2020 Ford Explorer Suspension, Wheels & Tires Problems
NHTSA lists 51 Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints for the 2020 Ford Explorer, 4% of its 1,218 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 43,000. A related recall (21V154000) covers rear lower control arm bolts that may not have been properly heat-treated.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints
- 51
- 4% of 1,218
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 43,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical suspension symptoms owners report
- Rear lower control arm bolts loosen or detach, causing the wheel to sit at an angle and creating a loss-of-control risk, which is tied to recall 21V154000.
- Vehicles develop an abnormal thumping or roaring noise from the rear suspension, in one case appearing right after an unrelated recall repair.
- Owners describe unexplained vibration or swerving at highway speeds between 55 and 75 mph, sometimes with the dealer unable to duplicate the issue.
- Ball joints work loose, allowing the bolt connecting the wheel to the control arm to fall out and the wheel to concave.
- Front control arm failures cause a bumping sound while reversing followed by the vehicle failing to move forward.
- Some owners report new tires causing the vehicle to drift left or right at speeds above 55 mph.
When 2020 Ford Explorer suspension complaints were filed
First complaint May 24, 2020, latest Aug 21, 2026.
Suspension, Wheels & Tires recalls for the 2020 Ford Explorer
- NHTSA 21V154000Mar 10, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires49 vehicles
Suspension:rear
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles. 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.
Risk: Broken RLCA bolts can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace both RLCA bolts, free of charge. The recall began on April 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S11.
Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints by Explorer model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Is there a suspension recall on the 2020 Ford Explorer?
- Yes. Recall 21V154000, reported March 10, 2021, covers rear lower control arm bolts that may not have been properly heat-treated; Ford replaces both bolts for free.
- How common are suspension, wheel, and tire complaints on the 2020 Explorer?
- NHTSA has logged 51 complaints in this category for the 2020 Explorer, which is 4% of the 1,218 total complaints filed for that model year.
- At what mileage do suspension problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for suspension, wheel, and tire complaints on the 2020 Explorer is 43,000 miles.
- Have these suspension issues caused crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data for this component and model year shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries reported.
- How does the 2020 Explorer compare to other years for this problem?
- The 2020 Explorer's 4% share of complaints in this category is lower than years like 2014 and 2017, which each show 8%, though 2023 (12%) and 2024 (14%) show higher shares on far fewer total complaints.