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2015 Ford Explorer transmission complaints

Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 86, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2015 Ford Explorer transmission problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Oct 28, 2019 · Transmission · 125,000 miles · UT

The ptu, an unserviceable part went out in my car. This is a common failure. It's due to an inability to change the fluid, as it's sealed. This cause a very expensive repair. Ford has this issue in all of their awd vehicles. They need to replace or refund customers that are affected. They need to update the part with a service interval, dipstick, filler tube and drain.

Filed Oct 9, 2019 · Transmission · 64,999 miles · VA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact works for a company that owns a 2015 ford explorer. While the vehicle was parked, the contact reached inside the vehicle to remove the key from the ignition and the vehicle started to roll backwards. The contact became caught between the door and the driver's seat when the vehicle started to roll backwards. The contact was dragged for approximately 4-5 feet before a teenager in the vicinity was able to enter the vehicle, place the gear into park, and stop the vehicle. The contact stated that she might have inadvertently shifted the gear shifter into reverse while attempting to remove the key from the ignition. The contact sustained a fracture to the pelvic bone, lacerations, and possible torn ligaments in the hip and shoulder. Medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The contact was unaware as to what happened to the vehicle since the incident. The cause of the failure was not determined. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,999.

Filed Sep 3, 2019 · Transmission · 36,580 miles · NY

While driving at 65 MPH on berkshire spur of the nys thruway where the roadway was straight with a slight incline, the bracket that holds the front axle carrier bearing broke. This allowed the axle to pull from the transmission causing the vehicle to lose all drive power. Luckily it was early and there was limited traffic, we were able to move over to the slow lane and then coast to a stop on the shoulder of the road

Filed Aug 17, 2019 · Transmission · 67,000 miles · OH

Warning 'transmission not in park' has been popping up for approximately 6 months. Noticed a leak on garage floor that dealership stated is a leak from the ptu. Dealership stated the rear drive train needs replaced due to this leak. Vehicle has 67,xxx miles and is 7,xxx miles out of power train warranty.

Filed Aug 14, 2019 · Electrical, Transmission · 68,033 miles · MI

In december 2018 I told my local ford service manager of my vehicle giving me a warning that my transmission was not in park occasionally, this even when it was. At times I would have to re-start the vehicle, or play with the gear shift itself to get it to stop the warning and return my steering wheel and seat to original positions. Over the past several months this has become more of an issue as it was happening on a daily basis. When I took it in recently for a recall on another issue the service manager did inform me there is a tsb #17-2219 for this particular issue. After further review I found that the tsb covers five particular ford models and three lincoln models spanning the years 2011-2017. Because this was now a problem I was dealing with on a daily basis I had them replace the shifter as suggested at 68,033 miles. What is upsetting is that this is not being covered under any type of recall. This is not a part that should fail at 62,000 miles when I first reported the issue, and it is not something that should cover as many models as it does for a six year period of time. How could vehicles start to have these issues in 2011, but the manufacturer still continue to use these relays or shifters for an additional six years? If they are negligent in not correcting the problem, why should the consumer be on the hook for ford using defective components?

Filed Jul 1, 2019 · Steering, Suspension · 81,500 miles · TX

Noise when turning or backing up on drivers side. New shocks/struts have recently been put on the front.

Filed Jun 21, 2019 · Transmission · 64,000 miles · IL

Two months ago I had this weird smell in the cabin of my explorer when accelerating , , take it to the shop, two days after the dealer told me it was carbon monoxide it started making a weird noise , take it in again and the ptu is completely shredded. Was told all the fluid leaked out and caused this damage. Complete replacement of the ptu over $2500 on a vehicle 2015 ford explorer with only 64,000 miles on it.

Filed Jun 7, 2019 · Steering, Transmission · NJ

80,000 mileage starting with steering noisy and click noisy sometime . Powertrain looses when parking and hard to shut off the engine.

Filed Apr 8, 2019 · Transmission · 1 miles · GA

Our 2015 explorer sport with 60550 miles had the check engine light come on for one day, then turned off. We had it diagnosed immediately and were told the car needed a timing chain ($3200). The light came on during normal driving conditions and the next day was not lit. The light came on right after the warranty period expired, and ford would not help with repairs. For such an issue to occur so early and right after the warranty is extremely disappointing.

Filed Apr 6, 2019 · Electrical, Transmission · 82,600 miles · NY

Car was in motion in new york city, van wyck expressway service road. The car just shut off on 3/17/2019, 4:30 pm the dash board signaled powertrain, dealer states timing chain issue. Vehicle purchase used with 59,000 miles on february 2018. Check engine light was on since march 2018. Currently 82,600 miles. Been to the dealer several times for additional problems. I had to replace the battery headlights , heartng motor, there are leaks into the car that have not been repairs. The car is low falling apart :( .and had to pay out of pocket since extended warranty did not cover everything.. Not getting straight answers from ford or the dealer. Thank god I was on the service road and going 25 MPH stopped at a light. The car never started and had to be towed to the dealer.

