2010 Ford Explorer: Power Train complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 28 owner complaints for the 2010 Ford Explorer that list the power train component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11713879 (filed 01/28/2026): “Thing accelerate by itself while on highway od light blinking at high speeds and then when you come to a complete stop and try to takeoff it goes really slow with the rpms high then it will kick into gear, unsafe on the road. truck willjump in gear then out on takeoff.…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11431861 (filed 09/06/2021): “Driving 65 mph on i95 and it just shut off. the yellow wrench on dash came on. i somehow was able to pull over to the shoulder without being killed. i cranked once then tried it again and it started. drove all the way home and it’s running fine now. this is a common problem and ford should be c…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11425615 (filed 07/20/2021): “While driving on the highway, my explorer did a sudden jolt and i had no control over the vehicle. it acted as though it was no in gear. i almost crashed going 60 mph on a 4 lane highway. it then did another large jolt and revved high into the red line. i took it to firestone and they recommended th…”
Likely causes
These complaints do not establish a single root cause; read the examples above and get a diagnosis.
Fix, in plain English
No single fix is established by these reports. Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer about technical service bulletins (TSBs) or extended warranty coverage, then have the system diagnosed.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Diagnosis needs a scan tool; repair or replacement needs a lift, transmission jack and the manufacturer's fluid fill/relearn procedure. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range for this issue. Get a written quote after diagnosis.
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