2022 Ford Explorer Power Train

My 2022 Ford Explorer had Recall 23S55 performed on June 21, 2025 to address rear axle/differential fastener fracture. Despite the recall repair, the rear subframe-to-differential cover bolt sheared off while driving, causing the differential to drop and the driveshaft to be pulled from the differential. Grease leaked and the driveshaft was gouged against the subframe. This is the same failure mode the recall was intended to prevent and occurred after the recall was certified as complete. This failure happened while I was driving with my daughter and could have resulted in loss of control if it occurred at highway speed. Ford has only offered partial cost coverage instead of treating this as a failed recall remedy. I am concerned this represents an ineffective recall repair and an ongoing safety risk.

I have been hearing a roaring sound for quite some time now. Finally figured it out and it’s the rear differential on my explorer. There’s metal shaving all in it. The plug is covered with it. The fluid is at the right amount. Does not have a hitch and I do not take it off road. It’s all highway miles.

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while making a right turn at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear driveshaft. The traction control and Hill Assist warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the rear differential axle bolt had fractured and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 23V675000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the rear differential cover, rear drive shaft, and left rear axle shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to shift into reverse, the vehicle moved forward approximately 2 - 3 feet before reversing as intended. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V164000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer opened a case regarding the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

I am writing to express my concern regarding a safety issue I have experienced with my vehicle. Specifically, there is a noticeable 3-5 second delay when shifting from Drive to Reverse. This delay not only creates confusion about whether the vehicle is in the correct gear, but also presents a potential safety hazard, as the vehicle may lurch forward when the driver intends to reverse. In addition, this gear shift delay causes the backup camera to display with a similar delay, reducing visibility and reaction time when maneuvering in reverse. This compromises the camera's effectiveness and the driver's ability to safely back up. I brought this issue to a Ford dealership, but I was told that there was nothing they could do about it. I find this response unsatisfactory, especially considering the safety implications. I would appreciate it if this issue could be further investigated and properly addressed. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response and a resolution to this issue.

The transmission performance is poor, sometimes bordering and dangerous. In reverse you sometimes supply the gas in the car just sits there and doesn’t move and then it will quickly move backwards dangerously. There’s also a hesitation on acceleration and harsh shifting. I’ve had it to the dealer where they reset and reloaded the transmission software, it seem to smooth out the driving a little bit, but it’s been four months and it’s pretty much back the way it was originally, harsh, shifting, delayed power.

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated when she was shifting the vehicle into reverse (R), and as she depressed the brake pedal, the vehicle was lunging forward. The contact stated that the failure had occurred following a routine service appointment with a local dealer. The contact stated that the failure was occurring only when she was shifting into reverse (R). The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that she had had a crash in a parking lot after she had shifted to reverse (R). The contact stated that the vehicle lunged forward and the front end crashed into a concrete parking bollard. The contact stated that the front bumper was dented and there was no other damage. The contact stated that she later was in pain and had bruises on her right shoulder and chest. The contact stated that she went to an urgent care facility and was x-rayed. The contact stated that she only had the bruising and no broken ribs or bones. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and no power train failures were detected. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V675000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

This is a Utility Interceptor used by a police department, and we have two of them. The vehicle stalls out when trying to enter traffic. It will stall for 2 or 3 seconds with the accelerator pressed all the way to the floor. Ford Motor Company released a technical service bulletin and provided a software flash for the transmission. I had the vehicle serviced at Ford in Bloomington, Indiana, but the transmission software flash did not correct the problem. I then returned the vehicle to Ford and stated that it did not solve the problem. The service technician stated that they contacted an engineer, Ford, and they noted that it was the nature of that transmission and that nothing else could be done. The technician also noted that the vehicle will not upshift from 4th gear to 1st gear when trying to accelerate. The bottom line up front is that transmission stalling the way it does is a safety issue for a police department or any driver.

