Detroit, MI – A 2025 Ford Explorer ST owner narrowly escaped injury Tuesday evening when the SUV suddenly lost power during rush-hour traffic on Interstate 94 near Detroit. The failure, traced to a completely destroyed transmission mount, triggered a low-speed rear-end collision and has fueled growing concerns among owners of early-build 2025 models.
The incident occurred around 5 p.m. as the driver attempted to merge lanes. A sharp “clunk” was followed by a loose gear shifter and total engine shutdown—no throttle response, no warning lights. A trailing Toyota Prius struck the rear of the stalled Explorer at low speed. Damage was minor, and no serious injuries were reported.
Dealership inspection revealed catastrophic failure of the transmission mount:
· Rubber bushing fully shredded
· Metal mounting bracket bent and cracked
Technicians link the collapse to two issues in vehicles built at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant between March and April 2025:
1. Mounting bolts torqued to only 50 ft-lbs, below the specified 70 ft-lbs
2. A new environmentally friendly rubber compound prone to cracking under heat and load
Ford has issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 25-1892), directing dealers to inspect and re-torque mount bolts and replace failed units under warranty. Sources say the automaker is reviewing data for a possible safety recall.
Owner Reports Highlight Early Warnings Dozens of 2025 Explorer owners on forums and social media describe identical red flags appearing within the first 3,000 miles:
· Shifter loose in Park (1,000–3,000 miles)
· Vibration at 1,500–2,000 RPM in city driving
· Delayed or harsh shifts in stop-and-go traffic
· Audible clunk when shifting from Park to Drive on cold starts
One owner wrote: “I ignored the shifter play for weeks—thought it was just a quirk. Then it died in a school pickup line.”
At least 15 similar failures have been shared online, including one vehicle rolling backward into a parked car and another stalling at a busy intersection.
Safety Risk The sudden loss of power in traffic—combined with a shifter that may not engage Park—poses a clear rollover and collision hazard. Many failures occur without dashboard warnings.
Ford urges owners experiencing shifter looseness, clunking, or unusual vibration to visit a dealer immediately. A $350 replacement mount can prevent thousands in repairs—or worse.
