Fault Code Lookup › Chassis codes › C0631
C0631 Chassis · manufacturer code
C0631 fault code: what 11 Ford owners reported
C0631 is a manufacturer-specific chassis code (chassis: brakes, ABS, stability control, steering and suspension), so its exact definition belongs to the carmaker and is not in the generic OBD-II list. What it meant in practice is below, from 11 complaints owners filed with NHTSA. Updated November 3, 2026.
- 11owner reports
- 1car model
- 0mention a crash
- 0mention a fire
- 2020–2020model years
Which cars get code C0631?
Every model whose owners mentioned C0631 in a complaint, most reports first. Each year opens that car's full problem report. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.
Where does C0631 show up?
By brand
- Ford11
Component the owner filed it under
Is there a recall for C0631?
The others concern the component owners file this code under (Power Train) on the same cars; they may or may not relate to the code. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Power Train: Automatic Transmission Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
2020 Ford Explorer. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.
Power Train: Driveline: Driveshaft Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 23V-199 or 22V-255. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
2020 Ford Explorer. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.
Power Train: Driveline: Driveshaft Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
2020 Ford Explorer. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.
Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L RWD, 3.3L GAS, 3.3L FHEV, or 3.0L ST powertrain. The previous powertrain control module (PCM) update completed under recall 22V-255 did not include the automatic electronic parking brake feature when the…
2020 Ford Explorer. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.
Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission. An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage.
2020 Ford Explorer. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.
Power Train: Axle Assembly Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer Police FHEV, Explorer Police 3.3L, and 2020-2022 Explorer 2.3L RWD, 3.0L PHEV, 3.3L FHEV, and 3.0L ST GAS vehicles. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
2020 Ford Explorer. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.
Power Train: Driveline: Driveshaft Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with a 2.0L or 3.3L engine and a 10 Speed Automatic Transmission with the All Wheel Drive package. The drive shaft may fracture along the weld seam.
2020 Ford Explorer. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.
Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Gear Position Indication (PRNDL) Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The Manual Park Release (MPR) cover may not be installed. In addition, the vehicles may be in Factory Mode, which disables warning alerts and does not display the transmission gear selected. As such, these…
2020 Ford Explorer. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.
What happened when owners saw C0631?
10 of the 11 reports, spread across the models above, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
Front axle disconnect actuator on my 2020 Ford Explorer 2.3L AWD is failing. The vehicle stores DTC C0631-7E (Actuator Stuck On) and previously stored C0631-7F (Actuator Stuck Off). When the fault is active, the wrench light comes on and the following safety systems are disabled: AdvanceTrac, Pre-Collision Assist, and Hill Start Assist. Ford has issued TSB 25-2373 / 25-2568 for this exact issue requiring replacement of the intermediate shaft with revised part N1MZ-3A329-A and AWD module reprogramming, but there is no recall. Owners must pay for the repair. The problem is intermittent and has been confirmed with a scan tool. This is a known design defect, not normal wear, and it affects…
Several sensors starting going off all at once, car would lose power, if I tried to reverse it wasn’t able to get in gear for 5-10 seconds. It was around 78k miles. Of course my warranty ended at 75k. It was happening randomly then became more frequent. I took it to the dealer they said they think it is “dtc C0631 present referred tsb 25-2373 need to replace frontIntermediate Shaft Assembly . cost to replace is $1400.00 . then retest after.”. I was shocked to find that this was a known issue for years before it happened to me. I do not understand how this is not classified as a safety issue, or at the very least a manufacturer defect.
