C00A6 on Ford

AWD module actuator fault, front axle disconnect or transfer case actuator (Ford and Lincoln)

Severity: Severity not verified — if the car runs badly, have it inspected

The sources describe the lamps and repairs but give no drive-safety guidance; one owner also lost driver-assist features, so have it checked.

It gets more serious if:

Stop: Steering assist is lost, the red brake lamp comes on, or the vehicle will not drive normally.

This page covers only what differs on Ford. For what C00A6 means, the ranked causes and the test order, see the C00A6 guide.

2020–2021 · Explorer
Supported by vehicle data
Ford TSB 23-2174 and later versions cover C00A6 with C0631; four 2020 Explorer owners report the same pattern. Bulletin currency not verified.

TSB 23-2174 (ford)Status unverified
Wrench lamp with C00A6 and/or C0631 on AWD vehicles
2020–2021explorer · NHTSA 10240240
Replace the front axle disconnect actuator/intermediate shaft with a revised shaft.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
SSM 50504 (ford)Status unverified
Stability and powertrain lamps with C00A8 and C00A6 sub-codes
2020–2022explorer · NHTSA 10208148
Inspect and repair a harness rubbing the heat shield near the transfer case actuator motor.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
TSB 21-2270Status unverified
C0633 and/or C00A6:07 in the AWD module
2020explorer · NHTSA 10200745
Replace the oil-contaminated front halfshaft speed sensor.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
SSM 49669Status unverified
AWD indicator with C00A6 sub-codes
2020–2021explorer · NHTSA 10189567
Use updated transfer case clutch actuator pinpoint tests before replacing the actuator.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Ford TSB 23-2174: wrench lamp with C00A6 and/or C0631 on AWD Explorer and Aviator (front axle disconnect actuator / intermediate shaft) — Ford via NHTSA
Ford SSM 50504: stability and powertrain lamps with C00A8, C00A6:71, :74 and :99 — Ford via NHTSA
Ford TSB 21-2270: C0633 and/or C00A6:07 in the AWD module — Ford via NHTSA
Ford SSM 49669: AWD indicator with C00A6 sub-codes (transfer case clutch actuator pinpoint tests) — Ford via NHTSA
NHTSA complaints ODI 11688028, 11723709, 11758573 and 11764430 (2020 Ford Explorer) — NHTSA ODI

This page explains what a code usually means; it is not a substitute for a professional inspection. How we source and review · Report an error