What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2020 Ford Explorer

Typical pattern

10.9% of complaints about the 2020 Ford Explorer came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2020 vehicle — around the middle of the 178 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 4.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is power train (487 complaints), typically at 4.9 yr or about 41,000 miles.

Complaints
1,702
Median age at failure
4.3 yr
Median mileage
16,000 n=553
Crash / fire / tow
7.7% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Power train
487 reports · 41,000 mi
4.9 yr
5.3%
Other
204 reports · 5,761 mi
4.9 yr
9.8%
Electrical system
185 reports · 12,000 mi
3.8 yr
8.1%
Engine
113 reports · 8,000 mi
4.0 yr
9.7%
Back over prevention
112 reports · 20,000 mi
2.8 yr
8.9%
Collision avoidance
85 reports · 12,000 mi
4.1 yr
9.4%
Service brakes
80 reports · 6,680 mi
2.2 yr
6.2%
Visibility / wipers
54 reports · 7,000 mi
5.7 yr
1.9%
Exterior lighting
52 reports · 120,000 mi
5.4 yr
5.8%
Structure
43 reports · 40,302 mi
4.8 yr
16.3%
Fuel / propulsion
40 reports · 5,687 mi
3.9 yr
5%
Seats
39 reports · 35,000 mi
4.6 yr
7.7%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

26V451000 2026-07-14
Seats:mid/rear assembly

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.

A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

26V402000 2026-06-24
Power train:automatic transmission

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.

Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.

26V159000 2026-03-17
Seat belts

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.

A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

26V117000 2026-03-03
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.

Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

26V123000 2026-03-03
Back over prevention:software

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

25V685000 2025-10-10
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

25V442000 2025-06-27
Back over prevention:software

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

25V393000 2025-06-13
Seats:mid/rear assembly

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.

A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

25V159000 2025-03-14
Back over prevention:software

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V-342. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.

Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

25V166000 2025-03-14
Power train:driveline:driveshaft

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 23V-199 or 22V-255. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.

A disconnected driveshaft can result in vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park without the parking brake applied. A disconnected driveshaft can also result in a loss of drive power. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

In owners’ own words

Electrical system 5,300 mi 3 mo in service
DEEP SLEEP MODE ACTIVATES AFTER 2 DAYS. MOST RECENT EXPERIENCE INVOLVED HAVING TO JUMP START THE CAR AFTER SETTING 3 DAYS.
Electrical system 180 mi 6 mo in service
WHEN TRYING TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK, EITHER REVERSE OR DRIVE THE VEHICLE JERKS INTO GEAR HARD AND THEN STALLS. TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES TO GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY STARTS UP NO ISSUE, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT YET KEEPS STALLING. THIS IS NEW OWNED FOR 3 DAYS WITH LESS THAN 200 MILES ON IT.
Electrical system 6,500 mi 7 mo in service
CAR GOES INTO DEEP SLEEP AFTER TWO DAYS OF BEING PARKED AND HAS TO BE JUMPED TO START. HAPPENS ON REGULAR BASIS. DEALER UNABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE CAR SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED.
Other 2,200 mi 2 mo in service
ON A 400 MILE ROAD TRIP ON A HIGHWAY, WE STARTED FEELING EXHAUST FUMES IN THE INSIDE CABIN. FELT NAUSEA AND WATERY EYES AND HAD TO STOP COUPLE OF TIME TO GET A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. NOT SURE WHAT THE ISSUE WAS IT DISAPPEARED AFTER AN HOUR. SCARY THING IS I SEE SOME ELSE ALSO HAS REPORTED THE SAME ISSUE. COULD BE VERY HAZARDOUS HAVING EXHAUST FUMES COMING IN SIDE THE CABIN.

Other Explorer model years

20252023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020082007200620052004200320022001200019991998

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