2012 Explorer base transmission thumps

[mpzinkann]

Hi all. Just curious if anyone has experienced a thumping noise in higher gears when you press the accelerator? I've also noticed when it down shifts at low speeds I hear the same thump noise. I can feel both of them in the peddle. Another issue is during stop and go traffic....if I accelerate to 10-25 MPH and let off, the transmission makes a loud thump. Im due for my first service in 500 more miles and I plan to ask about this. I took it in for a flat tire and received an recall update for cooling fan. Since then, I've noticed my AC fan speeds speed up and slows down on its own. Not consistent. Thanks for any pointers.

 

[peterk9]

Hi all. Just curious if anyone has experienced a thumping noise in higher gears when you press the accelerator? I've also noticed when it down shifts at low speeds I hear the same thump noise. I can feel both of them in the peddle. Another issue is during stop and go traffic....if I accelerate to 10-25 MPH and let off, the transmission makes a loud thump. Im due for my first service in 500 more miles and I plan to ask about this. I took it in for a flat tire and received an recall update for cooling fan. Since then, I've noticed my AC fan speeds speed up and slows down on its own. Not consistent. Thanks for any pointers.

Welcome to the Forum mpzinkann. :wavey:
There is a TSB on the transmission for the 2011 Explorer built on or before 4/15/2011 but I haven't seen one for a 2012. You definitely seem to have a problem. If this is constant I don't think you should wait to take it in.
The 12B36 program for the cooling fans should not affect the A/C fan. That update was to randomly run the cooling fans at a high speed to help prevent corrosion of the fan motor contacts.
I'm not familiar with the base controls. The only way I can see the A/C fan increasing/decreasing speed would be if you have a setting for Climate and/or Auto and it working to keep the temperature you set.
Good luck.

Peter

 

[mpzinkann]

Thanks. I'm taking it in Monday morning to check out the transmission and a/c fan. The base doesn't have any type of automatic fan control, just the knob and various speed settings. I notice it when its more in the middle setting. The transmission thumps every time i drive it....i notice it when i have to accelerate in higher gears it thumps and then as i'm rolling to a stop i notice it thump again down shifting. Hopefully i will have a pleasant experience at my dealer....sounds like a lot of horror stories out there!!!

 

[FordService]

...The transmission thumps every time i drive it....

Welcome to the boards, mpzinkann! In case you’d like me to lend a hand, I can send the details to the Customer Service Manager for your region. When you send me a PM, please be sure to include your contact info, VIN, mileage, and dealer name/state.

...If this is constant I don't think you should wait to take it in....

Thanks a bunch for taking the time to help, Peter.

Cory

 

[xplanfan]

Thanks. I'm taking it in Monday morning to check out the transmission and a/c fan. The base doesn't have any type of automatic fan control, just the knob and various speed settings. I notice it when its more in the middle setting. The transmission thumps every time i drive it....i notice it when i have to accelerate in higher gears it thumps and then as i'm rolling to a stop i notice it thump again down shifting. Hopefully i will have a pleasant experience at my dealer....sounds like a lot of horror stories out there!!!

Please let us know how it goes. I have experienced a hard shift or bang in my '12 Ex's transmission a half dozen times since Sept '11. Your thump sounds like it could be a similar problem. I hope your dealer can figure out and get you a fix. Unfortunately for me, my dealer could duplicate the problem so therefore Ford considers it to be normal operation.

 

[mpzinkann]

Thanks Cory. Let's see what my dealer thinks first. Xplanfan, its happens every time i drive it. I don't really know if its the transmission or not. Its a light thump when i give it gas and i hear it when rolling to a stop. Another thing i noticed, especially in rounda bouts and stop and go traffic, is if i accelerate and let off the gas before it gets out of first gear, its goes to second and the whole car jars. crazy

 

[FordService]

...I have experienced a hard shift or bang in my '12 Ex's transmission a half dozen times since Sept '11...

I still have your info from previous messages, xplanfan. Have you been to the dealer since you last talked to Susan? Please send me a PM and I’ll arrange a follow-up call.

Thanks Cory. Let's see what my dealer thinks first...

You got it, mpzinkann; please keep us updated.

Cory

 

[xplanfan]

I still have your info from previous messages, xplanfan. Have you been to the dealer since you last talked to Susan? Please send me a PM and I’ll arrange a follow-up call.
Cory

Cory,
my dealer could not duplicate the problem. I sent you a PM with details.

-xplanfan

 

[FordService]

...I sent you a PM with details...

Thank you for the heads up, xplanfan. I have some people ahead of you, but I will reply in the next day or so.

Cory

 

[mpzinkann]

Just an update....I got my explorer back yesterday. The dealer said the front suspension stab bar might have a defect and they ordered a new one. This would explain the thumping when getting back on the accelerator. As for the A/C fan speed, they stated that there were no known problems but the went ahead and replaced a resistor(?) but explained that most likely the electrical system is redistributing power to various components and could cause the fan speed to fluctuate. This sounds like an accurate statement but i turned the Explorer off....turned the ignition key and had the fan on the lowest setting and it was doing the same thing as before. I plan to bring this back up to the dealer when i drop it off for the suspension bar replacement.

