Worst 2020 Ford Explorer Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Electrical Faults
Engine Problems
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2020 Ford Explorer.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 409 | 5 | — | 37,560 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 170 | 3 | 4 | 25,417 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 107 | 2 | 4 | 30,471 mi | |
| Brakes | 77 | 3 | — | 9,706 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 49 | 1 | — | 20,667 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 48 | 2 | 1 | 88,500 mi | |
| Backup Camera | 40 | 2 | — | 29,027 mi | |
| Fuel System | 38 | 1 | 1 | 4,719 mi | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 33 | 5 | — | 2,890 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 32 | 1 | — | 42,827 mi | |
| Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | 30 | 3 | — | 37,533 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 28 | — | — | 41,306 mi | |
| Body Structure | 27 | — | 1 | 15,680 mi | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 26 | 3 | — | 23,900 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 24 | — | — | 14,904 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 23 | — | — | 28,713 mi | |
| Back Over Prevention: Warnings | 19 | 4 | — | 13,167 mi | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 16 | — | — | 11,000 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 16 | — | — | 41,667 mi | |
| Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking | 12 | 1 | — | 9,000 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 11 | — | — | 17,340 mi | |
| Back Over Prevention: Camera System | 10 | — | — | 15,392 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 10 | 1 | — | 57,050 mi | |
| Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection | 9 | — | — | 550 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 8 | — | — | 75,608 mi | |
| Lane Departure: Assist | 6 | 1 | — | 7,000 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 5 | — | — | 4,225 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 5 | — | — | 29,400 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 5 | — | — | 41,972 mi |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2020 Ford Explorer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2020 Ford Explorer
31 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~5,068,911 vehicles.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer and Aviator vehicles. The seat belt buckle anchor bolts at one or more seating positions may be improperly secured. Additionally, vehicles may have an improperly secured seat belt retractor anchor bolt and/or seat belt anchor bolt at the second-row center seating position, if equipped.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
+ 21 more recalls
Other Ford Explorer Years
2020 Ford Explorer — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2020 Ford Explorer reliable?
What are common problems with the 2020 Ford Explorer?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2020 Ford Explorer?
How safe is the 2020 Ford Explorer?
Does the 2020 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2020 Ford Explorer?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2020 Ford Explorer
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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