Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Ford Explorer powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2019 Ford Explorer have filed 32 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 83,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
32
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Explorer | 65 |
| 2016 Explorer | 198 |
| 2017 Explorer | 112 |
| 2018 Explorer | 43 |
| 2019 Explorer (this page) | 32 |
| 2020 Explorer | 443 |
| 2021 Explorer | 105 |
| 2022 Explorer | 53 |
| 2023 Explorer | 10 |
What stands out
Owners have filed 32 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper, achieving proper torque of the crankshaft pulley bolt is critical. Incorrect torque may allow the bolt to loosen resulting in the timing gear breaking and engine damage. Replacement of the bolt is critical to the repair and accurately following the installation procedure in the Workshop Manual (WSM) Section, 303-01 is extremely important. The bolt torque procedure can be found in the crankshaft front seal removal and installation procedure or in the engine assembly procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer Vehicles Equipped With the 2.3L Engine and 6F35 Transmission Powertrain Control Module Reprogram Submitting Owner Letters
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer Vehicles Equipped With the 2.3L Engine and 6F35 Transmission - Transmission Extended Warranty Coverage Updated Owner Letters: 20N07/20B27 S1
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with the 2.3L engine and 6F35 transmission; Powertrain Control Module reprogram. Supplement: Program terms will be in effect through August 31, 2023 This program is now eligible for mobile repairs
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Torque converter failure is the dominant complaint in this cluster. Owners describe shuddering, jerking, and hesitation during acceleration—sometimes accompanied by an orange wrench light, sometimes without any warning. The malfunction typically occurs between 40,000 and 105,000 miles, with most reports in the 65,000–90,000 range. One owner's transmission fluid was black with visible metal shavings; another lost highway speed from 65 to below 35 MPH within seconds, nearly causing a crash.
Ford has issued TSBs 20-2271 and 22-2287 confirming the issue, and a Customer Satisfaction Program (20N07) exists for "Transmission Extended Warranty Coverage." Multiple owners report their VINs are excluded despite matching the stated manufacture dates and locations—a source of frustration.
Repair costs are steep: dealers quote $4,000–$9,400+ for full transmission replacement. Several owners report the failure recurs within 1–2 years of repair, forcing them back to the shop. One shop owner documented black transmission fluid with metal debris, indicating internal wear. Post-recall transmission failures have also been reported, with one owner's vehicle failing immediately after Ford service completion.
Uncommon secondary issues include rear main seal leaks (estimated at $3,800) and one PTU failure. Owners universally cite lack of recall coverage and Ford's refusal to offer goodwill assistance as compounding financial hardship.
Same Ford Explorer powertrain reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Torque Converter Failure
Torque converter malfunction causing shuddering, jerking, hesitation, loss of acceleration, and rough idle. Occurs at various mileages, sometimes repeatedly even after replacement. Often accompanied by transmission fluid breakdown (metal shavings reported in at least one case). Multiple TSBs reference this as a known issue (20-2271, 22-2287). Some owners cite Customer Satisfaction Program 20N07 but report their VINs are excluded despite matching the program criteria.
When: 40,000–105,000 miles; recurrence noted at 1–2 years post-repair on some units
Symptoms owners cite: Shuddering when shifting into Drive or Reverse; Jerking or violent jerking during acceleration; Hesitation to accelerate, especially on inclines or during merging; Rough or erratic idle at stops; Loss of forward momentum or inability to exceed 30 MPH; Vehicle stalling or sudden drop in RPM while driving; Hard or delayed shifting between gears; Engine revving without vehicle acceleration
Codes mentioned: P0767, P2704
Repairs/costs cited: Ford dealer replacement of torque converter or full transmission rebuild. Costs reported: $4,000–$9,400+ for transmission replacement. One independent shop charged $7,582.70 for new transmission. At least one owner reported the issue recurring after initial repair, requiring a second torque converter replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford issued TSBs 20-2271 and 22-2287 acknowledging the issue. Customer Satisfaction Program 20N07 (Transmission Extended Warranty Coverage) exists but excludes many affected VINs despite matching manufacture date and location. No recall issued despite known problem. Corporate Ford declined goodwill assistance in at least one case. NHTSA case 17S16 from 2018 addressed faulty torque converter replacement directive.
Transmission Failure (General)
Transmission slipping, inability to properly accelerate, or complete transmission breakdown requiring full replacement. Occurs without warning lights in some cases. Fluid degradation (metal shavings) noted in at least one narrative. Can occur years after vehicle purchase and within typical warranty periods if extended service plans have expired.
