YearToAvoid

2020 Ford Explorer Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2020 Ford Explorer has a complaint index of 95, the second-worst of 21 model years, with 1,218 complaints and 33 recall campaigns. Transmission & Powertrain problems dominate at 40% of complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Explorer years.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
95/100
#2 of 21 Explorer years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
1,218
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
33
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
35
reported in complaints
Fires
10
Injuries
38
Top issue
Transmission & Powertrain
Best nearby year
2019
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
23.5
20.5 city / 26.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
38 / 0

Top 2020 Ford Explorer problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain487 (40%)
  2. Electrical System230 (19%)
  3. Other211 (17%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras163 (13%)
  5. Engine162 (13%)
  6. Structure & Body89 (7%)
  7. Brakes88 (7%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers66 (5%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires51 (4%)
  10. Fuel System42 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report the steering failing suddenly while driving, in one case repeatedly over several months before a crash.
  • Some describe the transmission revving as if in neutral or unexpectedly slipping into reverse during low-speed maneuvers.
  • Vehicles parked on an incline with the parking brake engaged have rolled unexpectedly and struck other objects.
  • The forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking systems reportedly failed to engage or alert before a crash.
  • The backup camera has gone blank or shown a blue screen intermittently, including right after dealership software updates, contributing to collisions.
  • Owners report electrical fires starting while the vehicle was parked and off, and smoke coming from the sun visor while driving.
  • Some describe brake failure at low speed with no warning light, resulting in a rear-end collision.
2020 Ford Explorer complaints: complaints filed per quarter1032019 Q42020 Q42021 Q42022 Q42023 Q42024 Q42025 Q4
1,218 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2019 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2025 Q3 (103).

2020 Ford Explorer recalls

33 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 33 recalls for the 2020 Ford Explorer →

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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Caution60731720
2019Good30296620
2020Avoid951,2183323.5
2021Caution654262623
2022Caution502672422

All Ford Explorer years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Ford Explorer reliable?
Compared with other Explorer model years, 2020 ranks poorly. It has a complaint index of 95, the second-highest (worst) among 21 model years tracked, and carries an Avoid verdict.
What is the biggest problem with the 2020 Ford Explorer?
Transmission & Powertrain issues are the top problem area, accounting for 487 complaints, or 40% of all complaints filed for this year, with a median failure mileage of 41,000 miles.
Does the 2020 Ford Explorer have recalls?
NHTSA lists 33 recall campaigns tied to the 2020 Explorer, covering areas including transmission park pawl engagement, seat belt anchor bolts, second-row seat switches, wiper motors, and camera display issues.
How does the 2020 Explorer compare to other years?
Only 2016 (complaint index 100) ranks worse than 2020 (index 95) among the 21 model years covered. Years like 2009, 2008, and 2019 score far lower and carry Good verdicts.
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Ford Explorer?
EPA rates the 2020 Explorer at 23.5 mpg combined (20.5 city / 26.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,750.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.