2017 Ford Explorer Power Train

2017 Explorer vehicle equipped with a 2.3L engine exhibits a vibration/rough idle when the vehicle is in DRIVE or REVERSE. The vehicle also exhibits a lack of engine revolutions per minute (RPM), lack of acceleration on take off and/or shudder while driving. This may be due to the torque converter overheating causing damage to the torque converter as well as possible internal damage to the transmission.

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. The vehicle has only been inspected by a Ford dealership where they diagnosed the torque convertor. I believe that this should be considered a safety issue. The hesitation alone could cause an accident when trying to move with the flow of traffic.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while at a complete stop and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle started shuddering. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact drove to the residence. Additionally, the contact stated that her husband had informed her that the vehicle had failed to accelerate as intended while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the torque converter had failed, and the dealer determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 20,600.

At somewhere between 100k-123k the water pump started leaking. This was noticed by smelling a faint smell of coolant after driving. Additionally a small leak of orangish fluid was noticed under engine (front passenger side). Given the symptoms I had the vehicle taken to a Ford dealer for inspection where it was confirm from a system pressure test that the water pump had a leak. Additionally I was just outside my warrant coverage to have this covered by Ford (within the years, outside the mileage). After researching, I have found that many others have the same compliant and even a class action has been attempted. Ford needs to offer a recall for this very cost repair and known issue. Water pump failure could cause engine damage, resulting in vehicle failure while operating, which puts the operator at risk on the side of the road or while operating at highway speeds.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, there was a whirling sound while shifting gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Villages Transmission & Auto Clinic and was diagnosed with a failed transmission. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact stated that the started was previously replaced by the Villages Transmission & Auto Clinic. The contact was informed that the transmission was dropped to access the starter switch for the repair. The starter switch was replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to Villages Transmission & Auto Clinic because the heat was inoperable however, the vehicle mis-diagnosed with a failed water pump. The contact stated that the mechanic dropped the transmission to replace the water pump. While replacing the water pump, the mechanic replaced the valve cover gasket, spark plugs, crank shaft seal kit front, antifreeze, and timing chain kit. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 129,828.

In November of 2020 Ford Motor Company issued a recall on vehicles manufactured in their Chicago plant for transmissions torque converter issues under customer satisfaction program 20B27/20N07 which was in effect until November 30, 2021. It was not until September 2022 that I personally started having issues, I took my vehicle to Bob Bell a Ford Dealership for a check engine light issue and completing their diagnostics they confirmed it was a torque converter issue. However, I was advised that my warranty had just ended and it was no longer under warranty to be fixed and I would have to pay out of pocket. I contacted Ford Customer Support Division and they opened case number [XXX] in reference. They advised me the recall was over and to contact the NHTSA who can investigate the matter and issue a new recall for my vehicle. I am requesting an investigation into this matter and Ford be held liable to replace the transmission as a recall and refund me the $195.00 I paid for the diagnostic fee. The transmission issue has affected a large number of vehicles which Ford obviously were aware of and those owners whose issues started after the expiration date of the program should not be penalized and made to pay out of pocket especially when this is a know problem and documented problem with the Explorers manufactured out of the Chicago plant. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The transmission/torque converter has a chattering/shuttering issue in certain gears that causes the RPMs to jump and drop randomly causing unpredictable drivability, acceleration and deceleration. The SUV lurches forwards and backwards when the chattering occurs. There is no check engine light to indicate an issue with the powertrain. According to online forums, many other owners of 2016-2019 model year Ford Explorers experienced the same issues as I've described, with documented cases on YouTube of torque converters failing, and other owners being told by ford dealerships that the transmission assembly (including the torque converter) need to be replaced, with quotes from 3000$ to 8000$. My car in particular doesn't even have 130,000 miles yet and was purchased from a city surplus auction where the city maintained the car every 5000 miles or less and performed every recall and Customer Satisfaction Program. I myself have been quoted 2,600$ for a remanufactured replacement transmission and at-least 1000$ in labor for installation by a local mechanic. Temporary fixes performed by the previous owner included adding Lubeguard friction modifier to the transmission fluid which fixed the issue for a short period of time. This fix was performed 3 times before the dealer made them aware the vehicle needs a new transmission that wouldn't be covered under any existing recall or warranty. A damaged torque converter cannot simply be the only part replaced, since broken off friction material will cycle through the automatic transmission valve body and can damage the transmission, requiring an entire rebuild. Due to the location and tools required to access/replace the transmission, it makes it impossible for a home mechanic that can change their own oil, service their own brakes and perform basic maintenance on their vehicle to inspect, test, or diagnose their own torque converter/transmission. A powertrain, with regular maintenance should last the life of the vehicle.

Vehicle shutters, jerks and loses acceleration between 50 to 60 miles per hour. Can cause accident with other vehicles behind on freeway or any other circumstance. Have had vehicles behind me almost ram the back of my vehicle when this happens. No warning lights on dash. 12/27/23 Dealer says it’s the Torque Converter. Issue occurs every time during acceleration and deceleration. Has been going on for several years but I didn’t know it was an actual transmission problem. Dealer told me when I purchased vehicle that the car had to learn my driving habits and that’s all it is. Has not been inspected by anyone other than dealer

Transmission is shuttering, had it checks by River City Ford and the tech advised the Torque converter needed to be replaced. After research, the recall 20N07 in October 9, 2020 for torque converter issues was found. After reading the document, the same issues, same motor same transmission is happening to my vehicle. The issues are as stated, vehicles that experience adverse NVH, vibration and/or rough idle in Drive or Reverse, low performance / lack of acceleration during launch, sluggish vehicle operation and shudder while driving. However my vehicle is doing the same thing, has the same 2.3L engine with the 6F35 transmission, but it is not on the recall list. NHTSA should step us and add all Ford Explore with that year, engine and transmission to this recall since the same issues are happening.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while accelerating from a stationary position. Additionally, the vehicle would not properly accelerate while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was diagnosed with a faulty transmission. The transmission was rebuilt. The vehicle later experienced a fractured transmission bracket and was towed to the local dealer. The transmission and transmission bracket were replaced but the check engine warning light continued to illuminate. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine had experienced coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 57,850.

The vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the vehicle would not properly shift gears while attempting to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 60,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while approaching a stop light the vehicle was shaking violently. The contact shifted into neutral, and the shaking stopped. While shifting into drive or reverse, the vehicle shuddered and was shaking and then stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the torque converter was faulty, and the transmission cooler line and plate needed to be replaced. The dealer informed him that the transmission line was contaminated. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and referred him to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 96,626.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was jerking while shifting from park(P) to drive(D), and while shifting from drive(D) to park(P). Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to respond while shifting between gears. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked, hesitated, and made an abnormally loud sound while driving from a complete stop. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that she read on the news that the failure was related to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was unknown.

kI started experiencing some vibration while in the stopped position while in either reverse or drive. I had a few components replaced (throttle body, spark plugs, ignition coils, and vacuum pump. None of these helped alleviate the symptoms. I also had the transmission flushed. Additional symptoms ensued including, but not limited to, the car failing to accelerate, beginning to lose power while driving, etc. I had a mechanic come to access the vehicle and the Valvoline General Mgr come and confirm the mechanic's findings. The transmission ultimately failed on me while I was driving. The car has been incapacitated for almost 3 weeks to date while I researched the best route for repair. I did contact the Ford Consumer Line about the CSP 20N07. They told me they could not help me even though my symptoms were exactly as described within the verbiage.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while accelerating after the vehicle was idling, the vehicle would emit a load roaring and grinding noise while shuddering and hesitating before accelerating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the torque converter failed and needed replacement, repointing, and reprogramming. The vehicle was currently being repaired. The failure was related to NHTSA ID Numbers: 10222455 (Power Train) 10187724 (Power Train), 10184652 (Power Train, Equipment Adaptive/Mobility), and 10181988 (Power Train). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

The torque converter has failed on a 2017 Ford Explorer 2.3L Ecoboost. There is a Customer Satisfaction Program 20N07 that was issued on October 9, 2020 and expired November 30, 2021 that this issue would have been covered under. The car has been to the dealership and they have confirmed that this is the issue but they are unable to do anything about it using this program because the program is no longer valid.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate while the RPM was inoperable. Additionally, the vehicle experienced rough idling and shaking while driving. The contact stated that the dealer previously performed Customer Satisfaction Program: 20B27 (Powertrain Control Module Reflash). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and Grieco Ford of Raynham (1651 New State Hwy, Raynham, MA 02767) however, the dealers were unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was then taken to two independent mechanics, who diagnosed that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 20N07 (Transmission Extended Warranty Coverage). The mechanics determined that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered by the TSB. The manufacturer advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. After restarting the vehicle, the failure reoccurred. The contact added transmission fluid to the vehicle and later the vehicle was restarted and driven to the residence; however, the failure later reoccurred. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 126,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle shutoff without warning. The contact coasted the vehicle into a neighboring driveway, and the vehicle was later towed to the residence. The contact had several independent mechanics inspect the vehicle and each diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the VIN. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for additional assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

On 11/21/22, my car ‘lost’ it’s transmission at 72,704 miles. This is when a wrench light came on the dashboard, and the car went into limp mode-putting myself and my 2 children at risk while driving. I was luckily able to pull off the road. When I restarted the car, the light went off and allowed me to slowly drive back to my house. We had it towed to a Ford Dealership for further investigation. Prior to this incident, the car had been having intermittent issues with shifting gears on hills, and an occasionally clunking noise that paired with it. We had taken it to the dealership and asked them to investigate. They told us there were no issues, that the transmission was fine, which meant no codes. We had just had some powertrain issues resolved, due to other lights associated with the terrain management system. The issues continued, intermittently, but we were unable to get into another appointment prior to its failure. Once in, we were informed that it was ‘rare’ and that while they hadn’t fully investigated the issue the prior time-there had been no computer codes to indicate this would happen. So, now we have no car and an $8200 bill to fix it, as quoted by our Ford Dealership

Water pump: coolant leak, overheated engine.

The contact owned a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 2 - 25 MPH, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed the failure as a rear axle failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 39,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while coming to a stop, the vehicle started to idle very rough. The contact stated that the transmission also shifted hard while driving. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 20N07 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER OF A RECALL THAT HAS SINCE EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR REINSTATED.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the vehicle would not properly shift gears while attempting to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while idle with the vehicle in drive or reverse, the vehicle would shudder. The contact stated that there was a lack of full motive power upon acceleration; occasionally, while moving from a stop, the vehicle would shudder while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic informed him that the failure might be due to the torque converter overheating, causing damage to the torque converter. Additionally, there was possible internal damage to the transmission. The contact was then informed of Manufacturer Communications: 10184634 (Power Train: Automatic Transmission) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.