Filed Feb 21, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 50,000 miles · MD

Exhaust smell coming through cabin when idling and in motion. With AC/heat on and off. Most significantly when accelerating. It has caused me to have major headaches and nausea. It has went to the dealership to be 'fixed' but problem is still occurring.

Filed Feb 18, 2019 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · DE

For the past several weeks when I put the vehicle in park and turn off the engine I get an error message "transmission not in park" with audible warning. I've had start the vehicle up again and sometimes move it and try again to clear the warning. Has been happening more consistently. Happened to my husband as well. I am primary driver and have owned the vehicle from new. I'm worried to park on an incline/decline. Planning to make service appointment today, but doubt they'll be able to reproduce since it is intermittent. This is a clear safety defect that needs to be addressed.

Filed Feb 7, 2019 · Transmission · 96,400 miles · FL

While driving on the interstate at approximately 75 MPH the wrench light came on while simultaneously the engine stopped. Just quiet, no acceleration. Was able to coast onto the left shoulder as there was too much traffic to cross 3 lanes to the right. Turned off car, while waiting for assistance (about 30-45 minutes), tried to start car and it started fine, no wrench light. Ford dealership could find nothing wrong when connected to the computer. Advanced auto could find nothing wrong when they ran their diagnostics test to it. Drove fine. Happened again 5 days later, I turned off car, waited 5 minutes and was able to start car again and no wrench light. I have read that this is very common in the 2016 models.

Filed Jan 18, 2019 · Transmission · 64,000 miles · UT

I am just over the power train warranty on my ford explorer and $2000 transfer case ptu or pto repair. Crazy. I am reading up on it and found many complaints online. Http://www.carproblemzoo.com/ford/explorer/transfer-case-problems.php

Filed Nov 13, 2018 · Transmission · 51,000 miles · VA

Transmission not in park warning illuminates/sounds occasionally, even though the transmission indicator indicates it is in the park position. Vehicle is stationary when this occurs. Similar to problem with our 2015 ford fusion which is under safety recall.

Filed Oct 8, 2018 · Engine, Fuel system · 44,000 miles · NC

Loss of power: while driving my 2015 ford explorer xlt with 3.5l v-6 engine on the highway (10/04/18), the wrench light came on and the car started to shudder and lose speed. Pushing down on the accelerator had no affect and the car rapidly decelerated. The engine was running very rough with heavy vibration. This was a terrifying and nearly fatal experience as faster moving traffic started passing me on both sides as I tried to move off the highway. I was able to move the car to the side of the highway and limped off the nearest exit. Once off the exit I shut the car off and sat for 20 minutes while I re-gained my composure and called my husband. When he arrived he started the explorer and the wrench light was cleared. My husband drive the car home using only back roads while I followed in his car. We called our local ford dealer and scheduled an appointment. We started researching this issue and found this to be a well known problem with the throttle body on ford's v6 engines which are used on multiple SUV's, crossovers and sedans. The research I've seen shows this issue has affected more than 10,000 owners. However, it's not clear if the throttle body is faulty due to a manufacturing or design defect. It's also not clear if replacing the throttle body is a permanent fix. I'm terrified to drive the car on the highway and since this happened we've only used it for shorter trips around town. The ford dealer checked the car today (10/08/18) but since the wrench light was cleared they found nothing wrong. I pleaded with the service advisor to no avail. We've been a ford family for more than 15 years but this fault and even worse the ford service advisor's response is completely unacceptable. This is a serious and dangerous problem and only a matter of time before someone and their family are killed. Please investigate and force ford to issue a recall.

Filed Oct 4, 2018 · Fuel system, Transmission · 70,000 miles · FL

When at idle, either in park or drive, the engine rpms will fluctuate and go down to a point where the engineer stalls or almost stalls.

Filed Oct 3, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · 60,980 miles · WA

Traveling on highway at 60 MPH vehicle suddenly decelerated to 5 MPH within 3 seconds. Engine began running rough and stopped. Pulled to shoulder of road. Months before this incident warning light on instrument cluster would intermittently state transmission not in park when parking vehicle. Service technicians could not reproduce error. Vehicle taken in for service on 9/21/2018. Report on vehicle on 9/28/2018 stated that power transfer unit damaged beyond repair, steering column switch needed repair which meant steering unit needed replacing and interlock switch on shifter needed replacing. Total cost $5150.00. Traded vehicle in and purchased different vehicle. Vehicle not purchased from dealership which analyzed repair work.

