Sounds like turbo lag. But the surge? Dealer replaced purge valve so there's the turbo diagnosis. How many miles? 2017 Sounds like it should be covered still.

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I have a 2018 Platinum and it does the same thing. Only when you have driven it and parked a short time, like when you go to the store. It goes away very quickly. It will surge a couple of times after you leave the parking space and that's it. Dealer said "no codes, no problem." It has less than 5k on the clock and I'm monitoring it to see if it is getting better. I have a 2016 Transit work truck with almost 80k and the same engine and have never experienced this. (The Transit was a big reason why I traded my POS Acadia for the Ford)
This is a problem and I hope we on the forum can identify it.

 

This is EXACTLY what ours does! Waiting to "hear what the Ford Rep has to say"!

 

Same problem here, 2017 4cyl ecoboost turbo Explorer 12,000 miles. Occasionally hesitation on acceleration from a standing point.

 

Do you mind if I ask which dealer is working on your vehicle? Mine is at Hardy Family Ford in Dallas GA. I have had my vehicle there numerous times and they've never been able to duplicate it. And "Ford" is unaware of any other vehicles with this same issue. They also said the way the Hotline works if any other dealer had this issue they would get a hit! This last time, Nov 4th I was able to get it to duplicate the issue with the Service Manager in my vehicle. He said they would get to work and get it solved. They have communicated with the "Hot Line" and a Field Service Engineer came to the dealer, checked another "like" vehicle {which did the SAME thing} and they determined that it was NORMAL OPERATION! I have driven 4 of these vehicles, purposefully, and none of them did it.
Now, Ford customer service says there's nothing else to be done since the Field Service Engineer has made their determination. They now want me to take it to another dealer for a second opinion! Seriously?

 

Any update on this? I just bought a used 2013 Police edition with the 3.5 L EcoBoost 130,000 miles and it is doing the exact same thing. The guy I bought it from said the transmission is going on it so he gave me almost $5,000 off the book price. In my case it will hesitate like an engine miss going uphill and when you slowly roll the throttle. I noticed if you step on it the miss goes away and accelerates fine. I have an appointment with the dealership for a diagnostics ($90) in a week (earliest appointment). My thought was a coil is going bad or a plug but it isn't throwing an engine code.

 

I also have a 2013 Focus ST and they are super finicky with spark plugs. I'd check that also. My ST is modded a bit with a tune and other supporting mods. At WOT it would feel like it was missing but after a plug change it was perfect.

 

Thanks for the reply. I'll give an update. I took it to the dealer and they recommended new plugs and coils. They wanted $1500 for it so I bought OEM parts on Amazon for $250 and replaced it myself. This did not fix the issue. It still feels like an engine miss when slowly accelerating. I also changed 5 quarts on the transmission with a drain and fill but I don't think that helped anything either. It sucks because the dealership misdiagnosed it and because I din't spend the $1500 with them I really can't hold them accountable either.

 

Verify the intake valves/ports have been cleaned with extra attention on the port near the PVC hose.

 

It seems like the problem lies in your throttle body, (Fuel Injection). I know its a simple question but you did change your air filter, Yes? This a fuel delivery issue. If there's some rough idle or hesitation but it stops when there consistent hard acceleration then its in the throttle body.

 

Yes, I put a new air filter in. It was pretty gross, so I put in a new one. I never said anything about a rough idle though. In the last day or two the problem seems to be better. I'm not sure if the plugs or coils somehow needed to break in? Idk sounds weird but it's better now. The dealer was going to look at it again but the tech called out sick. They rescheduled it for Monday. I was looking for a fuel filter but didn't see one. I think it may be inside the tank and part of fuel pump. Normally I do a throttle body cleaning as part of my tune ups but the throttle body is buried under the back side.

 

It finally tripped the check Engine Light. PO420. Catalytst efficiency below threshold. (Bank 1). Does this indicate a bad catalytic converter? That's what AutoZone's printout said. We still have the appointment at the dealer on Monday. We'll see what they say.

