2020 Ford Explorer: whining or grinding noise

Filed Apr 17, 2026 · Electrical · 113,849 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power and stalled. The contact stated that there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle prior to the vehicle stalling. The vehicle was stopped and there was an abnormal burning rubber odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the messages “Charging System Fault” and “Service Steering” were displayed. The contact stated that unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that her husband replaced the battery and the alternator, however the failure persisted, and the vehicle was losing automotive power. The vehicle had not been taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V687000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 113,849.

Filed Mar 13, 2026 · Transmission · OH

Transmission had hard downshifts, whining, would.not change gears intermittently and would clunk when going into reverse or drive. Upon inspection at the dealership, the fluid was burnt and there were chunks of gears in the transmission pan.

Filed Mar 26, 2024 · Transmission · OH

Took vehicle to Ford dealer to investigate whining noise at acceleration from a cold start. No warning lights. Dealer verified whine noise. Also found leak in transmission cooler. Removed and replaced transmission cooler. Not covered by a recall, although there is a recall for some vnn vehicles of same year and model for this defect.

Filed Mar 21, 2024 · Transmission · 63,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, the vehicle lost power and would not shift out of gear. The contact stated that he observed a whining noise emanating from the engine compartment. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it has not yet been diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.

Filed Oct 19, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · IN

My 2020 Explorer ST has been in the shop off and on for three months. The engine had to be replaced at about 45K miles. The transmission whines. The latest issue occurred while driving in downtown Chicago. I was coming up on a light and moved to the left turn lane to turn into oncoming traffic. When I went to go - I pressed the pedal and nothing happened. I ended up rolling into oncoming traffic when finally, the vehicle responded. On the way home this happened about 10 times on the interstate. It would happen when you quickly decelerate and then accelerate after the transmission downshifted. The loss of responsiveness lasted about 5-10 seconds each time and was accompanied by a loud clicking sound under the vehicle. It is still at the dealership and waiting to hear back from them.

Filed Apr 25, 2023 · Transmission · UT

Transmission shifts hard, clunks and jerks forward on occasion. Have to accelerate very slowly and cautiously to avoid the jerking forward. Constant whining when I accelerate from a stop, noise tends to stop when accelerated to 40 mph, below that speed, constant annoying whining. Was not noticeable when I purchased automobile, but started constantly around February, 2023. Only have 51,000 miles on the car, daily driver, few long trips. When accelerating to freeway speeds, the whining is constant until I pass 40 mph. Transmission does not seem reliable at all. Have not been able to get a mechanic to look at the issue as of yet due to scheduling availability. Have not had any warning lights come on regarding the transmission. Have had to replace oil right after purchasing vehicle as I noticed oil on the garage floor was quite a lot and then twice within a year due to faulty plastic cap, that if not put on properly allows the oil to leak. Never had this experience with previous Ford models (2007 Ford Edge)

Filed Mar 18, 2021 · Transmission · AL

I bought a 2020 ford explorer last may. The vehicle has less than 7500 miles. Monday 3/15/21 I noticed a whining noise when the car was shifting into gears. It continued to happen as the week progress. It got worse by mid-week. Thursday 3/19/21 I called my local ford dearlership and was told I could drop it off for several days or the next available date was the 2nd weekend in april. I informed my husband who stated that there was a puddle of fluid under my car this morning. He call roadside assistance to come get my car. We had to move it from the parking garage I park in to the street and there was also a big puddle of fluid. He checked the oil and there was plenty of it in the car. By the time the tow truck arrive there was just a small puddle under the car. No warning lights on car came on to indicate an issue.

Filed Jan 26, 2021 · Transmission · 20,000 miles · SD

The vehicle displayed a check engine light and made a whining sound when shifting. The next day attempted to shift into reverse and the vehicle would not move. Had vehicle towed to dealership where we purchased the explorer. The dealer identified the issue as an electronic valve control for the transmission. 3+ weeks later we are still waiting for parts to be received by the dealer.

Filed Jan 20, 2021 · Transmission · 15,160 miles · VA

Two days prior to the vehicle not working, I heard a whining and grinding sound. I took it to the nearest ford dealership and they said it was the transmission. I couldn't get an appointment until 10 days later. So, I went home. The next day I tried to take the vehicle to the dealership that I purchased it from and the vehicle wouldn't move. My ford app said it was the powertrain. I called a tow truck and they took it to the dealership (where I purchased it). The dealership called two days later and said it was the transmission. Now, I am awaiting a "new" transmission to be put in my vehicle.

Filed Jan 18, 2021 · Transmission · 16,000 miles · FL

Complete failure of the transmission. 16,000 miles a whining noise started while shifting in low gears (similar sound to low power steering fluid) while my family was 4 states away over the new year weekend. Upon stopping I checked under the vehicle for leaking transmission fluid but saw no wet spot. We continued to drive a few more hours to a hotel. When stopping to make a left turn the whole vehicle shuttered and suddenly downshifted very hard. It hesitated to accelerate again across 2 lanes. This time I got out and checked under the vehicle while it was still running and found fluid leaking from the transmission cooler. I have a video of fluid coming out. The next attempt to even move the vehicle it has no power and would not move.

Filed Feb 23, 2020 · Transmission · 3,300 miles · NV

Driving the vehicle at highway speeds between 65-75 MPH and noticed a medium vibration at about 2500 miles. At about 3000 miles the transmission would jerk and start whining at low speeds under mild acceleration.