Federal safety data shows 11 recalls and 1,070 complaints for the 2020 Ford Explorer, a elevated safety profile overall. Check the known issues section below for the most common problem areas.

Recalls

1,070

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

20V5490002020-10-09

SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer vehicles. 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.

View at NHTSA

20V7300002020-24-11

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer vehicles equipped with 2.3L engines and 19 gallon fuel tanks. 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.

View at NHTSA

19V6870002019-30-09

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 2.3L or 3.3L engines. 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.

View at NHTSA

View all 11 recalls

23V0690002023-10-02

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission. 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.

View at NHTSA

23V1990002023-24-03

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L RWD, 3.3L GAS, 3.3L FHEV, or 3.0L ST powertrain. The previous powertrain control module (PCM) update completed under recall 22V-255 did not include the automatic electronic parking brake feature when the vehicle is shifted to park, as intended. 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.

View at NHTSA

23V3050002023-28-04

BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with a 12.1-inch Integrated Computer Screen (ICS). 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

View at NHTSA

23V6750002023-06-10

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles. 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.

View at NHTSA

24V1880002024-08-03

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

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.

View at NHTSA

24V5980002024-10-08

ENGINE

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with the Police Interceptor Utility Package. 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.

View at NHTSA

25V1660002025-14-03

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 23V-199 or 22V-255. 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. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

26V1590002026-17-03

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.

A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

Of 1,070 issues reported over 1 model years, power train problems are the most common for the 2020 Ford Explorer. A pre-purchase inspection should focus here first.

01Power Train282

02Unknown Or Other110

03Back Over Prevention56

04Electrical System43

05Engine39

1,070 total across 1 model years (2020–2020)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Ford Explorer Fuel Economy

19–28mpg combined

16-27city

23-29hwy

$1,550-$2,300/yr

The 2020 Ford Explorer delivers 19 to 28 MPG combined across 6 powertrain combinations. If fuel cost matters to you, pay attention to engine and drivetrain. The spread is significant.

By Trim

Explorer HEV RWD - Automatic (S10)

28mpg

3.3L 6-cyl · Rear-Wheel Drive

27 city29 hwy~$1,550/yr6/10 Average

Explorer HEV AWD - Automatic (S10)

25mpg

3.3L 6-cyl · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

23 city26 hwy~$1,750/yr5/10 Average

Explorer RWD - Automatic (S10)

24mpg

2.3L 4-cyl Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive

21 city28 hwy~$1,800/yr5/10 Average

Explorer AWD - Automatic (S10)

23mpg

2.3L 4-cyl Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

20 city27 hwy~$1,900/yr5/10 Average

Explorer AWD - Automatic (S10)

20mpg

3.0L 6-cyl Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

18 city24 hwy~$2,200/yr4/10 Average

Explorer FFV AWD - Automatic (S10)

19mpg

3.3L 6-cyl · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

16 city23 hwy~$2,300/yr3/10 Poor

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 2020 Ford Explorer

37States

29%in top 3

Michigan has the most inventory at 12%, with options spread across 37 states. Willing to ship? Your selection opens up significantly.

MIMichigan

4,68912%

TXTexas

4,16411%

FLFlorida

2,6097%

PAPennsylvania

2,1445%

CACalifornia

1,8735%

ILIllinois

1,4664%

DEDelaware

1,4424%

GAGeorgia

1,3964%

MOMissouri

1,3573%

NYNew York

1,3413%

NJNew Jersey

1,1703%

OHOhio

1,1383%

NCNorth Carolina

1,0723%

DCWashington DC

9382%

AZArizona

8462%

TNTennessee

8442%

MDMaryland

8122%

COColorado

7382%

MN730

OKOklahoma

6512%

NH546

IN507

WA471

AL443

KY413

WI399

IA376

UT370

OR346

MA311

RI307

VA291

ID287

NV282

NE279

AR256

CT251

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 2020.

Buying a 2020 Ford Explorer?

Answers to common buyer questions

Is the 2020 Ford Explorer a good car to buy?

The 2020 Ford Explorer has 11 recalls on record. There are 11 recalls on record, so check that they've been completed before buying. The most commonly reported issue area is power train, which is worth inspecting during a test drive. Review the safety data and pricing breakdown above.

Are there recalls on the 2020 Ford Explorer?

There are 11 documented recalls for the 2020 Ford Explorer. Don't let that scare you; most are routine. Just make sure they're all resolved before you sign. Details in the safety overview.

What's the gas mileage of the 2020 Ford Explorer?

Fuel economy ranges from 19 to 28 MPG combined. If you drive 15,000 miles a year, that gap is worth about $888 annually. See the fuel economy section for per-trim data.

What are common problems with the 2020 Ford Explorer?

POWER TRAIN is the number-one complaint area for the 2020 Ford Explorer, based on 1,070 NHTSA filings. During a test drive, pay extra attention to this system. See the known issues section for the full breakdown.