The Lemon Index2020 Ford Explorer.
The 2020 Ford Explorer is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 525 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 248, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 33 recalls, and it gets 19 to 28 mpg combined. The best Ford Explorer year is 2008.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,238 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ford Explorer year. 2020 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 66K miles on the car (413 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 8K–78K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 5K–52K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 2K–84K miles
Recalls 33
- seats 2026
The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
- transmission & drivetrain 2026
The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
- seat belts 2026
The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.
Show all 33 recalls
- back over prevention 2026
The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
- visibility 2026
The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.
- equipment 2025
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
- back over prevention 2025
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.
- seats 2025
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 2025
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
- transmission & drivetrain 2025
The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
- seat belts 2025
The seat belt buckle anchor bolts at one or more seating positions may be improperly secured.
- equipment 2024
The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard.
- engine 2024
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 comp…
- back over prevention 2024
Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image.
- transmission & drivetrain 2023
The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
- electrical 2023
A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
- back over prevention 2023
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
- back over prevention 2023
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.
- transmission & drivetrain 2023
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.
- transmission & drivetrain 2023
An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage.
- back over prevention 2023
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
- back over prevention 2021
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
- suspension 2021
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.
- engine 2020
The right hand motor mount fasteners may have been incorrectly tightened, and may loosen over time.
- fuel system, gasoline 2020
The fuel tank inlet check valve may not be fully welded to the fuel tank shell.
- transmission & drivetrain 2020
The drive shaft may fracture along the weld seam.
- back over prevention 2020
Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image.
- seat belts 2020
The affected vehicles are equipped with second row center seat belt buckles that may not be properly secured to the seat.
- airbags 2020
The side air bag and/or seat back module attachments may not have been properly tightened in the front seat backs.
- fuel system, gasoline 2019
Over time, the protective sleeve on the vapor fuel line may chafe through the plastic liquid fuel line and cause a fuel leak.
- electrical 2019
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.
- seats 2019
Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms.
- transmission & drivetrain 2019
The Manual Park Release (MPR) cover may not be installed.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 365 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some of the affected vehicles may be stuck in low gear after first staring the engine, the…
- Some 2020 Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with a 10R80 MHT…
- Intermittent or constant blank/black screen
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenRearview camera fmvss 111 noncompliance2021
- ClosedUnderbody shields detachment2025–2026
- ClosedRear axle bolt failure2023–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Explorer SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Explorer SUV RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Explorer HEV SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Explorer HEV SUV RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2300–3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Cars jerking while upshifting or downshifting at regular speed.
2020 Ford Explorer owner · NHTSA complaint 11537294
More owner reports
Car hesitates on acceleration; almost hit by oncoming traffic. Dealer reports a broken axle on 4 wheel drive assembly. Apparently there is an open investigation on this?
NHTSA complaint 11531299
While slowing down the car feels like the engine shakes and when I start to drive jumps when I accelerate also when Iâm on brake it also starts to jump maybe transmission or engine problems
NHTSA complaint 11544172
Quick answers
Is the 2020 Ford Explorer reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.5× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 248; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Explorer year by this measure since 2010 is 2024.
What are the most common 2020 Ford Explorer problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (34%), electrical (18%) and backup camera (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2020 Ford Explorer have?
33 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Ford Explorer get?
19 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2020 Ford Explorer safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2020 Ford Explorer problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 5,700 and 66,000 miles. The middle report was at 23,500 miles, from 413 complaints.
Does the 2020 Ford Explorer have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 34% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2020 Ford Explorer cost in fuel a year?
About $2300 to $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2020 Ford Explorer have?
2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
What Ford Explorer year is better than the 2020?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2018 and 2010.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works