2017 Ford Explorer: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Oct 18, 2026 · Transmission · FL

Vehicle losses power randomly during acceleration, may not stay in park without parking brake on. Shudders badly and shifts harshly decelerates without warning. Nearly has caused collision when merging onto roadways due to lack of control of acceleration, have had to slow onto shoulder multiple times.

Filed Aug 9, 2025 · Transmission · HI

On [XXX] as I stopped at the stoplight my car started to shake/shudder when it was green I started to drive and it stopped. Then when I stopped again while in drive I experienced the same thing. Contacted the dealership where I've been servicing my car since I bought it. I was hoping they could take in that day but they were booked. Next available was July 17, 2025. They did a diagnostic on my car and said it was the motor mounts. Had to order the parts and will call when parts are in. Parts came in and it was scheduled. Took them all day and even after shop closed to put the motor mounts on. When I picked it up I was told it was still shaking/shuddering but not as bad. Told me to take it home and see. Called them back to bring it back in due to shaking/shuddering, they did another diagnostic this time its my torque converter. Total with parts and labor $2819.19 plus tax. I started doing some research and found this was a common problem for my type of car. It's on Fords customer satisfaction 20N07. My car fall meets all that is required. Contacted Ford multiple times and was turned down saying there was no recall for mines even though it was manufactured at that specific plant. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 3, 2025 · Body · TX

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) and 21V316000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front driver’s side and passenger’s side A-pillar trims loosened and were shuddering. Two local dealers were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). Parts distribution disconnect for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure).

Filed Dec 16, 2024 · Engine · 131,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle shuddered abnormally and almost stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence and while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that water and coolant were leaking under the engine compartment. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.

Filed Oct 22, 2024 · Transmission · 118,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the transmission jerked, and the vehicle shuddered. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure occurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, and diagnosed with torque converter failure. The contact was informed that the torque converter 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 to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

Filed Jul 18, 2024 · Transmission · 53,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and failed to accelerate properly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed torque converter and oil leak in the timing cover. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 20B27 and 20N07 (Possibility for the transmission torque converter to overheat in certain driving conditions). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

Filed Jun 14, 2024 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered and vibrated. The contact stated that a tire rotation was performed on the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was pushed into a parking lot. The vehicle then was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could be repaired under Ford Campaign Number: 20N07 if the dealer determined that the failure was related to the campaign. A case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed May 13, 2024 · Transmission · MN

The torque convertor is bad, causing my vehicle not to accelerate properly, especially when going uphill and until reaching a sustained speed. It also shudders while at a sustained speed and jerks when going in reverse. Recently, while accelerating onto the highway (from 30mph to 60+ mph) I was almost rear ended due to the vehicle shifting hard and not accelerated at the rate of speed expected. This happens often, but I'm typically able to compensate for it. This time, I was unable to and it almost caused an accident with my 2 minor children in the back seat. I have taken it to my local Ford Service Center. They know that the issue is caused by degraded torque convertor function. Ford issued Customer Satisfaction Program 20B27 and 20N07 previously but is no longer honoring the program- leaving many of us with no resolution. I never received notice of this program, nor was it listed in Oasis for my vehicle (per my service center). Because this was not listed in Oasis, and it doesn't throw any codes when assessed, the problem with the transmission was dismissed a year ago when it wasn't as severe. This is a safety hazard and the federal safety agency needs to step in and force Ford to either reopen Customer Satisfaction Program 20B27 and 20N07 or issue a recall.

Filed Apr 1, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · 52,877 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was running rough and was shuddering while starting and driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic twice. The mechanic determined that rodents had damaged the wiring underneath the hood. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, and the same assessment was made. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The dealer determined that the wiring underneath the hood and the wiring in the rear of the vehicle needed to be replaced due to rodent damage. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 52,877.

Filed Mar 28, 2024 · Transmission · MA

2017 Explorer vehicle equipped with a 2.3L engine exhibits a vibration/rough idle when the vehicle is in DRIVE or REVERSE. The vehicle also exhibits a lack of engine revolutions per minute (RPM), lack of acceleration on take off and/or shudder while driving. This may be due to the torque converter overheating causing damage to the torque converter as well as possible internal damage to the transmission.

Filed Mar 11, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · PA

- Transmission/torque convertor has and is failing. Results in lack of acceleration during launch, sluggish vehicle operation and shudder - Known issue with this make/model/year of vehicle. Failure of the above began at 40,000 some miles and is presently not driveable at only 67,000 miles without an $8-$10,000 repair for a new transmission. - Confirmed with dealer the above issue and is in writing and submitted Case #CAS-47518676-K5Y6Y7 with Ford directly. Located letter sent to dealerships regarding this very issue dated 10/2020. - Vehicle has not been in any accidents, but am receiving a "warning" light indicating failure.

Filed Mar 1, 2024 · Body, Engine · 77,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the exterior trims on the front passenger's side and the front driver's side windows were detaching. Additionally, the contact stated that while his wife was driving 75 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering and lost motive power. The contact's wife veered to the side of the road. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that his wife was able to restart the vehicle and drove to the nearby residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the water pump had failed, and the front engine mount had collapsed. The dealer determined that the water pump needed to be replaced and the front engine mount needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.