Recall 23V069 affects 3,674 2020-2022 Ford Explorer SUVs for PCM resets that damage the park system. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 3,674 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles with the 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission because an unintentional powertrain control module reset can damage the park system while the vehicle is moving. A damaged park system can fail to shift into "PARK," which raises rollaway risk and increases the risk of injury or crash; Ford dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The Powertrain Control Module, or PCM, is the computer that coordinates engine and transmission behavior in 2020-2022 Ford Explorer SUVs with the 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission. It reads vehicle data, manages powertrain commands, and helps the transmission respond correctly while the SUV is moving or shifting.
On affected Explorers, a connected-vehicle data request used a 3,000-byte diagnostic data packet, while the PCM buffer was designed for up to 410-byte packets. That mismatch can overflow the buffer and put the PCM into a reset error state. If the reset happens while the SUV is in motion, the transmission can shift to park and damage the park system.
If the park system cannot shift into "PARK," the electronic parking brake applies. The driver gets a Malfunction Indicator Light and a wrench light in the instrument cluster. If the park system is damaged but still shifts into "PARK," there is no warning sign before failure.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2020, 2021, and 2022 Explorer model years, all tied to the same 12A650 powertrain control module.
| 2022 Ford Explorer | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| 2021 Ford Explorer | automatic transmission |
| 2020 Ford Explorer | automatic transmission |
| Units affected | 3,674 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 71 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific SUV.
What's the safety risk?
A damaged park system can leave the Explorer unable to shift into PARK. If the vehicle is not secured, it can roll away and increase the risk of injury or crash. Watch for the parking brake applying by itself, a Malfunction Indicator Light, or a wrench light, but damage can occur without a warning. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2022 Ford Explorer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free park system inspection and repair for damage linked to a PCM reset while driving.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 23V069 and Ford recall 23S05 when you call.
- Confirm the vehicle shifts into PARK before leaving it unattended, and set the parking brake until the dealer inspection is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the park system for damage caused by the PCM reset condition and repairs the park system as needed. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Ford's general reimbursement plan covers eligible remedy costs paid by vehicle owners before the safety recall notice. The listed reimbursement eligibility end date was June 30, 2023. If you already paid for this repair, contact Ford customer service and ask how the reimbursement plan applies to your paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| February 10, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 13, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| February 17, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 20, 2023 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 20, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 28, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V069?
Recall 23V069 covers 3,674 2020-2022 Ford Explorer vehicles with a 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission. A powertrain control module reset can damage the park system, which can prevent the vehicle from shifting into PARK and increase rollaway risk.
What should I do if my 2020-2022 Ford Explorer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Explorer is included in recall 23V069. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the park-system inspection and any needed repair. Reference Ford recall number 23S05 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Ford dealers will inspect the park system for damage and repair it as needed free of charge at any franchised Ford dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 23V069?
The safety risk is vehicle rollaway. If the park system is damaged after a powertrain control module reset, the Explorer can fail to shift into PARK, increasing the risk of injury or crash. The dealer repair path is an inspection and any needed park-system repair.
When did Ford mail owner notices for recall 23V069?
Ford mailed owner notification letters on March 28, 2023. Used-vehicle owners or anyone who never received a letter should still check the VIN, since the VIN decides whether a specific 2020-2022 Ford Explorer is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V069000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V069 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V069000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →