2020 Explorer Issues - 4WD Fault, Pre Collision Assist Not Available, Service Advance Trac

[peterk9]

Similar experience here, started right after we brought vehicle in for an unrelated recall requiring a system update. Never had the problem before. First we were told it was bad ABS sensor, but a replacement did not fix it. Then we were told it could be chafed wiring but none could be found. Now being told it is a bad 4x4 actuator. Fingers crossed that is actually the fix.

Welcome to the Forum.
I'm guessing yours is also a 2020 ST? Your profile shows 202.
See my PM.

Peter

 

[hbalek]

Wait, so the car still has problems? Last I heard, you had the rear diff replaced and I thought you said it drove like new again. Sorry to hear...

Yeah it was short-lived. It slowly deteriorated just like before. The service advisor said the tech said there are clutches inside the transfer case that kick in when it senses slippage on dry pavement. He said to drive it somewhat easy for a little bit to break in the clutches. I've driven less than 200 miles never at full throttle usually up to 3000 rpm or less. I'm hearing shuddering at low speeds from the front end. Before I took it in a few weeks ago the steering wheel was shaking it was so bad. Now it's a rumbling noise but not a vibration. If it gets worse again I'm taking it again. I'm just sick of being without my vehicle and driving a stinking Camry or Malibu loaner. I'm spoiled by this problem child of a vehicle. I have a love/hate thing for it. I still have 3 months of powertrain warranty left then I'll have 2 more years of ESP. Currently at about 54K miles.

 

[mikesST]

So for the 5th time my 2020 ST has lit up like a Christmas tree when getting off of the highway. Warning lights come all at once: 4WD Fault Service Required, Service AdvanceTrac, Pre-Collision Assist Not Available, +Hill assist not available + Auto Hold Fault.

Warning lights immediately disappear when the car is restarted, and the car is not thrown into a limp mode when these issues come on.

I did some searching and the only experience I could find of something similar was on reddit and the car ended up getting lemoned without any specific root cause explained.

Going to call the dealer on Monday, but please reach out if you have had a similar experience or know someone that has!

 

[peterk9]

^^ Welcome to the Forum.
Did you mean to add a reply to the quoted post?

Peter

 

[bacaphillip61]

So for the 5th time my 2020 ST has lit up like a Christmas tree when getting off of the highway. Warning lights come all at once: 4WD Fault Service Required, Service AdvanceTrac, Pre-Collision Assist Not Available, +Hill assist not available + Auto Hold Fault.

Warning lights immediately disappear when the car is restarted, and the car is not thrown into a limp mode when these issues come on.

I did some searching and the only experience I could find of something similar was on reddit and the car ended up getting lemoned without any specific root cause explained.

Going to call the dealer on Monday, but please reach out if you have had a similar experience or know someone that has!

Had the same lights on our 2020 explorer, took it to the dealer, paid 160 for diagnostics and they said they had to reprogram the gearshift control module, they also wanted to replace one of the cv axle the front axle disconnect actuator and the intermediate shift within upgraded one, which would make my vehicle fill time 4x4, i don't want it to be full time 4x4. I paid 300 for the reprogramming and all of a sudden all the lights came on again, I am out of warranty and the total bill would have been 2100 out of pocket, I am gonna replace the axle disconnect actuator myself to see what happens, it's less than 200 bucks if I do it myself.

 

[peterk9]

^^ Welcome to the Forum.
Please keep us updated on this. THanks.

Peter

 

[hbalek]

Had the same lights on our 2020 explorer, took it to the dealer, paid 160 for diagnostics and they said they had to reprogram the gearshift control module, they also wanted to replace one of the cv axle the front axle disconnect actuator and the intermediate shift within upgraded one, which would make my vehicle fill time 4x4, i don't want it to be full time 4x4. I paid 300 for the reprogramming and all of a sudden all the lights came on again, I am out of warranty and the total bill would have been 2100 out of pocket, I am gonna replace the axle disconnect actuator myself to see what happens, it's less than 200 bucks if I do it myself.

My front axle disconnect was done under powertrain warranty and then that's when the differential and transfer case also went and were replaced under powertrain warranty. I have 9 days left on powertain and 2 years left on ESP warranty.

 

[1sicbronconut]

Had the same lights on our 2020 explorer, took it to the dealer, paid 160 for diagnostics and they said they had to reprogram the gearshift control module, they also wanted to replace one of the cv axle the front axle disconnect actuator and the intermediate shift within upgraded one, which would make my vehicle fill time 4x4, i don't want it to be full time 4x4. I paid 300 for the reprogramming and all of a sudden all the lights came on again, I am out of warranty and the total bill would have been 2100 out of pocket, I am gonna replace the axle disconnect actuator myself to see what happens, it's less than 200 bucks if I do it myself.

