2020 Ford Explorer Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA has logged 487 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2020 Ford Explorer, 40% of all 1,218 complaints for the year — the highest share of any model year. Five related recalls cover park-pawl, driveshaft, and rear axle bolt failures. Median mileage at failure is 41,000, with 8 crashes and 2 injuries reported.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 487
- 40% of 1,218
- Crashes reported
- 8
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 41,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 5
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Owners report the vehicle rolling away or into park failure after being parked, sometimes on an incline, leading to collisions.
- Some describe the transmission slipping out of gear or jumping gears unexpectedly at low speed, in one case starting around 4,000 miles.
- Several report the transmission oil cooler failing while driving on the highway, causing the vehicle to break down.
- Others mention warning lights (wrench, four-wheel drive, brake) illuminating alongside axle problems after a collision.
- A few note the vehicle displaying a four-wheel-drive system error that owners say coincided with loss of vehicle control.
- Some owners say they received recall notices but experienced long waits for parts before repairs could be completed.
When 2020 Ford Explorer transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Dec 13, 2019, latest Sep 23, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2020 Ford Explorer
- 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 25V166000Mar 14, 2025Transmission & Powertrain4,247 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 23V-199 or 22V-255. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
Risk: A disconnected driveshaft can result in vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park without the parking brake applied. A disconnected driveshaft can also result in a loss of drive power. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S22.
- NHTSA 23V675000Oct 6, 2023Transmission & Powertrain238,364 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
Risk: A disconnected driveshaft can result in a loss of drive power or a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the subframe bushing and rear axle bolt. They will also inspect the rear axle cover for damage near the bolt hole location and replace with a new cover if any damage is found. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 19, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S55.
- NHTSA 23V069000Feb 10, 2023Transmission & Powertrain3,674 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission. An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage.
Risk: A park system that is damaged may not shift into "PARK," resulting in a vehicle rollaway and increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the park system for damage and repair as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S05.
- NHTSA 20V693000Nov 10, 2020Transmission & Powertrain10,905 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with a 2.0L or 3.3L engine and a 10 Speed Automatic Transmission with the All Wheel Drive package. The drive shaft may fracture along the weld seam.
Risk: Defective drive shafts may fail and cause a loss of connection between the transfer case and rear axle, possibly resulting in a vehicle rollaway when in Park or a loss of drive. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash. The drive shafts can also deform and separate from the driveline and potentially contact the fuel tank, increasing the risk of fuel leaks and/or fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shaft label inspected and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S65.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Explorer 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 on the 2020 Ford Explorer?
- NHTSA lists 487 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2020 Explorer, which is 40% of all 1,218 complaints filed for that model year — the highest share among the Explorer years listed.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2020 Ford Explorer?
- Yes. Five recalls tied to Transmission & Powertrain issues cover the 2020 Explorer, including campaigns for a transmission park pawl that may engage while moving, a rear axle mounting bolt that may fracture, and a drive shaft that may fracture on AWD models with the 10-speed automatic.
- At what mileage do 2020 Explorer transmission problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 41,000 miles, though some owners reported issues as early as under 5,000 miles.
- Have there been crashes linked to 2020 Explorer transmission issues?
- NHTSA data tied to this problem area shows 8 crashes and 2 injuries reported among the 487 complaints, with no fires reported.