2020 Ford Explorer: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Oct 25, 2026 · SC

My 2020 Ford Explorer has had three episodes of grinding while driving, on September 24, September 26, and October 24, 2026. On October 24, I was traveling at approximately 50 mph when grinding lasted two to three seconds and the vehicle hesitated or slowed. After the grinding stopped, a start-stop warning flashed on the screen and normal operation resumed. The unexpected slowing while driving concerns me. The exact warning wording and mechanical cause are unknown. The odometer was 20,900 on October 24 and was likely around 20,600 during the September episodes. There was no crash, injury, death, or fire during any of the three episodes. The vehicle is subject to Ford recall 26S48 / the federal safety agency 26V402. As of October 25, the VIN lookup lists the recall as incomplete with no remedy available and anticipates a remedy in the second quarter of 2027. I do not know whether these symptoms are caused by the recalled defect. On October 7, I told Beach Ford that I was already having problems and was concerned about driving. The dealer said the recall fix was not released, gave a November estimate, and said it could not schedule the recall repair until release. I requested the OASIS history on October 7 and again October 13; no records have been received. On October 13, I asked to cancel the appointment for now because no fix was ready. An October 19 email confirms cancellation of the October 23 recall appointment at my request. On October 25, I emailed dealership management and Ford requesting a prompt assessment, written driving/towing guidance, transportation help, coverage clarification, and service records. I am requesting a review of these recurring symptoms and the unavailable recall remedy.

Filed Oct 14, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · OH

When I am driving, every now and then there is a grinding/electrocution noise that my vehicle makes. When that happens, I lose all acceleration power until the episode stops then it seems like it kicks back into gear.

Filed Aug 21, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · TN

While driving down a main road, the speed limit changed from 40 to 55 mph. When the gas pedal was pushed, the car violently jerked, did not speed up, and proceeded to have a grinding sound emitting from the engine. No warning lights appeared. The grinding noise continued until the vehicle was placed in neutral and back in drive. We began looking into it and found a recall for the transmission. We contacted a local dealership and were told that they would not be able to inspect or address the issue until Ford issues a remedy (projected to be 8-11 months from now). Since then, the car has experienced harsh upshifting, hesitation with acceleration, jerking, and grinding along with significant rolling when put in park and let off the brake. We contacted Ford directly with no avail. No one has had any advice to “help” with the issue until Ford decides to issue the remedy. We have essentially been told to either park it and continue to make payments on something that is of no use, or to keep driving it and go until it stops. The concern is we have two small children and can not risk engine/transmission failure while driving down the road. The safety of our children comes before anything else, and this vehicle no longer provides safety for them.

Filed Aug 17, 2026 · Transmission · 102,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle, and while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and failed to accelerate above 40 MPH. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that there was an unknown black fluid inside the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer stated that the failure was not associated with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

Filed Jul 15, 2026 · Engine · 85,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 85 MPH, there was an abnormal popping and grinding sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and became aware that the flex pipe with a part of the catalytic converter attached was touching the ground. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the catalytic converter had sheared off in half, and the left side of the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed May 21, 2026 · Engine · GA

I noticed fluid on the driveway. I scheduled a diagnostic about a week later began hearing a grinding noise. Took it in for repairs and was told the transmission cooler failed which led to fluid leaks from the inlet and outlet tubes where they connect to the unit. The leak caused the transmission to run dry and result in complete failure. There have been recalls specifically targeting transmission fluid leaks in certain 2020 Ford Explorers. The recall should be expanded to include this model as well.

Filed May 20, 2026 · Transmission · VA

When trying to accelerate on interstate drive train light and I have to pull over turn off car on interstate then start again to keep out of limping mode also when backing up car stalls jumps and makes a grinding noise need a remedy

Filed May 19, 2026 · Suspension, Transmission · TX

Was driving on highway with 55 mph speed limit. Car in front slowed to turn right so i slowed briefly and then was accelerating back to speed limit and heard a loud bang and severe grinding noise after. Stopped at next safe area to inspect. Found that both cv axle boots were damaged. Was only a couple miles from home so placed hazard lights on and slowly crept the car to house for further inspection. Upon closer inspection found that when car was placed into forward gear the whole rear end would drop onto the exhaust and was causing CV axles to rub on exhaust.

Filed Mar 18, 2026 · OH

The driver side door latch is defective. I’ve often been locked in or out of my vehicle. Obviously the main door on the vehicle. Many times i have to climb over the center console to exit my vehicle. What if I’m in an accident or my car catches fire, I can’t get out. Leaving me trapped. Or if I’m in danger and need to get in my car but I’m locked out. Often since latch doesn’t function it doesn’t shut my automatic lights off potentially wearing down the battery. Pretty sure my insurance company would not be happy that they are insuring a vehicle with these dangers and potential for someone to enter my vehicle when it decides to not lock. I’ve been told the vehicle is not part of a recall and the vehicle part is on a national backorder with no ETA. Dealership contacted me recently stating part was in, lost a whole day of work to find out they ordered the wrong part and the part is still not available. I bought this vehicle used off of a lease program only a year ago with 42,000 miles and have only put less that 10,000 miles on it. Transmission issues but dealership says they can’t find anything wrong. Car jerks and makes wining grinding noises when first taking off. I find it hard to believe ford does not think this is s safety issue with driver being trapped in or locked out of vehicle.

Filed Jan 16, 2026 · Body, Suspension · TX

I was driving on the highway and I heard a loud bang , with grinding and a jerk i assumed the rear axel or differential something in the rear area along with smoke and I was able to swerve to the side of the highway along the grass and jump out with my kids multiple cars where behind me but I turned on my emergency lights & got out just in time before causing a accident , this is all tied to a recall that’s been fixed twice now here we are a third time and it’s back again at ford dealership

Filed Jan 7, 2026 · Transmission · GA

Transmission randomly kicks out of gear causing a grinding noise and loss of acceleration. This is the second transmission that has been put in this vehicle due to the same issue. No warning lamps. No codes stored. Each time it has happened has been merging on or off of a highway/interstate causing me to almost be in a rear end collision.

Filed May 28, 2025 · Transmission · VA

As I was driving down the road I heard a pop and a loud grinding sound. I pulled over to check and was immediately stuck in park (in a turning lane on rt1 with a 4yr old and a 8 month old) even though the car was still in drive. The gear shifter would not come out of park no matter what you shifted to, they just flashed. I got the vehicle towed to a shop because I couldn't get ahold of anyone at the dealer. After describing to them what happened and a little research on their end, they discovered that this matched a recall that ford had already released in 2023 for the plant and year model that my car is. The recal number is 23S05. The warning light states that "park not available" even though it's stuck in park. Unsure why it didn't include my vehicle in the recall but being that im having the same problem as this recall, it should be included. Everything in the recall letter matched what had happened to my vehicle.