I own a 2020 Ford Explorer XLT AWD, VIN 1FMSK8DH6LGA35229. While driving, my vehicle displayed “4WD Fault – Service Required” along with the powertrain wrench warning. I then became unable to select/change drive modes. Pre-Collision Assist became unavailable, I experienced Lane Keeping/Lane Assist problems, and additional stability/traction warnings appeared. A professional diagnostic scan found AWD codes C0631:7E-68 and C0631:7F-6C related to the front axle disconnect actuator. The ABS module also stored U0102 (Lost Communication With Transfer Case Control Module) and U0155 (Lost Communication With Instrument Panel Cluster). My mechanic diagnosed failure of the front axle disconnect…
Illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with DTCs C00A6 and C0631, caused by failure of the front axle disconnect actuator/intermediate shaft on an AWD 2020 Explorer at 46,821 miles. The vehicle displayed the wrench light along with "Service AdvanceTrac," "4WD Fault," "Hill Start Assist Not Available," and "Pre-Collision Assist Not Available." Multiple driver-assistance and stability systems disabled themselves simultaneously, including AdvanceTrac stability control and pre-collision braking. Loss of stability control and automatic emergency braking without warning is a safety concern, particularly at highway speed. The fault was intermittent at first. The dealer had the…
SUMMARY OF FACTS FOR LEGAL CONSULTATION Bad Faith Redhibition Claim — Louisiana Civil Code Art. 2545 Prepared for Attorney Consultation 1. Vehicle & Transaction Information Vehicle2020 Ford Explorer ST — AWDPurchase DateMarch 2025Purchase Structure17,000 trade-in applied 17,000 remaining loan balanceAdditional Warranty2,500 paid warranty purchased through dealership at time of saleSelling DealerIndependently licensed dealership (non-Ford franchise)Warranty ServiceWarranty work performed during coverage period 2. The Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 23-2174) Ford issued TSB 23-2174 in July 2023 — nearly two years before the vehicle was sold to the client. Key facts about the TSB: •Covers…
On [XXX], after starting my vehicle, I received multiple safety warnings, prompting the check engine light and a wrench icon on the dashboard. The alerts included issues with the anti-collision system, hill assist, traction control, lane departure, and adaptive cruise control, as well as my drive modes which were also unavailable. I contacted Raceway Ford in Riverside, CA, and dropped off the vehicle that day, reporting the errors. The dealership informed me the next day that the Half Shaft Speed Sensor had failed and would cost $870.52 to replace. Since the warranty had expired a month earlier on [XXX], this was no longer covered under the drivetrain warranty. I agreed to the repairs. After…
1. Component: AWD system – Front Axle Disconnect Actuator / Intermediate Shaft • Failure Type: AWD system failed, preventing power transfer to front wheels • Availability for Inspection: Yes, diagnosed and confirmed by Zeigler Lincoln Ford 2. On Thursday, [XXX], while driving in a snowstorm with my two children, my 2020 Ford Explorer AWD system failed completely, leaving us stranded on an icy hill with no traction or ability to move. • My vehicle lost all AWD functionality, causing it to become immobilized on an active roadway in hazardous conditions. • We were trapped between two semi-trucks that were also stuck, creating a high-risk situation where a collision or multi-vehicle pileup could…
We bought this our ST in April and just our luck it has passed the 5-year mark.....no powertrain warranty for us, darn. On Wednesday, during the 30-minute drive home from work, my spouse reported a fault indicator on the dash related to 4WD or AWD being inoperable. This did not trigger the MIL, but diagnostics showed DTC C0631, identified in TSB 23-2114/2174. After a costly fix replacing the FADA with an intermediary shaft, the SUV will no longer be an "Intelligent 4WD" vehicle—seems like creative and false advertising masking a known engineering failure identified by many on the internet [XXX] ). The first sign is a FADA leak. The TSB states that customers can continue to drive, so I took…
Vehicle is giving a code C0631 and C0632 also has a wrench light indicator on it has something to do with the AWD the vehicle will become hard to turn stall completely will not move and a loss of power occurs
AWD system binding at low speeds, backing out of parking space, shift to drive, then vehicle suddenly lets loose the lurches forward. Known issue with front axle disconnect actuator present. Code C0631 - Front Axle Disconnect Actuator
C0631: questions drivers ask
What does code C0631 mean?
C0631 is a manufacturer-specific chassis code (chassis: brakes, ABS, stability control, steering and suspension), so its exact definition depends on the carmaker and is not in the generic OBD-II list. 11 owners reported it to NHTSA, most often for the Ford Explorer (11); their reports describe what happened.
Which cars get code C0631 most often?
In NHTSA owner complaints, C0631 is mentioned most for the Ford Explorer (11), across 1 model and model years 2020 to 2020. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.
Is there a recall for code C0631?
No NHTSA recall text names C0631 directly. 8 recalls on the cars that report this code concern the same component owners name most (Power Train); they may or may not relate to the code. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What should I do if my car shows C0631?
Write down when the code appeared and what the car did (warning lights, loss of power, noises, speed, weather). Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer or independent workshop to read the stored freeze-frame data before anyone clears the code, and keep the repair order. If the car loses power in traffic, stop driving it. CarHooq does not diagnose: these are owner reports and official recall notices, not repair advice.
How this page was made
CarHooq read the text of every owner complaint filed with NHTSA for 19 US and European brands (model years 2012 onwards) and picked out the diagnostic trouble codes owners wrote down. This page lists every mention of C0631. Manufacturer codes have no public standard definition, so CarHooq shows only what owners reported. Nothing here is a diagnosis. Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain), retrieved November 3, 2026. How CarHooq reports are made.
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