CarRecallWatchThe 2020 Ford Explorer has 33 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 1,249 complaints with NHTSA, including 37 crashes, 10 fires, 38 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Power Train (508 reports).
2020 Ford Explorer recalls
Second-Row Seats May Unlatch or Slide in Crash Risk
Certain Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator SUVs may have a switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats that can bind or stick.
Transmission Could Engage Park While Moving, Risking Rollaway
The transmission park pawl, the part that locks the transmission in Park, may engage while the vehicle is still in motion.
Loose Rear Seat Belt Anchor May Fail in a Crash
Some Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator SUVs from model years 2020 through 2023 may have seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions that are not properly secured.
Wipers May Fail, Reducing Driver Visibility
Certain 2020-2022 Ford Explorer and Escape vehicles, and Lincoln Aviator and Corsair vehicles, have a front windshield wiper motor that may fail.
Rearview Camera Image May Flip, Reducing Rear View
The center display's rearview camera image may flip or invert when the vehicle is put in reverse.
Engine Block Heater May Crack and Cause Fire Risk
The engine block heater can crack and develop a coolant leak.
Rearview Camera May Show Blank or Stuck Image
A software error can cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or to keep showing the camera image after the vehicle has left reverse.
Second-Row Seats May Unlatch or Move While Driving
Certain 2020-2023 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles have a second-row easy-entry seat switch that may bind or stick.
Rearview Camera Image May Fail, Reducing Rear Visibility
Certain Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator and Corsair vehicles from the 2020 to 2022 model years, plus some 2021 to 2023 models, were previously repaired incorrectly under an earlier recall.
Driveshaft May Disconnect, Causing Rollaway or Power Loss
Certain 2020-2022 Ford Explorers were previously repaired under an earlier recall, but the repair was done incorrectly.
Loose Seat Belt Anchors Could Fail to Restrain Occupants
Some vehicles may have seat belt buckle anchor bolts at one or more seating positions that were not properly secured.
Missing Air Bag Warning Label on Dashboard
Some vehicles may have a missing air bag warning label on the dashboard.
Engine failure can leak oil and fuel, risking a fire
Certain 2020-2022 Ford Explorer vehicles with the Police Interceptor Utility Package may experience an engine failure.
Rearview Camera May Show Blank or Distorted Image
A poor electrical connection can cause the rearview camera to intermittently display a blank or distorted image.
Rear Driveshaft Can Disconnect, Causing Power Loss or Rollaway
A rear axle horizontal mounting bolt can fracture, which may allow the driveshaft to disconnect from the vehicle.
Battery Cell Short Can Cause Power Loss and Fire
A manufacturing defect in one or more high-voltage battery cells can cause an internal short circuit and battery failure in these plug-in hybrid vehicles.
360-Camera Can Fail, Blocking Rear View and Crash Risk
The 360-degree camera system in certain Ford Explorers and Lincoln Aviators and Corsairs may fail, so the rearview camera image may not display.
Backup Camera May Not Display When Screen Is Turned Off
Certain vehicles have a defect in the display software that controls the backup camera image.
Explorer May Roll Away or Lose Drive Power
Certain 2020-2022 Ford Explorers may not apply the automatic electronic parking brake when the vehicle is shifted into Park, as intended.
Transmission May Fail to Park, Risking Rollaway
Certain 2020-2022 Ford Explorer vehicles with a 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission may experience an unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset while the vehicle is moving.
Rearview camera image can fail, raising crash risk
The 360-degree camera system in certain Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles may fail to send video to the display, so the rearview camera image does not appear on screen.
Rearview camera may fail to display image, raising crash risk
Certain 2020-2021 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator and Corsair vehicles equipped with 360-degree cameras may have a rearview camera whose video output fails, so the camera image does not appear on the display.
Rear Suspension Bolts May Break, Causing Steering Loss
Some 2020 vehicles may have rear lower control arm bolts that were not heat-treated during manufacturing.
Loose Engine Mount Can Cause Sudden Power Loss
The right-hand engine motor mount fasteners on certain vehicles may have been tightened incorrectly, and they can loosen over time.
Fuel Tank Weld May Leak Fuel in a Crash, Raising Fire Risk
A weld that attaches the fuel tank inlet check valve to the fuel tank shell may be incomplete.
Drive shaft may fracture, risking rollaway or fire
Certain vehicles with a 2.0L or 3.3L engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and the All Wheel Drive package may have a drive shaft that can fracture along its weld seam.
Rearview camera may show blank or distorted image
A poor electrical connection can cause the rearview camera to intermittently display a blank or distorted image.
Rear Center Seat Belt Buckle May Not Restrain Passenger
The second-row center seat belt buckle in some vehicles may not be properly secured to the seat.
Loose Seat Fasteners May Affect Side Air Bags
Some front seat backs may have side air bag or seat back module fasteners that were not properly tightened during assembly.
Fuel Line Can Wear Through and Leak, Creating Fire Risk
A protective sleeve on the vapor fuel line can chafe over time through the plastic liquid fuel line, causing a fuel leak.
Wiring Can Rub Against A/C Pulley, Risking Fire
The wiring harness on certain vehicles may not be properly secured and can contact the air conditioner compressor pulley.
Seatback May Not Hold in a Crash, Raising Injury Risk
Certain manual front and rear seats in these vehicles may be missing a third pawl in the recliner mechanism, which is needed to keep the seatback strong.
Vehicle Can Roll Away and Gear Display May Be Disabled
Some 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles may be missing the Manual Park Release (MPR) cover, so the MPR lever could be moved unintentionally and the vehicle could roll away.
Most common 2020 Ford Explorer problems
Problem areas named in the 1,249 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 508 |
| Unknown Or Other | 213 |
| Electrical System | 189 |
| Engine | 117 |
| Back Over Prevention | 112 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 88 |
| Service Brakes | 82 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 58 |
| Exterior Lighting | 56 |
| Structure | 46 |
What owners report
For the past year i have been dealing with the 4wd fault where a lost connection to the module and im not the only one i belong to a group on facebook where they are always asking the same questions about who has the same problem and i feel like this should of been recalled a long time ago
Sunroof panaramic shade failure . When driving opened the sunroof and shade cover sagged and came undone while driving and blocked complete rear window view. I was forced to immediately pull over for safety. Vehicle is brand new this should not be and issue so soon. Checked online and multiple customers are having the same issue. This is an unacceptable issue for such an expensive and new vehicle. Very dangerous design flaw.
Headliner / ceiling fabric has become detached and drapes / falls between my eyes and the windshield, making it impossible to see clearly. I went to the Ford dealer and they said it was happening in all of the Explorers and it would cost $4,500 to fully replace the headliner as it was defectively made with glue not adhering to foam which has deteriorated.
This is the platinum model, with the leather Dash. The dash is separating in two pieces, and the leather is curling up. This is all the way across the dash from the driver side, to the passenger side. It is in my line of vision, to where it is not safe to see the road. I believe this is from the sun.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V402000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 60,000.
2020 Ford Explorer questions
Does the 2020 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 33 safety recalls for the 2020 Ford Explorer: Second-Row Seats May Unlatch or Slide in Crash Risk; Transmission Could Engage Park While Moving, Risking Rollaway; Loose Rear Seat Belt Anchor May Fail in a Crash; Wipers May Fail, Reducing Driver Visibility; Rearview Camera Image May Flip, Reducing Rear View. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Ford Explorer?
Based on 1,249 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Power Train (508), Unknown Or Other (213), Electrical System (189).
How do I check if a recall on my 2020 Ford Explorer has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.