2020 Ford Explorer Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
80/100
#4 most-complained of 16 Explorer years
The 2020 Ford Explorer ranks 4th worst out of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 80 and 1,218 complaints filed with NHTSA, giving it an
- Complaints
- 1,218
- Recalls
- 33
- Crashes / fires
- 35 / 10
- Injuries / deaths
- 38 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23.5
- 20.5 city / 26.5 hwy
Top 2020 Ford Explorer problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain487 (40%)
- Electrical System230 (19%)
- Other211 (17%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras163 (13%)
- Engine162 (13%)
- Structure & Body89 (7%)
- Brakes88 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers66 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires51 (4%)
- Fuel System42 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report the steering can fail intermittently while driving, in some cases repeatedly on the same vehicle before a crash occurs.
- Some describe the transmission behaving unpredictably, revving as if in neutral before suddenly engaging reverse or rolling away while parked despite the parking brake being set.
- Several owners say the collision warning and automatic emergency braking systems fail to alert or engage before a rear-end collision.
- Backup camera failures are reported, including intermittent blue screens or complete loss of image that led to low-speed collisions.
- Electrical fires have been reported both while parked with the engine off and while driving, including smoke coming from the passenger sun visor.
- Some owners describe a sudden loss of braking function at low speed with no warning light illuminated.
2020 Ford Explorer recalls
33 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V451000Jul 14, 2026Structure & Body387,911 vehicles
Seats:mid/rear assembly
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
Risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed August 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Lincoln Aviator owner notification letters were mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S52. This recall expands Recall 25V393. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
- NHTSA 26V402000Jun 24, 2026Transmission & Powertrain741,195 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
Risk: Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.
- NHTSA 26V159000Mar 17, 2026Seat Belts561 vehicles
Seat belts
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.
Risk: A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C18. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.
2020 Ford Explorer fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20.5 MPG
- Highway
- 26.5 MPG
- Combined
- 23.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,750
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2020 compared with other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Ford Explorer reliable?
- NHTSA data lists 1,218 complaints and 33 recalls for the 2020 Explorer, giving it a complaint index of 80 and a rank of 4th worst among 16 model years, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Explorer years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2020 Ford Explorer?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues are the top complaint category, accounting for 487 complaints (40% of the total) with a median failure mileage of 41,000 miles.
- Does the 2020 Ford Explorer have a transmission recall?
- Yes, recall 26V402000 covers 2020-2021 Explorer vehicles where the transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion.
- Are there fire risks with the 2020 Ford Explorer?
- NHTSA lists 10 fire-related complaints for the 2020 Explorer, with the Electrical System problem area showing 4 fires among its 230 complaints.
- How does the 2020 Explorer compare to other years?
- The 2020 model's complaint index of 80 is worse than the 2019 (7) and 2021 (40) model years, both of which carry Best or Good verdicts.