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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2020 Ford Explorer Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
504about this part
Share
40%of 1,249 total for the year
Median mileage
43,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 504 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2020 Ford Explorer, 40% of the 1,249 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 43,000 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 6 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Vehicule was purchased new end of may 2020 and transsmission had to be replaced with less than 2500 miles in september 2020. Frecuents jolts would occur when I would hit over 40mph and when I would slow down around 20-25 MPH. I brought my Explorer to the dealership and I had to have my transmission replaced based on analysis performed by Ford technicians.”

NHTSA complaint #11361201, filed 2020-09, 2,100 miles

“While my vehicle was in motion there was a loud clank. The car would then not accelerate properly. After stopping the vehicle there was a leak in the transmission fluid and then the car would not move. There was never any lights that appeared or any warning signs. It had to be towed to the Ford dealership at my expense. Less then 6000 miles on the vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #11348962, filed 2020-08, 5,500 miles

“Vehicle was sitting in driveway overnight with no issues and when went to drive the next morning to take kids to school vehicle would not go above 10 MPH. It gave the warning there was a powertrain malfunction, engine coolant over temperature (which we just had the recall done a week ago), and a regulatory malfunction indicator. We were not far from home, so returned back.”

NHTSA complaint #11406864, filed 2021-04, 14,080 miles

“The vehicle displayed a check engine light and made a whining sound when shifting. The next day attempted to shift into reverse and the vehicle would not move. Had vehicle towed to dealership where we purchased the Explorer. The dealer identified the issue as an electronic valve control for the transmission. 3+ weeks later we are still waiting for parts to be received by the dealer.”

NHTSA complaint #11390047, filed 2021-01, 20,000 miles

“On two occasions, instead of changing gear, the car increased rpms like it was in neutral and then lurched back into gear. In both cases, I was able to quickly brake, but it was a terrifying situation. I was in normal drive mode, and believe the gears were shifting from first to second.”

NHTSA complaint #11414023, filed 2021-04, 8,500 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202637%
20251615%
202415%
20231211%
20226123%
202112728%
202050440%
20193512%
2018507%
20171257%
20162159%
2015865%
2014805%
20131195%
2012557%
2011645%
20102824%
200939%
20083624%
20075727%
200629647%
20059920%
200446035%
200333530%
20021,50246%
20014211%
200013314%
19991159%
19981035%
19971046%
19961208%
199511914%
1994867%
1993728%
19927712%
19916911%
1990217%

Other parts of the 2020 Ford Explorer

Other or unknown
214 complaintsElectrical system
188 complaintsEngine
117 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
104 complaintsBrakes
88 complaintsForward collision avoidance
72 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
70 complaintsExterior lighting
56 complaintsBody and structure
46 complaintsFuel system
42 complaintsSeats
41 complaintsSuspension
36 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2020 Ford Explorer

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology