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2020 Ford Explorer transmission complaints

Page 3 of 18: complaints 41 to 70 of 507, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2020 Ford Explorer transmission problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Aug 14, 2026 · Transmission · PA

Vehicle started hard shifting while driving and noticed hard shifts when slowing down. Vehicle then began to lose power while driving. Display screen has issues at times screen will only display blue or stay in backup camera mode.

Filed Aug 7, 2026 · Transmission · 114,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was shifting roughly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

Filed Aug 5, 2026 · Transmission · CT

My 2020 ford Explorer had several issues with the hill assist, TCM control, power train malfunctions, it shifted very hard between first and second gear, at times it felt like it wouldn't accelerate at all and would pop into gear at higher speeds. I took it to Family Ford of Enfield several times for repairs which never fixed the overall problem. After several times at Family Ford of Enfield, I continued to drive my vehicle because my trusted dealership kept telling me the car was repaired. Now my vehicle needs a new transmission at 100% my cost.

Filed Aug 3, 2026 · Transmission · 54,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal sound while downshifting, with a loud boom coming from the underbody of the vehicle. The vehicle was bouncing while downshifting from 4th gear to 3rd, 2nd, and into 1st gear. The failure reoccurred while downshifting. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired by the dealer. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, and the transmission was replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

Filed Jul 28, 2026 · Transmission · 94,600 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that while decelerating to approximately 25–30 MPH, the vehicle jerked abnormally. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an incorrect response from the immobilizer control module. The contact was advised not to continue driving the vehicle. The contact relayed the diagnostic information to the dealer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair could be paid out of pocket with a possible reimbursement whenever the parts became available. The failure mileage was approximately 94,600.

Filed Jul 28, 2026 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. 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 contact stated that while driving approximately 35-55 MPH and coming to a stop, the vehicle shuddered and jerked. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while driving from a complete stop. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Jul 28, 2026 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked back and forth and then stalled. No warning light was illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a transmission specialist; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed Jul 25, 2026 · Suspension, Transmission · OK

Back in 2026 I bought a vehicle from Wild West Ford in Guymon ok about three weeks after I bought the vehicle there was a safety recall on it for the rear axle bolt. Ever since the recall was done, I noticed a significant change in my vehicle rear and it shook real bad. basically I was eating my tires and so I took about to wild West and they told me to go get alignment done so I went and got an alignment done, and it still was doing it and I had taken it to at least four different Ford dealerships across two different states and they all told me that there is nothing wrong with my vehicle, so I looked it up on the forum in the procedure on how the recall was done and i find out that the bushing was improperly installed. One of The ford dealership is the one who send me a picture of the bushing even starting to rip. Please help my kids ride in this vehicle everyday and Wild West claimed the recall but did it completely wrong and refuses to fix it so I took it to different dealerships and with each dealership, I specifically asked them to re-look into the recall because I feel like it was done wrong and they all said that it was all up to four specs in the end. there was nothing wrong with it, but here’s the proof that it is so how do I get my vehicle fixed?

Filed Jul 22, 2026 · Transmission, Visibility · AK

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 25V685000 (Equipment), 26V117000 (Visibility), and 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact was concerned that the incomplete recalls presented significant safety risks, specifically because the contact resided in Alaska, where it rained constantly with low temperatures. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Jul 21, 2026 · Transmission · OK

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. 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 local dealer and Sam Wampler's Freedom Ford of McAlester (720 S George Nigh Expy, McAlester, OK 74501); were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Jul 21, 2026 · Transmission, Visibility · 87,159 miles · TN · crash

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 23V675000 (Power Train), 26V117000 (Visibility), and 26V402000 (Power Train); however, parts for the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle with the foot on the brake pedal, the gear shifter was shifted to park(P), and the vehicle unexpectedly reversed and crashed into a nearby brick mailbox and came to a stop. There were no injuries or medical attention needed. A Police report was not filed. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled while parking the vehicle. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 87,159.

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Transmission · 76,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that while driving and decelerating to merge onto the highway, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle felt as if the vehicle had been struck in the rear. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions while decelerating between 25-30 MPH. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Transmission · WI

While traveling uphill in a turn on a county highway the 4WD fault notification arrived on the dash cutting power to the front 2 wheels. The vehicle slipped however was able to regain control. If road condition had been poor I could of slipped into on coming traffic causing a wreck. I took the vehicle to the dealership and they identified that the front axle disconnect actuator was failing and needed to be replaced. Two weeks prior to the code appearing, I had two episodes of unusual binding while in reverse. Ford has issued a TSB long ago to fix this failed design however will not fix it until it fails.

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Transmission · 114,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly shifted to park(P). The transmission was inoperable after the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign number: 26V402000 (Power Train). The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could be repaired out of pocket because the part was not yet available, and then to submit documents for reimbursement after the part became available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the parking brake and hill assist warning lights and several other unknown warning lights intermittently illuminated. Several dealers were contacted; however, no appointments were available. The vehicle was not diagnosed. 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Jul 15, 2026 · Transmission · VA

While operating the vehicle it is jerking like the parking brake is activating or jerking transitioning from first and second gear. Received an alert: The powertrain control system has detected a transmission fluid over temperature condition. The engine continues to operate at a reduced power level.

Filed Jul 14, 2026 · Transmission · 127,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his daughter was depressing the accelerator pedal to drive from a stop, the vehicle failed to respond, and the transmission failed to properly shift to the next gear and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.

Filed Jul 14, 2026 · Transmission · 116,781 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted and failed to shift properly. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired because parts for the repair were not available. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,781.

