2020 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet
Transmission jerks, lurches or bangs into gear
- 132owner reports
- 50,000median miles
- $6,700median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
132 of the 190 reports of transmission shudder on the 2020 Explorer describe jerking or hard shifts.
Part of Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard (190 reports)
Tick what matches of 132 reports
Jerking or hard shifts 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 narrower sheet inside transmission shudder for shifts that jerk, lurch or bang. Where the wider sheet also takes in slipping and vibration, these reports are about a shift that arrives too hard: the car lunges forward, or a clunk comes through the floor as it drops into gear.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (14 reports), the mounts (5 reports) and the valve body (4 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
10 of the 132 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $4,400 to $8,529.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 11,000 and 80,000 miles, from the 79 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 2020-2021 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with 3.3L hybrid engine may exhibit delayed acceleration response, hesitation and/or a buck/jerk condition at low vehicle speeds with no diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) stored in the ...
What owners wrote
“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 15, 2026
“Transmission failure caused my vehicle to jump/jerk and left me out of control of the speed of my truck at times. It has been confirmed that I need a new transmission. A service light came on only after issues started. Said light would turn off once the vehicle was turned off and not come back on until driven again.”
Filed Jun 4, 2026
“AWD system binding at low speeds, backing out of parking space, shift to drive, then vehicle suddenly lets loose the lurches forward. Known issue with front axle disconnect actuator present. Code C0631 - Front Axle Disconnect Actuator”
Filed Jul 9, 2024
“Ford dealer said one of the clutch's is failing. When getting up to speed it shifts fine. But when slowing down, there is a loud bang/jolt around 30 mph. The car is only 4 yrs old. This should not be happening.”
Filed Jun 10, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 132 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
- 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
- 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