2017 Ford Explorer Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 125about this part
- Share
- 7%of 1,704 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,425miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 125 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2017 Ford Explorer, 7% of the 1,704 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,425 miles. 4 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.
“Purchased 2017 Ford Explorer new with only 549 miles. 16 months after purchase, at approx. 39,000 miles, torque converter went out and had to be replaced. 16 months later, at approx. 79,000 miles, torque converter went out again and had to be replaced. I believe this to be yet another faulty Ford transmission issue, as I am a daily commuter and keep my vehicles well maintained.”
NHTSA complaint #11288853, filed 2019-12, 39,000 miles“Ford Explorer transmission complaint I took my 2017 Ford Explorer into Ford dealer and explained about a shifting problem between 1st and 2nd gear the but they found nothing during technician diagnostics in october of 2017 I started experiencing the jerking problem again except this time it was during my first morning start up and accelerating from 1st to 2nd gear and would get a substantial jerk. Again technician found nothing. …”
NHTSA complaint #11229186, filed 2019-07, 36,000 miles“My torque convertor has started to fail, extreme vibration when in drive or reverse at a stop, hesitation when trying to take off from a stop, RPMS will redline and the car won't move and then it will slam in to second gear. I have found a recall/customer satisfaction program (20N07) I took the car to a Ford dealership and they confirmed the torque convertor is ruined. I am terrified to drive this car, when the hesitation first happened I was pulling out in to moving traffic and the car would not move then took off very quickly. …”
NHTSA complaint #11579752, filed 2024-03, 170,242 miles“My transmission on a previous Ford Explorer and now this Ford Explorer have started to give me issues around the 3rd year of ownership. Transmission slips, jerks, and car cut off for around 10 seconds 4 separate times now. I can't get an appointment at the dealership so it's hard to have car looked at. Also leaking transmission fluid and RPM jumps high throughout drive. This has happened while driving on city streets and freeways. Transmission is rougher on roads that involve uphill and downhill.”
NHTSA complaint #11414425, filed 2021-04, 61,000 miles“When backing up and the wheel is turned there's a hesitation then what feels like I hit something. (a clunk w/o the noise ) then when break peddle is pressed the car shimmies bad . I also smell antifreeze coming from the heater vents .brought it back to dealership for them to fix it since it was just purchased there .. They had it for 5 days .. Nothing got fixed. They turned front rotors and topped off fluids. I do believe that I have a bad rear tow bearing or a u-joint. Breaks not sure but the car is worse than before. …”
NHTSA complaint #11364774, filed 2020-10, 29,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11037788Sep 30, 202625E10-S1 Owner letter
- 11025611Nov 12, 2025Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
- 10251934Mar 1, 2024During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper, achieving proper torque of the crankshaft pulley bolt is critical…
- 10222455Sep 1, 2022Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer Vehicles Equipped With the 2.3L Engine and 6F35 Transmission - Transmission Extended Warranty Coverage Updated Owner Letters…
- 10222454Sep 1, 2022Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer Vehicles Equipped With the 2.3L Engine and 6F35 Transmission Powertrain Control Module Reprogram Submitting Owner Letters
- 10219034Aug 31, 2022Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with the 2.3L engine and 6F35 transmission; Powertrain Control Module reprogram. Supplement: Program terms will be…
- 10216459Jul 19, 2022Some 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine may exhibit a vibration/rough idle when the vehicle is in drive (D) or reverse (R). The vehicle may…
- 10201019Aug 17, 2021Some 2017-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicle customers may receive a message in their FordPass or Lincoln Way App stating Feature Unavailable. Since this is a fleet vehicle, it cannot…
- 10194428May 24, 2021Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
- 10189764Mar 1, 2021Certain 2017-2019 Model Year Explorer Vehicles Rear Wheel Knuckle and Toe Link Replacement This program is a proactive investigation by Ford Motor Company to obtain field parts…
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 2017 Ford Explorer
659 complaintsOther or unknown
374 complaintsEngine
241 complaintsElectrical system
94 complaintsEngine cooling
77 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
77 complaintsSteering
76 complaintsWheels
60 complaintsSuspension
58 complaintsFuel system
49 complaintsAir bags
34 complaintsSeat belts
23 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 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