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2020 Ford Expedition: check engine light

15 of the 430 complaints about the 2020 Ford Expedition describe check engine light.

owner complaints
15
of this car's complaints
3%
typical mileage
91,034
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 23 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Check engine light by model year

What owners say

Filed Aug 5, 2026 · Transmission · OH

I was driving home from vacation on I-77 in Virginia, and felt large jolt and heard several clicking type noises. Two separate service engine lights immediately came on the dashboard, and I was able to safely pull over. I had my vehicle towed to a nearby dealership to be looked at by a mechanic. The mechanic indicated the existence of safety recall notice 26S48/(the federal safety agency 26V402). I spoke with the mechanic who removed the diagnostics lights on the dashboard as prescribed by Ford, and attempted to see if they would be triggered again by driving the vehicle around. I described what had happened and the mechanic immediately said the description of this safety recall seems to be the culprit as to what was experienced. The parking pawl engaged while I was on I-77 traveling 70mph, causing the transmission to inadvertently shift into park causing the jolt and sounds I described. I contacted the dealership where I purchased the vehicle and Ford manufacturer directly regarding this recall, and was told as there is no remedy available. I have several concerns as the remedy is not expected until 5/31/2027 which is way too long of a period to have to wait when my vehicle has clearly been diagnosed with this recall issue, as shifting into park while driving presents a MAJOR safety risk that puts lives in danger. Furthermore, the parking pawl can cause significant damage to the vehicle's transmission and may make me liable for significant repair costs that 100% could be avoided by Ford providing a remedy in a reasonable amount of time. I need my vehicle to either be repaired, repurchased, or provided a loaner car by the dealership while I await this remedy to avoid this situation from happening and resulting in me having to pay for a new transmission or worse potentially causing an accident. This vehicle was inspected by the state of Pennsylvania in 2026.

Filed Feb 23, 2026 · Engine · GA

Loss of Use due to unavailability of safety recall parts I am writing to formally express my extreme dissatisfaction and concern regarding the ongoing mechanical failures of our 2020 Ford Expedition Max. To date, this vehicle has undergone two major transmission interventions, yet it remains in an unsafe, undrivable condition due to a recurring powertrain defect and a high-risk safety recall. Our experience with this vehicle has been defined by persistent failures and significant loss of use: •April 2023: The vehicle was admitted to MOGF for transmission repairs, where it remained for three months for a complete teardown and rebuild. •May 2024: The transmission failed again with identical symptoms and required a full replacement. •Current Issue: We have now received a recall notice regarding an internal transmission bearing. The check engine light is currently active, indicating a powertrain fault. We have been informed that the necessary recall parts are unavailable, leaving us with a vehicle that Ford’s own documentation identifies as a "crash risk." The vehicle is currently affected by the federal safety agency Recall 25E-070 (Ford 25SB3) regarding a missing internal transmission bearing, which Ford identifies as a crash risk. Furthermore, the vehicle falls under the expanded the federal safety agency Recall 25V‑628 (Ford 22S36) fire risk, which requires it to be parked away from my home. These cumulative risks make the vehicle unusable and constitute a failure of the manufacturer's duty to provide a safe product

Filed Aug 25, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · TX

Recall issue with Catalytic converters causing check engine light to come on. I took in for recall to reset check engine light. Repair did not do anything to vehicle as check engine light comes on for a few days and goes away for a few days and the cycle repeats up until this day it continues to happen. When they did the reset Ford let me know that they reset the check engine issue for recall but I would have to pay about $5k for getting new converters if I wanted to because light would still be one since it was diagnosed that converters were bad.

Filed Jun 9, 2025 · Transmission · 40,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and attempting to overtake a semi-truck, the vehicle shuddered, lost motive power, and made an abnormal clunking and winding sound. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal and while driving from a complete stop. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to Krapohl Ford (1415 E Pickard St, Mt Pleasant, MI 48858), where the transmission shifter cables were reset through a computer update; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the cause of the failure could not be determined; however, the dealer recommended the transmission be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

Filed May 15, 2025 · Transmission · TX

My check engine lights comes on and off reading that it is a failure with the catalytic converter. Check engine light had been on for 2 weeks I had already called Ford to set up appt. The evening before taking truck in check engine light went off. I called Ford 5/13/25 that light had gone off do I still take truck in. Since I received letter for recall, I took truck in for service . They say they only need to reprogram the PCM but now they are saying that the Catalytic Converter is bad and needs to be replaced costing $5000. What is Ford thinking this truck has been nothing but problems. I told tech that truck has been running accelerated for a few weeks when driving. Problem with check engine light could not be reproduced since it turned off the day before I had appt set. Rep told me that they just needed to see if they could read that it was the recall issue and they would just reprogram it.

