Use cautionVehicle recall · NHTSA · Published June 24, 2026
Ford Explorer 2020 Power Train Recall: Park System Damage Risk
Ford is recalling 2020 Explorer vehicles with potential park system damage causing rollaway and crash risk. Owners must contact Ford for free software update and transmission repair.
“Ford Explorer 2020 Power Train Recall: Park System Damage Risk.” GovInfoNow, updated August 18, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/79460-ford-explorer-2020-power-train-recall-park-system-damage-risk. Based on NHTSA recall #26V402000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=26V402000).
Ford Motor Company recalled certain Navigator, Expedition, Explorer, Aviator, and F-150 vehicles due to park system damage risk from a transmission issue, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall was announced on June 24, 2026. Owners should contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
How to tell if you have it
Ford Navigator, 2018-2021
Ford Expedition, 2018-2021
Ford Explorer, 2020-2021
Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2021
Ford F-150, 2021
What to do
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software and inspect or replace damaged transmission components free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners were mailed July 10, 2026, with additional letters anticipated in April 2027 when the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
The hazard
The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage that can cause a vehicle rollaway and increase the risk of a crash. NHTSA records show 44 owner complaints regarding the power train for these vehicles, with 3 marked serious.
Context
GovInfoNow's records show Ford Motor Company has 641 other recalls on record since Jan. 29, 2010. Other recent recalls of similar products include a June 26, 2026 Nissan Sentra power train recall and a July 5, 2026 Jeep Cherokee power train recall. NHTSA has received 177 technical service bulletins for the 2020 Ford Expedition as of Aug. 22, 2026.
How to tell if you have this one
Check if your 2020 Ford Explorer has a park system that engages while moving. The recall covers specific VINs listed on NHTSA.gov starting June 26, 2026.
Brand
Ford
Category
Vehicle
Based on the official NHTSA remedy
What to do — step by step
Contact Ford
Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 to schedule the free software update and transmission repair.
Get Software Update
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software for free to fix the park system issue.
Check Transmission
Dealers will inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary.
Official remedy
What NHTSA says to do
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.
How this recall unfolded
Recall timeline
2 dated steps over 16 days.
1NHTSA received the defect report
2Interim owner letters mailed
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
Subject: Recall 26V402000 — Ford Explorer 2020 Power Train Recall: Park System Damage Risk
Hello,
I own a Ford Explorer 2020 Power Train Recall: Park System Damage Risk that is covered by recall 26V402000 from Ford.
The official recall notice states: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.
I’m writing to arrange the remedy described in the recall (a refund, repair, or replacement as applicable). Could you please tell me the next steps to resolve this?
Thank you.
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on August 18, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.