vehicle was in motion there was a loud clank. The car would then not accelerate properly. After stopping the vehicle there was a leak in the transmission fluid and then the car would not move. There was never any lights that appeared or any warning signs. It had to be towed to the Ford dealership at my expense. Less then 6000 miles on the vehicle.

- Smithville, TX, USA

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