2020 Ford Explorer: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · Transmission · CA

While driving my car, the transmission suffered a mechanical failure. The vehicle is shuddering when decelerating, causing sudden jolting and knocking sounds with no warning or error messages. Because of this defect, the vehicle poses an immediate hazard and cannot be safely driven. The vehicle was dropped off on Monday August 24 with the Ford dealership and the service team has made contact to confirm the transmission valve body, pump and park pawl are damaged and confirmed that this is a result of the federal safety agency Recall 26V402 (Ford Recall 26S48). The Ford service team have advised that they are able to complete a temporary repair to get the car working again only if I agree to pay them $4,400 despite the recall. Ford’s interim remedy involves replacing failed components with identical, un-remediated parts that possess the exact same engineering flaw, which fails to permanently resolve the safety crisis. Furthermore, I am facing severe difficulties obtaining immediate vehicle recovery, interim repairs, and alternative transportation (such as a loaner or rental vehicle) from authorized Ford dealerships while the vehicle remains grounded due to this manufacturer safety defect. Ford’s corporate office was also contacted on Tuesday to discuss after we were advised that we would need to pay to get the car drivable and the dealership refused a temporary vehicle or rental during repairs. A Ford corporate employee replied that they would make contact within 24 hours. When we did not hear back, we contacted the corporate office again on Thursday and spoke to a rep who stated they would escalate and we would hear back Friday (today). Ford has failed to make contact with any resolution. I am filing this complaint to document a premature, complete component failure under this recall, and to request that the federal safety agency review the manufacturer’s remedy timeline, as leaving safety-compromised vehicles un-remediated on the road or stranded presents an unreasonable risk to public safety.

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 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 Apr 18, 2025 · Transmission · VA

The vehicle was driven to the destination and then turned off. Upon turning the vehicle back on and attempting to drive it, the vehicle vibrated and shuttered violently at times. The vehicle was looked over on-site before being driven to a mechanic for any loose parts or debris in the fender wells. The vehicle was able to be driven slowly to mechanic and only wide turns could be made or it would shudder and vibrate. After inspecting the vehicle, the mechanic stated that the front axles needed to be replaced and this would solve the issue. Approval for the front axle replacements to be completed was given to the mechanic and the soul was completed. However, the vehicle continued to vibrate and shudder in forward and reverse gears, especially when turning. The mechanic suggested to go to the dealership to get it checked out and reset/reprogram the PCM. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who looked it over and checked for a rear axle bolt failure and then sent it back to the original mechanic to swap the axles as they are unsure if the correct parts were installed. The original mechanic contacted the Ford dealership and ordered the front axles again and installed them. The problem persisted. The mechanic then attempted the completion of the TSB 23-2174 to see if that would help solve the problem. The vehicle was then driven to the dealership to have the PCM reprogrammed and the work completed by the mechanic reviewed. After leaving the vehicle at the dealership for several weeks and having the work completed, the problem persists. However, since this problem started, the transmission or drive train now slips or hips when coming to a stop right at 0mph. It also pops and jumps when taking off in the lower gears.the drive train behaves erratically and feels like something is loose or slipping or of place. The rough shifting and hop when stopping causes concern about the vehicle not stopping or shifting out of gear or into the strong gear or something is coming loose

Filed Aug 5, 2024 · Suspension · 108,436 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving or while reversing, there was an abnormal shuddering sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the brakes, 4-WD, Auto Stop, and Auto Hold warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front axle was fractured. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that there was no recall coverage for the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,436.

Filed Jun 3, 2024 · Transmission · 61,100 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle experienced an unexpected downshift and seized in low gear while the RPMs became significantly elevated. Additionally, the vehicle experienced hard shifting and shuddered while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving at slow speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed and 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 61,100.