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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | This is a 2020 Ford Explorer with Platinum trim. The vehicle has less than 30,000 miles on it. There is a foul odor emitted from the rear AC when it’s turned on for either heat or cooling. This has been verified by the dealer. They changed the cabin filter which really only applies to the front and then did a solvent flush for the rear. That has not resolved the issue. Checking other Ford forums I realized it’s a common problem with 2020 Ford explorers 2020 and newer. There doesn’t seem to be a way to resolve the issue and no direction from Ford. I bought this vehicle used and my guess is the previous owner sold it since the foul odor is unbearable. There are no other issues with the vehicle and looks and drives like brand new. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a distorted image. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V022000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 17,700. | Crash: No Fire: No | 17,700 |
| Feb 2023 | BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The vehicles rear view camera randomly displays a blue screen on reverse backup. All sensors go failing at times. Attached are some screens over the month. I have taken this to a dealership for a most recent recall fix (02/01/23) and it seems this issue never gets fixed. I keep getting notices of recalls and they claim they will patch it with software fixes but there seems to be more serious sensor issues . When this happens in a school zone it feels dangerous. This is a leased vehicle and I haven't received much help even from the manufacturers dealerships. Didn't find anyone to even listen to these issues. If we try to manually reverse the emergency braking comes into play from nowhere and applies itself due to these malfunctioning of sensors. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | FIRERELATED | On November 16, 2022, my 2020 Ford Explorer XLT AW, VIN # 1FMSK8DH2LBC95627, was being driven when it experienced a horrific incident of spontaneously bursting into flames. There were flames coming from under the hood and smoke inside the car. The vehicle was in traffic and had to maneuver over to the breakdown lane while the vehicle was filling with smoke in order for the occupants to escape. The Explorer’s mileage was 10,744 miles and had just recently been at the Ford dealer for regular maintenance. The vehicle had been driven that particular day approximately 100 miles without incident before it caught on fire. 1. Damage beyond repair Vehicle was totaled by insurance company 2. A spontaneous fire put everyone in the traffic area at risk 3. No reproduction of the event 4. Fire started with no warning | Crash: No Fire: Yes Injuries: 2 | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Front camera is cloudy. We are unable to see what is in front of the vehicle when pulling in garage and parking spots. High probability to injure or kill our dog, small children, or cause damage to other vehicles when attempting to use the front camera. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Transmission has been fixed twice, but it is still causing issues. It shifts hard and sometimes shutters. No dealership takes it seriously anymore. It is a known manufacturer defect that isn't being corrected promptly, probably to skirt by until warranty expires. The auto-hold system sporadically stops working. It will pop up on the dash that it is not available, but it will work after restarting the car a time or two. The info screen will randomly be a black screen after startup. The backup camera sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Rarely, there will be no sound from any speaker. Radio, phone, turn signal, nothing works through the speaker like it should. The turn signal will make a strange noise through the dash that doesn't match normal sounds. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SUSPENSION | This vehicle has 17,000 miles and has developed a very scary vibration that starts at 50mph. The vehicle is very unsafe and cannot be taken down the road. Nobody should be driving it! Local ford was called and really don't care and booked my vehicle 6 weeks out from when I called. I have had many problems with this vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | SEATS | Memory seat module issue. After parking vehicle and turning off ignition, the driver's seat will automatically move all the way forward and wedge the driver against the steering wheel. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | POWER TRAIN | While driving at 40 my vehicle started jerking. Drove maybe another couple Miles and stopped at red light and the vehicle would not engage. This is a 2020 ford explorer with 41,000 miles. I brought it to ford and have been waiting 1 month still for the parts. I keep asking what’s wrong with it and they just keep reviewing the rental. Also brought it in last year for a recall on the brakes-they fixed iit in 5 minutes where now my emergency brake is engaged all the time | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES | Drivetrain failure. Vehicle rolled forward while turned off, in park, while on a hill. Break did not respond while rolling (passenger who was still in car tried to lean over the seat to depress the break). Driver ran from behind the vehicle, hopped in (while car was moving!), turned car on, applied break and veered the vehicle right to get the car to stop. Vehicle nearly collided with three pedestrians and a nearby parked car. We have brought this car in to a Ford Dealership today. We reported a shuttering that occurred during peak torque while in for service last year - but dealership said they could not replicate. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Rear back up camera How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The loss of the rear camera image while in reverse has increased my risk of crash. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes, it has been to Holman Ford Turnersville many times for repair but the issue keeps occuring. I have been in touch with Ford directly and have two cases open. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warnings or symptoms | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | POWER TRAIN | The first incident happened in the fall of 2021. I was going down the interstate and came to almost a dead stop when my car down shifted. I was able to ease it to the next exit where I had it towed to ford. They “replaced” the part. Fast forward to Jan 2023. My husband and I were again driving on the interstate when the car again downshifted when we were in bumper to bumper traffic in the left lane. Luckily we were not hit and my husband veered into the median. Its now in the shop again since Jan 4th. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | The rear hatch opens unexpectedly with no command given. It happened twice while in Drive pulling out of my garage. There was no audible or visual warnings the hatch was opening. The hatch impacted the garage door frame causing the glass to shatter and denting the metal. First incident was 4/2022 the second was 1/2023. Both were reported to my insurance provider and the Ford dealer. I also contacted Ford directly for reimbursement of my deductible and other expenses and they paid. See attached. Please see SSM 49015 - 2020 Explorer/Aviator – Partial Power Liftgate Opening And/Or False Anti-Theft Alarm Activation – Liftgate Ajar - Built On Or Before 17-Feb 2020. The problem is not resolved and I no confidence the hatch won't open whie I am on the road. If it does and something falls out this would be a major safety issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | POWER TRAIN | We are a law enforcement training center and received a recall notice on two Ford Interceptor Explorers in July of 2022. When we contacted our local authorized dealer (Asheville Ford), we were told it wouldn't be until October of 2022 before they had the parts in stock to make the necessary repairs. We contacted them in December of 2022 and set an appointment to take both vehicles in on January 23, 2023. They kept both vehicles until January 25, 2023 and returned the vehicles stating on the work order "Unable to perform campaign at this time". We are concerned about utilizing these vehicles under the high stress we put them in in a training environment until the necessary repairs can be made. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | POWER TRAIN | We are a law enforcement training center and received a recall notice on two Ford Interceptor Explorers in July of 2022. When we contacted our local authorized dealer (Asheville Ford), we were told it wouldn't be until October of 2022 before they had the parts in stock to make the necessary repairs. We contacted them in December of 2022 and set an appointment to take both vehicles in on January 23, 2023. They kept both vehicles until January 25, 2023 and returned the vehicles stating on the work order "Unable to perform campaign at this time". | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES | I hit my brakes at a traffic light and the dash board lite up. With the following messages. Service Advance trac, 4WD Fault service required, see manual, hill start asst not available, auto hold fault, tooknto dealer tried to charge $600 for a diagnostic, codes were ran all codes are communication codes. Have no abs brakes. Took to another shop they couldn't figure it out. Called Ford. They refer back to dealer who what's to charge more money for diagnostics and the 33 codes they say are in the computer. Big safety issues. Happened just after 60,000 miles before looking at it dealer stated it wouldn't be covered under powertrain warranty anyway. Can't upload photos from phone for some reason. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | VISIBILITY | When there is heavy, consistent rain, the rear passenger side window leaks. I took the vehicle in for service under warranty and they told me Ford said the vehicles are not built to withstand heavy, consistent rain. Ummmm, what? This is not a small issue. During one downpour, there was at least an inch of water in the rear storage compartment. I live in eastern TN and we do tend to get a lot of rain, but I do not see how this window does not seal out the water. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I was driving in the fast lane on the interstate and the left front down pipe fell off the catalytic converter. My research shows there is a recall for the pipe cracking. I cannot find a recall for my vehicle. Obviously the pipe cracked and fell off. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | POWER TRAIN | trans shifting when cold | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while reversing, the 360-degree camera view became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted but offered no assistance. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the warranty on the vehicle was expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 59,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 59,000 |
| Jan 2023 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while approaching a stop, the vehicle's upper center console detached from its housing causing the contact to crash into another vehicle due to the failure. No one was injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 48,123. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | 48,123 |
| Jan 2023 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle went into Limp Mode. The contact stated that the vehicle alerted her that the power train malfunctioned, pre-collision assist was unavailable, and the tire pressure malfunctioned. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and produced codes: P0E76 and P0E74 indicating that the half-shaft speed sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced Ford Technical Service Bulletin Number: TSB 22-2145. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact inquired about a buy back and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 24,186. | Crash: No Fire: No | 24,186 |
| Dec 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Braking system stopped working. I had no breaks on the Highway! All systems lit up on my dash. Thankfully I was able to coast down the side of road in neutral until the car stopped. Whole time I was holding the brake down to the floor. Upon stopping it automatically threw into park. I turned the car off and then started again and everything seemed fine. I was scared to death to even drive it any further. I took it to the dealership to have it looked at. I see this is a problem with 2020 explorers and it needs to recalled. Someone is going be seriously injured or even die in the event of a wreck from this issue | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2022 | SUSPENSION,PARKING BRAKE | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V154000 (Suspension) however, while attempting to leave the dealer after the repair, the vehicle was shifted in drive(D), but the vehicle failed to respond. The contacted stated that the electronic parking brake appeared to be engaged. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal persistently, the vehicle responded by surging forward. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the vehicle failed to respond upon releasing the brake pedal. The contact stated that she depressed the accelerator pedal several times and the vehicle responded by surging forward. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure occurred as a result of recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V154000 (Suspension). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that she was concerned as the recall repair had generated a potential risk to her safety. The contact stated that the electronic parking brake would engage while the vehicle was at a complete stop. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 28,500. | Crash: No Fire: No | 28,500 |
| Dec 2022 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V255000 (Power Train). The contact stated that after the transmission was shifted into park(P), the parking brake was inadvertently activated. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle performed as intended under the recall repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 36,000 |