2010 Ford Explorer Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 24%of 115 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2010 Ford Explorer, 24% of the 115 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When I drive the ABS light comes on, the break system light, engine light, and air bag light all came on at the same time and the radio will shut off along with all the dashboard lights. When I drive sometimes the car will stop catching gear and stop accelerating randomly. The vehicle fails to accelerate at all speeds. The transmission has been replaced and we were told the PCM was burnt out and unrepairable and Ford has the product on back order and doesn't know when it will be available.”
NHTSA complaint #11329688, filed 2020-06, 189,000 miles“My vehicle has been suffering a radek transmission and power train issues and I am I am told that I will need to replace it. As well when I looked up the recall for this vehicle under general year and model it does come up that the transmission is up for recall however when I typed the particular van and at stated on your website there are no outstanding recalls again conflicting with the fact that the recalls on transmissions have been noted and noteworthy in previous c 2011 explorers such as my own. …”
NHTSA complaint #11361009, filed 2020-09, 145,000 miles“I have a 2002 Ford Explorer w/approx. 120m miles. My o/d light started blinking and I got a ck transmission message. After exploring the internet I found over 200 other owners complaining about the same problem. I terrified 2 take 2 my Ford dealer after reading complaints from others. The light starts flashing after about 5 miles from starting the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10342418, filed 2010-07, 120,000 miles“The wrench symbol has come on several times. The last time it stayed on along with an engine symbol. Ford dealership said they couldn't find anything to indicate why the wrench symbol came on but did replace the throttle body to take care of the engine symbol. I'm concerned that if this comes on again, it may lead to serious problems. Could they have removed a fuse that controls the wrench trouble light? In all cases, I was driving the vehicle when the wrench symbol came on.”
NHTSA complaint #10916839, filed 2016-10, 87,233 miles“August 16, 2018 I had an accident as a result of my 2010 Ford Explorer accelerating while my foot was on the brake. I was almost completely stopped and out of no where my vehicle surged forward so fast. The sound coming from the engine was extremely loud. My daughter had unbuckled her seat belt since we were all but stopped and hit her head on impact. My vehicle accelerated very fast and hit the rear end of a large yukon truck which was parked in front of me. The yukon then was pushed forward and broad sided an older truck which was parked at a gas pump. …”
NHTSA complaint #11172172, filed 2019-01, 120,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10160931May 10, 2019On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A even if grease was…
- 10099463Mar 14, 20172009-2017 vehicles equipped with a 6r80, 6r100, 6r140 automatic transmission have an updated main control valve body overhaul procedure. Refer to workshop manual (wsm), section…
- 10095858Feb 27, 2017Some 2007-2016 edge/mkx/flex/mkt/mkz/mks/taurus/taurus police/explorer/explorer police equipped with all wheel drive (awd) and built on or before 30-jun-2016 may exhibit a…
- 10055783Apr 7, 2014Lincoln/mercury/ford: there is fluid leaking around the transmission bulkhead connector sleeve, from the transmission. Model 2009-10 expedition, explorer, explorer sport trac…
- 10039053Mar 1, 2011Ford: if there is an intermittent lack of power, surge, or hesitation while driving the brakes will override acceleration.
- 10039072Jan 1, 2011Ford: there may be a loss of power, hesitation, surge, or lack of throttle response while driving. The brake over accelerator feature may be activating.
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 | 504 | 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 2010 Ford Explorer
20 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsEngine
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsWheels
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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