2016 Ford Explorer Transmission Problems

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced rough idles while his wife was driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the torque converter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was confirmed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

NHTSA ID

11666608

Incident

May 29, 2025

Mileage

92,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to shift into reverse properly, the vehicle would reverse a few feet and suddenly stall or stop from reversing when reversing out of a parking lot while a crunching sound could be heard from underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed that the PTU needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11620353

Incident

Sep 16, 2024

Mileage

120,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while at a red light, the vehicle was shaking abnormally. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was drivable and was driven to a dealer. The dealer replaced the motor mounts and informed the contact that the torque converter and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. No further assistance was provided. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,393.

NHTSA ID

11606897

Incident

Jul 13, 2024

Mileage

97,393 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while stopped, the engine was idling rough. The contact stated that while accelerating, the vehicle was slow to respond and then jolted forward. While driving, reversing, or at a stop, the vehicle was shaking abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the failure was due to the torque converter. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 94,400.

NHTSA ID

11597948

Incident

Jun 28, 2024

Mileage

94,400 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH and coming to a complete stop, the vehicle shuddered. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered increasingly while at a complete stop. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal to drive, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that she depressed the accelerator pedal harder, and the vehicle responded. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure recurred while reversing. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the torque converter, the Body Control Module (BCM), the solenoid body and transmission fluid and other unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Numbers: 20B27 and 20N07. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

NHTSA ID

11586347

Incident

Jan 31, 2024

Mileage

126,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and restarted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that PCM needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 56,000.

NHTSA ID

11579566

Incident

Oct 16, 2023

Mileage

56,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving uphill, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the torque converter was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under recall or warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11551869

Incident

Apr 1, 2023

Mileage

70,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle was shifted into drive(D) and the brake pedal was released; however, the vehicle started shuddering and jerking significantly. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to shift into the intended gear while driving. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The check engine and the power train warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the insurance company later informed her of Ford Campaign Number: 20B27, which she related to the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under the Campaign. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.

NHTSA ID

11547318

Incident

Sep 23, 2023

Mileage

121,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal loud sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact’s wife was able to navigate off the road. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was previously recalled for a PCM software update. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11513952

Incident

Dec 27, 2022

Mileage

100,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started to shake and vibrate. After restarting the vehicle, the failure recurred. The vehicle was driven to the local dealer who diagnosed that the motor mounts and spark plugs were faulty and needed to be replaced. The spark plugs and motor mounts were replaced but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the torque converter 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 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11509833

Incident

Feb 15, 2023

Mileage

120,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The vehicle had previously been serviced by an independent mechanic who replaced the engine and two engine cylinders. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the gear shifter was unable to shift to the intended gear. Additionally, the vehicle jerked and hesitated during acceleration. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,600. The consumer stated this is the 2nd engine and still having problems with the engine stalling.

NHTSA ID

11472796

Incident

Jul 7, 2022

Mileage

71,600 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission became inoperable. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the torque convertor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

NHTSA ID

11464394

Incident

Aug 10, 2020

Mileage

75,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle began to shake and shudder when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated that to control the shudder she slowed the vehicle to the point that the motion stopped and then slowly accelerated back to highway speeds. The contact stated that the shuddering occurred any time the contact attempted to accelerate. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the power train control module needed to be updated and the transmission torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

NHTSA ID

11460064

Incident

Feb 7, 2022

Mileage

103,000 mi