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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2014 Ford Explorer Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
80about this part
Share
5%of 1,684 total for the year
Median mileage
75,207miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 80 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2014 Ford Explorer, 5% of the 1,684 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,207 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 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.

“While driving approximately 45 MPH I noticed a loud scraping noise from the front of the vehicle. Additionally the car felt like it was being help back when attempting to accelerate. I had the car towed to a Ford dealership where they diagnosed a faulty power transfer unit ($2,000 repair). The car had 81,000 miles and was never used for towing.”

NHTSA complaint #11176047, filed 2019-02, 81,000 miles

“The intermediate shift bracket sheared off/broke at the transition where it mounts to engine. Vehicle shakes violently while braking at higher speeds... Lesser movement at slower speeds while braking. I had just replaced my brakes and done them several time with rotors trying to correct the problem, thinking it was something I had done. Finally found it when greasing front calipers hoping to cure the problem yet again.”

NHTSA complaint #11414980, filed 2021-05, 105,000 miles

“My transmission will not stay in park unless I force the shifter. Ford is recalling 550,000 vehicles for this exact same problem. My vehicle is not included in the recall. Ya'll should look into this as I believe the 2014 Ford Explorer should be included in the recall.”

NHTSA complaint #11112343, filed 2018-07, 39,789 miles

“Transfer case is gumming up and tearing up my pto and causing grinding while accelerating. Spoke to my mechanic and he said that Ford is aware of the problem but has yet to issue a recall or extended warranty on issue. Will cost $1600 to replace pto.”

NHTSA complaint #11039385, filed 2017-10, 140,000 miles

“My car started off with a propane gas smell which would come and go. Then it turned into this sulfur odor. Which had gotten so bad that you could only drive the car if all the windows were down because the odor would make you sick. The car was in motion at all times. You could smell the odor with or without the heat on. Then at which point the odor never actually left the cabin of the vehicle. At which I would just leave the windows open, in hopes that the car would eventually air out.”

NHTSA complaint #10968839, filed 2017-03, 37,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202637%
20251615%
202415%
20231211%
20226123%
202112728%
202050440%
20193512%
2018507%
20171257%
20162159%
2015865%
2014805%
20131195%
2012557%
2011645%
20102824%
200939%
20083624%
20075727%
200629647%
20059920%
200446035%
200333530%
20021,50246%
20014211%
200013314%
19991159%
19981035%
19971046%
19961208%
199511914%
1994867%
1993728%
19927712%
19916911%
1990217%

Other parts of the 2014 Ford Explorer

Steering
500 complaintsOther or unknown
343 complaintsBody and structure
276 complaintsEngine
198 complaintsSuspension
103 complaintsElectrical system
100 complaintsFuel system
72 complaintsEngine cooling
67 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
53 complaintsAir bags
47 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
29 complaintsVehicle speed control
29 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2014 Ford Explorer

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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