2020 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet
"Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on
- 28owner reports
- 56,000median miles
- $1,463median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 17, 2026 · checked Sep 29, 2026
908 of the 1,219 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 28 of those describe transmission warning light.
Tick what matches of 28 reports
Transmission warning light 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 sheet is for a "Service Transmission" message, a transmission fault warning or a wrench light. Owners say it often shows up with lost power, a stall or a car that won't accelerate, and sometimes clears on the next start.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the clutch (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
14 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 engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
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 right hand motor mount fasteners may have been incorrectly tightened, and may loosen over time.
The fuel tank inlet check valve may not be fully welded to the fuel tank shell.
The drive shaft may fracture along the weld seam.
Over time, the protective sleeve on the vapor fuel line may chafe through the plastic liquid fuel line and cause a fuel leak.
The wiring harness may not have been properly secured and may contact the air conditioner compressor (A/C) pulley, potentially damaging the harness or the A/C belt.
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
Loss of motive power. Closed oct 31, 2024, led to recall 24V-635.
Rear axle bolt failure. Closed feb 15, 2024, led to recall 23V-675.
Exhaust odor in passenger cab. Closed jan 17, 2023.
Ford explorer exhaust odor. Closed sep 12, 2017.
Fleet vehicle recall completion audit. Closed dec 28, 2015.
Vehicle rollaway allegations. Closed feb 12, 2013.
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head. Closed jan 4, 2006.
Stuck engine throttle. Closed nov 2, 2005.
Engine compartment fires. Closed aug 2, 2006, led to recall 05V-388.
Accelerator pedal. Closed mar 9, 2000.
Vehicle hesitation/stalling. Closed feb 22, 2000.
Throttle sticking. Closed feb 9, 2001, led to recall 00V-422.
Fuel line damage from jump starting. Closed nov 15, 2000, led to recall 98V-060.
Throttle sticking. Closed jan 7, 1999.
Parking pawl. Closed apr 1, 1999, led to recall 91V-189.
Electrical fire in center console. Closed sep 4, 1997.
Driver door electrical fire. Closed may 15, 1997, led to recall 97V-083.
Engine cooling fan cracks. Closed aug 31, 1994.
Auto trans prndl misalign. Closed jul 29, 1994.
Throttle sticking. Closed jan 6, 1994.
Auto trans.prndl misalign. Closed jan 29, 1993.
Park pawl bending. Closed nov 8, 1991, led to recall 91V-189.
Throttle release failure. Closed apr 10, 1992.
Throttle release failure. Closed jul 22, 1991.
What owners paid
11 of the 28 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $700 to $8,500.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 7,500 and 85,776 miles, from the 12 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 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 2020-2021 Aviator and Explorer vehicles built on and before 24-Feb-2021 may experience an intermittent no crank, inoperative remote start, and/or an illuminated wrench light with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P07E4, B135C and/or U0103.
Some 2020-2021 Aviator and Explorer vehicles may experience an intermittent no crank, inoperative remote start, and/or an illuminated wrench light with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P07E4, B135C and/or U0103.
What owners wrote
“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
“Vehicle is giving a code C0631 and C0632 also has a wrench light indicator on it has something to do with the AWD the vehicle will become hard to turn stall completely will not move and a loss of power occurs”
Filed Aug 30, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 28 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 189 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 74 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