What 1,163 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 Ford Explorer Police Intercept

Reporting a loss of motive power and loss of transmission torque to the rear wheels from my Explorer that had been remedied with the PCM software update. Experience a surge forward nearly striking another vehicle. Contacted my Ford Dealer who advised that I must wait for a letter and instructions from thereafter. I have several trips planned with family and feel this is unfair ( prolonged fix and intial fix didn't work) and unsafe but I need my vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11549905

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V255000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle violently lunged from side to side, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11549763

Please find attached documents (including a Chat Script) related to an issue we are having with our 2020 Ford Explorer. Our vehicle has less than 10,000 miles on it and began having serious transmission issues to the point where it was unsafe to drive. The vehicle would completely stall out in the middle of an intersection or during acceleration at speed. On August 16, 2023, we made an appointment for Friday September 15, 2023, (earliest available appt) with a dealer to get the vehicle in. We parked the vehicle in our garage from 08-16-23 to 09-05-23 then took it to the dealer. On Wednesday, September 20th, 2023, the dealer notified me that the technicians found that the transmission fluid smells burnt, and they will be submitting their findings to Ford so they can find out how to proceed (either replace or repair). On Wednesday, September 20th, 2023, the dealer notified us that they got a response from Ford, and they are going to be replacing the entire transmission and they will be ordering it that day. We are still waiting for the new transmission to arrive and to get an estimate of how long the replacement will take. Now, I am not writing you to just complain about the amount of time we have been and continue to be without our vehicle, but rather to stress the fact that there is a HUGE issue with certain Ford transmissions that should be addressed through recalls not technical bulletins (as attached - TSB22-2428) as this is an extreme safety issue. I can tell you form experience that it is very scary when you start to accelerate from a red light and your vehicle completely stalls out and stops moving forward and the vehicles behind you have to slam on their brakes and swerve around you. It is also very scary when you try to accelerate at speed to change lanes etc., and the vehicle completely stalls out. This is why we parked our Explorer in our garage for over 2 weeks waiting for our scheduled appointment.

NHTSA ODI 11548060

Transmission jerks abruptly and very hard.

NHTSA ODI 11548075

Vehicle lost power while driving at 75mph on major highway. Received power train malfunction warning light. Had to tow car to dealership and wait 9 days for the service technician to determine a repair. Now my parking brake light keeps coming on.

NHTSA ODI 11546715

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at approximately 55 MPH, there was a beeping sound for the Hill Start Assist warning Power Train collision assist not available. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the axle disconnect actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11545864

On July 16th, 2023, while driving from Ohio to Indiana, my vehicle would not accelerate properly, and the power train malfunction warning illuminated on my dashboard. (The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.) My entire family's safety was put at risk as we were all in the vehicle at the time of the incident. We were on the toll road where other commuters were driving and were unable to accelerate as normal and other commuters were forced to go around us until the vehicle reached appropriate speed. Upon our arrival home the vehicle was taken to Ford for repair. Ford stated there was a recall for this issue and they programmed a software update which engages the parking break when the vehicle is placed in park and the warning light was no longer illuminated. I purchased the vehicle in December of 2021 and was not made aware of the recall in April of 2022. Prior to this incident my vehicle has showed no open safety recalls when entering the VIN online or checking the Ford Pass app. My vehicle has also never automatically engaged the parking break until after the service repair in July of 2023. Since there have not been any open safety recalls and my vehicle has never previously automatically engaged the parking break my belief is that the issue was marked as repaired without actually being repaired. The vehicle has been in for service for a separate issue at least 10 times prior to this incident and this "recall" was never brought to my attention or fixed at any of these service appointments.

NHTSA ODI 11544623

Purchased this vehicle used exactly 2 months ago and put 1500 miles on it (now 56k miles). Within the last couple days, the vehicle started downshifting hard, similar to a punch type shift, under 35mph. After driving for a few minutes, it begins to shift the same while upshifting at similar speeds. While trying to go up a small hill on a curvy road, the vehicle decided it didn’t want to shift, began slowing down, and began making a grinding sound. The sound last a couple seconds before stopping then started again for a second. Vehicle doesn’t appear to have issues at a steady speed above 45mph due to not shifting at the time. I had both kids in the car with me at the time this was going on and the issue could have stalled us in the road and caused us to get rear ended due to the semi blind turns. We had a similar issue in a different vehicle but no where near as bad, especially instantly, where the throttle body had to be replaced. The vehicle drove fine after that. Diagnostic is a week out and the beginning of any transmission repairs approximately a month out. Vehicle is still under factory powertrain warranty by a couple thousand miles and covered under the extended warranty. However, the extended warranty only covers a max of 5 days rental although we could be without a vehicle for a month plus. I would not trust this car to go 5 miles down the road at this point, which is sad for something purchased 2 months ago from a reputable dealer.

NHTSA ODI 11544646

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 ODI 11543365

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power train and several other warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

NHTSA ODI 11543190

While driving the the vehicle's RPM increases violently, but no speed is increased or kept. Also, the car will jerk while driviing (at any speed). These are both separate cases. The occurs while driving on interstate, driving onto a ramp and entering traffic, while entering intersection and pulling into traffic, leaving a stop light and trying to drive through an intersection. It is being looked at by a dealer. Dealer says they cannot replicate. No warnings. I have been at risk many times trying to accelerate and not being able to when car slows or comes to a almost complete stop as entering traffic.

