2016 Ford Explorer: jerking or lurching

Filed Jan 30, 2026 · Transmission · ID

The transmission shifts with a harsh jerk for no apparent reason and is an intermittent not constant problem. Also when stopped at an intersection refuses to engage to power the vehicle forward for a short time 5+ second time period.

Filed Nov 30, 2025 · GA

When driving my Explorer feels like the gear is stuck making the vehicle jerk. Very loud at start up from fan. I have taken it to get the code read, I think it stated transmission needed to get checked.

Filed Jun 9, 2025 · Steering · MI

Steering gets really hard and jerks acts like the steering isn't working

Filed May 8, 2025 · Transmission · MA

I experienced two failures associated with other model years. The first was the right side A-pillar trim. It pulled free on the highway. I noticed it fly off and was able to recover the majority of it. It smashed on impact and there is a large piece missing. The remaining piece is available for inspection upon request. The A-pillar exterior trim flew off on a one-lane section of divided highway, there would have been no place for anyone to go if it flew back and there was a car behind me. This problem is a known issue I found out about on this (the federal safety agency) website. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No, it flew off on the highway and has not been reported yet. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning at all that this was going to break loose. I also have an issue with the PTU. I was driving home from the airport and at a a stoplight, I noticed a ticking noise when I stopped at the exit of the parking lot. I noticed it again closer to home, after a fifty mile drive. When I stopped on the off ramp from the highway, I noticed smoke coming from under/behind my explorer. It smelled like antifreeze, but when I arrived home, and checked under the vehicle, I found black residue on the PTU and what looked like leaks from the axle seals that were not there for the last five months I've owned the vehicle. The vehicle smoked heavily when I stopped on the exit ramp, and when I went to accelerate into the traffic round-about, the vehicle lagged before moving, with an audible clunk and a lurch when it finally moved. Any reasonably hard acceleration produces a noise and will usually lag before moving. It may make a ticking noise when at idle cold, but is more pronounced the hotter the drivetrain gets. I had an OBD II scan done with no codes produced.

Filed Mar 30, 2025 · Transmission · VA · crash

I have already filed a complaint about the transmission issues of my vehicle a few months ago. Ford will not take credit and help me so we had to keep driving it. Hard shifting, slipping, losing reverse, losing power and jerking into gear. Now not only has it nearly killed us twice when we went to pull into traffic, it has jerked into gear and locked up throwing the car into a guardrail and causing an accident while my fiancée was driving it. I reported it was unsafe and no one did anything, now I have a wreck vehicle, fighting with insurance about the safety of it and it’s sitting at a body shop. We are all afraid to drive it. It nearly killed my family and no one cared to help us. Plus we have no vehicle to drive now. Thank you FORD for nearly killing my family and making us feel unimportant in every way possible. Plus the federal safety agency did nothing when I filed my first complaint!

Filed Mar 21, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · NJ

My vehicles wrench sign would turn on do a little jerk then I would lose power to my car. Showed malfunction to power train. Took it to mechanic said there was a Crack in the valve gasket and they fixed that and changed spark plugs. A month later car did the same thing. Has done it a total for 4 times very scary when on a high way and it does it and I have to pull over with traffic coming. Took it to another mechanic and he couldn't figure it out either because there are no codes but said he seem something similar and I needed to change all my coils. So I did that. Thousands of dollars later and no one can still figure out the problem. I don't know if it's some safety issue with the engine or transmission. But 3 certified mechanics can not figure out why my car continues to lose power.

Filed Dec 20, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · 50,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked while shifting into gear. The contact stated that upon shifting to drive(D) on several occasions, the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the transmission was replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle shuddered, overheated, and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence, where a mobile independent mechanic diagnosed that the head gasket was blown. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Oct 28, 2024 · Steering, Suspension · 199,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V435000 (Suspension), and the dealer confirmed that the recall repair was performed. However, the contact stated while driving at various speeds on a bumpy road surface, the vehicle jerked significantly, and there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the suspension. The contact stated that the failure progressively worsened, causing the steering wheel to seize. The contact stated that the vehicle had become undrivable. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the recall repair had been performed. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the recall repair had not been performed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 199,000.

Filed Aug 19, 2024 · Steering · MI

EPS electronic power steering. EPS failed without warning. Wheel jerked to left with no ability to control it doing 45 in town. Consulted for dealership, they're asking $3,500 in repairs. No warning lights. Problem happened on 08/15/2024

Filed Jul 16, 2024 · Steering · TN

Steering wheel stated making weird noise when turning. Got harder to steer and started jerking while driving. The explorer jerked from side to side and almost caused me multiple wrecks. I took it to the shop and it was my steering rack and pinion that needed replacing and may also have to be reprogrammed, which is an extra $600.00. I have had several cars and never had an issue like this! Not to mention it was almost $3000.00 fix. There were no warning lights for this and this is very dangerous especially since it happens so fast and could be deadly on the interstate! This needs to be recalled, there are many owners I read have had this problem. It is unacceptable and deadly! Not safe!

Filed Mar 6, 2024 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · MS

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact stated that when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the transmission started slipping. In addition, the vehicle was jerking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times and the contact was informed that the failure was due to transmission failure and the contact was informed that the repair had been completed; however, the contact was unaware of the diagnostic results. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred and became persistent. The contact stated that the failure had been ongoing since the purchase of the vehicle in 2017. The contact was informed after each failure that the vehicle had been repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Oct 26, 2023 · Engine · 127,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and independently shut off while on the freeway. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed to the floorboard during the failure. The contact pulled to the side of the road and was able to restart the vehicle after 45 minutes. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the canister purge valve needed to be changed. The vehicle was repaired. After a several months, the failure had reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure could be due to a faulty throttle body. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.