2011 Ford Explorer Transmission Problems?

[FordService]

...I am working with Ford (and Cory) however I am getting upset that it has been two weeks and my rep keeps telling me that no one has any idea what this could be so far...

I know they’re doing their best to get this resolved for you, Nexus.

I hope you’re enjoying the MKS rental.

Thanks for that update Nexus. Glad it was obvious to your dealer and is now being escalated.

I'm awaiting delivery of a 2012 with tow package and AW, so please keep the rest of us updated on your progress!

calb,

A quick check on your order shows your Explorer is moving along smoothly.

I had the same thing happen to me 3 times in about 4800 miles. I actually just dropped my X off at the dealership yesterday for leaking transmission fluid. Saw it when I was changing the oil last week. Still waiting on a call back to see what the problem is.

edge929,

I can help by forwarding this to the Customer Service Manager in your region. So I can do this, please send a PM with your VIN, contact information, dealer name/state, and mileage.

...In 11 months I have experienced the "Bump" three times. The low noise and slight drag is more frequent, but still random and not reproducible for a dealer. Sounds like there is a TSB for the bump (sticking valve) but what about the 2nd issue? It is noticeable because the Transmission is normally so smooth and quiet.

Holligl,

I still have your Explorer’s info, so let me know if you’d like a follow-up scheduled.

Cory

 

[Holligl]

Holligl,

I still have your Explorer’s info, so let me know if you’d like a follow-up scheduled.

Cory

Cory - I will wait until the next service interval. The Transmission issue is pretty infrequent but exists. My A-pillar is patched with sealant now, would be interested in knowing if there is any better permanent fix.

 

[calb]

calb,

A quick check on your order shows your Explorer is moving along smoothly.

Cory - I know you, Rebecca and the team at Ford personally monitored my new Explorer Limited every second, personally selecting the best of parts from around the factory, calling suppliers and letting them know you needed something extra special, walking her through assembly and having the team on the floor double check every nut and bolt until she was (or is?) tenderly loaded on the truck

I don't know when my Ex is arriving, but I'm anticipating in the next couple of weeks ... Thanks Cory!

 

[jspeer]

Transmission

We have had two occurences of a possible tranny issue. Wife is freaking out because we left a 2006 freestyle with trnasmission issues. I understand it could be a one or two time thing but curioys if anyone else had this experience.

our driveway is on a slight incline so when backign out and putting in drive the car continued to roll backwards. did it for 5 feet and when accelerator was pushed it still did not want to go...took awhile to engage.

Once she hit the street it had no power and eventually kicked into gear and worked well...

Same thing happened last week without the backwards rolling...it just would not go when accelerator was pushed....

Anyone else...had car for two weeks...makes you a little nervous when this happens but aside from this the car is phenomenal...

 

[Nexus]

I know they’re doing their best to get this resolved for you, Nexus.

I hope you’re enjoying the MKS rental.


calb,

A quick check on your order shows your Explorer is moving along smoothly.


edge929,

I can help by forwarding this to the Customer Service Manager in your region. So I can do this, please send a PM with your VIN, contact information, dealer name/state, and mileage.


Holligl,

I still have your Explorer’s info, so let me know if you’d like a follow-up scheduled.

Cory

Cory,
I am sure every one is working hard on this for me, but I want to make sure everyone at Ford is looking at it from my point of view.

I went from a 2010 Explorer that the brakes kept failing (almost killed me twice at a red light on a 55mph road and no brakes going down a large steep hill. No one could find anything wrong) to a 2012 Explorer that now has been in the shop since 11/14 (problem started at 50 miles and it now has 3300 miles on it) and even the engineer from Detroit who came and looked at it does not have an answer.
The engineer did tests on it for over 3.5 hours and took the results back to Detroit to confer with the tech line to see if they have any ideas.
Every test imaginable was done from what the service manger told me.

The only answer left I can think of is that someone at the factory bolted something on wrong or incorrectly that causes the normal vibrations to be amplified significantly.

Here are questions that keep me up at night, feel free to answer any of them:
1 - What does Ford do if this can't be fixed?
2 - If it can't be fixed does Ford just give it back and say "Thanks for your $43,000 sorry we couldn't fix it"? (That's what they did on my 2010 Explorer after I couldn't stop at an intersection the first time, and then several more times I brought it in after it failed to stop again and no one could find a reason why. Do you understand how terrifying that is? I finally could not take it anymore and did the Lemon Law)
According to everyone I have spoken with, no one has the power to give me my money back or swap it for another Explorer unless I follow the Lemon law guidelines and very lengthy procedures in Ohio (I know because I did it this year already)
3 - Shouldn't Ford offer to reimburse me somehow for everything that has happened this year (during the Lemon Law trade I had to pay $619 more)?
4 - I use my Explorer to move Servers and PC's since I am a network engineer and I can't do that with an MKS so how do I do my job properly and get paid without a vehicle that can transport big objects?
5 - Why can't I get another 2012 Explorer as a rental so I can at least do my job?
6 - I trusted Ford to sell me a quality vehicle, they have FAILED twice now, why should I trust them ever again?

