2020 Ford Explorer
Common Problems
Ranked from 464 federal NHTSA complaints and 14 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
36 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Sunroof Shade Malfunction
241complaintsSafety riskOtherThe sunroof shade fails to retract properly, blocking rear visibility.
Related recalls: 20V549000, 24V852000
- 2
Back Over Prevention System Failure
108complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe rearview camera intermittently displays a blue screen, rendering the back over prevention system ineffective.
Related recalls: 19V687000, 23V626000, 25V685000
- 3
Transmission failure
19complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission has failed, leading to loss of power and difficulty starting the vehicle.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 19V575000, 23V069000, 23V199000, 26V402000
- 4
Electrical System Issues
16complaintsMedium severityElectricalMultiple electrical system failures including dashboard notifications and display malfunctions.
Related recalls: 19V687000, 23V626000, 25V685000
- 5
Transmission shifting issues
14complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission experiences unexpected downshifting and harsh shifting, leading to potential loss of control and safety risks.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 19V575000, 23V069000, 23V199000, 26V402000
- 6
Transmission Malfunction
13complaintsHigh severityTransmissionTransmission shifts roughly, fails to engage gears, and randomly shifts out of gear, posing a safety risk.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 19V575000, 23V069000, 23V199000, 26V402000
- 7
Engine Performance Issues
8complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine experiences intermittent performance issues, such as loss of power, unusual noises, and stalling.
Related recalls: 20V788000, 24V598000, 25V685000
- 8
Headlight Assembly Failure
8complaintsHigh severityOtherLED headlight assemblies fail, causing loss of both headlights and dashboard warning.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 20V549000, 24V852000
- 9
Panoramic sunroof shade failure
7complaintsMedium severityOtherThe sunroof shade has sagged or detached, obstructing rear visibility.
Related recalls: 20V549000, 24V852000
- 10
Sunroof Mechanism Failure
7complaintsMedium severityOtherThe sunroof mechanism fails to operate correctly, obstructing rear visibility.
Related recalls: 20V549000, 24V852000
- 11
Suspension Problems
7complaintsMedium severitySuspensionSuspension issues leading to vibrations and jerking during braking and driving at low speeds.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V154000
- 12
Brake System Malfunction
6complaintsMedium severityBrakesThe brake system occasionally fails to engage properly, causing unintended acceleration and difficulty in controlling the vehicle.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 13
Forward collision avoidance system malfunction
6complaintsMedium severityOtherThe forward collision avoidance system has failed, leading to loss of safety features.
Related recalls: 20V549000, 24V852000
- 14
Powertrain malfunctions
6complaintsHigh severityTransmissionIssues with the powertrain, such as transmission failures and engine stalling, pose significant safety risks.
Related recalls: 19V575000, 23V069000, 23V199000, 26V402000
- 15
Headlight failures
5complaintsMedium severityElectricalHeadlights, particularly the low beams, fail to function properly, leading to reduced visibility and potential accidents.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 19V687000, 23V626000, 25V685000
- 16
Transmission Jerking and Hard Shifting
5complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission frequently jerks and shifts abruptly, causing the vehicle to become difficult to control.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 19V575000, 23V069000, 23V199000, 26V402000
- 17
Unreliable Forward Collision Avoidance System
5complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe forward collision avoidance system intermittently fails, leading to poor visibility and safety concerns.
Related recalls: 19V687000, 23V626000, 25V685000
- 18
Engine Malfunctions
4complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine experiences issues such as stalling, misfires, and abnormal noises, often requiring major repairs.
Related recalls: 20V788000, 24V598000, 25V685000
- 19
Exhaust System Problems
4complaintsMedium severityFuel systemExhaust system issues lead to fumes entering the cabin and loud noises, potentially compromising cabin air quality and vehicle performance.
Related recalls: 19V859000, 20V730000
- 20
Transmission failure leading to jerky and delayed shifting
4complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission experiences jerky, delayed, and unpredictable shifting behaviors, especially at speeds between 27 and 30 mph and higher.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 19V575000, 23V069000, 23V199000, 26V402000
- 21
Headrest Malfunction
3complaintsMedium severityOtherHeadrests in the third-row seats do not lock properly, posing a risk to passengers, especially children.
Related recalls: 20V549000, 24V852000
- 22
Suspension Component Failure
3complaintsMedium severitySuspensionSuspension components such as struts and control arms break or become damaged, leading to potential loss of control.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V154000
- 23
Transmission failure leading to loss of power and stalling
3complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission fails to operate as designed, leading to loss of motive power and stalling, especially at lower speeds.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 19V575000, 23V069000, 23V199000, 26V402000
- 24
All-Wheel Drive Malfunction
2complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe all-wheel drive system malfunctions, leading to loss of traction and reduced vehicle performance.
Related recalls: 19V859000, 20V730000
- 25
Driver's Side Headlight Failure
2complaintsLow severityElectricalThe driver's side headlight intermittently fails to illuminate, affecting visibility.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 19V687000, 23V626000, 25V685000
- 26
Engine Overheating
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine overheats, leading to reduced power and transmission issues.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 20V788000, 24V598000, 25V685000
- 27
Engine Stall at Idle
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls at idle, especially when accelerating from low speeds, causing loss of power.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 20V788000, 24V598000, 25V685000
- 28
Exhaust Pipe Vibration and Rattle
2complaintsLow severityFuel systemThe exhaust pipe vibrates and rattle, causing discomfort and potential issues with the powertrain.
Related recalls: 19V859000, 20V730000
- 29
Fuel Gauge Malfunction
2complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe fuel gauge shows zero fuel, leading to unexpected engine shutdown and potential accidents.
Related recalls: 19V859000, 20V730000
- 30
Fuel System Leaks
2complaintsLow severityFuel systemFuel system leaks occur, leading to fuel odors and potential safety risks.
Related recalls: 19V859000, 20V730000
- 31
Headlight Failure
2complaintsMedium severityElectricalFront headlights fail unexpectedly, posing a safety risk and requiring expensive replacement.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 19V687000, 23V626000, 25V685000
- 32
Pre-Collision Assist System Malfunction
2complaintsMedium severityOtherThe pre-collision assist system malfunctions, leading to lane departure and potential accidents.
Related recalls: 20V549000, 24V852000
- 33
Steering Assist Failures
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringSteering assist malfunctions cause difficulty in steering and warning lights, affecting vehicle control.
- 34
Steering Column Noise and Failure
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering column produces creaking and screeching noises, indicating potential failure.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 35
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure
2complaintsHigh severityFuel systemThe transmission oil cooler develops a leak, causing the transmission to fail.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 19V859000, 20V730000
- 36
Transmission slipping
2complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission is slipping, causing poor performance and reduced fuel efficiency.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 19V575000, 23V069000, 23V199000, 26V402000
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.