Filed Jul 13, 2026 · Transmission · WV

The vehicle downshifts hard while driving at regular speeds, revving the engine. As you drive, you can feel it downshifting heavily. The transmission now has metal in it and is undriveable.

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · Transmission · CO · crash

The vehicle was parked on a slight incline and they were inside the vehicle rolled away and struck a fire hydrant. The vehicle was in park and rolled down the hill and struck multiple stationary objects.

Filed Jul 6, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · GA

Had recall for parking brake fixed, soon after I’d be on interstate or intersection and it would lose power wrench and check power train system light came on. Took to dealership and they said it was parking pawl sylenuod. Had repaired left the shop didn’t even get home and it did the same: Mechanic said it was gas pedal sensor repaired that and same thing happened it may go real fast or not go . I worked for uber and lyft and have been out of work for a few months. Car setting at dealership and the say I need to pay for a new power train module because my cars lost it brains. So I got recall fixed and my cars went to hell in a hand basket. Now another recall is issued but no resolution. It is a huge safety issue when your gas pedal gets a not responsive to your foot touching the pedal then it accelerating without touching the gas pedal. I’m lucky I didn’t die in it. This year model just needs to be lemoned out. Oh also when it starts messing up airbag not working driver assist not working all the safety features go haywire. I feel 💯 sure this is all related to the recall and ford will be hearing from me or a lawyer one.

Filed Jul 3, 2026 · Acceleration, Transmission · LA

The transmission malfunctioned on the Interstate. The car started jumping and then would slow way down to about 33 MPH with the RPM's super high and then kick back in and speed up super fast and I would have to brake constantly. I almost hit the car in front of me at one point. A different point in the same trip the car behind me had to slam on it's brakes to stop from hitting me when the car lost power. I got off the Interstate at the very next exit and took back roads home. The transmission has been inspected by a Ford Dealership and they said it was the transmission going out. At first there were no warning lights and after it started jumping and starting. Then a few days later the engine light and power train warning lights came on.

Filed Jul 2, 2026 · Transmission · 84,612 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that after his wife had parked the vehicle, the message "Parking Malfunction" was displayed and the vehicle rolled forward. The parking brake was activated to prevent the vehicle from rolling away. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,612.

Filed Jul 2, 2026 · Transmission · NC

The transmission shifts into park while driving causing the vehicle to jerk and slow down or stall. I contacted Ford and they stated that this was not a safety issue and that this was an advance notice and that no remedy is available until June 2027. They refused to provide a loaner vehicle until this time when the recall is "released". June of 2027 is a year from now and I drive this car daily with small kids and I am afraid that this vehicle will stall while driving and cause harm or death to my family members.

Filed Jun 30, 2026 · Seat belts, Transmission · 38,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 30-45 MPH, the vehicle stopped unexpectedly. On another occasion while driving 25-35 MPH, the transmission was shifting and the vehicle bucked. There was an abnormal thumping and metal-against-metal sound coming from the vehicle. There was a grabbing coming from the vehicle. The seat belt became tight while the pretensioner had deployed after detecting the failure. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train). While preparing to tow the vehicle, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The dealer informed the contact to pick up the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

Filed Jun 25, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · CA

Transmission with known defects failed at 72,000 miles under normal driving circumstances and a vehicle only six years old.

Filed Jun 18, 2026 · Transmission · TX

We expirenced a transmission failure on our Ford Explorer. In short summary we where driving from the airport and the problem started arising of around 5th and 6th gear downshift it would be harsh and make the car lerch. Following this we got a fluid change and that didn’t help, after the fluid change the problem got worse and produced a check engine light and at one point we got stranded on the highway because the car lost power. So we started researching and took it to a third party shop who told us that the clutch A snap ring had failed and because of that we had to get a transmission rebuild and replacement of multiple valve body’s and clutch’s. The shop also told us this was not the first explorer that’s had seen this problem, and through online research we found we weren’t the only ones with this problem. The timeline of this was from the end of May to the end of July because of overseas travel.

Filed Jun 16, 2026 · Transmission · WI

My vehicle started downshifting hard, making a jerking motion, specifically from around 7th-6th gear. It is an automatic transmission but when I went to slow down at stop signs, stop lights, etc. it would make a jerking motion in the slow down process. It has inhibited my ability to drive it. There are times when it have difficulty accelerating. I took it to an independent mechanic shop to have them look at it. Immediately when examining the transmission fluid, it had a strong burning smell. This is not normal. This vehicle has 158,000 miles and has not had issues with the transmission before. There are no warning lights on the dash. I haven’t gotten any notifications that something is wrong in the Ford App. I cannot drive it to work or elsewhere due to the fact of the shifting and not knowing how much longer before it stops working all together. This is a known issue with the transmission my car has and yet does not have a recall.

Filed Jun 16, 2026 · Transmission · 185,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was an abnormally loud, dragging sound underneath the vehicle. The contact believed that an object was dragging underneath the vehicle; however, there was nothing on the roadway that could have caused the noise. Shortly afterwards, the message "System Shift to Park" was displayed. The driver pulled over and left the vehicle running, but the vehicle failed to shift out of park while attempting to resume driving. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer the following day, where the vehicle was diagnosed. The dealer determined that the powertrain control module needed to be replaced; however, the repair was denied, and the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the dealer failed to repair the vehicle under the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 23V069000 (Power Train) and 23V675000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.

Filed Jun 9, 2026 · Transmission · CT

Transmission failed at 83k miles

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