Service bulletin SSM 49162

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)
Type	Service bulletin
NHTSA id	10180365
Published by NHTSA	2020-10-06
Manufacturer's number	SSM 49162
Manufacturer's date	2020-09-04
NHTSA component	POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:FUEL GAUGE:FUEL LEVEL FLOAT/SENSOR/SENDING UNIT

NHTSA's summary

Some 2020 Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may display a distance to empty value in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) that does not correctly represent the actual fuel level of the vehicle. This may be due to excessive idling and/or a learned value in the powertrain control module (PCM) that is incorrect. To correct the condition, perform the PCM - Reset the Keep Alive Memory (KAM) application in the appropriate Ford diagnostic scan tool. For claiming, use Causal Part 12A650 and applicable labor times from Section 10 in the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.

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, Instrument cluster, Transmission control module

Vehicles listed
FORD EXPLORER	2020
FORD EXPLORER POLICE INTERCEPT	2020 (the catalog's model; the bulletin names a series or trim of it)
LINCOLN AVIATOR	2020

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

Recalls for the same vehicles and component
26V402000	2026-06-24. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
23V199000	2023-03-24. PARKING BRAKE:ELECTRICAL; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
23V069000	2023-02-10. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
19V575000	2019-08-05. PARKING BRAKE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

A recall listed here may apply to some of the same vehicles. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle.

Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component
SSM 52244	2024-02-14. Service bulletin. Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid engine, 2020-2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine and 2020-2023 Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L hybrid engine may exhibit a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0A1E stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) and auto start/stop disabled. This may be due to a loose wiring connection to the belt integrated starter generator (BISG). The Workshop Manual (WSM) has recently been updated to provide new direction for DTC P0A1E. Refer to the WSM, Section 303-06 Starting System, Diagnosis and Testing, Starting System for applicable diagnosis.
SSM 51764	2023-07-03. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2023 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and low oil pressure warning in the instrument panel cluster (IPC), with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0521 and/or P0524 in the powertrain control module (PCM). This condition may be caused by an internal oil pressure leak. If pinpoint test E in the Workshop Manual (WSM) Section 303-01B directs you to the replacement of the oil pump, upon reassembly inspect that the main oil gallery tube (6718) is assembled and aligned properly on the back of the engine front cover. The engine oil gallery seal (00815) must be replaced any time the front cover is removed (per WSM Section 303-01B). The WSM front cover removal and installation procedure is in the process of being updated.
TSB 23-2176	2023-06-13. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission may exhibit a delayed reverse engagement. This may be due to the software in the powertrain control module (PCM). To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to reprogram the PCM.
SSM 51032	2022-08-22. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may exhibit automatic transmission fluid (ATF) contamination in the engine cooling system due to the transmission cooler. If the cooling system becomes contaminated with ATF, the system must be flushed clear of the contamination after the source of the contamination has been repaired. It is generally not necessary to replace the following components due to ATF contamination in the cooling system: radiator, heater core, de-gas bottle, water pump, auxiliary water pump, coolant control valves, temperature sensors, thermostat, turbocharger, heat exchangers, tubes, gaskets/O-rings/seals (unless removed), or rubber coolant hoses (unless swollen).
SSM 50885	2022-06-30. Service bulletin. 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator and 2021-2022 F-150 hybrid vehicles equipped with a 10R80 MHT require the Transmission Strategy Download application in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) to be run after certain transmission or module repairs. The Transmission Strategy Download routine is failing in FDRS levels 32.5.3 and 32.5.4. The FDRS development team is working to resolve this in a future release of FDRS. In the meantime, uninstall FDRS from the computer using the select all function to remove all data and recordings. Reinstall the older FDRS version 31.6.5 using this url - http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/IDS/FDRS/FDRS_31.6.5.exe Once 31.6.5 is installed, download and run the Transmission Strategy Download application.
SSM 50622	2022-03-30. Service bulletin. Some 2020 - 2022 Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may display a distance to empty value in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) that does not correctly represent the actual fuel level of the vehicle. This may be due to excessive idling and/or a learned value in the powertrain control module (PCM) that is incorrect. To correct the condition, perform the PCM - Reset the Keep Alive Memory (KAM) application in the appropriate Ford diagnostic scan tool. For claiming, use Causal Part 12A650 and applicable labor times from Section 10 in the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
TSB 21-2452	2022-01-01. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2021 Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L PHEV powertrain may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) U0100, P1A42 and/or P1A43 stored in battery energy control module (BECM). This may be due to software in the PCM. To correct the condition, follow the service procedure to perform a coordinated flash on the powertrain control module (PCM), secondary on-board diagnostic module c (SOBDMC), anti-lock braking system (ABS) module, BECM, and battery charger control module (BCCM).
TSB 21-2434	2022-01-01. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles and 2021 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 10R80 MHT automatic transmission may exhibit a harsh/delayed engagement and/or a harsh/delayed shift with or without an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) or diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0729, P0731, P0732, P0733, P0734, P0735, P0736, P076F, P07D9, P07F6, P07F7, P2700, P2701, P2702, P2703, P2704 and/or P2705 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to sticking valves in the main control valve body. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to perform the PCM - Transmission Accelerated Main Control Break In routine for the appropriate clutch(s) and/or overhaul the main control valve body.
SSM 50170	2021-10-29. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2021 Navigator and 2020-2022 Aviator vehicles may exhibit a condition where the degrees do not appear in the SYNC screen when adjusting the climate control temperature. This may be due to the SYNC software installed in the accessory protocol interface module (APIM). Engineering is currently developing a software update that is expected in January 2022. Once the software update is available, it will be made available to customers who have enabled SYNC 3 Automatic Updates with their vehicle connected to a Wi-Fi network. Repair appointments should be scheduled for customers in February 2022 who do not receive Automatic Updates. Monitor OASIS for updates.
SSM 49821	2021-06-01. 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.