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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2021 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while operating the vehicle the backup camera display image was very washed out, unclear and the colors appeared to be bleached out causing visibility issues for the driver. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the camera display unit, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 2,000 |
| Oct 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The rear camera malfunctions and the display screen is blue. The vehicle is available for inspection. It creates a blind spot on the display screen of the area behind the vehicle and sounds an alert/alarm every time the malfunction occurs. The problem has not been reproduced by the dealer but I have provided multiple pictures of it occurring. The vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturer on several occasions. There were no warnings prior to the failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle both the digital display screen and instrument gauge cluster would randomly malfunction, scramble, and the display screen would turn blue. Also, the transmission would shift abruptly and while driving the vehicle would lose throttle response causing the vehicle to slow before abruptly accelerating. The contact indicated that the failure had occurred while driving 60 MPH on a six-lane highway. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who indicated that the collision avoidance system had malfunctioned. In addition, while driving, the engine would randomly rev extremely high and had occurred while letting off the accelerator pedal. The local dealer and manufacturer were both notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100. | Crash: No Fire: No | 100 |
| Oct 2021 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | Backup camera failed with a blue screen that was initially identified early August and brought into Ford 8/11-13 but dealership unable to reproduce problem. It is believed that the dealership re-booted the computer and downloaded new software. The same problem occurred just two days after we got the car back on 8/15 at which time a picture was taken to show the service department. A Google search suggested there was a problem with the back up camera for 2020 Explorer, but there was no recall on my VIN. After reaching out to Ford soon after we got the car back, a service person offered to order a new camera, but it was never approved. Numerous calls were placed to the dealership given ongoing camera failure and concern for causing an accident, but we were told that the problem needed to be reproduced. The camera could not be ordered. While backing the car out of our driveway without an operational camera or sensors, driver side rear bumper collided with a car parked in the street. The insurance company was notified the day of the accident and the car was taken to Ford body shop 9/21 where a repair estimate was provided. The dealership service department was notified that the car was involved in an accident because of camera failure and finally agreed to order a new replacement camera. On 9/23, we were notified of a "blue screen" back up camera recall. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | I had an issue with the rearview backupcamera. The camera kept going out multiple times. I asked Fodd customer care if there was a recall and told me no. One day I was backing up at night my camera went out and I hit a mailbox which was in my blindspot I immediately called Ford to alert them that the camera went out a d I damaged my vehicle. Ford requested that I bring in my truck and changed the camera. They found out the camera had an electrical shortage. I attempted to get Forx to pay for the damages to my vehicle and they refused. The total estimate was 2700.00. The response why they denied my claim was I had an accident and they were not responsible regardless of the camera not working. They told me to contact my insurance to fix the damage. I feel I wouldn't have had an accident if my rearview camera did not go out. The backup assistance beep would have sensed the object behind me in my backup view and I would not have damaged my vehicle since the object was in my blind spot. I feel that Ford is responsible for the repairs and I have Video proof that my camera was having issues prior to my accident. I need Ford to fix my vehicle at no cost to me. They are ignoring the fact that the backup camera and blinspot assistance failed. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while attempting to reverse the backup camera failed to engage. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the Intelligent Platform Management Bus (IPMB) flashed. The vehicle was repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V735000 (Back Over Prevention). The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the same symptoms. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and spoke with the contact’s attorneys and was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 22,900. Consumer stated camera was replaced 4 times and reprogrammed twice. | Crash: No Fire: No | 22,900 |
| Sep 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | When backing up, the screen turns blue 3 out of 5 times when placed in reverse. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | STRUCTURE | I have a serious safety issue with my 2020 Ford Explorer. The tailgate has unexpectedly closed when loading or unloading items from the cargo area. This is due the foot activation function. When loading/unloading heavier items you must stand close to the bumper. In so doing the foot activation closes the tailgate. This has happened at least 6 times including closing on my wife and grand children. The attached photo shows a skin scrap I sustained in blocking the tailgate from closing on a grandchild. I have talked to the dealer about deactivating the foot function. They responded it cannot be done. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 1 | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | POWER TRAIN | The car would not shift out of first gear. Had to put the car in neutral and then back into drive to get it to shift. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | Reverse camera turns blue on many occasions and other times it gets dark, the engine in the mornings the engine sounds like a Diesel car in the dealer indicate it is normal but new vehicles do not sound that way. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | We have returned the vehicle to the dealer 4 times for back-up camera / rear sensor failure. Most recently they had the vehicle from 8/16/2021 to 8/20/2021. Allegedly they replaced the back-up camera. On 8/27/2021 upon returning home from an approximately 3 mile drive, the back-up camera again failed while backing into our driveway. The DIC displayed the message "Back up assistance unavailable." While on vacation in Colorado, the back-up camera failed every day for 2 weeks (8/01/2021 - 8/13/2021). The failure would occur after extended drives at highway speed. On one occasion, the back-up display flickered between the image, blackout, and blue screen. On one occasion both the backup display and the overhead 360 display, displayed only blue screens. Turning off the vehicle and leaving it sit for 30 minutes or more clears the problem. The dealer claims they are unable to reproduce the problem. I have repeatedly told them that the vehicle must be driven for the problem to present itself. Repeatedly starting and shutting off of the vehicle while stationary will NOT produce the problem. We have repeatedly supplied images of the interior display showing the problem. This situation poses risk when reversing from parking place into oncoming traffic. