2017 Ford Explorer transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 27, 2026IDElectrical SystemSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   Begin with cliff, I was not wanting to lock or locked or start the vehicle as I was driving. I stopped at the light vehicle started shaking, and as I drove through the light to pull over power steering assist failure, terrain, failure, and control failure.

   NHTSA complaint #11752959 · source
2. Filed Jul 10, 2026OHTransmission & Drivetrain

   Transmission torque converter attempts to lockup when vehicle is in gear, at idle and brakes applied. This causes the engine rpm to drop or stall. This causes an unexpected delay and hesitation when accelerating from a stop followed by an unexpected acceleration surge. This issue has been confirmed by an independent service center. No computer codes or warning signals on the dash are present.

   NHTSA complaint #11749549 · source
3. Filed Jul 2, 2026GATransmission & Drivetrain

   This has happened several times where the transmission will not go into drive and makes an electronic noise while trying to shift into drive. If you turn the car off, open the driver's door, wait for complete power down then restart the vehicle, it will then go into drive. Sometimes it just takes one attempt, sometimes several. Seems to be a computer malfunction similar to a recent recall but for different year explorers.

   NHTSA complaint #11747883 · source
4. Filed May 27, 2026CAEngineSeats & Seat BeltsTransmission & Drivetrain

   I’ve had three transmissions replaced from 2023 to 2026. Ford no longer makes 2017 Ford Explorer transmissions so I keep getting bad parts. In 2026 engine light came on , coolant leaking into cylinders, $11K to fix. This car has left me stranded on the side of the road , not to mention months at the dealership trying to find transmission parts. Ford Corporation refuses to buy back vehicle based on lemon law. Rear seatbelts defective.

   NHTSA complaint #11740383 · source
5. Filed Apr 23, 2026176,000 miTXTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH on the highway, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. No warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 176,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11733322 · source
6. Filed Apr 16, 2026GAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   My 2017 Ford Explorer suddenly started vibrating intensely whenever I am at a stop or start slowing down. Episodes of hesitation when attempting to take off from a start with significant rpm surges. I am told I need to have my torque converter replaced. My vehicle has 84,697 miles on it, and was bought brand new from a dealer. I already had to have a new engine a month ago. This level of multiple engine and powertrain failures puts consumers and other drivers at risk for…

   NHTSA complaint #11731706 · source
7. Filed Apr 7, 2026NCTransmission & Drivetrain

   I purchased 2017 ford explorer from Mark Ficken. It was still under warranty. The transmission went out in a week something with the torque converter. They replaced the transmission free of charge. Two years two months outside of the warranty the transmission fails again due to the torque converter. I explained how ridiculous this was and they gave me a discount for replacing the transmission which I still had to pay thousands of dollars. Another two years and two months…

   NHTSA complaint #11729682 · source
8. Filed Mar 27, 2026106,135 miTNTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly vibrated and shifted in and out of gear with the transmission warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…

   NHTSA complaint #11727502 · source
9. Filed Mar 14, 2026KYCrashEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The car was up on ramps, to replace a sensor, in park and slipped out of gear rolling backwards with force. Someone could have been under or behind the vehicle. Other vehicles could have been behind, property could have been damaged. The cars door caught the building and pulled it all the way back against the front fender.

   NHTSA complaint #11724328 · source
10. Filed Mar 12, 2026CAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    Vehicle was brought to an authorized Ford dealership for coolant leak. The dealer confirmed a coolant leak originating from the internal water pump. The water pump on this engine is chain-driven and located inside the engine behind the timing cover, requiring approximately 12 hours of labor to access and replace. This is a known design defect affecting millions of Ford vehicles with the 3.5L Cyclone/Duratec engine across multiple model years (2007-2020). The defect allows…

    NHTSA complaint #11723964 · source
11. Filed Oct 27, 2025METransmission & Drivetrain

    When i start the vehicle, and press the bbrake and shift into drive, the vehicle shakes and jolts. When I remove my foot from the break to push the gas petle, there is a hesitation/stall out unless I push it quickly. The shaking and jolting occurs when the vehicle is in drive and reverse, but stops when the car is in neutral or park. In order to operate the vehicle in traffice, I have to put it in neutral at stop signs and traffic lights, or it will shake, jolt and stall…

    NHTSA complaint #11695739 · source
12. Filed Aug 9, 2025HITransmission & Drivetrain

    On [XXX] as I stopped at the stoplight my car started to shake/shudder when it was green I started to drive and it stopped. Then when I stopped again while in drive I experienced the same thing. Contacted the dealership where I've been servicing my car since I bought it. I was hoping they could take in that day but they were booked. Next available was July 17, 2025. They did a diagnostic on my car and said it was the motor mounts. Had to order the parts and will call when…

    NHTSA complaint #11679578 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology