2017 Ford Explorer: complete transmission failure

Filed Oct 24, 2026 · Transmission · CO

About 3 years and 3 months after a Power Control Module reflash was done in March 2021 under the Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) 20B27, vehicle was brought to Ford dealership on 06/07/2024 with mileage at 79,730 for multi point inspection due to vehicle runs rough and hard time accelerating. Diagnostic code was P0316. Service tech recommendation was to replace engine for $14,000.00 including parts and labor (declined recommendation). Brought vehicle to another dealership but found no codes. Instead replaced engine motor mounts, sparkplugs, and air filter due to noticeable vibrations. Dealership service tech inspected engine but found no abnormal findings. Went to another Ford dealership on 10/08/2026 to check Code P0299 that appeared on OBD test and for further inspection due to sluggish acceleration from full stop and slows down going uphill. Ford's guidance stated that torque converter failing due to mileage, acceleration/power loss from dead stop. Recommended fix was to replace the transmission for $8,461.03 (declined recommended service). On 10/23/2026, I picked up my vehicle from the dealership. During my return journey from the dealership, I encountered the same sluggish acceleration. A safety hazard that is attributed to a malfunctioning torque converter, a know problem for Ford. Consequently, Ford dispatched CSP 20B27 to assist in safeguarding the transmission converter from overheating. Regrettably, this intervention proved ineffective in mitigating the problem. Ford issued CSP 20N07 to extend warranty coverage of the automatic transmission torque converter for 12 months from RO date which in my case, RO date on CSP 20B27 was 03/19/2021. Despite the 12-month eligibility period not being met, my vehicle should have remained covered. Initially, Ford was aware of a transmission torque issue and was attempting to resolve it through CSP 20B27 and CSP 20N07. Currently, mileage is at 85K miles but I'm hesitant to drive due to safety concerns.

Filed Apr 7, 2026 · Transmission · NC

I purchased 2017 ford explorer from Mark Ficken. It was still under warranty. The transmission went out in a week something with the torque converter. They replaced the transmission free of charge. Two years two months outside of the warranty the transmission fails again due to the torque converter. I explained how ridiculous this was and they gave me a discount for replacing the transmission which I still had to pay thousands of dollars. Another two years and two months later outside of the warranty and the tourqe converter is bad again. Since they helped the last time they could not help again. They said it was normal wear and tear which is impossible because normal wear and tears on the same part within the same time frame is a faulty transmission period. I will NEVER purchase another vehicle from them as they wouldn’t even acknowledge that was a problem. This experience with Ford has been horrible. This Ford dealership took no accountability and the corporate division didn’t seem to care that this dealership allows stuff like this to happen with the Ford name. I ended up taking my vehicle to a outside mechanic, he replaced the fly wheel, that repair lasted about 6 months until fly wheel has now broken again with in 3 months. Now my mechanic is saying he will no longer honor the warranty on the fly wheel because he keeps having to replace it too much and he insists that ford knew something else was going on with the vehicle and its not normal to have to replace this many transmissions and fly wheels with in this time frame. Has anyone else had this problem?

Filed Mar 27, 2026 · Transmission · 106,135 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly vibrated and shifted in and out of gear with the transmission warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,135.

Filed Jun 5, 2025 · Transmission · ID

The transmission has totally failed at under 69,000 miles while my wife was driving down a 45 MPH road. The vehicle intermittently lost power and she was nearly rear-ended with my child in the car. All warning lamps came on and the engine totally lost power. 2 shops have looked at the car and stated that the transmission failed completely. There were no warning lamps prior to this occurring.

Filed Mar 28, 2025 · Transmission · FL

In November of 2024 my 2017 Ford Explorer XLT began to vibrate and shake immensely when put into drive or reverse. The vehicle was taken to repair shop to diagnose the problem, and I was informed that the codes came back as a FORD recall for a torque converter. The vehicle was taken to Karl Flammer Ford in Florida for another diagnostic and I was informed that there was NO RECALL for a torque converter failure from the Chicago plant where my vehicle was manufactured. Ford Motor Company issued a Customer Satisfaction Program 20N07 for engine and 6F35 transmission, also CSP 20B27 in October 2020. It states that: "this program extends the warranty coverage of the automatic transmission torque converter for (12) months from the RO date of Powertrain Control Module reflash under Customer Satisfaction Program 20B27 (I bought vehicle 2/2021). It also states that: "the vehicles covered by this program are Ford Explorers 2016-2019 from assembly plants Louisville and Chicago, build dates Sept. 29, 2014 through March 3, 2019. However, FORD is not honoring the Customer Satisfaction Program. Basically, I bought a vehicle from a dealership with an existing Power Train problem that could have been repaired under an out of date recall (failure to disclose). My vehicle is now inoperable at 80,000 miles and I have to spend $6,500 for a new transmission that should be covered through FORD. Shame, Shame. This major issue needs to be RECALLED at this point.

