2020 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard
- 186owner reports
- 47,000median miles
- $6,300median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Aug 28, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
476 of the 1,203 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 186 of those describe transmission shudder, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2020 Explorer.
Tick what matches of 186 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (15 reports), the clutch (13 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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 23V-199 or 22V-255. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S22.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the subframe bushing and rear axle bolt. They will also inspect the rear axle cover for damage near the bolt hole location and replace with a new cover if any damage is found. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 19, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S55.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L RWD, 3.3L GAS, 3.3L FHEV, or 3.0L ST powertrain. 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. In addition, the rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 31, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S16.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission. An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the park system for damage and repair as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S05.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with a 2.0L or 3.3L engine and a 10 Speed Automatic Transmission with the All Wheel Drive package. The drive shaft may fracture along the weld seam.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shaft label inspected and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S65.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 114, "Theft Prevention" and 102, "Trans Shift Lever Seq/Starter Interlock/Trans Braking Effect."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, install a MPR cover. Dealers will verify the instrument cluster is not in Factory Mode and clear any fault codes, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C06.
NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Explorer
Rear axle bolt failure. Closed feb 15, 2024, led to recall 23V-675.
NHTSA summary
Vehicle rollaway allegations. Closed feb 12, 2013.
NHTSA summary
Accelerator pedal. Closed mar 9, 2000.
NHTSA summary
Vehicle hesitation/stalling. Closed feb 22, 2000.
NHTSA summary
Parking pawl. Closed apr 1, 1999, led to recall 91V-189.
NHTSA summary
Auto trans prndl misalign. Closed jul 29, 1994.
NHTSA summary
Auto trans.prndl misalign. Closed jan 29, 1993.
NHTSA summary
Park pawl bending. Closed nov 8, 1991, led to recall 91V-189.
NHTSA summary
What owners paid
13 of the 186 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $4,400 to $8,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 10,000 and 77,500 miles, from the 105 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“My 2020 Ford Explorer has 63,853 miles on it. My power train started to hard shift up and down out of nowhere on Wednesday June 18, 2025. It was fine in the morning before work and on my way home after work it started to hard shift.”
Filed Jun 21, 2025 · 63,853 miles
“Transmission harsh shifting and sometimes going into limp mode where vehicle will not accelerate even on the highway and at highway speeds- according to ford dealer their is no recall for this- vehicle has 64k miles but itâs a 2024 and apparently out of warranty- sometimes it will shift down to 1st gear at 55mph. No help from ford- dealership wants $180 just to diagnose problem.”
Filed Jun 9, 2025 · 64,000 miles
“I have 68,000 miles on car and car suddenly started making a thumping sound and jerking when braking. Slip also when driving at low speeds. The Dealership says it needs a new Transmission. I have searched online and found this is a common problem for this year and model.”
Filed Apr 21, 2025 · 68,000 miles
“Transmission jerked in and out of low gears, causing very harsh shifting and lack of acceleration. Service shop at dealership found metal shaving in the transmission and replaced the whole thing. Vehicle only had 50k miles on it.”
Filed Feb 7, 2025 · 50,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 186 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.
Other problems on this car
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 176 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 93 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 82 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 69 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 56 reports
- Headlights too dim or fail 46 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 35 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 28 reports