🚨 2020 Ford Explorer: Emergency Neutral
The 2020 Ford Explorer (6th generation, including Hybrid) uses an electronic rotary gear selector dial (e-shifter) that requires electrical power and has no direct mechanical connection to the transmission.
✓ Expert-verified by Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — master technicians, 20+ years each.
⚠️ Chock the wheels first — neutral means the car can roll. Set the parking brake while you work, never stand downhill of the vehicle, and try a 12-volt jump before any override: power fixes most stuck-in-park problems instantly.
The procedure
- Set parking brake and chock wheels securely.
- Press the brake pedal and start the vehicle normally, or turn ignition to ON mode.
- Rotate the dial counterclockwise from Park (P) through Reverse (R) to Neutral (N).
- The transmission will electronically shift to Neutral when the dial is in the N position.
- If the 12V battery is dead and you have jumper cables or a jump pack, connect power and attempt the normal procedure.
- If no electrical power is available and the rotary shifter is unresponsive, you must enable transport/tow mode.
- Locate the tow mode procedure in the owner's manual or use a 12V jump source to provide temporary power to the vehicle electronics.
- With temporary power restored, press brake, turn dial to Neutral, then disconnect power while transmission remains in Neutral.
- Confirm vehicle can roll freely before loading onto flatbed.
Shift-lock override location
The 2020 Explorer with rotary dial shifter does not have a traditional mechanical shift lock override slot. The system is entirely electronic and requires 12V power or a jump source to command the transmission into Neutral.
With zero electrical power
The rotary dial shifter is fully electronic with no mechanical override. With zero 12V power, you MUST provide temporary power via jumper cables or a jump pack to the battery. Once power is available, press brake and rotate dial to Neutral. The transmission will hold Neutral even after power is removed. If no jump source is available, the vehicle cannot be shifted and must be loaded onto a flatbed with dollies or dragged using extreme caution (this can damage the transmission on the Hybrid).
⚡ EV / hybrid warning
HYBRID CRITICAL: The 2020 Explorer Hybrid has an electric motor integrated into the transmission. If the vehicle cannot be shifted to Neutral electronically, it MUST be transported on a flatbed with all wheels off the ground. Do NOT tow with any wheels on the ground or drag the vehicle, as this will cause severe damage to the electric drive components and transmission. Consult the owner's manual for the specific tow mode procedure, which may involve a combination of button presses with 12V power available.