2020 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet
Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems
- 52owner reports
- 64,158median miles
- $1,700median quote
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Sep 15, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
491 of the 1,223 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 52 of those describe drivetrain problems.
Tick what matches of 52 reports
Drivetrain problems on other Explorer years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Drivetrain reports describe the parts between the transmission and the wheels. Owners hear a clunk or bang from underneath, feel a vibration that rises and falls with speed, find fluid leaking under the differential, or get a 4WD or AWD warning. Some say it only happens turning or at low speed. A smaller group describes a driveshaft or axle that let go.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the CV joint or axle (36 reports), the differential (12 reports), the transfer case (10 reports) and the driveshaft (7 reports).
Recalls and investigations
7 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2020 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
The previous powertrain control module (PCM) update completed under recall 22V-255 did not include the automatic electronic parking brake feature when the vehicle is shifted to park, as intended.
An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage.
The drive shaft may fracture along the weld seam.
The Manual Park Release (MPR) cover may not be installed. In addition, the vehicles may be in Factory Mode, which disables warning alerts and does not display the transmission gear selected.
All 33 recalls on the 2020 Ford Explorer, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Explorer
Rear axle bolt failure. Closed feb 15, 2024, led to recall 23V-675.
Vehicle rollaway allegations. Closed feb 12, 2013.
Accelerator pedal. Closed mar 9, 2000.
Vehicle hesitation/stalling. Closed feb 22, 2000.
Parking pawl. Closed apr 1, 1999, led to recall 91V-189.
Auto trans prndl misalign. Closed jul 29, 1994.
Auto trans.prndl misalign. Closed jan 29, 1993.
Park pawl bending. Closed nov 8, 1991, led to recall 91V-189.
What owners paid
19 of the 52 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $475 to $2,946.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 46,821 and 72,000 miles, from the 21 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 8 service bulletins or notices for the 2020 Ford Explorer that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Some vehicles listed in the model statement above may exhibit an illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) C00A6 and/or C0631. This may be due to the front axle disconnect actuator/intermediate shaft.
Certain 2020-2022 Model Year Explorer Vehicles Rear Axle Bolt Fractures In some of the affected vehicles, the rear axle bolt may fracture.
Some 2020-2023 Explorer/Aviator all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles with a hybrid powertrain may experience a harshness and/or vibration felt through the seat, steering wheel and/or center console at 25-50 mph (40-80 km/h).
Some 2020-2021 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD) built on or before 30-Aug-2021 may exhibit an illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) C00A6 and/or C0631.
4 more on the 2020 Ford Explorer page.
What owners wrote
“front end axle actuator failing and causing all safety systems to turn off, loss of power and can lead to seized up front end”
Filed Apr 14, 2026
“Found transmission fluid burnt. Found harsh 7-8 downshift and delayed engagement in various gear ranges. Suspect front support is broken causing damage to a/b clutchpacks. Internal fault. Overhaul required. Found transfer case has failed internally also. Recommend replacing transfer case at same time.”
Filed Mar 5, 2026
“Bought my car 2020 and every year I have been on and off the shop to fix it. Last year I just paid them to fox my transmission gearing, clutch and axle. The other dY I have them service it again due to power train malfunction. And sent me an invoice of $1700 not including the $195 to diagnostic test for my car.”
Filed Sep 20, 2025
“The 2020 Ford Explorer was repaired due to a recall on the rear differential bolt. The bolt that was replaced fell out and had to go back in for service. The dealer said Ford refused to pay the full cost and it was split between Ford and the owner. We had to pay $2085.97 for the repair of a recalled item.”
Filed Sep 19, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 52 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 190 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 177 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 95 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 82 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 75 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 56 reports
- Headlights too dim or fail 47 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 35 reports
- Forward collision warning goes off or the camera drops out 35 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 29 reports
- "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 28 reports