2020 Ford Expedition Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 260 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2020 Ford Expedition, 63% of its 414 total complaints, the highest share of any Expedition model year. Two related recalls cover shift cable and park pawl issues, and the median mileage at failure is 65,300 miles.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 260
- 63% of 414
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 3
- Injuries reported
- 3
- Median mileage
- 65,300 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Transmission suddenly drops gears or clunks hard at highway speeds around 70 mph, sometimes losing power for several seconds
- Vehicle shifts into neutral or limp mode unexpectedly, forcing drivers to slow down before it will re-engage
- Owners report gear slippage with grinding or clinking noises, especially between mid-range gears, accompanied by warning lights on the instrument cluster
- Some vehicles failed to stay in Park and rolled unexpectedly, matching the park pawl recall (campaign 26V402000)
- A transmission fluid leak onto the hot exhaust produced smoke and a reported fire in one case
- Powertrain malfunction warnings and RPM surges occur during acceleration attempts at speed
When 2020 Ford Expedition transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Jul 19, 2021, latest Sep 16, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2020 Ford Expedition
- NHTSA 26V402000Jun 24, 2026Transmission & Powertrain741,195 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
Risk: Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.
- NHTSA 20V197000Apr 3, 2020Transmission & Powertrain55,158 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ranger and F-150 vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions and certain 2020 Expedition vehicles equipped with a "police" package. The transmission shift cable lock clip may not be fully seated, allowing the transmission to actually be in a different gear than the gear shift position selected by the driver.
Risk: If the transmission selection does not match the indicated gear selection, and the parking brake is not applied, unintended vehicle movement can occur, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the shift cable locking clip installation, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S18.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Expedition model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are transmission problems in the 2020 Ford Expedition?
- NHTSA lists 260 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2020 Expedition, which is 63% of all 414 complaints filed for that model year, the highest share among all Expedition years.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2020 Ford Expedition?
- Yes. Recall 26V402000 covers a transmission park pawl that may engage while the vehicle is moving, and recall 20V197000 covers a shift cable clip issue on Expedition police package vehicles.
- At what mileage do 2020 Ford Expedition transmission problems occur?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2020 Expedition is 65,300 miles.
- Did the 2020 Ford Expedition transmission issues cause crashes or fires?
- Among the 260 Transmission & Powertrain complaints, NHTSA records 1 crash, 3 fires, and 3 injuries.