Ford Explorer shudder problems

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 Sep 26, 2026 · MA

Vehicle would not accelerate, was shuddering and continued shuddering while stopped and parked.

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · Transmission · CA

While driving my car, the transmission suffered a mechanical failure. The vehicle is shuddering when decelerating, causing sudden jolting and knocking sounds with no warning or error messages. Because of this defect, the vehicle poses an immediate hazard and cannot be safely driven. The vehicle was dropped off on Monday August 24 with the Ford dealership and the service team has made contact to confirm the transmission valve body, pump and park pawl are damaged and confirmed that this is a result of the federal safety agency Recall 26V402 (Ford Recall 26S48). The Ford service team have advised that they are able to complete a temporary repair to get the car working again only if I agree to pay them $4,400 despite the recall. Ford’s interim remedy involves replacing failed components with identical, un-remediated parts that possess the exact same engineering flaw, which fails to permanently resolve the safety crisis. Furthermore, I am facing severe difficulties obtaining immediate vehicle recovery, interim repairs, and alternative transportation (such as a loaner or rental vehicle) from authorized Ford dealerships while the vehicle remains grounded due to this manufacturer safety defect. Ford’s corporate office was also contacted on Tuesday to discuss after we were advised that we would need to pay to get the car drivable and the dealership refused a temporary vehicle or rental during repairs. A Ford corporate employee replied that they would make contact within 24 hours. When we did not hear back, we contacted the corporate office again on Thursday and spoke to a rep who stated they would escalate and we would hear back Friday (today). Ford has failed to make contact with any resolution. I am filing this complaint to document a premature, complete component failure under this recall, and to request that the federal safety agency review the manufacturer’s remedy timeline, as leaving safety-compromised vehicles un-remediated on the road or stranded presents an unreasonable risk to public safety.

Filed Aug 17, 2026 · Transmission · 102,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle, and while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and failed to accelerate above 40 MPH. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that there was an unknown black fluid inside the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer stated that the failure was not associated with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

Filed Jul 28, 2026 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-55 MPH and coming to a stop, the vehicle shuddered and jerked. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while driving from a complete stop. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Jun 29, 2026 · Fuel system · VA · 1 injury

On [XXX], at approximately [XXX] PM, my 2022 Ford Explorer suddenly lost power while driving in the left lane of [XXX] in Emporia, VA, at 70 MPH (the posted speed limit), with my [XXX] daughter. My vehicle shuddered and started to decrease in speed. I was able to maneuver safely to the shoulder, and my Explorer became inoperable requiring roadside assistance. My daughter and I remained on [XXX] for several hours due to delayed tow service availability. My Explorer has been at Battlefield Ford in Culpeper, VA since June 19, 2026, and is available for inspection upon request. Battlefield has confirmed the low-pressure fuel pump failure, confirmed this is subject to Safety Recall 25S75 (the federal safety agency Recall 25V455), and there is no remedy available. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 24, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · AK

Vehicle: 2023 Ford Explorer ST VIN: [XXX] I am reporting ongoing safety-related powertrain and drivability defects that continue despite numerous repair attempts, including complete engine and transmission replacement. Since approximately June 2025, my vehicle has experienced delayed acceleration, hesitation, erratic RPM behavior, harsh shifting, loss of power, and intermittent warning lights. The vehicle has also stalled, jerked during acceleration, and exhibited transmission shuddering and lurching. The problems have been repeatedly reproduced, documented, inspected, and repaired by Kendall Ford of Anchorage, Alaska, the sole servicing Ford dealership involved. Repairs have included replacement of fuel injectors, cylinder heads, a complete engine assembly, and a complete transmission assembly. Despite these repairs, the safety concerns remain. Current symptoms include: • 1-4 second delay in throttle response. • Vehicle may fail to accelerate below approximately 30 mph. • Engine RPM rises significantly without proportional vehicle acceleration. • Erratic shifting, surging, and harsh jolts. • Intermittent check engine lights, FordPass alerts, and electrical warnings. These conditions create a significant safety risk because the vehicle may fail to accelerate when entering the highway, merging into traffic, crossing traffic, making left turns, or avoiding hazards. The delayed throttle response and sudden acceleration after the delay increase the risk of a crash. Attached service records document stalling, misfires, loss of propulsion concerns, and repeated powertrain failures requiring replacement of both the engine and transmission, yet the drivability concerns continue. I believe this may involve a defect in the powertrain, transmission controls, engine management system, electronic throttle control system, or related vehicle control modules. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency investigate these recurring safety-related defects. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C

Filed Jun 19, 2026 · Transmission · IL

Vehicle: 2018 Ford Explorer Mileage at Failure: 62,212 miles On [XXX] while driving my 2018 Ford Explorer, the wrench warning light suddenly illuminated on the dashboard. At the same time, the vehicle experienced a significant loss of power and became extremely sluggish in acceleration. When I pressed the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond normally and did not accelerate as expected. This condition created a serious safety hazard because the vehicle could not maintain or increase speed when needed in traffic. Had this occurred while entering a highway, crossing an intersection, or attempting to avoid another vehicle, it could have resulted in a crash. The vehicle has been inspected by McCarthy Ford. The dealership diagnosed transmission-related problems and provided a repair estimate of $6,384.94. Ford Motor Company previously issued Customer Satisfaction Programs 20B27 and 20N07 for certain Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with the 6F35 transmission. Ford's own documentation acknowledges that transmission torque converter overheating may result in low performance, lack of acceleration during launch, sluggish vehicle operation, vibration, shuddering, and related transmission concerns. These symptoms are consistent with the condition experienced in my vehicle. I reported the issue to Ford Motor Company and sent a certified letter to CEO James D. Farley, Jr. requesting assistance and a policy adjustment due to the known transmission and torque converter concerns. To date, I have not received a satisfactory response. I am submitting this complaint because the sudden loss of acceleration and reduced vehicle power created a significant safety risk while operating the vehicle on public roadways. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 18, 2025 · Engine · TX

2022 ford explorer with less than 100,000 miles on it. Started getting engine shudders and a check engine light. It’s currently in the shop and I’m being told by the shop and a third party adjuster that I need a whole new engine because there is coolant leaking into the cylinders.

Filed Oct 14, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · TX

My 2025 Ford Explorer ST-Line is up to date on recalls as of October 7, 2025. However, I am still experiencing engine "shudder" and hesitation at low RPMs (between idle and 1500 RPM) when accelerating. The 10 speed transmission is also continuing to shift harshly at times. I am very concerned that the hesitation and shudder could be an issue when pulling out into traffic. By comparison, my previous 2017 Explorer did not exhibit this behavior, whichh I consider disconcerting. Also, this car (and all 2025 Explorer models ) injects Fake Engine Noise into the audio speakers to make the 2.5L engine sound more powerful. These fake "bass tones" are disturbing to some passengers with hearing aides, and per Ford's website there is no way to disable the fake noise. Thus, some people with a hearing disability cannot ride in my car without removing their hearing aides. It should be unacceptable to not be able to disable that feature. Note updated form dated 8/1/25 states Fake Noise cannot be turned off.