A 2025 Ford Explorer ST owner experienced a terrifying stall in rush-hour traffic on I-94 near Detroit after the transmission mount completely failed at just 4,200 miles. The incident resulted in a rear-end collision when the vehicle lost all power mid-merge. While damage was minor and no serious injuries occurred, the event has sparked widespread alarm among 2025 Explorer owners about a potential manufacturing defect.
The Incident: From Clunk to Total Power Loss
During peak traffic around 5 PM, the driver felt a sharp "clunk" while changing lanes. The gear shifter became extremely loose, and the SUV suddenly stalled — no throttle response, no warning lights. Before the driver could pull over, a following Prius rear-ended the vehicle at low speed.
After towing to the dealership, inspection revealed the transmission mount was destroyed:
· Rubber bushing shredded
· Metal mounting bracket bent and cracked
The technician identified this as part of a growing pattern in 2025 Explorers built at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant, citing under-torqued bolts and soft eco-friendly rubber that fails under normal heat and load.
Early Warning Signs Reported by Owners
The original poster and dozens of commenters described consistent red flags appearing well before total failure:
| Symptom | Typical Onset |
| Shifter feels loose in Park | 1, 000–3, 000 miles |
| Vibration at 1, 500–2, 000 RPM | City driving, warm engine |
| Delayed or clunky shifts | Stop-and-go traffic |
| Clunk when shifting P → D | Cold starts |
One owner noted: “I ignored the shifter play for weeks — thought it was just a quirk. Then it died in a school pickup line.”
Root Cause: Factory Assembly & Material Issues
Ford service advisors and independent technicians agree the problem stems from two critical flaws in early 2025 production (March–April builds):
1. Mounting bolts torqued to only 50 ft-lbs instead of the required 70 ft-lbs
2. New "eco-rubber" compound introduced for NVH reduction — cracks under heat and torque
A Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 25-1892) has been issued, instructing dealers to:
· Inspect and re-torque all mount bolts
· Replace failed mounts under warranty
Multiple reports indicate Ford is gathering data for a possible safety recall.
Real-World Risks: Stalls in Traffic Are Dangerous
The thread highlights how quickly a seemingly minor vibration can escalate:
· Sudden power loss in moving traffic = high rear-end risk
· Loose shifter prevents Park engagement → vehicle can roll away
· No dash warnings in many cases — failure is silent until catastrophic
At least 15 similar cases were shared in the thread, including:
· One vehicle rolling backward into another car in a parking lot
· Another stalling at a busy intersection
Takeaway: If your vehicle shows shifter looseness, clunking, or vibration — don’t wait. Get it inspected immediately. A $350 part can prevent a $3,500 repair bill… or worse. Welcome to purchase the VDI Transmission Mount 8K0399151AP.
