My Used 2022 Ford Explorer ST Is Jerking So Bad When I Drive, And What’s Worse Is I Just Bought It an Hour Ago

Not every new car experience starts with a smile, and for some, it barely makes it past the first drive. When I came across Travis Wilson’s post in the “Ford Explorer ST Forum” on Facebook, I could tell this wasn’t just a small complaint. It was a full-on red flag from someone who had just picked up a used car and almost immediately ran into problems. His girlfriend had just picked up a used, certified 2022 Ford Explorer ST with only 39,000 miles, and barely an hour into ownership, serious drivetrain concerns began to show. What should have been an exciting purchase turned into a frustrating experience marked by violent jerking, delayed acceleration, and a dealer that insisted nothing was wrong.

In his post, Travis explained exactly what they were dealing with: “So my girlfriend just bought a ‘22 Ford Explorer ST. It’s certified with 39k miles on it. After driving it for a bit, like 30 mins to an hour, it now has the worst jerking I’ve ever felt while accelerating. I can hear it changing gears, and although the engine isn’t misfiring, it’s terrible. The dealership said they couldn’t find anything wrong. In sport mode it’s extremely bad. There’s also an issue when you come to a stop and hit the gas to take off as it almost feels like there’s delay. The engine will come up in RPM then almost slam the vehicle forward. I’m 99% sure it’s something transmission related. The Ford dealer we bought it from doesn’t seem to think there’s anything wrong. PS: Dealer did a trans flush.”

Other Explorer ST Owners Are Seeing Similar Issues

The way Travis described the jerking, delayed throttle response, and the strange slam-forward behavior sounds like textbook symptoms of a transmission control module issue or torque converter hesitation, especially with the 10-speed automatic that’s been increasingly under the microscope. And while the dealership reportedly performed a transmission flush, that alone doesn’t solve deeper internal problems. In fact, sometimes a flush on a modern transmission can stir up sediment and make things worse if there are already underlying issues. Plus, it’s not just Travis noticing problems with the 10-speed transmission in newer Explorers. In the same thread, several owners chimed in with comments that echoed his concerns and added context.

Matthew Skundrich got straight to the point: “The 10-speed is failing…” That one line may sound blunt, but it matches patterns we’ve seen from others who have had to deal with expensive repairs or rebuilds before even hitting 70,000 miles. In fact, I covered one owner’s frustration when their 2020 Ford Explorer needed a transmission rebuild at just 62,000 miles.

Jacob Conley added his voice too, saying, “I owned one and I wouldn't buy another.” That kind of statement doesn’t come from a single bad moment. It usually means repeated issues, failed expectations, and a lack of long-term confidence in the product. For an ST model that’s supposed to deliver a performance edge, that level of dissatisfaction is a huge red flag.

Then came Kayla Blevins, who wrote, “They’re junk. I have a ‘22 and it already had a new engine put in it.” It’s one thing to have transmission complaints, but needing a new engine with so few miles points to deeper reliability inconsistencies as well. We’ve previously highlighted a similar case where one Explorer ST owner needed a $10,000 engine replacement after trusting the oil warning light—only to learn too late it wasn’t keeping up with the engine's real needs.

However, not all responses were grim. Fredo Junior offered a different perspective based on personal experience: “It needs a reprogram. This one did it on me and I sent it to the dealer and they fixed the issue. Took them literally 15 minutes.” If accurate, that kind of solution points to potential software calibration problems rather than a full-blown mechanical failure. And for Ford, that distinction matters a lot. Calibrations can often be corrected with updated firmware or adaptive learning resets. The challenge, though, is getting the dealer to go that extra mile instead of defaulting to "no issue found."

What This Says About Ford’s CPO Program

It also raises a bigger question about the Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) process. For a vehicle to carry that CPO badge, buyers expect more than just cosmetic reconditioning and an extended powertrain warranty. They expect confidence and that the drivetrain, transmission, and essential components have been heavily reviewed. If a CPO Explorer ST jerks violently within the first hour of ownership, it seriously undercuts trust in that certification process.

To be fair though, the Ford Explorer ST can be a blast to drive when everything works as it should. There are plenty of things to love about the 2025 Explorer ST. From its twin-turbo V6 to its surprisingly agile road manners, if it's not broken down, it can be a blast. But when stories like Travis's keep popping up, it makes it harder to recommend without hesitation. The performance badge doesn’t excuse shaky mechanicals, especially when they show up this early.

Ignored by the Dealer, Backed by Other Owners

What’s even more troubling is how often these issues are paired with dealer inaction. Too many owners report hearing, "We couldn't replicate the issue" or "Everything checks out fine," despite clear signs that something’s off. One owner of a 2025 Explorer reported their SUV wouldn’t even start just two weeks into ownership, and even then, the dealer didn’t have answers.

I believe stories like this highlight one of the biggest issues in the car world right now: trust. Buyers aren’t just paying for horsepower or tech features; they’re paying for peace of mind. When that trust is broken within the first hour of ownership, it creates a ripple effect. That disappointment doesn’t just affect how someone feels about their car. It affects how they feel about the entire brand, and it pushes people toward other automakers who can offer more consistency. When dealers don’t listen to customers who know something’s wrong, they aren’t just risking a bad review but are risking long-term brand loyalty.

Key Takeaways

• Certified Doesn’t Mean Perfect: A Certified Pre-Owned badge isn’t a guarantee of problem-free driving. Issues like jerking and gear hesitation can still surface almost immediately after purchase.
• 10-Speed Transmission Woes: Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission has become a common trouble spot for Explorer ST owners, particularly from the 2020–2022 model years.
• A Quick Fix Might Be Possible: Some jerking complaints may be resolved with a reprogram or software update, but that depends on the service department’s knowledge and willingness to act.
• Major Repairs at Low Mileage: Reports of premature engine and transmission failures raise serious questions about long-term durability in the Explorer ST lineup.
• Don’t Settle for “We Can’t Replicate It”: If the dealer dismisses your concerns, document everything and consider escalating to Ford directly or visiting a different service center for a second opinion.

What Do You Think?

Have you ever bought a used vehicle that started acting up almost immediately?

And what do you think of the dealer's response to this situation? Are they being too dismissive, or am I being too harsh on them? 

Don't hesitate to voice your thoughts in our comments below.

Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist bringing a fresh perspective to his coverage of the evolving automotive landscape. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars. 

Image Sources: The “Ford Explorer ST Forum” public Facebook group and Grok AI, respectively.