2000 Ford Explorer transmission problems

The 2000 Ford Explorer has 143 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 12% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

143

Transmission complaints

12%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Explorer transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

00V395000TransmissionNovember 28, 2000 · 100,500 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 3.27 OR 3.55 AXLE RATION. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE A POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE THAT COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO EXCEED THE DESIGN INTENT TOP SPEED. AT THESE EXTREME SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE COULD BE CAPABLE OF EXCEEDING THE SPEED RATING OF THE TIRE.

Consequence

OPERATING THE VEHICLE ABOVE THE MAXIMUM SPEED RATING COULD LEAD TO A TIRE FAILURE WHICH AT THESE SPEEDS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE.

What owners report

“THE DAY OF THE FATALITY I WAS STANDING OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE FOR AROUND 5 TO 10 MINUTES. I WAS ON AN UPGRADE,. (HOWEVER I HAD JUST RECENTLY HAD NEW BRAKES INSTALLED AND THE CAR WAS IN PARK). SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACK AT A FAST PACE KILLING THE BACK SEAT DRIVER THAT WAS IN THERE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 23, 2014 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2000 Ford Explorer have?

NHTSA has 143 complaints about the 2000 Ford Explorer transmission — 12% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2000 Ford Explorer transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 00V395000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.