2023 Ford Explorer Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 11%of 113 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 10,600miles
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2023 Ford Explorer, 11% of the 113 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,600 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“At 36-42 mph the vehicle vibrates underneath, not the stearing wheel, it is clear something is not right. The vibration goes away when you hit 43 mph it smooths out and you dont feel it. No lights come on, I have had it checked and because there is no recall or a faulty light coming on or a sensor in my computer module, there is nothing Ford can do they say. They did tell me that Ford is aware of this as there are about 8 other vehicles they have seen that have this same issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11535307, filed 2023-07“Was driving and my transmission skipped an entire gear went from 1 to third gear and it felt like my transmission was going to fall out of the bottom of my explorer.”
NHTSA complaint #11596453, filed 2024-06“Every time i was traveling in sport mode, shifting was delayed & was very rough transition to next gear. Car was not accelerating or decelerating properly. Burning smell came from the engine. Car’s electrical momentarily went haywire. Wrench light came on. This happened within 18 hours of purchasing this NEW car. And several times over the subsequent week. Indicator light went on intermittently & so did same problems described above. My safety was put at risk because my car was not driving properly which caused distraction. I was confused about what to do. …”
NHTSA complaint #11557544, filed 2023-11“On 11/27/2023, my family and I were in this vehicle as I was driving on a side street. Suddenly the engine shut down while I was driving. I was fortunate enough to pull the car into a parking lot to be towed to a nearby Ford dealer. After a week of research the problem, they could not find anything wrong and returned the car to me. A week later, as I was driving to a major intersection, it shut down again. I called for a tow truck and was able to bring it to a Ford dealer nearby in Greer, SC. Again, they could not find out what the problem was and returned the car to me. …”
NHTSA complaint #11561829, filed 2023-12“popping/rattling sound coming from front passenger side and transmission is shifting hard at lower gears. vehicle is in shop waiting on repairs. front struts bad and had to be replaced at 12,555 miles. transmission software had to be upgraded and wiring harness for transmission under vehicle had to be repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #11638233, filed 2025-01Related recalls
- 23V070000Feb 10, 2023Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with automatic…Covers: Ford Explorer 2022–2023, F-150 2022–2023, Bronco 2022–2023 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 11038672Oct 22, 2026This bulletin supersedes 26-2309. Reason for update: update the Model section to remove Aviator 10R80, update theParts list to add 3.3L to W520514-S440, and add L1MZ-7Z490-G…
- 11037559Sep 22, 2026This bulletin supersedes 26-2309. Reason For Update: update the Model section to remove Aviator 10R80, update the Parts list to add 3.3L to W520514-S440, and add L1MZ-7Z490-G…
- 11036595Aug 26, 2026This article supersedes 26-2287. Reason for update: update the labor operation numbers to add MT to operations C, F, G, H, J, K, L and M, and correct the part number LIMZ-4A015-B…
- 11035556Aug 3, 2026Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine, 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine, and 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles…
- 11034224Jul 2, 2026This bulletin supersedes 26-2241. Reason For Update: update the parts list to correct the claim quantity of the part number JB3Z-4B496-B from 3 to 6. Some of the vehicles listed…
- 11034011Jun 18, 2026This article supersedes 25-2302. Reason for update: update the labor time allowance for F-150 vehicles, update the Parts list to replace the part number W716979-S439 with…
- 11033775Jun 5, 2026For 20202026 vehicles equipped with the 10R60 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS)…
- 11032750May 18, 2026This bulletin supersedes 25-2587. Reason For Update: update the Parts list to add the F-clutch friction plates HL3Z-7B164-D and the F-clutch steel plates PR3Z-7B164-A for the…
- 11032760May 15, 2026Some 2020-2026 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility/Aviator vehicles may require replacement of the front drive halfshaft inner/outer CV joint boot for various reasons.
- 11032565May 4, 2026Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine may exhibit an illuminated powertrain…
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 2023 Ford Explorer
28 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
7 complaintsLane departure
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsForward collision avoidance
6 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2023 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