Filed Feb 27, 2025 · CA

the transmission has gone out for a second time 3 years ago the transmission was replaced as part of fords customer satisfaction and after 3 years of driving the car started acting weird stalling or not wanting to go- now it will not start after taking to the ford dealership they informed me it was the same problem they had previously fixed, and it was no longer under warranty I would have to pay for a whole new transmission- to be honest I still owe money on this car and could not afford a repair of over 7000 -It was already fixed just 3 years ago how is the Transmisson faulty for a second time? there needs to be recall on this part/

Filed Feb 27, 2025 · Engine · FL

I was driving my 2017 Ford Explorer on 10/14/22 and the engine started shaking aggressively randomly. So, I took it to our local Mechanic shop . They said that from the engine shaking, it had broken the engine mounts, and it had an internal problem. I had paid $200 to fix the engine mount. So, they had a service bulletin and said Ford should fix it for free because it’s a known problem. They had provided me with the service bulletin 22-2287. My husband took the copy of the bulletin to ford, and brought the car. Explained that it already had other recalls on it that needed to be fixed and showed him the service bulletin. He asked if it would be covered and the guy said “It should be”. Then, we proceed to get a call the next day that it’s not covered because it hasn’t “officially” been recalled and it would be$4200 to fix. Even though the engine is going to ruin the parts in a few years because it’s the engine causing the other parts to overheat. So, I told them I wanted to get a second opinon, and they charged me “diagnostic fee” of $213.76, even tho they told my husband the diagnostic fee if it wasn’t covered would be $80. So, after months of fighting ford to make things right,I had the car towed to a local transmission shop , and had them repair it for 4,655.. I go to pick it up, and it’s still shaking. So bring it back, and they fix it again, Well, it’ still not fixed. Then, they fix it again, and I pick it up, the transmission isn’t running correctly.I have been without a working car since 10/14/22. So, now they are fixing it again and putting another brand new transmission in. Ford needs to be held responsible. This is a known issue, and could lead to someone getting into a terrible accident when the engine falls through the car, and could kill someone. The engine itself it heating up other components of the car, and ruining it. As of today, 02/27/2025 the transmission is starting to have problems again! When I am driving and come to a stop it wont accelerate

Filed Oct 1, 2024 · Transmission · MD

In November of 2020 Ford Motor Company issued a recall on vehicles manufactured in their Chicago plant for transmissions torque converter issues under customer satisfaction program 20B27/20N07 which was in effect until November 30, 2021. It was not until September 2022 that I personally started having issues, I took my vehicle to Bob Bell a Ford Dealership for a check engine light issue and completing their diagnostics they confirmed it was a torque converter issue. However, I was advised that my warranty had just ended and it was no longer under warranty to be fixed and I would have to pay out of pocket. I contacted Ford Customer Support Division and they opened case number [XXX] in reference. They advised me the recall was over and to contact the federal safety agency who can investigate the matter and issue a new recall for my vehicle. I am requesting an investigation into this matter and Ford be held liable to replace the transmission as a recall and refund me the $195.00 I paid for the diagnostic fee. The transmission issue has affected a large number of vehicles which Ford obviously were aware of and those owners whose issues started after the expiration date of the program should not be penalized and made to pay out of pocket especially when this is a know problem and documented problem with the Explorers manufactured out of the Chicago plant. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 26, 2024 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with transmission failure. 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 100,000.

Filed Apr 1, 2024 · Transmission · NC

The transmission/torque converter has a chattering/shuttering issue in certain gears that causes the RPMs to jump and drop randomly causing unpredictable drivability, acceleration and deceleration. The SUV lurches forwards and backwards when the chattering occurs. There is no check engine light to indicate an issue with the powertrain. According to online forums, many other owners of 2016-2019 model year Ford Explorers experienced the same issues as I've described, with documented cases on YouTube of torque converters failing, and other owners being told by ford dealerships that the transmission assembly (including the torque converter) need to be replaced, with quotes from 3000$ to 8000$. My car in particular doesn't even have 130,000 miles yet and was purchased from a city surplus auction where the city maintained the car every 5000 miles or less and performed every recall and Customer Satisfaction Program. I myself have been quoted 2,600$ for a remanufactured replacement transmission and at-least 1000$ in labor for installation by a local mechanic. Temporary fixes performed by the previous owner included adding Lubeguard friction modifier to the transmission fluid which fixed the issue for a short period of time. This fix was performed 3 times before the dealer made them aware the vehicle needs a new transmission that wouldn't be covered under any existing recall or warranty. A damaged torque converter cannot simply be the only part replaced, since broken off friction material will cycle through the automatic transmission valve body and can damage the transmission, requiring an entire rebuild. Due to the location and tools required to access/replace the transmission, it makes it impossible for a home mechanic that can change their own oil, service their own brakes and perform basic maintenance on their vehicle to inspect, test, or diagnose their own torque converter/transmission. A powertrain, with regular maintenance should last the life of the vehicle.

Filed Mar 14, 2024 · Engine · FL

My transmission went out at 70k miles. Ford told me it was the engine causing the transmission to seize but since they didn’t have an official recall on it, they wouldn’t fix it. It cost me 5k to fix and they had to get 3 different transmissions from ford because the first two were defective. I was out of a car for 8 months

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.