 

It sounds like Ford either has no resolve for this or does not intend to have one. I have a '19 Sport with under 5K that has EXACTLY the same issue. The dealer has driven it, acknowledges the problem exists, and I currently have a "flight recorder" installed on the vehicle to capture data at the time of the event. The dealership claims to have never heard of this problem. They also claim to have contacted Fords tech help, who also "have no idea", since as others have posted, there are no stored fault codes. The symptoms/conditions are the same as in other posts. 1) Run vehicle to temp. 2) Park vehicle 10 to 20 minutes. 3) Start, JUST barely feather the accelerator, as in easing out of a parking space. VOILA! surge ranging from barely noticeable to multiple head-slaps against the head rest. This only occurs ONCE, then the entire sequence must be repeated. As this platform/power-train is now extinct with the intro of the 2020 series, I don't suspect Mr. Hacket's Ford will have much interest in resolving our problem. Note the problem is ONLY with the Turbo 3.5 and not the Natural Aspirated 3.5. My 2013 3.5 Natural Aspirated 3.5 was devoid of this issue. I am a master marine engine tech with 48 years full time experience under my belt, including building both turbo and blown race engines. My speculation is an oscillating pressure surge between the turbo's which are mounted almost beneath the engine and the throttle body, which are separated by a VERY long distance . I don't suspect Ford will have much interest in a re-design of the induction system to cure this. I just wish some parties wouldn't play the "we've never heard of this before" game.

 

Have same issue with my 2019 3.5 Sport with less than 5K miles. Dealer has driven and acknowledges this problem exists but claims to have never heard of the issue before. They also claim to have contacted Ford tech help, who likewise have NO thoughts or answers. They currently have a "flight recorder" attached to the vehicle to capture data, since there are no stored codes. De Nile is a river in Egypt, not an appropriate customer service strategy!

 

I have the same issue, but I don't think it's compressor surge at all being that it'll do it on mine with the slightest bit of pressure on the gas pedal. I think it's a transmission problem maybe. I haven't thrown any codes but your catalytic converter might be a coincidence if indeed we are having the same problem.

 

Frustrated

Do you mind if I ask which dealer is working on your vehicle? Mine is at Hardy Family Ford in Dallas GA. I have had my vehicle there numerous times and they've never been able to duplicate it. And "Ford" is unaware of any other vehicles with this same issue. They also said the way the Hotline works if any other dealer had this issue they would get a hit! This last time, Nov 4th I was able to get it to duplicate the issue with the Service Manager in my vehicle. He said they would get to work and get it solved. They have communicated with the "Hot Line" and a Field Service Engineer came to the dealer, checked another "like" vehicle {which did the SAME thing} and they determined that it was NORMAL OPERATION! I have driven 4 of these vehicles, purposefully, and none of them did it.
Now, Ford customer service says there's nothing else to be done since the Field Service Engineer has made their determination. They now want me to take it to another dealer for a second opinion! Seriously?

 

Frustrated

Do you mind if I ask which dealer is working on your vehicle? Mine is at Hardy Family Ford in Dallas GA. I have had my vehicle there numerous times and they've never been able to duplicate it. And "Ford" is unaware of any other vehicles with this same issue. They also said the way the Hotline works if any other dealer had this issue they would get a hit! This last time, Nov 4th I was able to get it to duplicate the issue with the Service Manager in my vehicle. He said they would get to work and get it solved. They have communicated with the "Hot Line" and a Field Service Engineer came to the dealer, checked another "like" vehicle {which did the SAME thing} and they determined that it was NORMAL OPERATION! I have driven 4 of these vehicles, purposefully, and none of them did it.
Now, Ford customer service says there's nothing else to be done since the Field Service Engineer has made their determination. They now want me to take it to another dealer for a second opinion! Seriously?

They have 300K+ of the same issue. Your only option is to find a good Tech or file under the Lemon Law if it is under Warranty. I have heard but not verified things as simple as spark plug gaps. No one checks these before installing, sometimes even when replacing!

 

Do you mind if I ask which dealer is working on your vehicle? Mine is at Hardy Family Ford in Dallas GA. I have had my vehicle there numerous times and they've never been able to duplicate it. And "Ford" is unaware of any other vehicles with this same issue. They also said the way the Hotline works if any other dealer had this issue they would get a hit! This last time, Nov 4th I was able to get it to duplicate the issue with the Service Manager in my vehicle. He said they would get to work and get it solved. They have communicated with the "Hot Line" and a Field Service Engineer came to the dealer, checked another "like" vehicle {which did the SAME thing} and they determined that it was NORMAL OPERATION! I have driven 4 of these vehicles, purposefully, and none of them did it.
Now, Ford customer service says there's nothing else to be done since the Field Service Engineer has made their determination. They now want me to take it to another dealer for a second opinion! Seriously?

 

I purchased my Explorer Sport from Lexington Park Ford, Lexington Park Maryland in July 2019. Dealer installed a "flight recorder" on the vehicle on 12/27/2019. I drove the vehicle over the weekend of 12/28&29/2019 and captured 4 events. 3 were minor, one was unambiguous. The "flight recorder" was returned to the dealership the morning of 12/30/2019. I was told that the data would be uploaded to Ford for analysis, and that they would contact me when Ford had responded. As of 1/9/20 there has been no communication from the dealership.

