# Service bulletin SSM 48983

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.

- Type: Service bulletin
- NHTSA id: 10177702
- Published by NHTSA: 2020\-08\-04
- Manufacturer's number: SSM 48983
- Manufacturer's date: 2020\-07\-09
- NHTSA component: STRUCTURE

## NHTSA's summary

Some 2020 Explorer/Police Interceptor vehicles built on or after 14\-Nov\-2019 may not be equipped with an installation point behind the front fascia to mount a front recovery hook. The installation point was deleted as a running change. The vehicle is not misbuilt. The addition of any parts would not be considered a warrantable repair. Do not submit a claim for this condition.

## The document

- [NHTSA's copy of the document (PDF)](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10177702-0001.pdf)
- [If that address does not open, try this one](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10177702-9999.pdf)

The document is the manufacturer's. This site does not hold it.

## Components

Body and frame

## Vehicles listed

- 2020 FORD EXPLORER
- 2020 FORD EXPLORER POLICE INTERCEPT

## Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component

- [SSM 55069](/bulletins/11036103.md), 2026-08-11, Service bulletin: VISIBILITY/WIPER; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY. Some 2020\-2025 Explorer vehicles equipped with a power roof opening panel may exhibit a sunshield with localized bunching or binding/inoperative. This may be due to a broken or missing sunshield fabric retainer/clip. A revised sunshield clip \(LJ6Z\-5452118\-B\) is now available to address this condition. It is not necessary to replace the entire sunshield assembly if the clip\(s\) are broken or missing. Refer to Workshop Manual \(WSM\), Section 501\-17 Roof Opening Panel \> General Procedures \> Inspection and Replacement of the Roof Opening Panel Shield Clip.
- [SSM 54646](/bulletins/11032252.md), 2026-05-05, Service bulletin: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM; UNKNOWN OR OTHER; STRUCTURE:BODY. Some 2020\-2024 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility hybrid vehicles may exhibit a "Refuel Error See Manual" message in the instrument panel cluster \(IPC\) after installing a replacement fuel filler door assembly \(7827936\). This may be due to a concern with the replacement fuel filler door assembly. If diagnostics in the Workshop Manual \(WSM\), Section 501\-14 Body \> Handles, Locks, Latches and Entry Systems \> lead to fuel filler door switch replacement, install a new fuel filler door assembly ordered from depot stock to correct this condition. Suspect parts have been cleared from parts depot inventory.
- [SSM 54601](/bulletins/11029052.md), 2026-02-27, Service bulletin: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY; UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module \(BCM\). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab \> Accessories \> Installation \> Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide \> PPT C \> Step C2.\<br /\>\<br /\> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k
- [SSM 54516](/bulletins/11027821.md), 2026-01-27, Service bulletin: STRUCTURE:BODY. 2020\-2026 Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may require level III ballistic panels to be replaced due to broken mounting tabs. Individual level III ballistic panel mounting tab service parts are now available: right\-hand \(78201B68\) and left\-hand \(78201B69\). Replacement of the level III ballistic panel assembly is not required for this condition. Level IV ballistic panels do not have removable mounting tabs and still require complete panel replacement. Level III vs level IV ballistic panels can be identified by a large roman numeral label on the panel or by the vehicle window sticker if equipped.
- [Customer Script\-Expl Hood](/bulletins/11023374.md), 2025-09-29, Other: STRUCTURE:BODY. 2020\-2025 MY Explorer hood\- customer script
- [SSM 52435](/bulletins/10253684.md), 2024-04-29, Service bulletin: STRUCTURE: UNDERRIDE; UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Some 2020\-2023 Explorer vehicles may exhibit various issues with the roof rack side. If there is an issue with the roof rack side that requires replacement, a lower level service part is now available separately \(7855114 and 7855115\). It is no longer necessary to replace the entire roof rack assembly.
- [TSB 24\-2044](/bulletins/10251468.md), 2024-03-07, Service bulletin: STRUCTURE; EQUIPMENT. This article supersedes TSB 23\-2181 to add 2024 vehicle model year. Some 2020\-2024 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may exhibit a lack of audio and/or a water leak in the rear liftgate area and/or water in the spare tire area. The customer may indicate that this concern is more noticeable after a car wash or rainfall. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to identify the leak path.
- [SSM 51875](/bulletins/10241598.md), 2023-09-02, Service bulletin: STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. On 2020\-2023 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles, customers may desire modifications that require access to the drivers door ajar circuit. In some cases customers may experience an ajar light on when the drivers door is fully closed. When using pin 13 on the factory 14\-way connector to access the drivers door ajar circuit, a 70 mA maximum coil current relay with an integrated clamping diode is required to protect against damage to the door latch. Failure to install this correctly will result in repeat warnings that the drivers door latch / door ajar light will remain on until it is compliant with police modifiers bulletin P\-032, which can be found on the Police body builders site \(https://fordbbas.com/publications\).
- [TSB 23\-2181](/bulletins/10238283.md), 2023-06-30, Service bulletin: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES; STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE. Some 2020\-2023 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may exhibit a lack of audio and/or a water leak in the rear liftgate area and/or water in the spare tire area. The customer may indicate that this concern is more noticeable after a car wash or rainfall. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to identify the leak path.
- [SSM 51612](/bulletins/10236031.md), 2023-05-16, Service bulletin: STRUCTURE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STEERING. There is a parts and labor time error for Explorer/Aviator 3.0L EcoBoost and Aviator 3.0L plug\-in hybrid electric vehicle \(PHEV\). Ford is in the process of updating TSB 23\-2114. Explorer or Aviator with 3.0L EcoBoost or 3.0L PHEV engine require new sub frame bolts and a steering shaft pinch bolt. Aviator will also require suspension nuts and bolts missing from the TSB that are related to halfshaft removal and installation. To complete the repair, follow Workshop Manual \(WSM\) Section 205\-03 \> Front Axle Disconnect Actuator \(use the 2020 WSM for 2021 Aviator as the procedure for 2021 is currently being updated\). Complete the wiring modification per TSB 23\-2114. For Explorer 3.0L EcoBoost vehicles, claim operation 232114E 7.2 hours. For Aviator 3.0L EcoBoost and 3.0L PHEV vehicles, claim operation 232114F 7.8 hours. Refer to this article on the repair order.

JSON: [/v1/bulletins/10177702](/v1/bulletins/10177702)

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