Filed Aug 30, 2018 · Transmission · 101,250 miles · NC

This vehicle is all wheel drive and comes equipped with a terrain management system to monitor and adjust to road conditions. I have owned the vehicle 6 months and have experienced a terrain management fault (failure) in the system which will disengage the power train and lose forward motion, I have had this happen twice in the roadway in forward motion while in traffic on a four lane roadway on the first failure and a two lane roadway in forward motion on second failure. Both failures required me to place the vehicle in park, turn off the engine and wait a few seconds for the system to reset. Not a safe option when sitting in traffic or on a major roadway.. Ford dealers lack the knowledge to address or correct the issue and ford customer service has no knowledge of the stated failure and offers no solution to address or correct. The system failure will create a safety issue for the occupants of the vehicle which could result in injury or death.

Filed Jul 19, 2018 · Transmission · 29,000 miles · CA · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 ford explorer. While the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the gear inadvertently shifted and caused the vehicle to roll down the driveway. The contact attempted to hold on to the vehicle until it stopped at the bottom of the driveway. The contact sustained minor injures to the head, knees, and back that did not require medical attention. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000.

Filed Jun 22, 2018 · Steering, Transmission · 35,116 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 ford explorer. While driving at low speeds, the steering wheel lost power and the power steering gear assembly indicator illuminated. In addition, the power train warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to longmont ford (235 alpine st, longmont, co 80501, (720) 771-6003) where a diagnostic test located a failure code. The contact was unable to provide the diagnosis and failure code specifics at the time of the complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 35,116.

Filed Jun 15, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 48,000 miles · GA

Car loses power. This happened on my 2011 ford mustang v6 that had the throttle body replaced. Car loses power several times a day now.

Filed May 8, 2018 · Brakes, Electrical · 5,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 ford explorer. When the vehicle's gear shifter was placed in the park position, it failed to display 'park' on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to leif johnson ford (501 e koenig lane, austin, tx 78751), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v464000 (parking brake). No further assistance was offered. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.

Filed Apr 6, 2018 · Transmission · 52,000 miles · NJ

When vehicle place in park position it intermittently indicates that it is not in park in the vehicle control system and while the engine turns off, the rest of the vehicle electronics stays on and will not turn off. Dealer indicates this is a problem they do know about and it happens often but there is no recall or tsb. Replaced shift lever to repair

Filed Mar 26, 2018 · Transmission · 58,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 ford explorer. The contact stated that when the gear shift level was placed in the park position, there was a warning message on the console that indicated, "transmission not in park". The contact was unable to start the vehicle or lock the doors with the warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to crown ford inc. (420 merrick rd, lynbrook, ny 11563, (516) 599-0600) to be diagnosed but the failure was unable to be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.

Filed Feb 28, 2018 · Transmission · 47,105 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 ford explorer. When the contact attempted to engage the vehicle in park, it did not register on the instrument panel that it was in park gear. The contact stated that the failure occurred for the past four months. An appointment was scheduled with cuirk ford in quincy, massachusetts for march 6, 2018 for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 47,105.

Filed Feb 15, 2018 · Engine, Transmission · 56,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle lost acceleration while driving various speeds. The vehicle also jerked and the wrench warning icon illuminated. The failure was experienced several times. On one occasion, the vehicle lost acceleration while driving approximately 70 MPH. After the contact pulled the vehicle over, turned off and restarted the engine, the vehicle regained normal function. However, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to marshal mize ford (5348 highway 153, hixson, tennessee 37343, phone 888‑633‑5038). The dealer test drove the vehicle, but was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 56,000.

Filed Oct 4, 2017 · Transmission · 33,400 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 ford explorer. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle jerked. While the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle accelerated at a low speed. The engine stalled and the vehicle lost power suddenly. The power train fault indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to jordon ford, ltd (13010 I-35, san antonio, tx 78233 (210) 653-3673), but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 33,400.

Filed Sep 28, 2017 · Transmission · 37,500 miles · TX

Ford explorer 2015 with 38,000 miles. Car violently jerked on highway and completely shut off engine with no throttle response. We were almost hit multiple times by other drivers because we had no control. Wrench symbol was on the dash and believe it is a throttle body issue. This is a known issue and cannot believe they are still selling this vehicle or vehicles with this problem.

Filed Sep 20, 2017 · Transmission · 52,500 miles · WA

Vehicle will intermittently not register being in park even when the shift control in the park position. Requires multiple shifts out of park and back to register correct setting. Vehicle power stays on until the issue is resolved which can drain the battery. If the sensor completely fails vehicle can be left inoperable. Ford is aware of the issue and has incremented the shift assembly part but has not notified customers nor taken any action for recall or tsb.

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