 

Update: On 1/11/2020 I was informed by the dealer that Fords analysis of the data indicated that the "fuel pressure sensor" should be replaced. It and other unrelated parts have been placed on order, and will be installed during a future service visit, date to be determined by complete arrival of parts.

 

Thank you for the update, staying tuned in.

 

Are you still having problems with your Explorer or was the issue solved with the replacement of the fuel pressure sensor?
I'm still having problems with our 2017 Platinum.
Thank you for posting your journey!

 

Continued Surge



The fuel pressure sensor was replaced in 9 of 2020. It has had ABSOLUTELY no effect on the surge issue. I have been told, not thru "official" Ford channels, that the root cause of this syndrome is "Heat Soak" of the transmission torque converter. This seems to fit my group of symptoms: Occurs only after being run to temp, unit must sit off, parked, 10 to 30 minutes, then surges on LIGHT acceleration (gently pulling out of a parking space), after which, surge disappears until parked with engine off again.
I intend to continue the battle until a resolve is reached. There are far too many of us with this problem for Ford to claim that they have no idea what what the issue is.

 

Sounds like one or both diverter valve(s) are sticking. DV's open on deceleration so as not to over boost the turbo(s) if they're sticking or sticky it would produce a surge under certain conditions...

 

Staying tuned in for an update.

 

Got a 2015 xlt 3.5. Sounds a little similar to what I’ve experienced. After running a while then parking and it sitting there. I noticed a “miss” feeling and engine would almost die. I noticed it would do it when the ac compressor would kick on. Turned off via ac button and it doesn’t do it. This week I started having another issue where the vehicle seems like a miss but scanner shows no misfires on any of the cylinders. It is a surging feel when slightly accelerating. We bought it used in December and it has just under 97k miles.

 

I have a explorer sport 2017 and I have the same problem. My warranty will finish within 5 km. So if you have any success let me know please.

 

Bought a 2014 Sport back in February 2020 and have had this same issue from day 1, but seems more at random when it happens. The only way I can trigger it 100% is when I go to my office which has a large incline to get there, doesn't matter if it sits for 10 mins or 8 hours. As it was random, I just shrugged it off, buuuut as of recent it has been happen more often.

So replaced plugs, air filter, oil, and check all fluid. Looked at all my lines, didn't see anything off looking. Still happened and no codes. Leaned towards possible boost issue, so disconnect and plugged the returns for my blow off Valves so they release to air and can hear them stuttering at random and sometimes not releasing boost. Not sure if its related, but will be looking at it more this weekend, try to get data, and update here if anything comes up.

 

Just purchased a ‘13 with approx. 130,000 miles and am experiencing the exact same issue. When slowly accelerating between 25 and 40mph there’s a surge and pause. I initially thought transmission, then plugs and coils. I’ve also read it could be the throttle body or the timing chain.

I’m hesitant to take it to the dealer as they charge $150 just to diagnose and it doesn’t appear that anyone has actually had the correct diagnosis yet. I’d be interested to hear what has happened both long and short them to those that have posted in this thread.

 

Just purchased a ‘13 with approx. 130,000 miles and am experiencing the exact same issue. When slowly accelerating between 25 and 40mph there’s a surge and pause. I initially thought transmission, then plugs and coils. I’ve also read it could be the throttle body or the timing chain. I’m hesitant to take it to the dealer as they charge $150 just to diagnose and it doesn’t appear that anyone has actually had the correct diagnosis yet. I’d be interested to hear what has happened both long and short them to those that have posted in this thread.

 

This weekend I found I was able to recreate the issue at will if I put it in first gear and just barely press the pedal. Got tied up replace a cv joint so didn't get much further than that, but assuming its a throttle issue at this point.

 

Thanks for the follow up. I was leaning towards throttle body, but I’m not as mechanically inclined as you so I won’t be taking it on myself. I guess I’ll be taking it into the shop in the coming days. I’ll post an update afterwards for anyone that’s interested.

 

Hey folks, glad I found this forum. I am having the same issue with my 2018 Sport, I purchased the vehicle brand new, it has 24K miles on it. The surging started about 6 months ago, and now it happens more often. I am going to give the dealership a call and bring it in.

 

Plot twist guys.... I have a 2015 Taurus with 113000 on the clock and started experiencing the exact condition. The difference is... mine is normally aspirated (no turbo). So, it obviously has zero to do with boost or "lag". Just FYI for those collecting clues.