Saturday, August 8, 2026
RecallGazette

Vehicle problems, recalls & safety intelligence

Ford Explorer 2020–2021technical service bulletin

Bulletin SSM 49753 · NHTSA communication 10191102 · issued Apr 26, 2021

Technical service bulletin
communication type
Power Train
component
2020–2021
model years
6
vehicle entries

Official summary

Some 2020-2021 Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility and 2021 F-150 Hybrid vehicles equipped with a 10R80 modular hybrid transmission (MHT) and with less than 100 miles (160 kilometers) 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. Clean the area thoroughly and reevaluate with the vehicle at operating temperature before attempting any leak related repairs.

What a TSB means. Technical service bulletins are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls, and repairs are not automatically free (warranty extensions are an exception worth checking). The full document is available via NHTSA’s vehicle lookup.