2020 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet
Transmission fails or needs replacement
- 75owner reports
- 56,000median miles
- $7,000median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
491 of the 1,223 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 75 of those describe transmission failure.
Tick what matches of 75 reports
Transmission failure 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, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
This is the end of the road for a transmission: the car stops moving under its own power, or a shop says the unit has to be replaced or rebuilt. Half of the owners here mention a warning light or message, and a quarter mention it happening again or to a second unit.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (75 reports) and the valve body (5 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
20 of the 75 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $5,000 to $8,500.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 19,000 and 83,000 miles, from the 55 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice 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 2020 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L EcoBoost engine and built on or before 10-Jan-2020 may exhibit various transmission concerns requiring either disassembly and repair or complete transmission replacement.
What owners wrote
“Transmission gears were not running properly. On a Saturday evening the car was sleeping when slowing down and the following morning it completely died. Ford is reporting to me that I need a new transmission and I am only 1K miles over the warranty. i have read on line from several others with the 2020 explorer having this issue or the tranny dieing within 10-20K miles after warranty.”
Filed Sep 9, 2025 · 20,000 miles
“Transmission failure & clutch needs replacement. Vehicle started hard shifting at low MPH.”
Filed Jul 23, 2025
“11/5/24 Transmission failed. Gear selector knob went unresponsive. Wrench light on dash came on. 1/2/25- new transmission received. 4/25/25- car hesitates going into reverse gear- 10 second delay. Still continues. 7/1/25- transmission starts slipping again. 7/2/25- transmission slamming while accelerating.”
Filed Jul 6, 2025
“Transmission failed while traveling on highway. Causing loss of ability to maintain speed or accelerate while in traffic.vehiclw has approximately 82,000 miles. Dealer only reported dark colored fluid as reason to need replacement. No actual cause given.”
Filed Mar 4, 2025 · 82,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 75 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
- Seat belt or seat problems 56 reports
- Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems 52 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