2016 Ford Explorer: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Sep 29, 2025 · Engine · KS

Torque converter issue causes shuddered, can cause driver to unexpectedly adjust speed rapidly.

Filed Jun 11, 2025 · Transmission · 135,401 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle shuddered abnormally with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transfer case had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,401.

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 Aug 30, 2024 · Transmission · 102,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing significantly rough idling while in drive(D) or while in reverse(R). Additionally, the contact stated that while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle jolted and hesitated to respond. The contact also stated that the vehicle shuddered while driving at various speeds. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the failure was related to TSB Number: 20-2271. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the TSB was superseded and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

Filed Jun 6, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · MO

The power transfer unit is broken. Symptoms are vehicle shuddering, vehicle sounds like it is going to stall. This could cause a major accident at any moment.

Filed May 1, 2024 · Transmission · 126,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH and coming to a complete stop, the vehicle shuddered. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered increasingly while at a complete stop. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal to drive, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that she depressed the accelerator pedal harder, and the vehicle responded. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure recurred while reversing. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the torque converter, the Body Control Module (BCM), the solenoid body and transmission fluid and other unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Numbers: 20B27 and 20N07. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

Filed Mar 27, 2024 · Engine · SD

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH, there was a burnt hydraulic fluid odor inside the vehicle when the vehicle shuddered and stalled. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed, and the engine mount was replaced. The failure recurred; however, there was a rotten, sulfur like odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Sep 29, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · 121,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle was shifted into drive(D) and the brake pedal was released; however, the vehicle started shuddering and jerking significantly. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to shift into the intended gear while driving. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The check engine and the power train warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the insurance company later informed her of Ford Campaign Number: 20B27, which she related to the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under the Campaign. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.

Filed Sep 18, 2023 · Transmission · IL

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and made an abnormal sound. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the driveshaft was fractured at the PTU connecting point. The mechanic determined that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V692000 (Power Train) and referred the contact to the dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Sep 13, 2023 · Engine · 121,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while starting the vehicle and depressing the brake pedal, the engine revved while the vehicle was idling. The contact stated that the failure recurred while at a complete stop at a traffic light, and the vehicle shuddered. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion in the engine, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.

Filed Nov 3, 2022 · Transmission · AL

My 2016 Ford Explorer is in the dealership having the transmission repaired due to a recall that says there is an internal flaw in the design that has to be repaired. In removing the transmission, it was discovered that the transmission mount was cracked. I will have to personally pay for a new transmission mount according to Ford because that detail was not included in the specific recall. My contention is that the jerking and shuddering that happens every time I accelerate has caused the failure of the mount. I believe this is a reasonable explanation to a part of the drive train that is unaffected by normal driving. Bottom line is that the jerking and shuddering that was cause by the torque converter er.al, probably caused enough movement to crack the mount. Obviously the transmission doesnt move under normal circumstances.

Filed Oct 25, 2022 · Engine · 82,700 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle intermittently started shuddering. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer at lower speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where unknown repairs were completed; however, several weeks later, the contact noticed an abnormally strong burning odor inside the vehicle while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that upon parking the vehicle, she noticed that there was oil leaking onto the ground. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the rear main seal was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the rear main seal was replaced a second time; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who contacted the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer sent out a field technician who diagnosed that the crankshaft had failed, and the small block or engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact followed up with the manufacturer who informed her that they could not assist as the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 82,700.