2000 Ford Explorer Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 133about this part
- Share
- 14%of 952 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 77,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 133 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2000 Ford Explorer, 14% of the 952 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,500 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The day of the fatality I was standing outside the vehicle for around 5 to 10 minutes. I was on an upgrade,. (however I had just recently had new brakes installed and the car was in park). Suddenly the vehicle began to roll back at a fast pace killing the back seat driver that was in there seatbelt. And injuring myself in an attempt to halt the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10604614, filed 2014-06, 140,000 miles“I noticed a slight hesitation in the transmission shifting from 1st to 2nd gear once in a while yesterday. Within 5 miles the o/d light was flashing and by the time I go home(luckily)5 miles later, reverse was now not working. I have a car that has already had 1 transmission replaced, needing another one. I am extremely lucky that I did not get stranded!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10253720, filed 2009-01, 147,000 miles“2000 Ford Explorer . . I bought this vehicle brand new from dealer and I am diligent with upkeep. Truck has 75000 miles and recently the transmission is slipping between 2 nd and 3 rd gear with the rpms increasing to over 5000 rpms before it will shift. The o/d light starts to flash. This problem is very dangerous when pulling onto highways because the truck basically hesitates before it finally accelerates. Not too happy with Ford right now!”
NHTSA complaint #10484972, filed 2012-11, 75,000 miles“I was told in dec 2004 by my mechanic that my transmission was failing (my vehicle had only 32k miles at the time), but because my 2000 Ford Explorer was too old, there was not any thing that I could do other than pay for a repair. Regardless of age, I don't think any transmission should fail with only 32k miles on the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10200500, filed 2007-08, 32,000 miles“Before my transmission went out my over drive would flash then my 4wheel drive stopped working. I had the 4wheel drive switch replaced and everything was fine until I went to sacramento. After taking care of my eddie bauer Explorer having the transmission flushed and filled on a regular basis. While leaving sacramento stopped at a chevron to fill up before heading back up to tahoe. As im leaving the gas station all of the sudden there's a loud crunch of metal sound coming from under my car and it wont kick into any gear. …”
NHTSA complaint #10717579, filed 2015-05, 147,000 milesRelated recalls
- 00V395000Nov 28, 2000Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with the 3.27 or 3.55 axle ration. The subject vehicles have a powertrain control module that could allow…Covers: Ford Explorer 1999–2000
Related service bulletins
- 10017891Apr 1, 2005Front axle leaks fluid from vent tube - vehicles equipped with 4x4 or awd.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 7% |
| 2025 | 16 | 15% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 12 | 11% |
| 2022 | 61 | 23% |
| 2021 | 127 | 28% |
| 2020 | 502 | 40% |
| 2019 | 35 | 12% |
| 2018 | 50 | 7% |
| 2017 | 125 | 7% |
| 2016 | 215 | 9% |
| 2015 | 86 | 5% |
| 2014 | 80 | 5% |
| 2013 | 119 | 5% |
| 2012 | 55 | 7% |
| 2011 | 64 | 5% |
| 2010 | 28 | 24% |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% |
| 2008 | 36 | 24% |
| 2007 | 57 | 27% |
| 2006 | 296 | 47% |
| 2005 | 99 | 20% |
| 2004 | 460 | 35% |
| 2003 | 335 | 30% |
| 2002 | 1,502 | 46% |
| 2001 | 42 | 11% |
| 2000 | 133 | 14% |
| 1999 | 115 | 9% |
| 1998 | 103 | 5% |
| 1997 | 104 | 6% |
| 1996 | 120 | 8% |
| 1995 | 119 | 14% |
| 1994 | 86 | 7% |
| 1993 | 72 | 8% |
| 1992 | 77 | 12% |
| 1991 | 69 | 11% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2000 Ford Explorer
217 complaintsVehicle speed control
113 complaintsEngine cooling
90 complaintsElectrical system
78 complaintsBrakes
64 complaintsAir bags
62 complaintsSuspension
62 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
46 complaintsSteering
40 complaintsSeats
39 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
29 complaintsBody and structure
29 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2000 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology