repaired · 2026 Q3
Seats: mid/rear assembly
NewRisk. A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
2020 Ford ExplorerProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 1,253 owner complaints about the 2020 Ford Explorer, most often about the power train. It is covered by 33 safety recalls, and for recall 20V-549 the manufacturer reports only 38% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 9, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2020 Ford Explorer has problems
1,253 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
507Power train10 crash/fire/injury
188Electrical system11 crash/fire/injury
118Engine8 crash/fire/injury
103Back over prevention8 crash/fire/injury
82Service brakes
72Forward collision avoidance
58Visibility/wiper
56Exterior lighting
45Structure
29820 other systems20 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 507 | 10 |
| Electrical system | 188 | 11 |
| Engine | 118 | 8 |
| Back over prevention | 103 | 8 |
| Service brakes | 82 | 5 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 72 | 6 |
| Visibility/wiper | 58 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 56 | 3 |
| Structure | 45 | 7 |
| 20 other systems | 298 | 20 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
33 recalls
2020 Ford Explorer recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Power train: automatic transmission
NewRisk. Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Seat belts
NewRisk. A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Back over prevention: software
NewRisk. An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Show 29 more recalls
no report yet
Windshield wiper/washer: motor
NewRisk. Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
no report yet
Electrical: engine block heater
Risk. An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Back over prevention: software
Risk. A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Risk. A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Driveline: driveshaft
Risk. A disconnected driveshaft can result in vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park without the parking brake applied.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Back over prevention: software
Risk. Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Seat belts
Risk. A loose seat belt or seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Other: labels
Risk. Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Engine
Risk. An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
repaired · 2026 Q1
Sensing system: camera
Risk. A rearview camera that displays a blank or distorted image can reduce the drivers view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Driveline: driveshaft
Risk. A disconnected driveshaft can result in a loss of drive power or a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied.
repaired · 2026 Q1
Propulsion system: traction battery
Risk. Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2025 Q3
Sensing system: camera
Risk. Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q1
Back over prevention: display function
Risk. A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
repaired · 2025 Q1
Parking brake: electrical
Risk. Without the electronic parking brake applied, the vehicle could rollaway if the driveshaft disconnects.
repaired · 2024 Q4
Automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Risk. A park system that is damaged may not shift into "PARK," resulting in a vehicle rollaway and increasing the risk of injury or crash.
repaired · 2023 Q3
Sensing system: camera
Risk. Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q3
Sensing system: camera
Risk. A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q1
Suspension: rear
Risk. Broken RLCA bolts can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q4
Engine
Risk. With a loose motor mount, motor vibration may cause the axle to disconnect from the engine and could result in loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q3
Fuel system, gasoline: storage
Risk. An incomplete weld securing the inlet check valve to the fuel tank shell could result in a substantial fuel leak during a crash, increasing the risk of fire.
repaired · 2022 Q3
Driveline: driveshaft
Risk. Defective drive shafts may fail and cause a loss of connection between the transfer case and rear axle, possibly resulting in a vehicle rollaway when in Park…
repaired · 2023 Q3
Sensing system: camera
Risk. Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q3
Rear/other: buckle assembly
Risk. Vehicles with seat belt buckles that are not properly secured may fail to restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2022 Q2
Air bags: critical fasteners
Risk. If the side air bag or seat back fasteners were not properly tightened, the side air bag deployment could be affected, increasing the risk of injury during a…
repaired · 2021 Q2
Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2021 Q1
Electrical system: wiring
Risk. The A/C pulley may rub through the wiring harness insulation and contact the unfused battery positive wire, resulting in a short circuit, increasing the risk…
repaired · 2021 Q1
Front assembly: recliner
Risk. A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the…
repaired · 2021 Q2
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Risk. Without the cover, the MPR lever may be unintentionally moved, allowing the vehicle to roll away.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
44kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 191 power train complaints. 86% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 33% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
84under 30k miles165under 100k miles26100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Power train
30 owners mentioned a cost$3,765median
Middle half: $1,871 – $6,600
Exterior lighting
15 owners mentioned a cost$1,750median
Middle half: $1,500 – $2,450
Unknown or other
10 owners mentioned a cost$1,350median
Middle half: $375 – $1,875
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2020 vs. every other Explorer year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Explorer median. How we score
6096339391,2078431,4501,7311,9591,3489523753,2951,1311,304497630208148331151,1988312,2391,6841,8202,4671,7067363031,25345627611321111440
'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2020 Ford Explorer safety ratings
2020 Ford Explorer SUV 4WD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (15.1% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Standard
- Lane departure warning: Standard
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2020 Ford Explorer, and the recalls they led to.
- Underbody shields detachmentNo recall
- Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 NoncomplianceLed to recall 26V-104
- Rear Axle Bolt FailureLed to recall 23V-675
In owners' words
What Explorer owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Subject: Safety Recall 26S48 / NHTSA Campaign 26V402 – Supplemental Progressive Damage & Dealer Non-Compliance Report – 2020 Ford Explorer (VIN: [XXX]) Body: To the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, I am writing to file a supplemental safety complaint and non-compliance report regarding Ford…
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and was unable to shift out of park(P). The message "Remain in Park"…
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle independently shifted to park(P), followed by a ripping sound coming from underneath the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving 43-44 MPH and attempting to merge into the passing lane with…
Own a 2020 Explorer?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.