Complaint volume
1134 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
1134 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2020 Ford Explorer, grouped by component category.
1134 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 306
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
1,134 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2025 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | Headlamp modules and headlamp do not properly function. Water can get into the module causing zero lights for the driver and is a safety hazard. Lights flicker or just turn off while driving. Electrical issue and not designed or installed properly. It should be able to be fixed with a new lightbulb but that is not the case. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The panoramic sunroof shade failed causing it to drop down on one side, this is a poorly engineered and built by Ford, not an owner's fault. The panoramic roof shade have plastic clips that hold the shade that break by themselves causing the shade to fall. if both clips failed or the one on the drivers side this could cause temporary visual obstruction. This is a poorly designed system and needs to be secured in case of failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The transmission failed at 61,000 miles. When I got to the shop where I was getting it looked at they had another ford explorer 2020 with 70,000 miles also had transmission issues. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the Right-Hand and Left-Hand Exhaust Flexible Pipes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Ford Customer Satisfaction Program Number: 21B35 (Right-Hand Catalytic Converter and Right-Hand and Left-Hand Exhaust Flexible Pipe(s) Inspection; however, the vehicle was not covered. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 40,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 40,000 |
| Jul 2025 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | The screen that covers the moon roof has let go, it flows in the current of the AC within the car. When the roof is open, it is hanging down so that I cannot see out my rear window with my rearview mirror. I can only assume, the next thing is, it will let go on one end of the other and hang down all the time and allowing constant sunlight on myself and passengers. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | STEERING | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle for regular service, he was made aware that the driver’s side CV axle was leaking. The contact was informed that the driver’s side CV axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 54,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 54,000 |
| Jul 2025 | POWER TRAIN,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | At approximately 30k miles (but after the 5 year warrantee had expired) the car started giving warnings about the brake system failing even though the brakes worked properly. Shortly after that, and without any warning indicators on the dash, the car began jerking when applying the brakes and down shifting at 35 mph. In the 4 months since the problem started, the jerking has become violent and other issues have begun. It also jerks when downshifting at 25 mph occasionally. It has a problem upshifting in gears 1-4, especially (but not only) when accelerating quickly. It seems that the gears are slipping. The engine revs higher because the gears are not properly shifting. My 18 month old child, my wife, and I have been put at risk driving in a vehicle that fails to shift properly accelerating through intersections and stopping at intersections. Both a Ford dealership and an independent auto repair shop have duplicated the problem and said the car needs either a new transmission ($8k) or to replace parts in the existing tranny that would cost $6k. Evidently there is a TSB from Ford on this issue, but not a recall. Ford has refused to offer financial assistance. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | AIR BAGS | * Upon a significant partial front and complete side impact, the airbags failed to deploy. No front, side, curtain, etc... * The vehicle has been seen by the original tow company, the insurance assigned tow company (from original tow company to a body shop) and by the body shop personnel. * I believe the insurance adjuster has inspected, but I cannot confirm that at this time. * No prior warning lamps or messages were present prior to the impact. * The vehicle safety system engaged the fuel cut-off, hazard lights and automatically initiated the SOS system (called 9-1-1). | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE | Manufacture hasn’t made a remedy available for the recall and it’s past its anticipated availability date. Manufacturer Recall Number 24S52 NHTSA Recall Number 24V598 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | The sunroof shade sags when opened. This creates a hazard for the driver due to lack of visibility to the rear of the vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Sunroof fabric clip broke when opening causing the fabric to hang down and obstruct view out of the rear view mirror. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was inspected using a scanner and provided an error code for the fuel pump module. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 112,000 |
| Jul 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES | Vehicle was engaged in park with parking brake on, I put my foot on brake applying pressure & shifted out of park to drive. As I disengaged parking brake vehicle pushed forward 10 feet forcing me to take my foot off brake & reapply pressure to stop vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Transmission failure & clutch needs replacement. Vehicle started hard shifting at low MPH. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | SUSPENSION | Have replaced rear tires three times in past year. Vehicle causes extreme wear on inside tread of rear tires. Vehicle is known to be prone to have rear axle fractures. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | STRUCTURE | exterior review side mirrors cause loud whistle noise when driving. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | ADAS System malfunctions, 4WD malfunctions, Vehicle will randomly shut off during driving. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The shade covering the moon roof made a popping noise and began sagging, inhibiting visibility to the rear of the vehicle | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Panoramic moon roof shade cover has detached from the roof of the car. The fabric shade falls into the car blocking vision of the driver. The problem has been confirmed by the dealer. I am unaware if the vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturer. There were no warnings of the problem. The fabric just fell into the car blocking the vision of the driver. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE | First my radio will not come on when you first start the explorer. Then you turn it off and turn it back on then the radio will start to work. Then blind spot stop working will the radio. They said they fix the problem by updating the software in the radio. That work for a week then it happen again now they said it's the audio control Module need to be replace. And the battery will drain over night they said the recall is for other fords not mine. I paid for a new battery and alternator. But they said my explorer not on the list. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | LED headlight failure, driver's side, low beam. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | There is hesitation when coming from a stop to accelerating there is a delay of power. This problem has been going on since we have had the car. It is safety issue especially when we accelerate to get onto the highway. It is very inconsistent. We recently took it in and found that an error code of P0496 the evaporator purge valve to be a problem. Not sure if this is a problem with other Fords like ours. So I thought you could investigate it for me. Thank you. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES | Parking brake won't disengage. Cannot drive or reverse | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | POWER TRAIN | In June of this year, with about 82,000 miles I began to experience a clunk felt through the vehicle while slowing down from @35 mph upon the downshift. The clunk was more noticeable under braking, i.e. approaching a stop light. This went on for a few days growing more frequent and noticeable. On June 30th, 2025 I dropped my Explorer off at my Ford dealer's service department. The mechanic test drove and confirmed my experience. They also found that the transmission fluid had a burnt smell and some debris. Their testing turned up codes P1783 and P028 indicating an overtempt condition. I’d offer that at no time did I see and sort of dashboard indicators of any trouble. I’ve never pulled a trailer, modified the engine intake or exhaust systems, or had custom engine tunning performed. It’s a completely stock Explorer ST. My recourse was to pay $8,529.63 to replace the transmission. I do feel that if I had continued to operate the vehicle best case would be I was stranded someone where. Worse stranded on the roadway or highway. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | SEATS | While sitting in the 3rd row seat, my daughter felt the headrest smack the back of her head. When trying to put it back up, it will no longer stay in place. There are multiple reports of this exact thing happening. This is a known issue with these vehicles. I am now unable to allow anyone to ride in that seat, as the headrest will not stay up. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 1 | Unknown |