Diagsheet

2016 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet

Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard

  • 54owner reports
  • 62,000median miles
  • $7,667median quote
  • 1involved a crash

Newest report May 15, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

214 of the 2,444 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 54 of those describe transmission shudder.

Tick what matches of 54 reports

17
27
5
13
2
3

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the torque converter (10 reports) and the transmission (6 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the transmission and drivetrain covers the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

20V-692Nov 10, 2020
Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Explorer, 2014-2015 Taurus and 2014 Edge vehicles equipped with 2.0L or 2.3L engines and front wheel drive. The support bracket for the front drive axle halfshaft may fail.

Risk and remedy
Risk: The failed bracket could result in a loss of park function which can cause unintended vehicle movement, and loss of motive power while driving which increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the link shaft bracket, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners received an interim notification detailing safety risk December 8, 2020. A second letter will be mailed when parts become available in January 2021. The recall began February 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S63.

NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Explorer

RQ23-002opened Jun 20, 2023
Transmission and drivetrain · model years 2020 to 2022

Rear axle bolt failure. Closed feb 15, 2024, led to recall 23V-675.

NHTSA summary
On July 17, 2023, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) opened this Recall Query (RQ) after receiving 2 consumer complaints alleging loss of vehicle forward power and/or loss of transmission torque of the rear wheels in model year (MY) 2020-2022 Ford Explorer vehicles (subject vehicles). The RQ was opened to focus on the effectiveness of the remedies of Recalls 22V-255 and 23V-199 related to the alleged problem. Recall 22V-255 involved replacing the bushing and axle cover in the following subject vehicles: 3.3L FHEV Police built before October 14, 2020, and 3.3L Gas Police vehicle built before January 31, 2021. For 2.3L RWD, 3.0L PHEV, 3.3LFHEV, and 3.0LST retail (non-police) vehicles, the recall provided an PCM software update to engage the Electronic Park Brake (EPB) when Park is commanded. The recall addressed a breakage of the rear axle bolt that can cause the driveshaft/half shafts to disconnect, resulting in a loss of transmission torque to the rear wheels necessary to hold park. If the parking brake is not applied, the loss of the primary park torque will allow the vehicle to roll in park increasing the risk of crash and injury. Recall 23V-199 addressed 674 of the subject vehicles produced from February 2, 2019 to April 4, 2022, which received an incorrect remedy under Recall 22V-255. The affected vehicles had received a previous Powertrain Control Module (PCM) update which did not include an automatic EPB engagement when vehicle is shifted to park. On October 17, 2
EA09-013opened Aug 18, 2009
Transmission and drivetrain · model years 2002 to 2005

Vehicle rollaway allegations. Closed feb 12, 2013.

NHTSA summary
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.
PE99-068opened Nov 1, 1999
Transmission and drivetrain · model years 1995 to 1996

Accelerator pedal. Closed mar 9, 2000.

NHTSA summary
There is no summary currently available
SQ99-017opened Jun 9, 1999
Transmission and drivetrain · model years 1998 to 1999

Vehicle hesitation/stalling. Closed feb 22, 2000.

NHTSA summary
There is no summary currently available
RQ97-015opened Oct 29, 1997
Transmission and drivetrain · model years 1991

Parking pawl. Closed apr 1, 1999, led to recall 91V-189.

NHTSA summary
WHEN THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARKING PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR.THIS CAN LEAD TO THE VEHICLE JUMPING OUT OF GEAR UNINTENTIONALLY AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO START ROLLING INADVERTENTLY
EA93-004opened Jan 29, 1993
Transmission and drivetrain · model years 1992

Auto trans prndl misalign. Closed jul 29, 1994.

NHTSA summary
There is no summary currently available
PE92-078opened Sep 9, 1992
Transmission and drivetrain · model years 1992

Auto trans.prndl misalign. Closed jan 29, 1993.

NHTSA summary
There is no summary currently available
PE91-127opened Sep 16, 1991
Transmission and drivetrain · model years 1991

Park pawl bending. Closed nov 8, 1991, led to recall 91V-189.

NHTSA summary
There is no summary currently available

None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.

What owners paid

11 of the 54 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $6,000 to $12,000.

$6,000$7,667$12,000
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 42,000 and 84,000 miles, from the 43 reports that gave a mileage.

316
117
318
519
620
321
822
623
1124
625
226

What owners wrote

“The transmission shifts with a harsh jerk for no apparent reason and is an intermittent not constant problem. Also when stopped at an intersection refuses to engage to power the vehicle forward for a short time 5+ second time period.”

Filed Jan 30, 2026

“Transmission slips in and out of gear while driving causing loss of power. Many complaints online about this same issue from others.”

Filed Jun 21, 2025

“The power transfer unit is broken. Symptoms are vehicle shuddering, vehicle sounds like it is going to stall. This could cause a major accident at any moment.”

Filed Jun 6, 2024

“The transmission began slipping causing poor control at higher speeds using the cruise control or passing gear. Only about 42,000 miles on the vehicle and no financial help from Ford. Service for a new transmission was $7667.11at Dave Sinclair Ford, 7466 South Lindbergh, St. Louis Missouri, 63125. 314-892-2600”

Filed Apr 9, 2024 · 42,000 miles

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 54 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.

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