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Service bulletins for the 2020 Ford Explorer

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.

402 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.

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Only bulletins with component: Equipment and accessories are shown. Show all

Bulletins, newest first
TSB 20-23222020-10-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL. Some 2020 Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit inoperative turn signal lamps after replacement of the light emitting diode (LED) control module. This may be due to a lack of initialization caused by incomplete wiring circuits. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to splice the needed circuits into the wiring harness of the affected side of the vehicle.
SSM 490852020-09-04. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; ENGINE. Some 2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with a TCU may exhibit incomplete user authorization, no authorization pop-up on the SYNC infotainment system, vehicle connectivity concerns, vehicle location disabled message and/or various FordPass/LincolnWay App command/control concerns. To correct these conditions, ensure that customer connectivity settings (CCS) are turned on in the SYNC system. If the concerns persist after CCS is turned on, turn CCS OFF, perform an ignition cycle, and turn CCS settings back on. After any CCS changes, force-close and relaunch the FordPass/ LincolnWay app on the customers phone. Once CCS is turned on, program the TCU to the latest IDS/FDRS version level. If the concern is still present, follow normal diagnostics in Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 415-00. Refer to PTS OASIS home page for TCU version identification. For claiming, use causal part 14G229.
SSM 490662020-09-04. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Some 2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may not be able to properly disable remote start through the SYNC interface. This may be due to the current level SYNC software installed. To correct this condition, program the SYNC module. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 415-00. If no update is available or the condition persists after programming, refer to WSM, Section 303-06 for further diagnosis. The remote start can be disabled in one of three methods: (1) leaving the hood open, (2) de-activation through the SYNC System Customer Preferences (refer to SYNC settings in the Owner's Manual), or (3) disconnecting the 12 Volt Battery. Refer to WSM, Section 100-00 for further information on remote start disabling.
SSM 490582020-09-04. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. Some 2020 Explorer vehicles built on or before 01-Dec-2019 may exhibit heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) airflow or temperature not operating as commanded. This may be perceived as a lack of airflow from various vents or inconsistent temperature from side to side. This may be due to the software in the HVAC module. To correct the condition, reprogram the HVAC module using the latest software level of the appropriate Ford diagnostic scan tool. For claiming, use causal part 19980 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
TSB 20-22592020-09-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Some 2019 MKZ, 2019-2020 Mustang/Continental/Fusion/F-150/Transit Connect/ Ranger/Edge/Nautilus and 2020 Escape/Corsair/Aviator/Explorer/Expedition/ Navigator/F-Super Duty vehicles with SYNC 3 may experience various SYNC performance related concerns. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure
SSM 490322020-08-04. Service bulletin. BACK OVER PREVENTION; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. Some 2020 Corsair/Explorer/Super Duty vehicles built on or before 27-May-2020 and not equipped with a 360-camera system may exhibit various rear parking aid camera concerns such as poor image quality, flickering and/or completely inoperative. If a vehicle exhibits any of these conditions, replace the rear parking aid camera. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 413-13. For claiming, use causal part 19G490 and any applicable labor operations in Section 11 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual
SSM 489082020-07-07. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Some 2016-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with a SYNC 3 Touchscreen may experience the volume control unresponsive from the Front Control Interface Module (FCIM) and steering volume controls when using Apple Car Play. When the Apple device is removed, volume control is restored. This is due to a concern with the Waze Navigation App software and Apple iOS version. To correct the condition, update the Waze App software and iOS to the latest version available and reboot the customer's Apple device. Perform an ignition cycle and reconnect the Apple device via USB. Open Apple Car Play and confirm volume control is restored. Installing/Updating third party software/applications is not warrantable.
SSM 489102020-07-07. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. Some 2020 Police Interceptor Utility vehicles that had dark car mode enabled or disabled with FDRS on or before 21-May-2020 may have inadvertently had the remote keyless entry (RKE) transmitters disabled. To correct the condition, reprogram the RKE transmitters with FDRS application BCM - Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) Transmitter Programming. For claiming, use causal part 15607 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
SSM 489172020-07-07. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. Some 2020 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may experience an intermittent or constant blank/black screen on the center infotainment display due the low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) cable at the SYNC accessory protocol interface module (APIM) not being fully seated. Verify that the connector is fully seated into the APIM prior to performing any other diagnostics or repairs on the vehicle for this concern. If the connection is found loose, re-seat the connection and retest. If the LVDS cable is found not to be the cause of the blank screen, follow Workshop Manual section 415-00 for further diagnosis. For claiming, use causal part number 10E929 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
SSM 489002020-07-07. Service bulletin. STEERING; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. Some 2020 Explorer vehicles equipped with a leather wrapped steering wheel may exhibit the leather covering becoming untucked or separating from the steering wheel. The leather may be able to be re-adhered to the steering wheel. Steering wheel replacement may not be necessary. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 211-04 Steering Column > General Procedures > Steering Wheel Cover Repair for the updated repair procedure. It is not necessary to remove the steering wheel to perform this procedure.
SSM 488642020-07-07. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). Some 2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may exhibit the infotainment system stating in Michigan when trying to select a point of interest using the push to talk feature on the navigation system. Engineering is currently working on a solution for this condition, which is expected to be available in July. Please monitor OASIS for additional information and schedule service appointments for customers once the repair becomes available.
20B212020-07-06. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT. In all of the affected vehicles, there are shallow pressed valve seats in the cylinder heads. This may lead to a rough idle, engine misfires with a reduction in power/torque, and a check engine/wrench light illuminated.
SSM 487902020-06-04. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. Some 2020 Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with a 10R80 MHT automatic transmission and with less than 100 miles may exhibit a transmission fluid leak that appears to be coming from between the hybrid drive unit and transmission case joint. This condition may be due to residual transmission fluid trapped between the front module and transmission case joint during the assembly process. Recommend cleaning the area thoroughly and reevaluating with the vehicle at operating temperature before attempting any leak related repairs.
SSM 483642019-12-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. Some 2018-2019 Expedition/Navigator, 2019 Edge/Nautilus, 2020 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with a family entertainment system may experience an issue where the audio not synchronized with the video display when using the vehicle speakers. To correct this condition, contact the VOXX Customer Service Department at 1-866-869-7888. For claiming, refer to the Warranty and Policy manual for Ford Licensed Accessories.
SSM 481352019-09-09. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. Some 2013-2020 vehicles equipped with an EVDC air conditioning (A/C) compressor may exhibit poor A/C performance/improper climate function. To support the proper diagnosis of this compressor, the EVDC control valve tester has been provided to each U.S. dealership (339-EVDC100). Ensure the A/C system has a full charge prior to any compressor diagnostics. To support the proper diagnosis of this compressor, the EVDC compressor tool must be used, and the results recorded in the Technician comments field with the warranty claim. This tester will help reduce the potential for misdiagnosis and unnecessary compressor replacement. Refer to the Rotunda catalog for a video and user manual which provide detailed operating instructions.

The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.