2020 Ford Explorer problems & reliability
1,215 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Ford Explorer, alongside 33 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Sep 23, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several components.
29 complaints report injuries (38 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2020 Ford Explorer vehicles were involved in 121 fatal crashes with 37 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train → | 486 | 40% |
| Unknown / Other | 205 | 17% |
| Electrical System → | 185 | 15% |
| Engine → | 113 | 9% |
| Back Over Prevention → | 104 | 9% |
| Service Brakes → | 80 | 7% |
| Forward Collision Avoidance → | 70 | 6% |
| Visibility/wiper → | 55 | 5% |
| Exterior Lighting → | 53 | 4% |
| Structure → | 44 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
All 30 reported components →Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Among the 388 complaints that included a usable odometer reading, the median reported incident mileage was 27,500 miles (middle 50% between 6,675 and 67,118 miles).
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“My 2020 Ford Explorer Limited has a broken transmission matching Recall 26S48. The car cannot be driven. My local dealer wants to help but has zero loaner vehicles available. Ford Corporate is refusing to fund an outside rental car or an emergency interim repair while delaying the official fix until next year. I am…”
Power Train · filed Sep 20, 2026
“Vehicle: 2020 Ford Explorer XLT Active Recall: Ford #26S48 The transmission on my 2020 Ford Explorer has completely failed, leaving my vehicle inoperable and my family stranded. The vehicle is currently located at a local Ford dealership, just sitting there waiting for a fix. My vehicle started shifting gears randomly…”
Unknown / Other · filed Sep 17, 2026
“The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly shifted into park(P), and the message “Shift System Fault” was displayed. The vehicle restarted and shifted out of park. The contact stated that on several occasions the transmission was shifted into park but…”
Power Train · filed Sep 17, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Underbody shields detachment
Defect Petition DP25001 · opened Sep 5, 2025 · closed Apr 9, 2026
- Rear Axle Bolt Failure
Recall Query RQ23002 · opened Jun 20, 2023 · closed Feb 15, 2024 · led to recall 23V675
- Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance
Recall Query RQ21002 · opened Aug 3, 2021 · open
Technical service bulletins
360 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2020 Ford Explorer. The 10 most recent:
This article supersedes 26-2287. Reason for update: update the labor operation numbers to add MT to operations C, F, G, H, J, K, L and M, and correct the part number LIMZ-4A015-B to L1MZ-4A015-B. Some of the vehicles…
TSB 26-2395 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 26, 2026
For Various Ford and Lincoln vehicles, if diagnostics lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion cover J-clips, lower-level service parts are now available. Use service part W709919-S901 if the J-clip is…
SSM 55100 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 22, 2026
Some 2020-2025 Explorer vehicles equipped with a power roof opening panel may exhibit a sunshield with localized bunching or binding/inoperative. This may be due to a broken or missing sunshield fabric retainer/clip. A…
SSM 55069 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 5, 2026
Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine, 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine, and 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost hybrid engine…
SSM55059 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 3, 2026
This article supersedes 25-2302. Reason for update: update the labor time allowance for F-150 vehicles, update the Parts list to replace the part number W716979-S439 with W721084-S439, and add a note for LV fluids…
TSB 26-2287 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 18, 2026
Customer Satisfaction Program 26N09 Certain 2020 Model Year Escape, 2020-2021 Corsair, 2020-2021 Aviator, and 2020- 2021 and 2023 Explorer Vehicles Front Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement, if Required After Dealer…
26N09 · Other · issued Jun 11, 2026
For 2020 2026 vehicles equipped with the 10R60 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). This test utilizes the pressure and vacuum…
SSM 54902 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 5, 2026
2020-2026 Explorer/Escape/Corsair, 2021-2026 Bronco Sport/Bronco, 2022-2026 Maverick, 2024-2026 Mustang/Ranger/Nautilus vehicles equipped with a 2.0L or 2.3L EcoBoost engine may require removal of the turbocharger…
SSM 54857 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 21, 2026
This bulletin supersedes 25-2213. Reason for update: update the Service Procedure to add notes to clarify the customer symptoms, applicability of this TSB, directing technicians to evaluate both front strut mounts, and…
TSB 26-2242 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 19, 2026
Some 2020-2026 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility/Aviator vehicles may require replacement of the front drive halfshaft inner/outer CV joint boot for various reasons. If Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 205-04 >…
SSM 54827 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 15, 2026
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2020 Ford Explorer has 33 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2020 Ford Explorer?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Among complaints with usable mileage, the median reported incident mileage was 27,500 miles. This does not predict when a particular vehicle will develop a problem.