V6

 

[1sicbronconut]

V6 or 4cyl, it's an extremely tough job on a V6

 

[flomoloko]

Good morning everybody in Ford Explorer land. Just had my run in with the various dash light warnings related to AWD, advance trac, etc. I decided to get under the driver's seat and check the connections for anything that looked or seemed wrong. Did not find anything, but... When I started my 20' Platinum back up, the issue had cleared itself, so fairly confident I'm dealing with bad connection somewhere in that area. Probably will come back eventually, but better option to try first, than throwing $$$parts at it

 

[peterk9]

Good morning everybody in Ford Explorer land. Just had my run in with the various dash light warnings related to AWD, advance trac, etc. I decided to get under the driver's seat and check the connections for anything that looked or seemed wrong. Did not find anything, but... When I started my 20' Platinum back up, the issue had cleared itself, so fairly confident I'm dealing with bad connection somewhere in that area. Probably will come back eventually, but better option to try first, than throwing $$$parts at it

Welcome to the Forum.

Peter

 

[hbalek]

Good morning everybody in Ford Explorer land. Just had my run in with the various dash light warnings related to AWD, advance trac, etc. I decided to get under the driver's seat and check the connections for anything that looked or seemed wrong. Did not find anything, but... When I started my 20' Platinum back up, the issue had cleared itself, so fairly confident I'm dealing with bad connection somewhere in that area. Probably will come back eventually, but better option to try first, than throwing $$$parts at it

That's how it starts then eventually they will replace half-shaft speed sensor, 4wd module, then the problem recurrs ultimately have to get the FADA delete TSB based on the codes read, according to my service advisor. Then the transfer case and rear differential went bad got replaced. So far so good after a year-long ordeal! Powertrain warranty covered all of it. Next week that expires but I have 2 years on ESP.

 

[Mkdude09]

My 2020 Explorer ST has problems where when I start it it has all of these error messages and chimes. I have reason to believe it's the front half shaft sensor but I will try disconnecting and reconnecting the battery. It is also leaking front differential fluid.

 

[bacaphillip61]

My 2020 Explorer ST has problems where when I start it it has all of these error messages and chimes. I have reason to believe it's the front half shaft sensor but I will try disconnecting and reconnecting the battery. It is also leaking front differential fluid.

I had a similar issue, crawl under the vehicle and locate the small plug that connects to what i believe is the 4wd shift module and make sure it isn't stretched over a bolt above it. Mine was and all is normal now.

 

[Mkdude09]

Ok I will try that, Thank you

I had a similar issue, crawl under the vehicle and locate the small plug that connects to what i believe is the 4wd shift module and make sure it isn't stretched over a bolt above it. Mine was and all is normal

 

[PHEVPL]

The car IS smart enough. It should go into deep sleep mode well before there is a risk of dead battery or insufficient power to start.

Well, PHEV version isn't too smart when it comes to preserving power.
Mine died suddenly (car was 4y old then, driven daily) with just one message saying "battery low" few days before (which then disappeared and didn't show back).
Then suddenly in the morning - boom, no power.

Was shocked because the car is plugged in to AC "all nights long" (what a song!) so I assumed it will also load 12V battery if necessary.
No other problems were detected, old battery was checked to be ok so I got a spare one now + the knowledge how to replace it.
Must have been some error in the program.

PS
Old school engineers would surely provide an option to charge 12V battery from 400V battery or at least start the vehicle using 400V in case of 12V failure.

 

[themishmosh]

Well, PHEV version isn't too smart when it comes to preserving power.
Mine died suddenly (car was 4y old then, driven daily) with just one message saying "battery low" few days before (which then disappeared and didn't show back).
Then suddenly in the morning - boom, no power.

Was shocked because the car is plugged in to AC "all nights long" (what a song!) so I assumed it will also load 12V battery if necessary.
No other problems were detected, old battery was checked to be ok so I got a spare one now + the knowledge how to replace it.
Must have been some error in the program.

PS
Old school engineers would surely provide an option to charge 12V battery from 400V battery or at least start the vehicle using 400V in case of 12V failure.

iff you have a phev and are changing the 12v battery, consider changing the Aux battery as well.

 

[MNgopher]

Well, PHEV version isn't too smart when it comes to preserving power.
Mine died suddenly (car was 4y old then, driven daily) with just one message saying "battery low" few days before (which then disappeared and didn't show back).
Then suddenly in the morning - boom, no power.

Was shocked because the car is plugged in to AC "all nights long" (what a song!) so I assumed it will also load 12V battery if necessary.
No other problems were detected, old battery was checked to be ok so I got a spare one now + the knowledge how to replace it.
Must have been some error in the program.

PS
Old school engineers would surely provide an option to charge 12V battery from 400V battery or at least start the vehicle using 400V in case of 12V failure.

You would be wrong about old school engineers. Previous employer had a fleet of hybrids and plug-in hybrids. Didn't matter the manufacturer, including Toyota - none of them were able to do what you describe.

 

[PHEVPL]

You would be wrong about old school engineers. Previous employer had a fleet of hybrids and plug-in hybrids. Didn't matter the manufacturer, including Toyota - none of them were able to do what you describe.

Hmm, I've meant "older school" then.
I.e. Paul Bracq spent 6 months in Bavaria testing several types of roofs for W111 on highways (not sure about the model) before they decided which is best. Now its 10 minutes in some kind of autoCAD.