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Sunroof exploded. There were no warning lights or beeps. It sounded like an explosion and caused me to nearly wreck from the loud boom. I went into a field and nearly lost control of vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Rear camera is not working correctly. If goes to a blue screen a lot. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | Back up camera not functioning properly. Back up camera will intermittently show distorted image while backing up and then it turns to black screen with warning stating "Camera is unavailable. Please contact your dealership." | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Transmission shifts from reverse to park and drive to park on its own. Also, heads up display goes blank and sensors / backup camera stop working. Front collision monitors also do not work as well as lane departure sensors | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I am associated with the City of Brookings, SD Police Dept. We have two 2020 Ford Hybrid SUV patrol vehicles. Both vehicles since we obtained them in October of 2020 have experienced loss of power. Both vehicles dash indicators lights come on and the vehicles has a complete system failure. In June of this year an officer was responding to an emergency call. The officer was traveling at approximately 50 mph. The vehicle's dash lights all came on and the vehicle's power system shut down. The officer stated the vehicle almost came to a dead stop, almost causing him to crash. He stated if he was not wearing his seat belt he would have went through the windshield. This particular vehicle has had had complete loss of power approximately eight times. Ford has replaced the ECM power module stating this would fix the issue. Now the vehicle's trailer module has supposedly failed and caused a complete loss of power. This trailer module effected the entire electrical system. This vehicle has been unusable since July 19. Prior to this latest incident the vehicle was unusable for approximately four weeks. In the almost year we have had the vehicle in service it has been unusable approximately 6 to 7 weeks. I have contacted Brooklyn Center, MN PD, East Grand Forks, ND PD and Yankton, SD PD. These agencies all have had the same Ford Hybrids. They all have experienced the same issues. Yankton PD is currently had one vehicle labeled a lemon and Ford is replacing this vehicle. Our agency is attempting to have Ford recognize this issue. We want the two vehicles replaced and be deemed unusable. I am contacting the NTSB to assist our police agency in addressing this issue. We cannot provide sufficient public service to our community with these vehicles. If we cannot respond to emergencies in a timely manner due to these vehicles not properly functioning then the potential for the public's safety is potentially at risk. Not to mention the safety of our officers. Thank you. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The overheating temp light keeps coming on for no reason. Vehicle has been to Rob Smith Ford seven times and still has not been fixed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | Rear view camera not working. Dealer has confirmed however not able to get replacement part from manufacturer. Camera has been down for over 9 months. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | STRUCTURE | We were going down the Hwy about 65 no cars around our sunroof exploded we had the headliner closed and it was full of glass. We thought at first we had a blow out but we saw all the glass in the middle of the sunroof no object or mark on car | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | Rear view mirror keeps turning solid blue ( blank ) and message center on the dash says "rear brake assist not working". | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while reversing the vehicle, the back over protection screen turned blue and the contact was unable to see the road. The contact stated that the reverse brake assist warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer ten times within 11 months, but the mechanic was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,100. | Crash: No Fire: No | 5,100 |
| Aug 2021 | POWER TRAIN | I have already complained to dealer about constant hesitation and jerking, going from 1st to 2nd and sometimes 2nd to 3rd gear on automatic transmission, as well as slight loss of power going up inclines under 30mph. They told me a road test and transmission test showed nothing wrong. Incident I am reporting happened back in May2021. I was making a right hand turn onto a busy road from a parking lot, from a complete stop. As I pulled out onto the road, going from 1st to 2nd gear, the car completely stalled for about two seconds. I almost was rear-ended because of the stall. I had to take my foot off the gas and then put a lot of pressure on the gas pedal to get the car moving again. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | SERVICE BRAKES | My new 2020 FORD EXPLORER had had on at least 4 occasions, the last being in July 2021 (mileage was approximately 7,280 miles at the time). This problem has only occurred when parked in my garage, I turn on the Explorer with my foot firmly on the brake and put the vehicle in Reverse (with foot still on brake) the vehicle starts reversing with force even though my foot is hard on the brakes. I then push down even harder on brakes. I am fighting to keep the Explorer from roaring out of the garage. Luckily I haven't hit anyone or anything, but had I not reacted as quickly I could easily have caused serious injury. I reported this problem to my local dealer two times, the first about 10 months ago and the second incident was reported to the dealer when I took it in in August 2021 for numerous alerts received in July 2021 for: POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION/ REDUCED POWER; PRE-COLLISION ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE; HILL START ASSIST WARNING, PRE-COLLISION ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE. The dealer said all the alerts came from one power module which will be fixed this week when the part arrives at the dealer. The dealer also said that the recent Reverse power surge I advised them of is probably related to all of the alerts listed above and that this should take care of the problem. I never received any warnings, messages or other symptoms of this problem - it has always been a shock when it happens. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | SERVICE BRAKES,BACK OVER PREVENTION | Vehicle would not start and every warning lamp and alert triggered on the dashboard. Tried remote start which was successful, but vehicle shut off 5 seconds later and the above alerts/warning lamps repeated. Vehicle would not start and just repeated all of the warning lamps/alerts. Waited 20 minutes, car started without issue; however, when put into reverse WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE the vehicle started to drive backwards WHILE FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE! No amount of pressure on the brake pedal stopped the vehicle. Had to depress and repress the pedal to stop the vehicle. Rear cameras failed to activate as well. Luckily no one was injured. This is the third time this has happened, the third time I have reported to the NHTSA, and the third time I have reported it to my local dealership without resolve. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the day he purchased the vehicle, the rearview camera turned blank as he was reversing out of the dealer parking lot. The warning message "Back Up Brake Assist Is Not Functioning" appeared on the instrument panel. The dealer diagnosed that the rear-view camera needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and was repaired, however the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 20V575000 (Visibility) due to the manufactured date. A case was opened and the contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 10. Consumer stated 5th camera has been installed. | Crash: No Fire: No | 10 |