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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: Software are shown. Show all

Bulletins, newest first
TSB 23-23072023-11-02. Service bulletin. UNKNOWN OR OTHER; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT:SOFTWARE. Some 2019-2020 Edge/F-150/Fusion/Continental/MKZ/Nautilus, 2019-2021 Mustang/Ranger/Transit Connect, 2020-2021 EcoSport/Escape/Expedition/Explorer/F-Super Duty/Aviator/Corsair/Navigator, 2021 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator vehicles with SYNC 3 may experience various SYNC performance related concerns. This may be due to the SYNC Software. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to update the SYNC module (APIM) software.
TSB 22-22252022-06-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Some 2019-2020 Edge/F-150/Fusion/Continental/MKZ/Nautilus, 2019-2021 Mustang/Ranger/Transit Connect, 2020-2021 EcoSport/Escape/Expedition/Explorer/F-Super Duty/Aviator/Corsair/Navigator, 2021 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator vehicles with SYNC 3 may experience various SYNC performance related concerns. This may be due to the SYNC Software. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software.
SSM 503882022-02-04. Service bulletin. LANE DEPARTURE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA; FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY. Some 2020-2022 F-Super Duty/Explorer/Aviator and 2021-2022 F-150 vehicles may exhibit a Front Camera Fault, Lane Keeping Fault, and/or Collison Warning Not Available message with various diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) stored in the image processing module A (IPMA). If programming fails or Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) states a file failed to flash after replacing the IPMA or reprogramming IPMA software, test the battery using any approved Rotunda tool including the GR-190, GRX-3590, and DCA-8000. Fully recharge or replace the battery according to results of the tool. Set the battery charger to maintain battery voltage between 12.6 and 13.6 volts during the entire programming procedure. The IPMA programming procedure may take several hours to complete due to the size of the software files required.
SSM 503752021-12-27. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Some 2016-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may exhibit a condition where the navigation voice prompts are inoperative after a SYNC map update. This may be due to an incomplete installation of the SYNC map software. If possible, using the original USB that installed the update, reperform the update and verify the navigation voice prompts have returned. Multiple reboots are expected when this update is being performed. Verify the Installation Is Complete message displays in the touch screen. If the original USB is not available, go to website https://syncnavigation.com/ford/home or https://syncnavigation.com/lincoln/home to download the files once more for the affected vehicle. For further map update support, reference the FAQ section on these websites.
SSM 494382021-02-04. Service bulletin. SEATS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Some 2020-2021 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with 3rd row power seats may exhibit inoperative 3rd row power seat folding with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B1231:54 and/or B1232:54 stored in the power fold seat module (SCMJ). This may be due to the software in the SCMJ. To correct the condition, connect a battery charger and reprogram the SCMJ using the latest software level of the appropriate Ford diagnostic scan tool. Then open the liftgate, and perform the SCMJ - Power Fold Seat Module (SCMJ) Learn Seat Procedure. For claiming, use causal part 14F042 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
SSM 494372021-02-04. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY:VEHICLE CONTROLS:BRAKING. Some 2020-2021 Explorer/Aviator vehicles built on or before 07-Dec-2020 may falsely store diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) U0415 and/or U3000:42 in the image processing module B (IPMB). These DTCs may be associated with camera display issues or a Reverse Brake Assist Unavailable fault message. To correct the condition, reprogram the IPMB using the latest software level of the appropriate Ford diagnostic scan tool. For claiming, use causal part 19H405 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
SSM 493782021-01-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:BLINDSPOT:SENSORS; EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Some 2020 Explorer Base vehicles equipped with blind spot information system (BLIS) and class III trailer tow package 52T may exhibit an illuminated BLIS indicator and/or inability to turn the BLIS system off. This may be due to the software in the instrument panel cluster (IPC). To correct the condition, perform a programmable module installation (PMI) on the IPC using the appropriate Ford diagnostic scan tool. For claiming, use causal part 10849 and applicable labor times from Section 10 in the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
SSM 492842020-11-04. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Some 2018-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with TCU and WiFi Hotspot, May display Vehicle Hotspot feature not enabled on this vehicle when attempting to enter the Hotspot menu. When using the FordPass/Lincoln Way application, the customer may receive a message saying Wi-Fi has been disabled from this vehicle. Check the vehicle specifications or vehicle build information for the mfal code. If mfal = WAFAC or WAFAB do not replace the TCU, engineering is currently investigating this condition. Inform customers Ford is developing a software fix that is expected in early January. In the interim, let the customer know they can continue to drive the vehicle and schedule a follow-up appointment with the customer for early January. Once the update becomes available, contact the customer and confirm the service appointment is going forward. Monitor OASIS for updates.
SSM 492832020-11-04. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Some 2017-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with a telematics control unit (TCU) may exhibit incomplete user authorization, inoperative remote features and/or a message stating the system cannot access the Lincoln/FordPass Connect feature in the application due to being a fleet vehicle. Replacing the TCU will not resolve this condition. Engineering is currently investigating this condition. Inform customers Ford is developing a software fix that is expected in early January. In the interim, let the customer know they can continue to drive the vehicle and schedule a follow-up appointment with the customer for early January. Once the update becomes available, contact the customer and confirm the service appointment is going forward. Monitor OASIS for updates.
TSB 20-23012020-10-01. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; BACK OVER PREVENTION: CAMERA 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.
TSB 20-23002020-10-01. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Some 2020 Police Interceptor vehicles equipped with a 3.3L Duratec engine may exhibit a reduction in expected top vehicle speed and/or exhibit vehicle speed limited to 35 km/h (19 MPH) in REVERSE with no diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to the software in the PCM. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to reprogram the PCM.
TSB 20-22992020-10-01. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Some 2020 Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P062C or P179D stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) and a possible lack of power. This may be due to the software in the PCM. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to reprogram the PCM.
SSM 491282020-09-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Some 2020 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with SYNC built on or before 30-Aug-2019 may exhibit a discharged battery/no crank condition. This may be caused by the software in the accessory protocol interface module (APIM), body control module (BCM) and/or the telematics control unit (TCU) module. To correct the condition, reprogram the APIM, BCM, and the TCU using the latest software level of the appropriate Ford diagnostic scan tool. The SYNC 3 universal thumb drive should not be used to correct this condition. If the battery drain concern is still present, follow normal diagnostics in Workshop Manual(WSM), Section 414-01 > General Procedures.
SSM 490422020-08-04. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC; ENGINE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Some 2020 Explorer/Aviator vehicles built on or before 15Jul-2020 may exhibit a perceived soft/low brake pedal at initial vehicle start up with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) C0047:64 stored in the anti-lock brake system (ABS) module. The vehicle may also exhibit an illuminated ABS, Advance Trac, and/or red brake warning lamp, and possible Advance Trac Fault message displayed. This may be due to the software in the ABS module. To correct the condition, reprogram the ABS module using the latest software level of the appropriate Ford diagnostic scan tool. For claiming, use causal part 2005 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
TSB 20-22172020-07-08. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; POWER TRAIN; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Some 2020 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L EcoBoost engine and built on or before 02-Dec-2019 may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P062C and/or P2243. 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.

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