• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Explorer ST Forum and Explorer ST community dedicated to Explorer ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Explorer ST Forum today!


Transmission issues update

OP
Santa
Messages
38
Reactions
17
Points
2
Location
Smoky Mountains
Thread Starter #41
Well, my Sleigh is on a 2 week sabbatical (so far) at the dealership. They have ordered a new tranny but no approval from Ford to put it in. They must demonstrate and prove “point of failure”. Apparently that requires breaking down the transmission. A “roller clutch” is suspected.
The service manager wants to put the new one in and junk the present one.
I’m just along for the ride now in my rented minivan! Grrrrrrrrrr...
Mini van?! I'm so sorry to hear the rental you got
 

OP
Santa
Messages
38
Reactions
17
Points
2
Location
Smoky Mountains
Thread Starter #42
Santa just got his sleigh back. It has a brand new transmission. I’m hopeful that the issue has been resolved but I remain skeptical. Fingers crossed.
Damn, I miss that minivan!
 

OP
Santa
Messages
38
Reactions
17
Points
2
Location
Smoky Mountains
Thread Starter #43
Santa just got his sleigh back. It has a brand new transmission. I’m hopeful that the issue has been resolved but I remain skeptical. Fingers crossed.
Damn, I miss that minivan!
OK, it’s been a month and several hundred miles since the new transmission installation. So far, so good, and that’s all I have to say about that. Fingers continue in crossed mode. How are the rest of y’all coming along with your transmissions?
 

KegsBdry

Active Member
Messages
929
Reactions
415
Points
182
Location
WashDC
#44
OK, it’s been a month and several hundred miles since the new transmission installation. So far, so good, and that’s all I have to say about that. Fingers continue in crossed mode. How are the rest of y’all coming along with your transmissions?
I mostly drive around in Sport mode, which obviously leaves the lower gears in gear longer than necessary when letting off the gas pedal. I like it.

But with a lot of people mentioning their issues with the explorer's transmission (including some mechanics at the Ford dealership I frequent), that has made me skip a 3rd party tune. Don't want to pay out of pocket on a new tranny.
 

Messages
209
Reactions
76
Points
27
Location
New York
#45
OK, it’s been a month and several hundred miles since the new transmission installation. So far, so good, and that’s all I have to say about that. Fingers continue in crossed mode. How are the rest of y’all coming along with your transmissions?
Getting my entire transmission replaced. Had to get Ford corporate involved and submit my dash cam video of it slipping and clanging.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

KegsBdry

Active Member
Messages
929
Reactions
415
Points
182
Location
WashDC
#46
Getting my entire transmission replaced. Had to get Ford corporate involved and submit my dash cam video of it slipping and clanging.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Another fine reason to buy a dashcam.
 

Messages
209
Reactions
76
Points
27
Location
New York
#47
Another fine reason to buy a dashcam.
Most certainly. Good thing I enjoy the sound of the exhaust and had the radio off


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Messages
209
Reactions
76
Points
27
Location
New York
#48
I mostly drive around in Sport mode, which obviously leaves the lower gears in gear longer than necessary when letting off the gas pedal. I like it.

But with a lot of people mentioning their issues with the explorer's transmission (including some mechanics at the Ford dealership I frequent), that has made me skip a 3rd party tune. Don't want to pay out of pocket on a new tranny.
Also they (Ford corporate) know about the transmission issue. Numerous state trooper / and regular police models came in for the same issue.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Messages
209
Reactions
76
Points
27
Location
New York
#49
Got my car back Saturday Brand new transmission. Been up and down the i95 so far so good




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

SFD295

New Member
Messages
15
Reactions
6
Points
2
Location
Sandwich, MA, USA
#50
Well what I was afraid of finally happened. My 2020 ST transmission "ate itself" for lack of a better word. I've had the car for 10 months, never a problem. The owner of a Ford dealership had it before me, he retired at 78 and I bought the car with only 7k on it. Now with 18k on it I've started having issues. Last week I noticed some hard shifts from 7 down to 6 and some hesitation at weird moments on the highway. It wasn't anything crazy, and I hadn't had any symptoms before then. Then suddenly this Monday while driving on the highway the car started bucking and lost power completely. Kept going in and out of gears, wheels would lock up, wouldn't go over 10-15mph, and eventually after turning it off it wouldn't restart. Definitely was leaking trans fluid and could smell it burning. Had to have it towed (which is a whole other horror story) and now the dealer is tearing the trans down. Tech said he ordered a new separator plate and valve body assembly for replacement but isn't sure exactly what the full extent of the problem is. Told me that the transmission has some "serious problems". No kidding.