Filed Mar 12, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 99,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact returned the vehicle to the same dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that a hose on the transmission had not been installed correctly. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred two more times, and the vehicle was returned to the same dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

Filed Dec 27, 2024 · Engine · 20,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed catalyst converter. The contact was informed that the catalyst converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure had occurred on three separate occasions and the catalyst converter was replaced by the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not assist. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

Filed Oct 23, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · 20,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 70-75 MPH, the transmission was shifting hard and unintendedly shifted to various gears continuously. The power train warning light was illuminated. The message "Power Train - Engine Failure - See Owner’s Manual" was displayed. Additionally, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the transmission assembly. The message "Reduced Engine Power“ was displayed, and the vehicle failed to respond upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The temperature gauge displayed 285 degrees. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road and allowed the vehicle to cool down. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the transmission yoke was replaced; however, the failure recurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken to Red McCombs Ford (8333 I-10, San Antonio, TX 78230) and to Griffith Ford Seguin (1880 I-10, Seguin, TX 78155); where the transmission was replaced and rebuilt several times; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the transmission was shifting hard and was continuously shifting from high gear to low gear. The check engine warning light and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Another driver honked and drew the contact's attention. The contact noticed a trail of white smoke and that there was smoke coming from the engine bay. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road and allowed the vehicle to cool down. The vehicle was taken back to the first dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could no longer assist in covering the cost of the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

Filed Aug 13, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · 105,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly jerked and hesitated, prompting thee contact to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway to turn off the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The service engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Filed Mar 4, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · NC

Timeline of Recent Issues and Service Dates: Date Repair Order Date Invoiced and Picked Up Mileage Issues [XXX] [XXX] 21,735 Oil Change; Transmission; Sunroof; Gas Gauge; Door Seal; Power Running Boards; Park Assist [XXX] [XXX] 30,081 Safety Recall; Power Running Boards; Transmission [XXX] [XXX] 33,909 Wipers, Power Running Boards; Transmission [XXX] [XXX] 35,695 Internal Vent and Control Module; Rear Wiper Blade [XXX] [XXX] 43,912 Transmission [XXX] [XXX] 49,144 Oil Change; Check Up Transmission; Rear Brakes [XXX] Present 49,371 Emergency Break Down Mountains- Powertrain and Electrical Issues [XXX] Routine maintenance service at Mark Ficken Ford, including an oil change, tire rotation, and rear brake work. Video documentation confirming the vehicle's good working order post-service. [XXX]: Vehicle experiences severe issues while on a family trip, including shaking, flashing check engine light, and loss of power in the gas. Attempted restart at BP Station after a 20-minute break; vehicle runs smoothly. Decided to drive to the nearest Ford Dealer for further inspection. Recurrence of issues, leading to the vehicle shaking, stalling, and eventually dying [XXX]. [XXX] Vehicle towed to Asheville Ford for repairs. Contradictory issues identified by Asheville Ford, with additional services recommended. Repairs completed on [XXX]. [XXX]: Vehicle retrieved from Asheville Ford, exhibiting new issues such as delayed engine start, increased engine noise, rough running, and sporadic electronic malfunctions. Video evidence documenting the observed issues. Due to the ongoing and unresolved nature of the issues, the vehicle was dropped off at the Mark Ficken Ford dealership after hours on the [XXX], and keys were securely deposited in the night box, and I Ubered home. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 8, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · TX

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? NOT SURE. THERE IS ISSUES WITH THE AUTO STOP/START WHILE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? THE ISSUE HAS CAUSED THE VEHILE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THIS HAS OCCURED WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, BUT ALSO WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT THAT HAD TURNED GREEN. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? YES Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? NO Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? AUTO STOP/START LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT, ENGINE LIGHT ALL ILLUMINATE WHEN THIS OCCURS

Filed Dec 1, 2023 · Engine · 98,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle shuddered with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while the vehicle was idling. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where diagnostic codes: P0011, P0012 and P0016 were retrieved. The dealer determined that the crankshaft chain was stretched and needed to be replaced in bank #1 and bank #2, along with the pretensioners and phasers. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 98,800.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

EngineReported September 19, 2025 · 4,632 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. A short circuit within the battery junction box can cause an engine fire while driving or parked.
Risk
A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures and other vehicles, until the remedy is performed. Dealers will inspect and replace the battery junction box, as necessary, and remove a ground wire. On models equipped with standard-duty radiator fan motors, dealers will also install an auxiliary electrical box with a wire jumper. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's numbers for this recall are 22S36 and 22S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on September 23, 2025.

Recall number 25V628000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2020 Ford Expedition check engine light

Is check engine light a common problem on the 2020 Ford Expedition?

15 of 430 owner complaints about the 2020 Ford Expedition (3%) mention check engine light. The model year with the most reports is 2019.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2020 Ford Expedition?

There is 1 recall and 23 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2020 Ford Expedition

Harsh shifting 70Jerking 61Loss of power 58Slipping 47Transmission failure 42Hesitation 29Stalling 23Won't shift 20Seat belt 19Backup camera 14Shudder 12Grinding brakes 11Collision warning 9Sunroof shattered 9Fire or smoke 8Screen failure 6Headlights 5Overheating 5Warning lights 5

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