Is the 2020 Ford Explorer a bad year?
1,251 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 505, 12× a quiet Explorer year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
The transmission draws 12× the complaints of a quiet Explorer year, but the 2020 is still young: half of its transmission complaints so far came in by 44k miles, and that mark will move as owners add miles. Check your powertrain warranty first.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2020 Explorer owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 44,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 505 (40%) | 8k–78k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| SeatsSTANDS OUT | 41 (3%) | 14k–82k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 189 (15%) | 5k–50k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 126 (10%) | 4k–89k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Visibility and wipers | 70 (6%) | 31k–63k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 46 (4%) | 38k–78k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 43 (3%) | 3k–54k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 36 (3%) | 8k–80k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Steering | 28 (2%) | 5k–56k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Backup cameraSTANDS OUT | 104 (8%) | 7k–40k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 85 (7%) | 2k–16k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Collision avoidance | 72 (6%) | 7k–36k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 56 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 29 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 44,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,251 complaints: 37 mention a crash · 10 mention a fire · 30 report an injury · 49 say the car was towed.
233 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The vehicle malfunction while it was in motion on the highway going 70MPH pulling a trailer. The car.would not accelerates properly and it seem like it was not shifting gears properly.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 44,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2020 Ford Explorer: 33
The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly. A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage. Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured. A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly. Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in. An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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. A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver.
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. A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect. A disconnected driveshaft can result in vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park without the parking brake applied. A disconnected driveshaft can also result in a loss of drive power.
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying. Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. A loose seat belt or seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire. An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. A rearview camera that displays a blank or distorted image can reduce the drivers view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect. A disconnected driveshaft can result in a loss of drive power or a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure. Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying. Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
When the Display On/Off Button is used to turn the display to "Off" prior to placing the vehicle in reverse, the backup camera rearview image will not appear on the display. A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
In addition, the rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect. Without the electronic parking brake applied, the vehicle could rollaway if the driveshaft disconnects. A disconnected driveshaft can also result in a loss of drive power. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage. A park system that is damaged may not shift into "PARK," resulting in a vehicle rollaway and increasing the risk of injury or crash.
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying. Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying. A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The rear lower control arm (RLCA) bolts that attach the rear lower control arms to the wheel knuckles may not have been heat-treated, which could cause them to break. Broken RLCA bolts can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.
The right hand motor mount fasteners may have been incorrectly tightened, and may loosen over time. With a loose motor mount, motor vibration may cause the axle to disconnect from the engine and could result in loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fuel tank inlet check valve may not be fully welded to the fuel tank shell. An incomplete weld securing the inlet check valve to the fuel tank shell could result in a substantial fuel leak during a crash, increasing the risk of fire.
The drive shaft may fracture along the weld seam. Defective drive shafts may fail and cause a loss of connection between the transfer case and rear axle, possibly resulting in a vehicle rollaway when in Park or a loss of drive. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash.
Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
The affected vehicles are equipped with second row center seat belt buckles that may not be properly secured to the seat. Vehicles with seat belt buckles that are not properly secured may fail to restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The side air bag and/or seat back module attachments may not have been properly tightened in the front seat backs. If the side air bag or seat back fasteners were not properly tightened, the side air bag deployment could be affected, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Over time, the protective sleeve on the vapor fuel line may chafe through the plastic liquid fuel line and cause a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The wiring harness may not have been properly secured and may contact the air conditioner compressor (A/C) pulley, potentially damaging the harness or the A/C belt. The A/C pulley may rub through the wiring harness insulation and contact the unfused battery positive wire, resulting in a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The Manual Park Release (MPR) cover may not be installed. In addition, the vehicles may be in Factory Mode, which disables warning alerts and does not display the transmission gear selected. Without the cover, the MPR lever may be unintentionally moved, allowing the vehicle to roll away. Being in Factory Mode, the vehicle will not display warnings and/or gear selection on the instrument cluster.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 358
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2020 Ford Explorer. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Detected with the CDF clutch cylinder following this article, technicians should carefully inspect and replace other transmission c
Some 2020-2026 Aviator/Explorer/F-150/Bronco/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L…
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…
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…
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Underbody shields detachment
Rear Axle Bolt Failure
Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance
Neighbouring years
2019 Explorer: 303 complaints, keep it · 2021 Explorer: 455 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Ford Explorer year
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Questions
Is the 2020 Ford Explorer a bad year?
1,251 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 505, 12× a quiet Explorer year. At 44,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. The transmission draws 12× the complaints of a quiet Explorer year, but the 2020 is still young: half of its transmission complaints so far came in by 44k miles, and that mark will move as owners add miles. Check your powertrain warranty first.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Ford Explorer?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (505), seats (41), electrical system (189), engine (126), visibility and wipers (70). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 8k–78k miles.
How many recalls does the 2020 Ford Explorer have?
33 recall campaigns list this model year: Seats (NHTSA 26V-451), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 26V-402), Seat belts (NHTSA 26V-159), Backup camera (NHTSA 26V-123) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.