Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2020 Ford ExplorerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 33 safety recalls and 1,247 owner complaints for the 2020 Ford Explorer. Most complaints involve power train (503) and electrical system (186). The EPA rates it 19–28 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
19–28mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
33campaigns
Latest Jul 2026
Owner complaints
1,247
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

33 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seats: mid

Remedy pending

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.

SeatsReported Jul 15, 2026NHTSA 26V451000

Power train: automatic transmission

Remedy pending

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.

Power trainReported Jun 24, 2026NHTSA 26V402000

Seat belts

Free remedy

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.

Seat beltsReported Mar 17, 2026NHTSA 26V159000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,247 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2019 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train503
  2. Electrical system186
  3. Engine117
  4. Back over prevention104
  5. Service brakes81
  6. Forward collision avoidance71
  7. Visibility/wiper58
  8. Exterior lighting56
  9. Structure46

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Explorer model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
19961,468
19971,789
19982,099
19991,465
20001,078
2001730
20023,613
20031,313
20041,408
2005568
2006635
2007208
2008148
200933
2010115
20111,197
2012830
20132,237
20141,684
20151,814
20162,464
20171,713
2018733
2019302
20201,247
2021452
2022271
2023113
202421
2025107
202644
Crashes reported
37
Fires reported
10
Injuries reported
38
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

503 reports9 crashes
“For the past year i have been dealing with the 4wd fault where a lost connection to the module and im not the only one i belong to a group on facebook where they are always asking the same questions about who has the same problem and i feel like this should of been recalled a long time ago”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2026Power trainODI 11774119

Electrical system

186 reports3 crashes4 fires
“My 2020 Ford Explorer previously received a safety recall repair under Ford Recall 23S23 for the 360-degree/rearview camera system. Unfortunately, the camera system is malfunctioning again following that repair. The 360-degree display intermittently shows solid blue/teal or black areas instead of properly displaying the vehicle’s surroundings. The camera images also become washed out, distorted, or unusually dark, reducing visibility when reversing. Additionally, my instrument cluster displays the warning “Reverse Brake Assist Not Available – See Manual.” These problems raise serious safety concerns because the vehicle’s camera visibility is compromised while another safety system reports that it is unavailable. This creates potential risks when backing near children, pedestrians, other vehicles, or obstacles. I have photographs documenting the camera malfunctions and dashboard warning. Ford subsequently issued Recall 25S27 after discovering that certain vehicles previously repaired under Recall 23S23 may not have received the correct remedy, even though the repairs were recorded as completed. I have not yet received confirmation whether Recall 25S27 applies to…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11772252

Engine

117 reports3 crashes4 fires
“My transmission had been getting increasingly jerky (was never a smooth ride since it was new). At 55k miles, I was driving down the road and my car started to jerk roughly and would not shift gears. It would go and jerk, hard, like I hit something. We made it home but the next day it was even worse. I noted it was jerking around 25 mph and randomly at other speeds. I drove it to Ford, where we were under the impression there was an upcoming transmission recall, but we also thought our extended warranty was still in effect. Instead, they realized the transmission recall is for something different and we were lied to about our warranty, so it had been backdated and covered the 2 years prior to purchase, not the life of the loan as we had been told, and what we went in to do. The employees, mechanics, and forums, if you type (2020 Explorer transmission) quickly painted the picture that this is a VERY common issue and a KNOWN issue at that. Rough jerking. Rebuild transmission. Aside from knowing about this EXACT problem, and it being repeated everywhere, and acknowledged from FORD employees that they see it several times a day, I found that there was a huge…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11771475
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.3L 6-cyl hybrid · 2.3L 4-cyl turbo · 3.0L 6-cyl turbo · 3.3L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S10)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Explorer HEV RWD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
272928$2,300322
Explorer HEV AWD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
232625$2,550361
Explorer RWD
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
212824$2,700370
Explorer AWD
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
202723$2,800386
Explorer AWD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
182420$3,200446
Explorer FFV AWD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
162319$3,400468
  • Explorer HEV RWD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    27 city · 29 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Explorer HEV AWD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    23 city · 26 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Explorer RWD
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    21 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Explorer AWD
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Explorer AWD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Explorer FFV AWD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Ford Explorer SUV 4WD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.1%
Overall
5 / 5
Ford Explorer SUV RWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 14931Vehicle 14894
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2020 Explorer questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Ford Explorer have?

33 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2020 Ford Explorer problems?

Owners filed 1,247 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (503), electrical system (186), engine (117). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Ford Explorer get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Ford Explorer at 19–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Ford Explorer?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Ford Explorer 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026