Cory this is very stressful, and owning a car should not be this stressful.
Since JANUARY 15th of this year I have had to work with Ford on resolving my issues on almost a weekly basis.
That means since January I have talked to someone at Ford which is either a dealer or the vehicle replacement person, or a rep for over 48 weeks. Counting only the calls on my cell phone incoming and outgoing that is 118 calls (I just added them up).
That is a lot of my time wasted.

My service manager at the Dealer it's at is probably the best I have ever worked with. He should get an award for how hard he has worked on both Explorers for me this year. I believe in recognizing people who go above and beyond when helping others.

I just wanted to let you know the level of frustration I am feeling.
Since this is my second vehicle with an unsolvable problem, If I was Ford I would just "Swap my ride" so I could be done with this headache and high blood pressure.
Then I could tell everyone of how great Ford is and how much they show they do care.
This just feels like it is all about the money that Ford does not want to lose.

If my 2012 Explorer had something wrong with it that could be diagnosed and fixed I would not be angry like I am. I know things happen.
My MyTouch fails frequently but I just live with it.


Thanks for reading all of this Cory.
Feel free to add this to my notes at corporate.

Everyone please be sure to work with Cory on your issues.
I have heard from multiple sources at Ford that he is one of the good guys that cares and really wants to help.
Cory please thank the nice engineer who drove from Detroit to help me. I really appreciate his time.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

 

[FordService]

Cory - I will wait until the next service interval. The Transmission issue is pretty infrequent but exists...

That sounds good to me, Holligl. Drop me a line if you’d like help before that.

Cory - I know you, Rebecca and the team at Ford personally monitored my new Explorer Limited every second, personally selecting the best of parts from around the factory, calling suppliers and letting them know you needed something extra special, walking her through assembly and having the team on the floor double check every nut and bolt until she was (or is?) tenderly loaded on the truck

I don't know when my Ex is arriving, but I'm anticipating in the next couple of weeks ... Thanks Cory!

You know it, calb! I shot you an update with some new details and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

...our driveway is on a slight incline so when backign out and putting in drive the car continued to roll backwards. did it for 5 feet and when accelerator was pushed it still did not want to go...took awhile to engage...Same thing happened last week without the backwards rolling...it just would not go when accelerator was pushed...

Welcome to the forum, jspeer. I’m available to help by forwarding this to the Customer Service Manager in your region. For me to do that, please send a PM with your contact information, dealer name/state, mileage, and VIN.

...Thanks for reading all of this Cory.
Feel free to add this to my notes at corporate.

Everyone please be sure to work with Cory on your issues.
I have heard from multiple sources at Ford that he is one of the good guys that cares and really wants to help.
Cory please thank the nice engineer who drove from Detroit to help me. I really appreciate his time...

Thank you for taking the time to post that, Nexus. I sent you a PM, so please check your inbox for my message.

Cory

 

[Nexus]

2012 Explorer Gas Pedal Vibration Fixed

Here is the fix for my 2012 Explorer gas pedal vibration.
18 days in the shop to fix this.

It ended up being fixed by adding another hold down or clamp to the shifter cable that runs from the gear shift lever inside of the Explorer to the engine compartment through the firewall next to the gas pedal. The hold down or clamp was added to the cable before it went through the firewall (there were already two on it).

If you have a 2012 Explorer with a gas pedal vibration (feels like an electric razor buzzing under your foot) then this may be the fix for you.
PM me if you would like your dealer to speak with mine on what he did to fix mine.
This was also the fix for other Ford vehicles that had the same gas pedal vibration and even has a part number that dates back to 2006.

The fix that works on 2011 Explorer gas pedal vibration may be the one I just explained or it may be what fixed another one I learned about during all this.

The 2011 Explorers have their Brake line cluster that runs from the HCU (Hydraulic Control Unit - controls ABS braking) next to the transmission lines that then cause the vibration. This was fixed in the 2012 Explorers by Ford moving the components further away from each other.

Next issue on my new 2012 Explorer that should not be happening.
This was happening before I took it in for service on the gas pedal vibration.
I have a whine or hum that happens under light acceleration and will stay constant after approx 45 MPH and will do it mostly at highway speeds.
This started intermittently around 3000 miles and currently I have 3450 miles on it.
This whine or hum ONLY happens when pressing the gas pedal.
As soon as I take my foot off the gas pedal it will stop almost instantly and start back up once I press the gas pedal again. (Usually 45mph to 55mph range)
Does NOT do it while coasting or braking.

