Complaint volume
1135 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2020 Ford Explorer Complaints
1135 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2020 Ford Explorer, grouped by component category.
1135 Total complaints
33 Crash reports
10 Fire reports
27 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are power train, unknown or other, back over prevention. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 33 crash reports, 10 fire reports, 27 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 385 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 33,892 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to power train, unknown or other, back over prevention?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2020 Ford Explorer?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2020 Ford Explorer
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2020 Ford Explorer complaints?
33 Crash
10 Fire
27 Injury
0 Fatality
40 Towed
8 Medical attention
What are the most common 2020 Ford Explorer complaint categories?
POWER TRAIN 307
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 117
BACK OVER PREVENTION 56
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 44
ENGINE 42
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 40
SERVICE BRAKES 27
VISIBILITY/WIPER 27
STRUCTURE 26
SEATS 25
1,135 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Badly cut two fingers on my left hand opening the door handle because the chrome tip has peeled/separated which resulted in exposed, sharp edges. I received a notice for "Customer Satisfaction Program 22N17" related to the window switch chrome tips, but not the door handle chrome tips. The window switch chrome tips peeled off first, within the first six months of owning the vehicle, but they did not expose sharp edges and cut my fingers like the door handle chrome tips did. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 1 Medical attention | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Ford issued safety recall 23S02 (NHTSA 23V022). in February 2023. We returned our vehicle to the dealer to have them repair and fix according to the recall. The backup camera was not working and the screen was blue. After having our vehicle for 3 days, they told us that the software was updated and we were good to go. Unfortunately, this problem still exists. In fact, on our vehicle the screen works sometimes, and sometimes is does not. We still get the blue screen when backing up. We also get a blank screen while driving. The radio always turns on to a different selection (am,fm, satellite etc). I don't think FORD has repaired this vehicle correctly and needs another recall. Our dealer says Ford is working on a fix, but that it has not been mandated from the NHTSA. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Vehicle caught on fire while in operation. Smoke and flames noted under the hood behind glove box. | Crash: No Fire: Yes | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE,BACK OVER PREVENTION | For months our backup camera would turn blue and not show the rear cameras. Also during this time, on occasion the emergency braking would stop us from backing up and then the brakes would not work. We had a recall on the blue screen software but the breaking has started again. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | When the car starts all warning lights come on. Hill start assistance, pre collision assistance, all assistance. There is no cruise, no safety collision assistance at all. First appeared on May 19 2023. Ford Dealer is currently trying to fix the problem. They are unsure why it’s doing it. It puts all occupants life at risks as the car doesn’t have any safety assistance. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | 360 degree camera is failing. The screen goes blue in reverse and i hit a garage wall unable to see it thru camera. Now the camera is failing in the front as well . Also is now occuring on a daily basis nor random anymore. Ford has not addressed the issue only thue software updates which i have has 2 occasions and yet camera still fails. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and started losing motive power. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. During a test drive, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the "WRENCH" symbol was illuminated. The contact stated that the engine was still running however, the vehicle failed to shift to park(P) or drive(D). The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that metal shards were found in the transmission and that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 79,000 |
| Jun 2023 | POWER TRAIN | 2020 Ford Explorer ST (FAILED 5/27/2023) Vehicle started shifting erratically, down shifting very hard when decelerating. Then within two to three days it would not engage in drive or reverse at all, or it was slow to engage and would engage very forcefully and intermittently. There were no warning lights that I recall. The vehicle could not be controlled and is undrivable with 37,386 miles on it. Currently the vehicle is sitting at the dealership waiting two to three weeks to diagnose the problem. The Service Advisor described the problem as "The vehicle delayed getting into gear when put into drive, not shifting properly when driving. When vehicle in reverse there is an extended time to engage and does not feel like it's engaged all the way, feels like it's grinding" Ford acts like they have no idea that they have a transmission issue with the 2020 10 speed automatic transmission. The dealership is going to have my explorer for 30 to 60 days with no compensation, loaner car or rental car. this is the second Explorer that we have had with major issues. I also have a 2020 Ford F-150 with the same mileage and the same transmission that is experiencing delayed shifting issues. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | ENGINE | On multiple occassions while driving, the accelerator/gas pedal looses functionality. For example, while coasting into a turn and needing to accelerate, the engine is completely unresponsive. The pedal can be against the floor and the vehicle does not respond. We have brought the issue to two Ford dealer's attention during routine maintenance and have been told that there are no stored codes in the system and that bad gas is the culprit as they were unable to replciate the issue during their brief test drives. Each time this has occured it has been with different (top tier) gas. One one occasion, I found that fully releasing the accelerator for several seconds then pressing it down it can engage. On a second occasion, I shifted to neutral and then back to drive for it to engage. On a third occasion, I shifted the drive mode to engage the accelerator. This issues seems to be a major safety issue that should have a better response than "bad gas." Especially when crossing an intersection with children in the car. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | VISIBILITY/WIPER,BACK OVER PREVENTION | My vehicle has had 3 software updates to try correct blue screen issues. Recently under a blue screen i was backing up in a parking garage and hit the wall as i could not see with the screen being blue. Fortunately I was going slow but it did scrape my bumper from hitting the concrete wall. Mostly It scared my kids and had an abrupt stop. I had read a pin on the connector was left uncapped leading to corrosion resulting in faulting screen. Why is ford trying to fix with software update? They should of been replacing connector pins or cameras. I have been experiencing this for over 2 years. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Weather seal on moon roof fails, allowing wind and water to enter the passenger compartment and on electrical components. Apparently this is a common issue that is only warrantied under the initial 3/36 warranty. The seal is not available separately from the glass, and the glass is “not covered” by fords ESP warranty. The glass is also not available to purchase, and the dealer service department wants $2400 to replace said glass. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | POWER TRAIN | From the carfax report But I signed when I bought this vehicle Said that the transmission was fixed, It's sleeping and making a loud clinking noise !!! The Ford Explorer has been in the shop for almost a whole year for the same issue That was said on the car factory port was supposed to be fixed Well before I bought it from this car lot.. I would like to know who's the liar carfax are this dealership !!! Do I hold you are responsible for the false Information that I was led to believe are the dealership ZECK FORD !! I'VE BEEN SOLD A LEMON and want to know to whom due I Hold responsible for selling me a unreliable undependable Piece of junk that is currently in the dealership right now and ZECK FORD It's refusing to service it Which is the dealership I purchased it from also got your car fax from!! I'm making payments on this vehicle and also paying for a rental car all out of pocket and I'm tried of playing games and also done with this LEMON I'VE BEEN SOLD!!! Look at the carfax report and see for yourself ZECK FORD has called my family and me Liars July 2022 up to now still broke down | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE,BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact initially received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V022000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where the recall was performed. Once the vehicle was returned, the contact stated that the lane assist, the forward collision assist, and several other electrical features failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to correct the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The contact was then transferred to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000. The contact states that none of the accident prevention features are working. After two months, the manufacturer still has not provided a remedy and no parts are available. | Crash: No Fire: No | 42,000 |
| May 2023 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | engine does not respond when trying to pass slower traffic, press the gas pedal several times with no response, car started to slow down with fast traffic behind/sides on the freeway, took more than 20 seconds to respond to gas pedal input almost causing an accident | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V022000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the rearview camera image turned black, blue or gray while reversing. The contact stated that the failure occurred increasingly. The messages "Reverse Brake Assist Not Available - See Owner’s Manual” and "Park Aid Fault" were displayed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | 58,000 |
| May 2023 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a blue image on the rearview camera screen and a black image on the side-view cameras. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V022000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | 8,000 |
| May 2023 | POWER TRAIN | The transmission will hold on to a gear longer than it needs to. The transmission stays in a lower gear longer than it should and causes some serious noise to come from the engine as a result. When this happens, the car will not accelerate. This has been especially concerning when crossing streets, merging into traffic. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The back up camera intermittently shows a blue screen when the transmission is put into reverse. Sometimes the failure will correct itself the next time I put vehicle into reverse, and other times it won't work for several driving cycles. Ford has attempted to fix the issue 4-5 times and the repair has never been successful. A recent recall was performed on the software, but that was also unsuccessful in eliminating the problem. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Driver side, passenger side window switches. On the toggle switches, the chrome is the laminating and has become very sharp. Realized this was taking place after cutting finger. Delamination Continuously getting worse. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | STEERING,POWER TRAIN,LANE DEPARTURE | Acceleration issues because of transmission slippage. Transmission slippage, upon acceleration transmission, vibration in slippage. Slipping upon acceleration, low speeds, and high speeds. Clutch plate engaging issues. When putting the car from drive into park On a slight incline, car will bounce back-and-forth roughly 1 inch before stopping. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | POWER TRAIN | On April 6, 2023, I put on brakes and my car jerked extremely hard. I then proceeded to the next red light and when I had to put on brakes again it jerked extremely hard again. I pulled in to a local tire shop because I was afraid to drive the car and they drove it and said it needed to go to the Ford dealership as they thought it was my transmission. I drove to the closest Ford dealership and they drove it but told me it would be a 3-week wait to diagnose my car. I drove my car to the dealership in my town and they started the process of diagnosing my car. From the invoice: Found a snap ring on intermediate A clutch piston had come dislodged and causing damage to clutches." I have noticed a Very Large amount of other vehicles with the same problem, the 2020 Ford Explorer & the 2020 Lincoln Aviator manufactured before 2019. There needs to be a recall. My vehicle has 62,652 miles and is EXACTLY 2,652 over the mileage warranty and this is unacceptable. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE,BACK OVER PREVENTION | I purchased this 2020 Ford Explorer ST, used while still under factory warranty. Within a week or two the IPMB module started malfunctioning, this affects all of the safety systems to include reverse brake assist, lane keeping assist, rear view camera and more. I have had the vehicle in two different dealerships over 9 times in the 15 months I have owned this suv, and within days of the problem being fixed the unit malfunctions again. I have tried to have the vehicle bought back by the dealer through their customer service program and the BBB of Michigan, to witch both claims have been denied claiming that the chicle does not fall under the NYS lemon law policy for used cars. The issue I have is this problem started within 1-2 weeks if purchasing the vehicle. What are the next steps that can be taken to have Ford Motor Company but this vehicle from me, as there is recall after recall on the unit in question. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION | on several occasions when applying reverse the rear vision camera gives an image on the blue screen making vision impossible | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | POWER TRAIN | Transmission shifts hard, clunks and jerks forward on occasion. Have to accelerate very slowly and cautiously to avoid the jerking forward. Constant whining when I accelerate from a stop, noise tends to stop when accelerated to 40 mph, below that speed, constant annoying whining. Was not noticeable when I purchased automobile, but started constantly around February, 2023. Only have 51,000 miles on the car, daily driver, few long trips. When accelerating to freeway speeds, the whining is constant until I pass 40 mph. Transmission does not seem reliable at all. Have not been able to get a mechanic to look at the issue as of yet due to scheduling availability. Have not had any warning lights come on regarding the transmission. Have had to replace oil right after purchasing vehicle as I noticed oil on the garage floor was quite a lot and then twice within a year due to faulty plastic cap, that if not put on properly allows the oil to leak. Never had this experience with previous Ford models (2007 Ford Edge) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V022000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |