2014 Ford Explorer Powertrain & Transmission Problems

PTU failure, due to no maintenance service recommended for PTU, PTU failure has been a ongoing issue due to the position of the PTU,location of changing fluid and no mileage recommended for regular service or recommended regular service in the owners manual

The water pump is having issues with going out after the first cold snap of the year. This car was just purchased by us back in March of 2025. The car was inspected by the dealership prior to purchase as well as our personal mechanic. After further research this is a known issue especially in 2011-2020 models with economists engines. There have been class action lawsuits regarding this as well.

PTU (transfer case) failure during a drive when I was making a safe left turn across traffic and the car quit moving forward with oncoming traffic inbound. Mazda has recalled this part but ford has not. There are so many failures the part is out of stock for months. The ptu design was set up for failure as a non serviceable part

When I was going down the highway at 60mph around a small curve and the steering wheel snatched hard, the car reduced the speed I was traveling (as if the brakes were engaged) and I lost ability to control. The Traction control light on the dashboard flashed several times so I pulled over. The light went away and I proceeded to drive at a slow speed (it happened again at 40mph). I was concerned about wrecking the vehicle due to this issue so I had my husband come and pick me and my small child up. The next day he drove it with no issues BUT it has done it several times now. I started reading up on this vehicle and in fact others with the same make and model have had the same issues.

issue with driving between speeds of 25 to 45 mph. Believe that there is a problem with the torque converter as it feels as though it's shuttering during those speeds. speeds of 50 or higher miles per hour feel fine while driving.

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle jerked abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the torque convertor was starting to fail. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after refueling and had placed the vehicle in park (P) and had turned the vehicle off. The contact stated that she was at the rear of the vehicle on the passenger side by the gasoline port, she had inserted the fueling nozzle into the gas filler tube when the vehicle began to roll backward. The contact stated she pulled the fuel nozzle out of the port and then attempted to enter the vehicle through the front passenger door but was unable to get into the vehicle. The contact said that the vehicle rolled backward down the inclined gas station driveway rolled into the roadway and stopped. The contact stated that she was shaken and was not sure if the front passenger door had struck her. The contact stated that she felt pain on her right side from the right side of her face to her hip, but she had not received medical attention. The contact was asked if she had set the parking brake and she reported that she had not. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic signal, the signal changed, and the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle moved forward but failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 10 MPH. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle and was able to drive back to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 15 MPH. The contact stated that prior to the failure he observed that when the vehicle was shifted into park(P), a warning illuminated that read "Not in Park" several times. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V692000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Power Transfer Unit Failed while driving on highway. Not a serviceable part as manufacturer claims it is a lifetime fluid. Approximate date

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering assist warning light illuminated. The steering column seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a rack and pinion failure. The contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred two weeks later. The vehicle was scheduled to be towed back to the dealer in several days. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving or pulling off from a stop sign, the vehicle jerked and there was smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic who performed a diagnostic test and stated that the passenger’s side axle seal of the transfer case was leaking and recommended that the transfer case be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,000.

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle was vibrating with an abnormal rattling sound coming from the front and the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vibration and rattling were a constant failure and happened at various speeds. Additionally, the contact stated that when he stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle was making a grinding sound while depressing the accelerator pedal. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V692000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Under moderate to heavy acceleration exhaust fumes are pouring into the cabin. The harder you accelerate the more you smell. Gives me a headache every time.

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the transmission warning light illuminated and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle hesitated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring for approximately six months. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. There was no warning light illuminated and the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The manufacturer informed the contact that the warranty on the vehicle had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000. The VIN was unavailable.

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while accelerating at slower speeds, the vehicle hesitated while shifting gear. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power transfer unit (PTU) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

2014 Ford Explorer XLT with 102,858 miles. All previous recalls have been repaired. Over a period of past 2 weeks, I noticed a steady increase in an intermittent lurch as I drove. It happened more often, so I took to Mountaineer Ford on Jan. 13, 2023. They determined the transmission was failing, saying a new replacement would cost $7,500. Unable to afford that, I declined for the time being. On the way home, it suddenly got so much worse - grinding and lurching - I was not sure I'd make it before it failed completely. Thankfully, I made it but I consider the car no longer drivable.

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while accelerating at 30-40 MPH, the vehicle started to sputter and the engine misfired. The contact then stated that on other occasions while accelerating approximately 60-65 MPH, the vehicle failed to properly respond. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the torque converter failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V427000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided the contact with Customer Satisfaction Program: 20N07 and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.

Check engine light came on at approximately 79000 miles for timing components that will cost over $4000 to repair.

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while at a stop light, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission was slipping. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and a case was filed. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 96,000.