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Service bulletin SSM 47500

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

The communication, as NHTSA indexes it (as of 2026-10-19)
TypeService bulletin
NHTSA id10144950
Published by NHTSA2018-09-24
Manufacturer's numberSSM 47500
Manufacturer's date2018-08-31
NHTSA componentPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

NHTSA's summary

Some 2015-2017 Explorer and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines may exhibit a surge or hesitation condition at approximately 50-60 MPH in 6th gear under light to moderate loads. If there are no DTCs stored in the powertrain control module (PCM), do not attempt further repairs. Advise customers this is a normal characteristic of the vehicle and will not affect durability of the engine or transmission.

The document

The document is the manufacturer's. This site does not hold it. NHTSA files a document at one of these two addresses; we have not asked NHTSA which.

Components

Electrical system, Transmission and driveline, Automatic transmission, Transmission control module

Vehicles listed
FORD EXPLORER2015, 2016, 2017

Listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned: the document says which.

Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component
20B27 S12022-09-01. Service bulletin. Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with the 2.3L engine and 6F35 transmission; Powertrain Control Module reprogram. Supplement: Program terms will be in effect through August 31, 2023 This program is now eligible for mobile repairs
SSM 498212021-06-01. Service bulletin. Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to small debris causing the VCT solenoid to stick. Before attempting any component diagnosis or replacement of the VCT solenoid, refer to Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) pinpoint test HK11 to cycle the affected VCT solenoid 10 times to attempt to clear the debris. For claiming, use causal part 6M280 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
TSB 20-22712021-01-05. Service bulletin. Some 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine may exhibit a vibration/rough idle when the vehicle is in DRIVE or REVERSE. The vehicle may also exhibit a lack of engine revolutions per minute (RPM), lack of acceleration on take off and/or shudder while driving. This may be due to the torque converter overheating causing damage to the torque converter as well as possible internal damage to the transmission. To correct this condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to replace the torque converter and specified internal transmission components that may have been damaged.
SSM 471702018-05-21. Service bulletin. Some vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to small debris causing the VCT solenoid to stick. Before attempting any component diagnosis or replacement of the VCT solenoid, refer to Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) pinpoint test HK11 to cycle the affected VCT solenoid 10 times to attempt to clear the debris. For claiming, use causal part 6M280 and applicable labor operations in section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
SSM 469002018-01-29. Service bulletin. Some vehicles may exhibit a no start condition with an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and a DTC P161A after PCM replacement. This may be due to the parameter reset procedure not being properly completed. To clear this DTC, use the Ford Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) service tool or Ford J2534 Diagnostic Software, select - Toolbox - Body - Security - PATS Functions - Parameter Reset. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the procedure. This procedure will transfer the existing Key ID information between the modules without the need of having 2 programmed PATS keys present. There is no need to program keys when the PCM is going to be replaced. Additional information can be found in the Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 419-01. Missing or lost keys are not warrantable.
SSM 460692017-08-01. Service bulletin. Some 2015-2016 vehicles equipped with 6F50/6F55 transmission Built On 11/2/2015 And Through 2/1/2016 may exhibit no reverse, 3rd and 5th gear and/or DTCs P0715, P0717, P0756 and/or P2701. This may be caused by the direct clutch snap ring out of position and/or damage to the direct clutch hub. The cause of the failure is the Tone Wheel surface putting uneven load on the snap ring. To repair this condition the Tone Wheel (7F283) must be replaced,(also referred to as Direct Clutch Cylinder/Tone wheel) in addition to the Tone Wheel, replace Direct Clutch Hub (7G384), Direct Clutch Return Spring (7F235), Direct Clutch Snap Ring (7C122), TSS Sensor (7M101), Seal Kit (7153) and filter in the kit. Disassemble, clean the transmission and main control to remove metal particles. Refer to WSM, Section 307-01. Use causal part 7F283 and applicable Labor ops from SLTS section 7.
ASI-452392015-10-22. Service bulletin. FORD: SOME VEHICLES TRANSMISSION WILL EXPERIENCE, AFTER A COLD SOAK OR AN EXTENDED PERIOD WITH ENGINE OFF, A 2-3 SHIFT HESITATION DUE TO POSSIBLE HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT DRAIN. MODEL 2013-16 VARIOUS VEHICLES. *PE
SB452772015-10-21. Service bulletin. FORD: TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK FROM CONVERTER HOUSING AREA ON POLICE UTILITY EQUIPPED WITH 6F50/6F55 TRANSMISSION *CN