2020 XLT Transmission Issues, Post-TSB

[Coronach]

So, our XLT started lurching and clunking during downshifting, at less than 9,000 miles. Took it in to the local dealership. They confirmed that it was covered by the piston snap ring TSB. They kept the car for a month (!), which was not awful as we had a rental F150, just got it back the other day.

The downshift issues seem to be mostly resolved. It still seems like a rough shift, but there is no *thunk*-lurch like before. However, the transmission now has an odd flutter/hesitation under moderate throttle, up around the top gears. It will occasionally thunk hard enough that you can feel it on a shift, unclear if shifting up or down- like I said, the throttle is moderate, so I'm not sure WTF the transmission is trying to do. If it was a stick, I would not be trying to shift at this point. At one point it even seemed to pop into neutral, the engine RPMs went up, and it suddenly thunked back into gear. It only did that once, I have tried to recreate the same conditions and can't get it to repeat.

I have replicated the hunting/flutter/thunk under moderate throttle and also with cruise control on, at the set cruise speed. I can't get it to do it using the paddle shifters, though I do get the slightly hard shift from 4-3 and 3-2 while using the paddles. It's only mildly annoying right now, but I'm not super confident that it won't get worse, and I'm quite sure that anything involving *thunk* sounds from the transmission is not great for longevity. I have also tried to get the transmission to stumble under heavy throttle, and it won't. I did several 0-90MPH runs, and the transmission ran just fine, pedal to the floor the whole way up.

Obviously, it needs to go back to Ford, but I'm trying to go about it in the most effective way, in order to get 1. get it resolved 2. not pay for it (easy, it's under warranty) and 3. Have a free rental again (especially if they keep the damned thing for a month again).

Thoughts?

Mike

PS See replies for photos of my paperwork form the warranty/TSB work

 

[Coronach]

First page of paperwork

 

[Coronach]

page 2

 

[1sttimeexplorerowner]

Sounds to me the tech didn't "seat" the torque converter all the way properly. You're supposed to hear 3 clicks when putting in a TC. I know it's a long shot but some of the stuff you're saying is the result of an improper TC install.

 

[peterk9]

Although the manual doesn't mention it, I believe the transmission still has to go through a "relearn" phase. This was an item that was mentioned in the earlier 5th gen manuals, Some members have mentioned that it still applies.

Peter

 

[Coronach]

Although the manual doesn't mention it, I believe the transmission still has to go through a "relearn" phase. This was an item that was mentioned in the earlier 5th gen manuals, Some members have mentioned that it still applies.

Peter

Well, it's now throwing powertrain codes and front collision assistance warnings. So, it's going back.

The best/worst part is that this scenario, on its face, already meets lemon law requirements for my state (it has been out of service for 40 days, is less than 12 months old and under 10k miles. So, I'm going to be reasonable about this, but I'm in a pretty strong bargaining position if it comes to that.

Mike

 

[DoraAExplorer]

Well, it's now throwing powertrain codes and front collision assistance warnings. So, it's going back.

The best/worst part is that this scenario, on its face, already meets lemon law requirements for my state (it has been out of service for 40 days, is less than 12 months old and under 10k miles. So, I'm going to be reasonable about this, but I'm in a pretty strong bargaining position if it comes to that.

Mike

The earlier 2020 models do seem to have some issues, at what plant was this explorer manufactured? Ford has a ton of 21 F150s setting at the Detroit Airport waiting on some quality issues, and most of the new 21 Explorer production has been switched to Chicago from from my understanding.

 

[peterk9]

The earlier 2020 models do seem to have some issues, at what plant was this explorer manufactured? Ford has a ton of 21 F150s setting at the Detroit Airport waiting on some quality issues, and most of the new 21 Explorer production has been switched to Chicago from from my understanding.

All the 5th and 6th gen Explorers were built at the Chicago Assembly Plant.

Peter

 

[DoraAExplorer]

All the 5th and 6th gen Explorers were built at the Chicago Assembly Plant.

Peter

My F150 was made at the Dearborn MI plant but the 10 speed in it has always felt jerky especially in sport mode. The other F150 I owned felt the same way so it could be one of too things. The TCM needs to learn you preferred driving method or you could reset it but it seems that the OP is experiencing something other than the normal 10 speed transmission issues. There are over the air updates that happen as well so that could be an issue too if you do not have it hooked up to wi-fi. I know my truck has hit numerous updates over the 10 months I have owned it.

 

[WILMAC]

If I were you I would lemon law it while you still can. I did and got another explorer and would do it again in a heart beat

 

[blwnsmoke]

The earlier 2020 models do seem to have some issues, at what plant was this explorer manufactured? Ford has a ton of 21 F150s setting at the Detroit Airport waiting on some quality issues, and most of the new 21 Explorer production has been switched to Chicago from from my understanding.

Don't let the media fool you. All those 21 F150s were shipped off for storage till OKTB was given. Ford went full steam on production and every vehicle before OKTB is given has to be reinspected.

 

[Trader44]

Well, it's now throwing powertrain codes and front collision assistance warnings. So, it's going back.

The best/worst part is that this scenario, on its face, already meets lemon law requirements for my state (it has been out of service for 40 days, is less than 12 months old and under 10k miles. So, I'm going to be reasonable about this, but I'm in a pretty strong bargaining position if it comes to that.

Mike

My 2020 XLT purchased Nov. 2019 did the same thing as yours on downshift around 28 MPH at 5000 miles. Dealer confirmed it was doing the heavy downshift and said it was a transmission ring, but Ford didn't want the dealer to fix it so Ford sent a new transmission. No problems since repair in April/May 2020.

 

[Coronach]

Update:

The vehicle was returned to the dealership for the transmission on the 26th of December. They still have it.

Right now we're rolling around in a pretty sweet 2020 Expedition Limited, so we have no complaints, but my wife WOULD like her car back at some point. I called them today and the tech is going back and forth with Ford about things to check and things to try. Apparently it is not yet resolved.

The vehicle already falls under Ohio's Lemon Law (we put it in service in May, it has less than 18,000 miles, they've already had it in the shop three times for warranty issues totaling over 60 days). What is the best way to proceed with negotiations? At this point, I'm perfectly happy having it back PROVIDED it is actually fixed- we actually really like the car. I'm inclined to push for a new transmission if we get it back and it is not fixed. It would be nice to get an extended warranty out of the deal, especially since they don't really seem to know what is wrong with the transmission, and this model year seems to be having its share of problems.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Bender953]

Hello fellow Ohioan, in your case I would call Ford for a buyback. I did on my A build Limited after numerous visits to the dealership and 19k miles. Being Ohio they approved it no questions asked. Nice thing about Ohio lemon law is they can't charge you usage so no deduction for mileage. I decided to re-buy and move up to a ST in Sept 20 which is alot better vehicle. Seems the later builds have worked out a chunk of the bugs.