NHTSA ODI 11542640

Warning that the cruise control function was not working. The the car would not go more the 5 miles an hour until it had switched out of 1st gear, it kept changing gears. I was scared to death of driving it. I had to use my emergency blinkers everytime I had to slow down and the try to regain speed. The transmission was making a clunk noise and the engine was reviving like crazy. I was afraid of being rear-ended or someone crashing into my car because I could not get out of the way. The car is at the dealership right now, they will not have time to look at it until after the holiday. I was 600 miles from home and terrified.

NHTSA ODI 11542120

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while at a stop light, the vehicle accelerated and jerked with a delay while shifting gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no cause for the failure was found. The failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 72,000.

NHTSA ODI 11542160

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact pulled to the side of the roadway. The contact stated that upon inspecting underneath the vehicle, he noticed that the transmission oil cooler was covered in red fluid due to a crack near the oil cooler line. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission oil cooler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.

NHTSA ODI 11541847

Code 102F: All wheel drive module malfunctioned due to lost communication/wiring with the module. The vehicle is in a compromised state and driving differently with AWD disabled. Problem was confirmed at Ford dealership and Ford refuses to provide coverage under the powertrain warranty, even though this is a powertrain issue.

NHTSA ODI 11540085

Essentially, my Ford 2020 Explorer is having the same issues as the other 2020 Explorers on a recall list . My Ford rolled back, and it hit my husband's car when it slipped out of park. It also is no longer going into park without giving me a weird error message. It is currently at Five Star Ford in Stone Mountain, GA awaiting repair. My car will not go into park. The transmission failed.

NHTSA ODI 11539354

While driving the rpm needle dropped under 1 and would not accelerate. And while slowing down the car jerks. The wretch light showed up. The codes was read at a service center that it was powertrain control specifically the transmission temperature gauge and pulley system. Currently being diagnosed at the dealership.

NHTSA ODI 11538562

Hard downshifting while coming to a stop - dealership is saying a complete transmission replacement on a 2020

NHTSA ODI 11538576

Cars jerking while upshifting or downshifting at regular speed.

NHTSA ODI 11537294

Shifting is hard shifting up and down

NHTSA ODI 11537043

1. My 2020 Explorer has about 75,000 miles. 2. The car rolled back while in park during the week of 7/24, and the emergency brake stopped the car from rolling. 3. I called Ford Customer Care and my local dealer to see if my model was included in the current transmission recall (23v06900), it is not. 4. On 7/28/23, the car would not go into park. The emergency brake kicked in. The screen shows a message that says "Park not available apply brake before exiting". 5. Car is currently at the dealership in need of a new transmission. Vehicle still will not go into "park". Car remains in place due to the emergency brake, only.

NHTSA ODI 11535541

When the car starts all warning lights come on. Hill start assistance, pre collision assistance, all assistance. There is no cruise, no safety collision assistance at all. First appeared on June 13 2023. Ford Dealer is currently trying to fix the problem. They are unsure why it’s doing it. It puts all occupants life at risks as the car doesn’t have any safety assistance.

NHTSA ODI 11533745

I had an oil change at the Feldman Ford Dealership on or around 3/7/2023. On 4/14/2023 at or at round 5-6 pm; I was traveling southbound on I-75 when my 2020 Explorer suddenly slowed down from 70 miles per hour to around 40 miles per hour while I’m in the farthest lane and it wouldn’t go pass 45 miles per hour almost causing the vehicle behind to rear end me. The dash displayed a reading stating the oil pressure is low and to get engine serviced. I put on my hazards and safely made it to exit off of the freeway. I stopped at a gas station because the engine was making a loud screaming noise. I called my salesman from Feldman Ford and explained what was happening and what the dash was saying so he asked me to shut off the engine and to check the oil. So when I opened the hood I saw oil everywhere and the engine was so hot that the heat was burning my face. The dipstick was indicating that the oil was low to empty. He stated that’s impossible you just had an oil change 4-5 weeks ago and the engine appears that it’s not cooling. So he advised me to put in 2-3 quarts and get on my knees to see if any oil is leaking underneath and there was no leak after I put in 3 quarts of oil. So he asked how far was i from home i told him no more than 15 minutes, then he asked me to start the car to see if the noise diminished and it was not as loud so he said to see if I could get the car home because I had my 1 month old grandson and my daughter with me and he will have a tow truck to come and get it. I made it a block from my home then the car shut off and wouldn’t start. So I had family to come get my daughter and grandson and I stayed with the vehicle until 930/10 pm when the tow truck arrived and my vehicle has been at the Feldman Ford service lot ever since 4/14/2023 and it has not been fixed or worked on. I was told that the oil pump failed causing 2 or 3 seals to go bad in the back and front of the motor. The Ford app displayed engine issues 2 months prior to my purchase.

NHTSA ODI 11532753

Car hesitates on acceleration; almost hit by oncoming traffic. Dealer reports a broken axle on 4 wheel drive assembly. Apparently there is an open investigation on this?

NHTSA ODI 11531299

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and started losing motive power. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. During a test drive, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the "WRENCH" symbol was illuminated. The contact stated that the engine was still running however, the vehicle failed to shift to park(P) or drive(D). The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that metal shards were found in the transmission and that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

NHTSA ODI 11526575