Automatic Transmission Control Module problems of the 2020 Ford Explorer

On may 14, 2025, at approximately 72,000 miles, the vehicle began making a loud rumbling noise when put into gear and proceeding in forward or reverse. The rumbling\shaking would happen to a lesser degree if torque was maintained in the system and all turns were made while accelerating. The vehicle was immediately taken to the Ford dealership. The transmission tech began to back up the vehicle, at which point the rumbling\shaking occurred and the tech stated that the rear differential (rdu) had failed. The vehicle was left at the Ford dealership awaiting complete diagnosis. The vehicle was previously taken to the dealership on October 8, 2024, October 14, 2024, October 24, 2024, November 19, 2024, and December 16, 2024 to have the rumbling\jerking\slipping issues fixed and the complete drivetrain evaluated. On may 30, 3025, the owner was advised that the diagnosis was a failed rear differential and a failed transmission. As documented in NHTSA safety issue id# 11655556, both front axles were just fully replaced replaced three times on October 2, 2024 (65,221 miles), October 16, 2024 (65,301 miles), and October 28, 2024 (65,597 miles) September to address issues with severe vibrations and rumbling which occurred when making turns and driving around curves. These severe vibrations and rumblings coupled with rough shifting and a hop\slip of the transmission when approaching 0 mph caused alarm and deep concern to the passengers in the car, so much so that they expressed fear for their safety as the vehicle shook and jerked. The axle replacement on October 28, 2024 included performing TSB 23-2174 to swap axle types completely by removing the front axle disconnect assembly. The rumbling\clunking\hopping\slipping persisted off and on after the replacement of the axles and transmission (tcm\pcm) reprogramming by the Ford dealership. There were no warning lights or messages. The passengers were scared to ride in the car and the driver was nervous. Vehicle can be inspected.

Vehicle continuously shows a fault for hill start assist, awd mode disabled, advancetrac fault, park sensor, awd module failure, abs disabled. These faults started showing 13/04/25. While in traffic, driver was giving the throttle gas. While giving gas, driver lost power, and noticed a ticking noise as car was losing power in normal drive mode. Driver could have potentially been rear ended, pushed into traffic, and fear that the vehicle will eventually have a brake failure; or have the brakes lock up on the car while driving that could also lead to fatality, or bodily injuries of driver, or civilians. After making it to destination, driver parked for the night. The next day driver started car all faults were gone. Driver then trashed car to dealership to see what malfunction the car had and everything was fine. Fault later appeared, and driver lost power again. Driver then proceeds to a nearby auto store where driver had a diagnostic of the car. The store associate then tells driver that the car had a faulty pcm. Driver also notes that the car was purchased used with mileage reported at 29,000 miles. Driver now has 57k miles. Though car isn’t new. It isn’t old. Being that it is used, car is and was practically new. Driver feels a car with low mileage should not be malfunctioning given the status of its components.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly jerked and jolted before returning to normal functionality. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission control module. The contact was informed that the tcm needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 108,000.

Nearly all loss of engine power while driving on on a highway. Ford states these are the necessary repairs. The mechanic supervisor verbally told me told me possible engine coolant in cylinders 2 and 3. I requested photos, however none have been provided. I have not approved repairs due to the costs. Total estimate for repairs is over $15000. 00 Ford ecoboost engines have had a lot of recalls, for these same issues on other model Ford engines except the 2. 3 liter 2020 Ford Explorer. (rapid coolant loss and leaking into the combustion chamber) causing the engine block to damaged. However, no recalls yet on the 2020 Ford Explorer. Cause replace longblock due to internal failure correction replace engine and all one time use parts estimate $ 11,534. 51 either pcm, harness or sensor bad heater circuit oxygen sensor bank 1 sensor 2 correction replace O2 sensor broken exhaust pressure sensor correction replace sensor concern critical check engine light is on and running rough cause replace spark plugs and recheck correction replace spark plugs and recheck approved $ 605. 56 total estimate $ 15,863. 61 manufacturer recall issued recall 23s23 inoperative rear 360 degree camera with a blue screen imported from oxlo on 12/18/2024 06:52 approved no charge I have not authorized repairs due to the high costs, and lack of guarantee of repair. Plus I'm still making monthly payments for another 15 months. Ford has not acknowledged cylinder manufacturing defects to engine block on the 2020 Ford Explorer. I'm at a loss.

The vehicle was driven to the destination and then turned off. Upon turning the vehicle back on and attempting to drive it, the vehicle vibrated and shuttered violently at times. The vehicle was looked over on-site before being driven to a mechanic for any loose parts or debris in the fender wells. The vehicle was able to be driven slowly to mechanic and only wide turns could be made or it would shudder and vibrate. After inspecting the vehicle, the mechanic stated that the front axles needed to be replaced and this would solve the issue. Approval for the front axle replacements to be completed was given to the mechanic and the soul was completed. However, the vehicle continued to vibrate and shudder in forward and reverse gears, especially when turning. The mechanic suggested to go to the dealership to get it checked out and reset/reprogram the pcm. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who looked it over and checked for a rear axle bolt failure and then sent it back to the original mechanic to swap the axles as they are unsure if the correct parts were installed. The original mechanic contacted the Ford dealership and ordered the front axles again and installed them. The problem persisted. The mechanic then attempted the completion of the TSB 23-2174 to see if that would help solve the problem. The vehicle was then driven to the dealership to have the pcm reprogrammed and the work completed by the mechanic reviewed. After leaving the vehicle at the dealership for several weeks and having the work completed, the problem persists. However, since this problem started, the transmission or drive train now slips or hips when coming to a stop right at 0mph. It also pops and jumps when taking off in the lower gears. The drive train behaves erratically and feels like something is loose or slipping or of place. The rough shifting and hop when stopping causes concern about the vehicle not stopping or shifting out of gear or into the strong gear or something is coming loose.

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.

An unintentional powertrain control module (pcm) reset occurred while the vehicle was in motion and resulted in park system damage. The entire transmission needs to be replaced.

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.

Vehicle shut off at a stop light and was unable to be restarted. Vehicle had full power but would not start when pressing engine start switch. Vehicle was stuck in the middle of lanes blocking traffic and putting me in danger of being hit by other drivers. Police had to respond to block traffic until a tow truck could arrive. Dealer states the vehicle exhibited loss of communication to the pcm and there is a TSB #22-2145 for a neutral out condition. Vehicle is at dealer awaiting repair.

I had been driving with no problems. Turned in to a minimart, parked vehicle. When I returned a few minutes later, I started the vehicle, backed up, stopped, then started to pull out of the parking lot to turn onto the highway. I accelerated and the transmission would not go out of second gear. I pulled off the highway shut the vehicle off, restarted and tried to continue my trip. The transmission would not go out of second gear. I continued with the engine running at high rpm until I reached home. I called for assistance, and had the vehicle towed to the dealer where I got a rental car and returned home. They called the house and said the vehicle was ready. I returned and found that they reprogrammed the pcm module and road checked the car with no problems found. I had received a Ford recall notice in late may about the problem and recall is good until may 31, 2021. Vehicle had 1406 miles when I left the dealer.