2020 Ford Explorer Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 1,158 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2020 Ford Explorer overview page.
What owners report
“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…”NHTSA complaint 11361201 — filed 09/25/2020
“VEHICLE IS JERKING WHILE ACCELERATING. RPM GAUGE HAND IS JUMPING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN 1,750 AND 2,250. TAKES AROUND 10 SECONDS TO DOWN SHIFT WHEN…”NHTSA complaint 11355288 — filed 09/15/2020
“TOTAL ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN WHEN STOPPED AT TURN LANE OF 6 LANE HWY INTERSECTION. REPORTEDLY DUE TO LOW TRANSMISSION FLUID AUTOMATIC SHUT-DOWN. VEHICLE WAS RECALL BUY-BACK…”NHTSA complaint 11355021 — filed 09/14/2020
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2020 Ford Explorer have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the most-reported problem area on the 2020 Ford Explorer: 438 of 1,158 complaints on file (37.8%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2020 Ford Explorer have in total?
1,158 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 34 involved a crash, 10 involved a fire, 37 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
