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Car · Ford problems

2020 Ford Explorer problems

1,249 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Ford Explorer. The most reported area is power train (transmission and drive) (40% of them). NHTSA also lists 301 service bulletins and 34 recall campaigns.

1,249owner complaints
37say a crash was involved
10say a fire was involved
38injuries and deaths reported

Counts are what owners told NHTSA, as filed. NHTSA does not confirm each report, and a complaint is not proof of a cause. Injuries: 38. Deaths: 0.

Complaints by area

Each bar is the share of this model year's 1,249 complaints that name that area. A complaint can name more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

17 smaller areas not shown (359 complaints in total).

Do not compare models by these numbers. NHTSA has no sales count for each model, so a model with more complaints may just have sold more cars. Use them to see which areas owners write about, not to rank cars.

Service bulletins

NHTSA's database lists 301 repair bulletins from Ford for the 2020 Ford Explorer. A bulletin is a repair instruction sent to dealers. It is not a recall and does not mean your car is covered. The 8 newest:

  1. 26-2431 v2Received October 27, 2026

    Power train (transmission and drive)

    Reason for update: update the Service procedure for 2021-2022 F-150 3.5L EcoBoost vehicles with new Ford Diagnosis and Repair System(FDRS) C clutch data anomaly detection test.

  2. TSB 26-2431Received October 27, 2026

    Reason For Update: update the Service Procedure for 2021-2022 F-150 3.5L EcoBoost vehicles with the new Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) C clutch data anomaly detection diagnostic test.

  3. SSM 55228Received October 12, 2026

    Some 2020-2026 Aviator/Explorer/F-150/Bronco/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L (non-diesel) engine may need the front engine cover removed and reinstalled for various reasons.

  4. SSM 55217Received October 6, 2026

    Some 2020-2024 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with 3.0L EcoBoost/hybrid engine may exhibit blue or black exhaust smoke on startup for the first 5 minutes after an overnight cold soak with no...

  5. TSB 25-2568 V2Received October 1, 2026

    Speed control and throttle

    Some vehicles listed in the model statement above may exhibit an illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) C00A6 and/or C0631.

  6. SSM 55100Received September 1, 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.

  7. TSB 26-2395Received September 1, 2026

    Power train (transmission and drive)

    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.

  8. SSM 55069Received August 11, 2026

    Visibility and wipers

    Some 2020-2025 Explorer vehicles equipped with a power roof opening panel may exhibit a sunshield with localized bunching or binding/inoperative.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 34 recall campaigns for the 2020 Ford Explorer. Recall repairs are free at a Ford dealer. The 3 to look at first:

  1. 26V402000June 24, 2026

    Power train

    The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.

  2. 25V166000March 14, 2025

    Power train

    The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.

  3. 23V199000March 24, 2023

    Power train

    The previous powertrain control module (PCM) update completed under recall 22V-255 did not include the automatic electronic parking brake feature when the vehicle is shifted to park, as intended.

See all 34 recalls for the 2020 Ford Explorer, or check your VIN below to see which are open on your car.

Common repairs in this area (not a diagnosis)

These are repair jobs that sit in the areas owners report most. A complaint may need a diagnosis first: the same symptom can come from many causes, and a serious one such as engine failure is not fixed by a cheap part. They are not a forecast of what your Explorer will need. Ranges are US estimates for all makes.

This model year has an engine recall in NHTSA's data. Before you pay for an engine repair, check the recalls and ask the dealer about warranty extensions for your VIN. Those repairs can be free.

Start with a diagnosis

Power train (transmission and drive) 504 complaints · 40%

Electrical system 188 complaints · 15%

Engine and engine cooling 138 complaints · 11%

No repair price here: this area usually needs a diagnosis first. A diagnostic scan (check engine light) runs $55 to $250.

Backup camera and sensors 104 complaints · 8%

No repair price here: this area usually needs a diagnosis first. A diagnostic scan (check engine light) runs $55 to $250.

Check a quote you got

Check your VIN

Complaints and bulletins cover a whole model year. Only the VIN shows what is open on your car.

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Recall and complaint data comes from NHTSA, the US government's vehicle safety agency, and is cached for up to a day. Recall repairs at a dealer are free. A recall that is not listed may not apply to your car or may not be filed yet. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls too.

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2020 Ford Explorer: questions

What are the most common problems on the 2020 Ford Explorer?

Of the 1,249 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Ford Explorer, 504 (40%) name power train (transmission and drive), and 188 (15%) name electrical system. A complaint can list more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%. These are owner reports, not proven causes.

Is the 2020 Ford Explorer reliable?

These numbers cannot say. NHTSA complaints have no sales count to compare against, so a high number on one model does not mean it fails more than another. Use them to see which areas owners write about, then check your own VIN for open recalls.

Do these complaints include crashes or fires?

Owners marked 37 of the 1,249 complaints as involving a crash and 10 as involving a fire. They also reported 38 injuries and 0 deaths. NHTSA records these as the owner reports them and does not confirm each one.

How many recalls does the 2020 Ford Explorer have?

NHTSA lists 34 recall campaigns for the 2020 Ford Explorer. Recall repairs are free at a Ford dealer. Enter your VIN to see which ones are open on your car.

What is a service bulletin?

A service bulletin is a repair instruction a maker sends to its dealers. It is not a recall, and it does not mean your car is covered. NHTSA lists 301 repair bulletins for the 2020 Ford Explorer.

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Sources

Complaint, bulletin and recall counts come from NHTSA as filed. Repair prices are estimates from our own ranges. Not a repair shop, estimates only.