Ford · Known Issues
2020 Ford Explorer Problems: 15 Known Issues
2020 model year · 1,701+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2020 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2020 model year · 1,701+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2020 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
Interest applies to the selected vehicle and configuration; it is not a reservation. Voting stores a first-party identifier for up to 180 days to prevent repeat votes. No account or email is needed. Clearing cookies or using another device may count separately. Privacy
Visual coming soon
Your interest helps us choose what to build next.
Visual Known Issues · Coming soon
$4.99/month plus taxes at launch · No payment today
According to Au7o's analysis of 1,701+ owner reports, the 2020 Ford Explorer has 15 documented known issues, with 4 rated critical. The most serious are Rear Axle Mounting Bolt Fracture ($0-$2,500 repair), Front Windshield Wiper Motor Failure (Recall 26V117 / 26S14) ($0-$500 repair), Improperly Secured Seat Belt Anchor / Buckle Bolts May Not Restrain Occupants in a Crash (Recall 25V093) ($0-$0 repair) and Rear Driveshaft Weld-Seam Fracture (Recall 20V693000 / 20S65) ($0-$0 repair). The most commonly reported issue is Rear Axle Mounting Bolt Fracture with 678 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $100 to $6,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 3.3L Hybrid engines. The 12-Volt battery cable may chafe against the Belt-integrated Starter Generat (BiSG) and short circuit.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
TRAILER HITCHES
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Explorer and 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.
+ 43 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
Don't see your problem? Describe your symptoms to get a diagnosis, or get a full repair guide.
According to Au7o's analysis of 1,701+ owner reports, the 2020 Ford Explorer has 15 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Rear Axle Mounting Bolt Fracture, Front Windshield Wiper Motor Failure (Recall 26V117 / 26S14), Improperly Secured Seat Belt Anchor / Buckle Bolts May Not Restrain Occupants in a Crash (Recall 25V093). Of these, 4 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2020 Ford Explorer has 15 known issues documented across 1,701+ owner reports. 4 issues are rated critical: Rear Axle Mounting Bolt Fracture and Front Windshield Wiper Motor Failure (Recall 26V117 / 26S14) and Improperly Secured Seat Belt Anchor / Buckle Bolts May Not Restrain Occupants in a Crash (Recall 25V093) and Rear Driveshaft Weld-Seam Fracture (Recall 20V693000 / 20S65). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Ford Explorer issues range from $0 to $6,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Rear Axle Mounting Bolt Fracture, typically costs $0-$2,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture, causing the rear axle housing to move out of position. This can result in the driveshaft or half-shafts becoming disconnected, leading to loss of forward power and loss of transmission torque to the rear wheels, significantly i… Repairs typically run $0-$2,500. Severity: high.
The front windshield wiper motor can fail because the motor cover terminal is not properly aligned with the brush-card terminal, creating a poor internal electrical connection. This causes intermittent wiper operation or complete failure of the wipers, reducing visibility in rain… Repairs typically run $0-$500. Severity: high.
Certain 2020-2021 Explorers (and Lincoln Aviators) may have improperly secured seat belt buckle anchor bolts at one or more seating positions, and/or an improperly secured seat belt retractor anchor bolt or anchor bolt at the second-row center seating position. A loose seat belt… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
Certain 2020 AWD Explorers (and the Lincoln Aviator) left the Chicago Assembly Plant with an inadequately welded rear driveshaft. The weld seam can fracture, allowing the driveshaft to deform and separate from the driveline; this severs the mechanical connection between the trans… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
The 10R60 10-speed automatic transmission exhibits harsh shifting, delayed gear engagement, slipping between gears, and erratic behavior. Ford identified that actuators in the transmission are sometimes too tight, causing abnormal shifts. The transmission adaptive learning can al… Repairs typically run $150-$6,500. Severity: medium.
A software failure in the 360-degree camera system's image processing module can cause the rearview camera to display a blank/black image when the vehicle is placed in reverse, or the image may remain frozen on the display after the backing event has ended. This affects driver vi… Repairs typically run $0-$800. Severity: medium.
Owners report repeated dead batteries from a parasitic draw that exceeds Ford's ~50 mA key-off spec; affected Explorers have measured ~200 mA, killing a battery in about three days of sitting. Culprits traced on the forums include the in-vehicle WiFi hotspot/modem module, the API… Repairs typically run $100-$600. Severity: medium.
Explorer owners frequently report the A/C compressor failing internally, leaving the system unable to produce cold air. A failing compressor can seize or shed metal debris, sometimes accompanied by a whining noise and a burning smell. When the compressor comes apart it can contam… Repairs typically run $800-$1,600. Severity: medium.
Explorers equipped with the dual-panel/panoramic moonroof are widely reported to leak water into the cabin and, less often, to have the tempered roof glass spontaneously shatter ('exploding sunroof'). Leaks typically present as water dripping from the overhead console / map-light… Repairs typically run $0-$1,500. Severity: medium.
Sixth-generation Explorers exhibit water intrusion into the rear of the vehicle, pooling in the spare-tire well and cargo floor. Ford addressed it with TSBs (e.g., 20-2425 / 23-2181) that trace leaks to missing or poorly seated seals behind the tail lamps, unsealed liftgate/body… Repairs typically run $150-$700. Severity: medium.
Explorers (especially the Sport and Platinum) with the twin-turbocharged 3.5L EcoBoost are widely reported to develop cylinder misfires, a flashing check-engine light, rough idle and a loss of power that owners frequently chase by replacing ignition coils and spark plugs. The tur… Repairs typically run $120-$900. Severity: medium.
Early sixth-generation Explorers with SYNC 3 experience the center touchscreen freezing unresponsive or going fully black — frequently when Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connects — losing audio, climate, and backup-camera display until a reset. Ford traced many cases to outdated API… Repairs typically run $0-$300. Severity: low.
A very common check-engine cause on the Explorer is an EVAP small-leak code, most often from a stuck or leaking canister purge valve, but also from the capless fuel filler seal, vent valve, or a loose/faulty gas cap. The purge valve controls fuel-vapor flow from the charcoal cani… Repairs typically run $150-$350. Severity: low.
Sixth-generation Explorers commonly have the Auto Start-Stop feature stop functioning, showing 'Auto Start-Stop Not Ready.' The most common causes are a weak or degraded battery, a failed auxiliary/AGM battery that supports the restart function, or an inaccurate battery current (… Repairs typically run $250-$550. Severity: low.
The aluminum hood (and to a lesser extent other aluminum panels) develops paint bubbling, blistering and flaking, most often along the leading edge of the hood. The defect is attributed to iron particle contamination of the aluminum panel before paint, which corrodes from within… Repairs typically run $500-$1,500. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.