After reading your experiences here I'm really concerned. I think this trans is done for, like won't ever be normal again and needs a straight out replacement. I've driven this car pretty easily, haven't been beating on it and I haven't done any mods yet. What actually seemed to precipitate the issue was some slipping and sliding in a snowstorm we had. That's when the hard shifts started. I did find a TSB for that exact issue (hard 6-7 downshift) and had an appointment for service when it died Monday. I was actually on my way to the dealer when it died.

Any suggestions on how to handle this best considering I got it used? I do have the extended warranties and whatnot thankfully. It's the first major mechanical car trouble I've ever had. It's also my first Ford, though I've used them for years and years at work and put them through hell there (as a firefighter).

Thanks everyone for your posts on this. I appreciate any help you can suggest.

Dave
 

KegsBdry

Active Member
Messages
929
Reactions
415
Points
182
Location
WashDC
#51
Well what I was afraid of finally happened. My 2020 ST transmission "ate itself" for lack of a better word. I've had the car for 10 months, never a problem. The owner of a Ford dealership had it before me, he retired at 78 and I bought the car with only 7k on it. Now with 18k on it I've started having issues. Last week I noticed some hard shifts from 7 down to 6 and some hesitation at weird moments on the highway. It wasn't anything crazy, and I hadn't had any symptoms before then. Then suddenly this Monday while driving on the highway the car started bucking and lost power completely. Kept going in and out of gears, wheels would lock up, wouldn't go over 10-15mph, and eventually after turning it off it wouldn't restart. Definitely was leaking trans fluid and could smell it burning. Had to have it towed (which is a whole other horror story) and now the dealer is tearing the trans down. Tech said he ordered a new separator plate and valve body assembly for replacement but isn't sure exactly what the full extent of the problem is. Told me that the transmission has some "serious problems". No kidding.

After reading your experiences here I'm really concerned. I think this trans is done for, like won't ever be normal again and needs a straight out replacement. I've driven this car pretty easily, haven't been beating on it and I haven't done any mods yet. What actually seemed to precipitate the issue was some slipping and sliding in a snowstorm we had. That's when the hard shifts started. I did find a TSB for that exact issue (hard 6-7 downshift) and had an appointment for service when it died Monday. I was actually on my way to the dealer when it died.

Any suggestions on how to handle this best considering I got it used? I do have the extended warranties and whatnot thankfully. It's the first major mechanical car trouble I've ever had. It's also my first Ford, though I've used them for years and years at work and put them through hell there (as a firefighter).

Thanks everyone for your posts on this. I appreciate any help you can suggest.

Dave
I'm also am the second owner of my Explorer ST. But my issues were traced (eventually) to a melted battery cap. Since then, I've put 25K miles on it. I normally drive around in Sport mode and have not been very kind to the transmission.

After reading your story, you've got me worried.
 

SFD295

New Member
Messages
15
Reactions
6
Points
2
Location
Sandwich, MA, USA
#52
Well just an update. Finally got my ST back. They replaced the entire transmission. It took about 2 weeks to get the part in. I have to say I'm a little impressed that they went straight to full replacement and skipped piecemeal repair. I'm not entirely sure what the damage was, getting a straight answer was nearly impossible, but I have to say so far I'm pleased. Not pleased that a vehicle with less than 30k mi on it required a transmission replacement, but at least they did the right thing and gave me a new one. I'd suggest anyone with issues to be very stubborn and demand replacement. YMMV but my advisor helped get it done. Only put about 50mi on it so far, taking it easy, driving it like a break-in period, but so far so good (knock on wood). I haven't even put it in sport mode yet, which always featured some hard downshifts, so I can't comment on whether those are gone yet.

I believe (based on what service advisor told me) the transmission issues were only with a few months of manufacture. However I don't know the time period. It seems like fluid leaking from seals is what precipitates the problems. Anyone who starts seeing hard 6-7 downshifts (there's a bulletin for this) needs to get in for service IMMMEDIATELY. That's how it started for me, then to power loss on acceleration, then pretty much complete destruction of the transmission. Get it early. Check for fluid leaks (it's a very noticeable smell when it gets on something hot). That's all the advice I can offer right now. Hopefully things continue to work out. I'm glad I got the extended service coverage though. Almost didn't.

Meanwhile the 2020 PIU we have at work and beat on relentlessly has had no issues. Go figure.
 

hbalek

Active Member
Messages
947
Reactions
530
Points
232
Location
Kensington, MD, USA
#53
Well just an update. Finally got my ST back. They replaced the entire transmission. It took about 2 weeks to get the part in. I have to say I'm a little impressed that they went straight to full replacement and skipped piecemeal repair. I'm not entirely sure what the damage was, getting a straight answer was nearly impossible, but I have to say so far I'm pleased. Not pleased that a vehicle with less than 30k mi on it required a transmission replacement, but at least they did the right thing and gave me a new one. I'd suggest anyone with issues to be very stubborn and demand replacement. YMMV but my advisor helped get it done. Only put about 50mi on it so far, taking it easy, driving it like a break-in period, but so far so good (knock on wood). I haven't even put it in sport mode yet, which always featured some hard downshifts, so I can't comment on whether those are gone yet.

