2020 Ford Explorer engine and engine cooling problems
21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine and engine cooling on the 2020 Ford Explorer — 2% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 85 MPH, there was an abnormal popping and grinding sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and became aware that the flex pipe with a part of the catalytic…”
filed Jul 15, 2026
“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…”
filed Jul 30, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Engine and Engine Cooling problems in other Explorer years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Explorer | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 Explorer | 2 | 1% |
| 2021 Explorer | 10 | 2% |
| 2019 Explorer | 6 | 2% |
| 2018 Explorer | 29 | 4% |
| 2017 Explorer | 76 | 5% |
| 2016 Explorer | 114 | 5% |
| 2015 Explorer | 66 | 4% |
| 2014 Explorer | 67 | 4% |
| 2013 Explorer | 67 | 3% |
| 2012 Explorer | 14 | 2% |
| 2011 Explorer | 21 | 2% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2020 Ford Explorer
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.