Ford Explorer / 2020
2020 Ford Explorer problems
Owners have filed 1,681 complaints about the 2020 Ford Explorer with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 28.1% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of electrical system at 11%.
Complaints1,681
Crashes54
Fires16
Injuries49
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Power train 28.1% · 473
Unknown or other 12.0% · 202
Electrical system 11.0% · 185
Engine 6.7% · 112
Back over prevention 6.7% · 112
Forward collision avoidance 5.0% · 84
Service brakes 4.8% · 80
Visibility/wiper 3.3% · 55
Severity
Of those complaints, 54 describe a crash, 16 describe a fire and 49 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 33 model years of the Ford Explorer in this data, 2020 sits 11th by complaint volume. 2002 draws the most.
Filings are rising — 913 in the last three years against 582 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 15,900 miles.
In owners' own words
We been getting AWD malfunctions alerts, causing the vehicle to not go into AWD. Took it to the dealership they say this isn't covered under the powertrain and we need to replace the AWD module on our 2020 Ford explorer. Reading other Forums, sounds like this is a common issue with the explorer but the dealership won't cover under powertrain warranty even thought this component powers the AWD part of the powertrain. Power train
The vehicle has started itself 4 times in the last 24 hours. It does not automatically shut off and the keys are not in the vehicle. It locks and starts as if it was auto started but does not shut off and no one has started the vehicle. It has been stationary and parked when this happened. This is not the only issue I am experiencing. It has also had transmission shifting issues as well as hill start assist issues. Power train · reported at 11,000 miles
While driving on the highwaythe 'steering fault service now light' came up on the dashboard while traveling 75 mph miles on odometer 900. After stopping the car and restarting it the 'steering loss stop safely' message popped up on the dashboard I had to drive to the dealership with no power steering or any transmission options like sport, economy, regular, deep snow, no assist for uphill or downhill parking Power train · reported at 900 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…