I believe (based on what service advisor told me) the transmission issues were only with a few months of manufacture. However I don't know the time period. It seems like fluid leaking from seals is what precipitates the problems. Anyone who starts seeing hard 6-7 downshifts (there's a bulletin for this) needs to get in for service IMMMEDIATELY. That's how it started for me, then to power loss on acceleration, then pretty much complete destruction of the transmission. Get it early. Check for fluid leaks (it's a very noticeable smell when it gets on something hot). That's all the advice I can offer right now. Hopefully things continue to work out. I'm glad I got the extended service coverage though. Almost didn't.

Meanwhile the 2020 PIU we have at work and beat on relentlessly has had no issues. Go figure.
This happened to me today and luckily I was near the dealership and the service department was still open. The transmission technician test drove with me and confirmed that it's the transmission. He told me to leave it and they arranged for a loaner car from a rental car agency which was also about to close. So I lucked out on both counts. We'll see how long the parts take to arrive to complete the repair. I have 25,289 miles on it. They have also ordered me a new rear camera because the recall reprogramming of the IPMB for the blue screen issue did not take care of it. I have another problem too with the rear defroster element starting to peel off the glass. They will probably have to replace the rear glass.

Here is the TSB for this transmission problem:

Ford Motor Company (nhtsa.gov)
 

hbalek

Active Member
Messages
947
Reactions
530
Points
232
Location
Kensington, MD, USA
#54
After 11 days at the dealership, all the parts came in and the tech performed TSB 20-2337.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2021/MC-10186386-0001.pdf

The transmission seems to be back to normal operation. I also had the rear camera replaced under warranty after the recall didn't correct the problem.
 

Xieao

New Member
Messages
2
Reactions
1
Points
1
Location
Castle Rock, CO, USA
Vehicle
2021 Explorer ST
#55
My Explorer ST shifts into Neutral between 1st and 2nd gear. It is extremely dangerous, as it immobilizes the car for a second or so, and then if you have your foot on the throttle the RPMs rise, then suddenly it will reengage in gear. This is extremely jarring when it happens. The easiest way to get the car to do it, is to put the car in manual mode and shift with the paddles. When you start from a stop, try to shift into second as fast as you can. About 5% of the time it will instead act like it is in neutral.

There is 2 major issues with this problem. One is if you aren't paying attention and keep your foot on the throttle it jams into gear and I am sure this is damaging the transmission and shortening its life. The second issue is that if you are turning across traffic and it happens, you are a sitting duck. Therefore you have to be patient when turning left in front of traffic.

Ford just released a recall for the F150 for this. However, I just talked with them and they indicated that there is no recall for the Explorer at this time.
 

TBombaci

New Member
Messages
2
Reactions
3
Points
2
Location
San Jose, CA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#56
After 11 days at the dealership, all the parts came in and the tech performed TSB 20-2337.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2021/MC-10186386-0001.pdf

The transmission seems to be back to normal operation. I also had the rear camera replaced under warranty after the recall didn't correct the problem.
I just got my ST back from the dealer today. They performed the TSB-20-2337 on it as well. Service advisor told me it will probably be a recall soon.Today was day 9.
 

JR01

New Member
Messages
11
Reactions
3
Points
2
Location
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Vehicle
2021 Ford Explorer St
#57
Well bad news for me. I have a 2021 ST with 12,000 miles on it. I notice some hard down shifting several different times. A couple days ago I got off the freeway it downshifted hard I turned the corner and accelerated and it immediately downshifted very hard and it was like an explosion the whole car shuttered it was very loud and now the the vehicle barely runs. I was told it would take a week for the dealership to look at it so I’m just waiting till next week to hear what’s up, I’m assuming it’s the trans
 

JR01

New Member
Messages
11
Reactions
3
Points
2
Location
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Vehicle
2021 Ford Explorer St
#58
Just went to move the car to be towed and parts fell off with heavy grease on them. Small piece smaller than palm of your hand.
 

Attachments

GearHead_1

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,555
Reactions
1,297
Points
262
Location
Utah
Vehicle
Exploder
#59
That looks like the cage of a CV joint, whether driveline or axle I couldn't say. I can't bring the image to my head without crawling under it but I'd have to think it's at the very least dropped a driveline. That would definitely make me wonder what the trans tailshft looks like. I'm just spoutin' off here.
 

Last edited:

JR01

New Member
Messages
11
Reactions
3
Points
2
Location
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Vehicle
2021 Ford Explorer St
#60
Yes I believe you called it Gearhead I believe the transmission locked up when it down shifted hard and blew the u-join that’s what we’re thinking anyway won’t know for a couple days. here’s a couple more pictures
 

Attachments



Top