2020 Ford Explorer Transmission Problems

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds the transmission unexpected downshifted from a high gear to a low gear, and the vehicle lurched forward while attempting to decelerate. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ID

11666561

Incident

Dec 28, 2022

Mileage

40,000 mi

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ID

11659276

Incident

Mar 26, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, another vehicle collided with the passenger side of the vehicle and hit the rim. The wrench, the four-wheel drive, the brake, and the hillside warning lights illuminated after the crash. The vehicle was driven to the dealer. The vehicle was repaired for an axel that needed to be replaced, the module PMI was replaced, a revised part for the four-wheel drive shaft was replaced, and a module switch was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 61,800.

NHTSA ID

11643744

Incident

Feb 3, 2025

Mileage

61,800 mi

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted, hesitated, and jerked abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was also referred to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.

NHTSA ID

11637419

Incident

Jan 21, 2025

Mileage

97,000 mi

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the power window control switch failed to function properly. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the powertrain control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,518.

NHTSA ID

11610222

Incident

Aug 21, 2024

Mileage

59,518 mi

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed fluid leaking underneath the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission cooler was fractured. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

NHTSA ID

11601280

Incident

Jul 11, 2024

Mileage

23,000 mi

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle began to jerk abnormally while shifting gear. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no additional assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 77,500.

NHTSA ID

11594991

Incident

Jun 3, 2024

Mileage

77,500 mi

The 10R60 transmission is exhibiting a hard downshift from 7-6 gear. I know this has been a problem with several of this year make and model. Ford says its not included in the recall. I have 81,000 miles on the vehicle and have to replace the transmission that is known to have problems. No warning lights no codes were produced. Just started happening and took to the dealership

NHTSA ID

11582884

Incident

Apr 14, 2024

Took vehicle to Ford dealer to investigate whining noise at acceleration from a cold start. No warning lights. Dealer verified whine noise. Also found leak in transmission cooler. Removed and replaced transmission cooler. Not covered by a recall, although there is a recall for some vnn vehicles of same year and model for this defect.

NHTSA ID

11579584

Incident

Feb 20, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, the vehicle lost power and would not shift out of gear. The contact stated that he observed a whining noise emanating from the engine compartment. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it has not yet been diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.

NHTSA ID

11578738

Incident

Mar 21, 2024

Mileage

63,000 mi

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while the brakes were being replaced, the mechanic noticed that the transmission had a leak and referred the contact to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that there was a leak in the transmission oil cooler and that the transmission oil cooler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the warranty had expired and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 44,560.

NHTSA ID

11543365

Incident

Aug 17, 2023

Mileage

44,560 mi

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH the vehicle started jerking while shifting gears. After the vehicle accelerated above 10 MPH, the vehicle operated normal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the transmission was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and a software update was performed; however, the failure continued. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.

NHTSA ID

11470218

Incident

Jan 1, 2021

Mileage

3,000 mi

2020 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE VIBRATIONS AT CERTAIN SPEEDS AND AS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER BREACHED IT'S CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION BY FAILING TO PROPERLY AND TIMELY REPAIR THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11452145

Incident

Feb 15, 2022