When engaging the gear from reverse to drive and vice versa. The car rolls even though the display panel shows gear has shifted. Thus the car even rolls forward or backwards post gear shift as it slowly engages.

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V675000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the reverse mode did not function as needed. The contact stated that when the gear shifter was shifted to reverse mode, the vehicle rolled either forward or backwards and then hesitated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, however the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V675000 (Power Train) however, an appointment to repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was made aware of the issue but disconnected the call without scheduling an appointment. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Select reverse with gear shift. Does not engage reverse for approximately 8-10 seconds once selected and when engine is warm. Have almost been hit multiple times when backing up because it takes so long to engage reverse.

When shifting drive to reverse it takes 4 to 5 seconds to start moving the car. This being a very dangerous situation when backing into a busy street.

Since new the vehicle intermittently fails to shift in or out of reverse instead going to neutral and free rolling. Cycling the shift selected multiple times or performing a battery reset temporarily resolves the issue. This results in the vehicle being unable to move out of the roadway when backing onto a road.

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V675000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An undisclosed dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

I was informed by Mullinax Ford and the Ford Recall Hotline that a fix for recall 23S55 relating to a potential rollaway risk would not be available until second quarter 2024. This is unacceptable and owners should not be expected to drive a vehicle for almost a year with a potential crash risk.

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the tires began to make a thumping sound and the steering wheel started to vibrate. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the axle seal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while attempting to reverse into a parking spot, the gear shifter was moved to reverse(R) however, there was a 5-second lag before the transmission selected the intended gear. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while receiving an oil change at the local dealer, the dealer stated that the valve body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the same failure. The contact took the vehicle to back the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.

While attempting to reverse the vehicle has a delay, or rolls forward, and then vehicle will hard shift into gear quite roughly. the vehicle was taken to the dealership in 02/23 for repair where it spent 2 weeks at a mileage of 5650. the dealership did what they would fix the issue. Well in June 2023 the issue started happening again, and now slips while driving. For as much as i paid for this car, this should not be happening. It is a serious safety hazard that could result in an accident or someone being hurt. My vehicle should not have to go back into the shop again, and Ford needs to resolve these issues, or provide replacement transportation given the amount of time the dealer has to have for repairs. This is my only vehicle. They should replace the transmission, and see if it resolves the issue. This is a know issue, and it needs fixed asap.

The contact leased a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering uncontrollably and was making an abnormal grinding sound. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front driver's side axle was fractured. The dealer informed the contact that the failure was unprecedented. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 15,629.

While driving uphill on freeway the Ford Explorer lost all power going about 60mph. The warning of a wrench symbol came on indicating power train malfunction. Our mileage was at only 665 and after 10pm. Thankfully there was an adequate shoulder to pull off the road. It was not duplicated in the dealership. Turning off the power reset everything but now the dealership is replacing the entire transmission per Ford motor company. There was a burning smell but wasn’t positive it was coming from the Explorer or a fire nearby.

it jerks and the gear change is felt a lot

2022 Ford Explorer bought brand new from dealership, began noticing lagging in vehicle when going from DRIVE to REVERSE. Car will stall between drive and reverse in the neutral position for a period of time longer than normal (up to 10 seconds). This occurs on a regular basis, multiple times while blocking a road or parking lot while attempting to back into a parking spot, at which time vehicle appears to be in neutral and will roll forward or backward if not holding the brake which could cause the vehicle to hit buildings, people, other cars, etc. Only one warning light came on at one time stating “Transmission Fault stuck in park” and vehicle would not move or go into another gear. Vehicle taken to a ford dealer at which time they stated they did see the fault, did an update on the computer system which seemed to stop it and if it persisted the shifter would need replaced. Within only 1-2 days after leaving the dealership the car began to regularly and recurrently have the same fault of delaying from drive to reverse. This issue does not seem to occur when going from Park to reverse. This appears to be a persistent complaint from owners specifically of 2022 Ford Explorers.