Anyone else have a 2012 Explorer V6 with Tow package that has this whine or hum while pressing gas pedal and stops after releasing the gas pedal?
Please list vehicle specs when replying to help narrow this down.
If so anyone have the fix?

Thanks
Nexus

 

[Holligl]

Anyone else have a 2012 Explorer V6 with Tow package that has this whine or hum while pressing gas pedal and stops after releasing the gas pedal?
Please list vehicle specs when replying to help narrow this down.
If so anyone have the fix?

Thanks
Nexus

I have experienced this very intermittently. Maybe once every couple weeks. Early 2011, with Tow package. Shifting seems more sluggish when it is making the noise, compared to very smooth otherwise. Seems to last 5-10 minutes then goes away.

 

[Nexus]

2012 Explorer XLT AWD Gas pedal vibration Update

2012 Explorer XLT AWD Gas pedal vibration Update

I wanted to let everyone know that my gas pedal vibration returned after only a few days out of the shop 2 weeks ago.

Now my Explorer also whines between 45-65MPH which it did not previously.

The vibration is now also felt at 2000RPM where previously that was the only "smooth" range were there was not any vibration.
I can now also feel my brake pedal vibrate on and off when slowing down from highway speeds.
If I have my cruise on and keep my heel on the floor I can feel my toes tingle from the vibration as a I drive.

It is going back again tomorrow to the shop. So far 21 days in the shop.
And this is being discussed among different engineers from what I have heard.

Any one have any input?
Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[Nexus]

Still not fixed

I picked up my 2012 Explorer on 1/17/12 after it was in the shop for 27 days. It still is not fixed. Now it vibrates at any speed and any RPM and can be felt through my gas pedal and now strongly in the floor. The dealer and the engineer from Detroit and the Field engineer moved all the engine, transmission, and exhaust mounts around to see if it fixed it.
The field engineer said now it feels like his 2012 Explorer and all the others he has driven. If that is true and they all vibrate as bad as mine, then I don't want one anymore.

- 2010 Explorer had been in shop for a total of 78 Days
- 2012 Explorer has been in the shop for 48 days total as of 1/18/2012 and still not fixed.

I keep getting told that no one knows how to fix this and Ford keeps saying no one else has had this same issue so they don't know how to fix it.

Please if you have a vibration that can be felt through the floor and or Gas pedal and possibly a whining noise over 45mph, post a reply with your 2012 Explorer specs and problem.

Thanks everyone.

 

[FordService]

I have experienced this very intermittently. Maybe once every couple weeks. Early 2011, with Tow package. Shifting seems more sluggish when it is making the noise, compared to very smooth otherwise. Seems to last 5-10 minutes then goes away.

Holligl,

I still have your Explorer’s VIN, so send a PM if you’d like a follow-up for this.

...I keep getting told that no one knows how to fix this and Ford keeps saying no one else has had this same issue so they don't know how to fix it...

Nexus,

I confirmed that Scott is scheduled to call tomorrow, so drop a line if you’d like anything forwarded before then.

Cory

 

[Nexus]

Cory feel free to forward my posts to Scott.
I spoke with Scott today.
On my 2010 Explorer with faulty brakes I kept getting it back (3 times from dealer, 3 times from the field engineer) with the field engineer saying it was fixed. Each time it was not and the proof was my failure to be able to stop. Try driving everyday in a vehicle that you don't know when the brakes will fail next and do that for six months while a trusted company tells you it's normal. If it wasn't for the Lemon Law I would be stuck with that Explorer because Ford refused to "buy it back" because the field engineer said it was "within spec".

Now on my 2012 Explorer I have a vibration and a whine that has been looked at multiple times and each time I have been told that it is fixed, however the next day it is driven the vibration returns as confirmed by the service manger each time.
Today I was told by Scott that since two engineers said it felt normal to them compared to their 2012 Explorers then no further work will be done. But this problem after their last repair attempt is now intermittent so just as before they did not feel it at the time but the vibration returned the next day, and now at any speed or RPM after it's warmed up.
Scott said that if the service manger thinks it still has a problem next week when I take it back then he will see what can be done.
My point is that on my 2012 as with my 2010 people would say it was fixed and each time I got it back it is not.

I know you and Scott and my service manger and at least one engineer involved do care and do want to see this resolved. But from my side of the fence I am the one with another problem vehicle with no "end of the tunnel" in sight and it is depressing and frustrating.

Thanks Cory

 

[FordService]

Cory feel free to forward my posts to Scott.
I spoke with Scott today...Thanks Cory

I appreciate you taking the time to post that, Nexus. I forwarded the details to Scott.