 

[xplanfan]

Just an update....I got my explorer back yesterday. The dealer said the front suspension stab bar might have a defect and they ordered a new one. This would explain the thumping when getting back on the accelerator. As for the A/C fan speed, they stated that there were no known problems but the went ahead and replaced a resistor(?) but explained that most likely the electrical system is redistributing power to various components and could cause the fan speed to fluctuate. This sounds like an accurate statement but i turned the Explorer off....turned the ignition key and had the fan on the lowest setting and it was doing the same thing as before. I plan to bring this back up to the dealer when i drop it off for the suspension bar replacement.

If your thump is indeed being caused by a defective stabalizer then that should be an easy fix. A long while back we had a Ford Probe which lost a bolt which held the end of the stabalizer bar. At the time we were driving on a bumpy dirt road when I thought we blew a tire or broke a strut. I was relivied when I figured out it was just a missing bolt which could be easily replaced. I hope replacing the stab bar does the trick for you.

 

[mpzinkann]

Its been awhile since i posted so i'll update you all on my troubles!

After the first part (some sort of transmission mount) was replaced i still experienced the same noise. Took it back in and they replaced the front axle...apparently it had some "play" in it. I posted before that it might have been stabilizer bar and i was wrong. They replaced the axle and the noise almost went away but i could still hear the thump when getting into the accelerator. I drove it for 3 months (until the AC blower motor came in from back order) and the noises progressively got worse and worse. The dealer has had my Explorer for 1.5 weeks now. I dropped it off last Monday and they finally gave me a rental 3 days later so they have been some what helpful. They just called and told me they had a ford engineer tearing it apart tomorrow. The manager suggested to them they replace the transmission....this is the 3rd attempt to fix this problem so they are taking their time. I suggested replacing the transmission this time because if it happens again i will be pursuing Ga Lemon Law. Any Ford services reps want to jump in and help me out? I need all the help i can get right now.

The noises I'm experiencing...

When i get back into accelerator i hear a thump and feel it in peddle.
At low speeds between gear 1 and 2 when i let off accelerator the car jerks very bad
When rolling to a stop the transmission makes a loud click and similar thump, while down shifting.

 

[mpzinkann]

Ford dealer called and said that they were taking the transmission out to break it down yesterday, 10 days later! I won't even have it back by the weekend and my wife and i were going out of town for our anniversary. I'm stuck in a little Chrysler 200. I'm at wits end. This is the most frustrating process i've ever gone through....

 

[mpzinkann]

16 days later i'm getting a new transmission. Something is causing the front axles have play in them. Rather than tearing the transmission apart, Ford has agreed to replace the entire transmission unit. This is great news and i can only hope this corrects all of these issues i have been having. Thanks Cory for having customer service reach out to me. I think the had some influence in the matter.

 

[xplanfan]

16 days later i'm getting a new transmission. Something is causing the front axles have play in them. Rather than tearing the transmission apart, Ford has agreed to replace the entire transmission unit. This is great news and i can only hope this corrects all of these issues i have been having. Thanks Cory for having customer service reach out to me. I think the had some influence in the matter.

mpzinkann,
I commend you for your patience and persistence. I certainly hope this solves your bump problem for good.

xplanfan

 

[mpzinkann]

I picked up my explorer with the new transmission yesterday. I still hear a light bump occasionally when getting into the accelerator. I also heard a loud clunk between 1st and 2nd while in a parking lot, but at least it didn't shake the entire car like it was doing before. Other than that and the horrible smell of transmission fluid in the cabin its driving good. It also appears that the dealer used almost a half tank of gas and left my driver side window down because i have a lot of dust on my dash. I'll give it a few days and report back any further issues.

 

[FordService]

...Thanks Cory for having customer service reach out to me. I think the had some influence in the matter.

I picked up my explorer with the new transmission yesterday. I still hear a light bump occasionally when getting into the accelerator...

You’re welcome, mpzinkann. I made sure Sonia will call before the end of the day tomorrow.

Cory

 

[mpzinkann]

Its been a little over two weeks since i got my explorer back with a new transmission. All the sounds it was making before are still there....plus i hear clicks and pops constantly. I noticed over the weekend that now my steering wheel squeaks when turned to the right. I'm going to have to call the dealer again. I truly believe i own a lemon now and Ford needs to do something to make this right. I've had nothing but problems.

 

[FordService]

Its been a little over two weeks since i got my explorer back with a new transmission. All the sounds it was making before are still there...

mpzinkann,

I want this to be taken care of, so I set up a follow-up call from your regional Customer Service Manager by the end of the day today.

Cory

 

[2001VT]

Its been a little over two weeks since i got my explorer back with a new transmission. All the sounds it was making before are still there....plus i hear clicks and pops constantly. I noticed over the weekend that now my steering wheel squeaks when turned to the right. I'm going to have to call the dealer again. I truly believe i own a lemon now and Ford needs to do something to make this right. I've had nothing but problems.

mpzinkann,

Whatever happened with the transmission issues? I'm experiencing similar problems with my transmission and would like to have that info in my back pocket prior to going to the dealer.

Thank you!