2014 Ford Explorer: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Feb 2, 2025 · IN

While accelerating between 25-45 mph, my vehicle experiences severe shuddering and shaking, originating from the transmission. It feels as though the vehicle struggles to gain speed, hesitating significantly. Once I accelerate past the severe shudder—around 50 mph—the issue subsides slightly but a light vibration remains noticeable as I continue driving. This hesitation and lack of proper acceleration have led to several close calls, with other vehicles nearly rear-ending me. I'm extremely concerned that my vehicle might fail completely while driving, posing a serious risk of an accident and potential harm to myself and others. This issue has progressively worsened over the past three years, starting with minor symptoms and now becoming severe. Despite numerous repairs, inspections, and personal research, the problem persists. In my research, I discovered that 2016-2019 Ford Explorers (FWD 2.3L) and 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC (AWD 2.3L) models are under recall for similar transmission issues. The recall involves replacing the Torque Converter, Main Control Valve Body, and Solenoid Body, along with disassembling and cleaning the transmission as per the service procedure. My vehicle is a 2014 Ford Explorer FWD 2.3L, manufactured at the Chicago Assembly Plant, with a build date just eight months prior to the affected 2016-2019 Explorers. I believe this recall should be extended to include earlier models like mine, as the issue seems consistent across vehicles from the same plant and production timeline. I’ve spoken with multiple owners of similar-year Ford Explorers, all of whom report the same transmission problems. Additionally, Russ Moore Transmission—a reputable transmission shop in Fort Wayne—diagnosed my vehicle with a failed torque converter and recommended a complete transmission rebuild due to the severity and duration of the issue. The repair quote is $4,160, and they strongly advised against driving the vehicle, citing the risk of total transmission failure/potential

Filed Oct 24, 2023 · Transmission · 88,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle hesitated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring for approximately six months. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. There was no warning light illuminated and the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the federal safety agency Hotline. The manufacturer informed the contact that the warranty on the vehicle had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Feb 28, 2023 · Transmission · 93,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while accelerating at slower speeds, the vehicle hesitated while shifting gear. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power transfer unit (PTU) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

Filed Oct 17, 2016 · Engine · 41,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford explorer. While driving 10 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate and the service engine and terrain management system fault warning indicators illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to shift properly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 41,000. ..updated 11/17/16 *bf consumer stated palm bay ford service department installed a defective throttle body in his vehicle against consumers protest. Consumer expressed concerns repeatedly that without a design change to the throttle body, it would fail again, which it did. Updated 9/5/19

Filed Apr 2, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 3,400 miles · CA

I am pasting from a parts of a post that I made on 4/2/2014 @ 11:06am at www.blueovalforums.com with the topic being: "major concern/issue with 2014 ford explorer sport": this for the 2014 ford explorer sport with v6 3.5l ecoboost (twin turbo) motor. About a month after owning it, I was traveling on the highway....I was traveling about 60mph ....I signaled to get over and gave it gas to speed up moderately to about 75mph or so. When I pressed on the gas the car basically almost stalled on me...it wasn't a transmission trying to think which gear to shift into issue, it was a straight choking of the gas and stuttering/hesitating until I let off the gas 2 times or so and then press down on the gas again and it takes off, but it a noticeable lose of power.this has happened now 4 times with this past weekend 3/30/2014 being the most recent. However the highway speed was the only high speed incident. The other 3 times that it occurred were all in town, on one of them I was making a simple u-turn from a stop and when I pressed the gas (not heavily) to get up and out of the turn it stalled. The other time was passing to another lane and giving it some gas to speed up. This past sunday I was traveling on a 2 lane road then changes to a 1 lane road approx. 100 yards after the stop lights. I was stopped behind a vehicle and when we started moving the vehicle in front was only going about 20-25mph in a 45mph zone. So I signaled and saw a van in the lane about 100 yards back so I pressed on the gas to get some speed to pass him before the lane ended and again nothing crazy just to get up to 45-50mph or so and the darn thing stalled on me again! The big concern I have now is that the family and I are planning on a cross-country road trip this summer from may 24-june 10, 2014.

Filed Nov 11, 2013 · Engine, Fuel system · 390 miles · NY

Within 24 hrs. Of purchase, driving on even road dry conditions approx. 40 MPH engine shut off while in motion no hesitation no bucking just shut off. Pulled off side of road restarted ok took to dealer (jack byrne ford) no code no idea what caused it, could not get to repeat . This vehicle is primarily driven on the highway we are deathly afraid that this will happen again at a higher speed and will result in a rear end collision. Spoke to the sr. Regional customer service manager for ny/nj. She states that the dealer looked vehicle over and could not find problem nor could they repeat it no code she could not state the vehicle is safe to drive just that the dealer couldn't find anything and its ready to be picked up at dealership.