When: 46,000–99,000 miles; one case within 60,000 miles of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slipping between gears (especially between second and third); Inability to accelerate beyond 20–30 MPH despite throttle input; Sudden loss of speed on highway (65 MPH dropping to <35 MPH without brake input); Transmission fluid black with metal shavings; No warning lights or codes initially; codes only appear after transmission fluid breakdown
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement at dealer or independent shop. Costs: $7,582.70 reported for new transmission plus $490 rental car during repair. Another case cited $6,245.90 estimate. One owner declined $9,400+ Ford dealer repair and had transmission replaced independently.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but offered no assistance in most cases. VINs checked against recalls and not included; owners referred to NHTSA Hotline.
Power Transfer Unit (PTU) Failure
PTU malfunction causing shuddering and vibration during driving, diagnosed and repaired by dealer under Customer Satisfaction Program 20B27. Isolated report but confirmed by dealer diagnosis.
When: 90,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Shuddering while shifting gears
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replacement of PTU; repair completed under warranty program.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Customer Satisfaction Program 20B27 covers this failure; vehicle was repaired.
Post-Recall Transmission Failure
Transmission failure occurring immediately after Ford recall service completion, with no symptoms prior to service. Dealer attributed to transmission failure despite recent recall work on the vehicle.
When: 70,000 miles; failure occurred post-recall
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle does not run properly after recall service completion
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosis of transmission failure; repair status not stated in narrative.
Intermittent Powertrain Warning Light with Loss of Power
Powertrain warning light illuminates intermittently, sometimes clearing after vehicle restart. Associated with loss of power and inability to accelerate. Dealer initially misdiagnosed one case as 4WD module corruption rather than torque converter, delaying proper diagnosis. Owners report waiting 2–3 months for dealer repair.
When: Under 80,000 miles; first week of January 2023 in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Powertrain warning light on intermittently; Loss of power and inability to accelerate; Light clears after restart or sitting with engine off; Lack of acceleration during launch from stop
Codes mentioned: P0767, P2704
Repairs/costs cited: One case: dealer initially updated 4WD module; owner later diagnosed with torque converter failure. Repair timelines extended (2–3 months reported).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford dealership initially misdiagnosed as 4WD module issue; correct diagnosis later identified torque converter failure.
Wrench Light Illumination with Transmission Issues
Orange wrench (powertrain) warning light appears, often when shifting into Reverse or during acceleration. Indicates transmission or torque converter failure. Can appear intermittently; light goes off after restart in some cases, complicating diagnosis.
When: 67,000 miles reported; most cases under 85,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Orange wrench/powertrain light illumination; Light appears when shifting into Reverse or accelerating; Light disappears after restart; Lack of acceleration during launch; Shuddering while driving
Codes mentioned: P0767, P2704
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement quoted at $4,000 by one dealer; not repaired in several narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Torque converter failure confirmed by dealer; Customer Satisfaction Program 20N07 does not include affected VINs. Manufacturer advised contact with NHTSA.
Hard or Rough Shifting / Hesitation to Shift
Transmission hesitates to engage or lock, hard/delayed shifting between gears, or rough engagement when shifting into Drive or Reverse. Can occur during normal driving or at stops. Some cases involve RPM jumping or erratic behavior.
When: Most cases under 85,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hard or delayed shifting into gear; Transmission hesitates to lock; Rough or violent engagement when shifting; RPM jumping erratically; Hesitation on inclines or during acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Torque converter and throttle body replacement performed in one case ($4,000 reported, followed by recurrence). Transmission reprogramming mentioned once.
Rear Main Seal Leak
Oil leakage from rear main seal, reported as a known issue by Ford. Cost to repair is high and not covered by standard warranty.
When: Within 80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leak from rear main seal
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports $3,800 estimate for repair. One narrative explicitly states this is a known issue to Ford.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Known issue to Ford; not covered; customer responsible for full repair cost.
Synthesized from 32 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The torque converter on my 2019 Explorer is messing up. Causing a stutter while driving and an extremely rough idle when trying to stop at a stop light/sign. This stutter happens intermittently and unexpectedly weather driving at a high rate of speed or low. A light never came on and no codes were able to be read. The last day I was able to dive my car the idle suddenly dropped so low mid…
Code P0301 can’t pin point issue
Had powertrain trouble with your 2019 Ford Explorer?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2019 Ford Explorer?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 32 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 80,000 and 84,000 miles, with the median around 83,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 80,000; a quarter make it past 84,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/Ford/Explorer.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.