Cory

 

[tuin42man]

Good luck with ford customer service. They are a waste of time as far as replacing the vehicle. Most states allow at least three attempts to fix the problem before a lemon law claim can be used. I had a defective paint job from factory and ford offered to repaint, however this was new vehicle and a paint job would make it worth considerable less but that was all ford would offer. Luckily thee dealer (parkway ford, Winston Salem NC) came through with a replacement explorer.

 

[raubod]

We bought a 2013 EX in late July. Ride was great. At about 1000 miles we started to hear a transmission whine. Also slightly felt in the pedal too. First visit to the dealer it could not be diagnosed because it was intermittent and very quiet. The service manager suggested we continue driving, that if something is wrong most often it will become noticeable very quickly. It got louder and more consistent. We brought it back to the dealer and they found a transmission cooling line that was not secured. It was vibrating against something. They secured the cooling line and the whine is gone. That was this morning. Hopefully that is it and it won't come back. The dealer was very accommodating and the transmission specialist drove it and recognized the sound immediately as a cooling line vibrating against something. Just thought you folks on this forum might want to know about this potentially simple solution to a problem that may be hard to diagnose.

 

[FordService]

...Luckily thee dealer (parkway ford, Winston Salem NC) came through with a replacement explorer.

I apologize for missing your earlier post, tuin42man; I’m glad your dealer took care of you.

...It got louder and more consistent. We brought it back to the dealer and they found a transmission cooling line that was not secured. It was vibrating against something. They secured the cooling line and the whine is gone...

It’s awesome to see you got the noise taken care of, raubod; thanks for posting the update.

Cory

 

[Nexus]

2012 Explorer Whine and pedal vibration update

Hello all,
I just wanted to post a quick note.
I am glad others are getting a happy ending to their issues.
Unfortunately I only have one dealer I trust out of the 5 in my area of Ohio
Looking back at any of my posts and you will see how long I have been battling issues.
- I still have my vibrating pedal, it's better than it was but not fixed (Ford engineers from Detroit say its normal)

- My transmission now whines above 25 MPH all the time and the Dealer says they have heard it intermittent on others 2012 Explorers but reluctant to diagnose mine (I believe Ford is done with me - see my previous posts)

- Now my Explorer feels like its in too high of a gear (it's in 6th)or feels like it's missing on one cylinder when driving 40-43mph and starts jerking.

I begged my dealer to examine the transmission cooling lines after mine was in the shop for 45 days because of the vibration and whine. They kept telling me it's fine and secured properly. They did remove the transmission, rotate the torque converter 120 degrees, and added weights to the transmission shifter cable (which is where the vibration makes it to the inside of the car)

After dealing with two bad vehicles since Jan 2011 I am tired. So many trips to two dealers and so many cheap rental cars, Ford won, I am sorry I have asked them to fix two vehicles (new 2010 Explorer failing brakes replaced with a 2012 Explorer with a vibration) that both have had major unsolvable issues.
I am sorry I had faith in them to see this through to the end. Instead they have ended it all by saying my Explorer feels and whines like any other.

I have been nice to everyone and never once got angry. I thanked everyone for helping me and even bought a $50 gift card as a thank you for one of the people helping me from Ford.
As my case rep told me previously Ford already told him that my vehicle is NOT to be replaced and that is "off the table".

- As a quick note be aware that there are reports on the web in other forums of steering failures on 2011 and 2012 Explorers (If it happens to you, turn off the ignition and restart and you then need to get it to a dealer to fix - parts are on back order until November according to one forum). Also ever accelerate hard and smell something weird afterward (with windows rolled up)? It may be exhaust fumes (including carbon monoxide) getting into your Explorer. There are reports on the web in other forums of this issue.
Mine always smells bad after accelerating hard onto the highway.

Feel free to add anything if you had the gas pedal vibration and/or transmission whine and it was fixed.

Thanks again Cory for trying to help me.

Good luck to everyone.

 

[TheGeekHero]

I am having issues with my 2013 Ford Explorer transmission with only 10k miles! Starts shuddering when shifting gears. Been at the dealership for 6 days now and they still cant tell me what the issue is!

 

[FordService]

I am having issues with my 2013 Ford Explorer transmission with only 10k miles! Starts shuddering when shifting gears. Been at the dealership for 6 days now and they still cant tell me what the issue is!

Hi TheGeekHero,

I want to assist by getting your case escalated to your regional customer service manager. To get started, send me a PM with your VIN, dealer, mileage, daytime phone number, and full name. I'll get the ball rolling and ensure you're contacted.

Crystal

 

[TheGeekHero]

15 Days since I dropped off 2013 Ford Explorer with transmission issues, I was never contacted my "Ford" only my dealer service rep Johnny which by the way has done a great job of keeping me informed. I officially regret buying Ford! :-( Fool me once Shame on you!