Problems · by component

2020 Ford Explorer back over prevention problems

104 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2020 Ford Explorer cite back over prevention, 8% of all 1,247 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 9 recalls on this component.

Complaints
104
8% of all complaints
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the back over prevention

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“SUMMARY OF FACTS FOR LEGAL CONSULTATION Bad Faith Redhibition Claim — Louisiana Civil Code Art. 2545 Prepared for Attorney Consultation 1. Vehicle & Transaction Information Vehicle2020 Ford Explorer ST — AWDPurchase DateMarch 2025Purchase Structure17,000 trade-in applied 17,000 remaining loan balanceAdditional Warranty2,500 paid warranty purchased through dealership at time of saleSelling DealerIndependently licensed dealership (non-Ford franchise)Warranty ServiceWarranty work performed during coverage period 2. The Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 23-2174) Ford issued TSB 23-2174 in July 2023 — nearly two years before the vehicle was sold to the client. Key facts about the TSB: •Covers: 2020–2021 Ford Explorer/Lincoln Aviator AWD vehicles •Component affected: Front Axle Disconnect Actuator (FADA) — left side •Failure mode: FADA O-ring seal failure causing AWD malfunction, triggering powertrain warning light (wrench icon) with DTCs C00A6 and/or C0631 •Required repair per TSB: Full replacement of FADA with revised intermediate shaft AND reprogramming of transfer case control module •Result of proper TSB repair: Permanently eliminates front axle disconnect…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 11, 2026Power train, Forward collision avoidance, Back over preventionODI 11723709
“Rear camera does not detect traffic passing or people walking behind the vehicle.Sometimes the screen goes blue. Crash alert goes off any time it wants. Even when parked.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 20, 2025Unknown or other, Back over preventionODI 11706332
“My suv was expired last dec and didnt know I just got that since April 2025 and I have to pay my own self for fix suv It not my fault and there no warranty for me check suv and fix recall”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 12, 2025Unknown or other, Back over preventionODI 11687009
“1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The issue pertains to a water leak in the rear liftgate area and/or water accumulation in the spare tire area, potentially accompanied by a lack of audio functionality in my 2020 Ford Explore ST as outlined in TSB 24-2044 (NHTSA ID: 102514). The affected component is the rear liftgate structure and associated seals, which allow water ingress, particularly noticeable after car washes or rainfall. The entire sound system to include any collision and impact warnings have failed to chime. 2. The water leak in the rear liftgate and spare tire area poses potential safety risks. Accumulated water can damage electrical components, such as wiring or audio systems, which may lead to malfunctions in critical vehicle systems. For example, water ingress could affect rear lighting, sensors, or other electronic modules, potentially compromising visibility or functionality during operation. Additionally, water accumulation may contribute to corrosion or mold growth, posing long-term structural or health risks for occupants. These issues could reduce vehicle reliability and…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 11, 2025Electrical system, Structure, Back over preventionODI 11679932
“The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was recently repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V159000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the vehicle experienced a failure with the back over prevention system. The contact stated that the image on the screen was occasionally blue, or the image was frozen. The contact had taken the vehicle back to the same dealer and was informed there would be a charge for a diagnostic test and the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 16, 2025Back over preventionODI 11667216
“The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the touchscreen monitor and backup camera display were extremely hot to the touch. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 104,009.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 10, 2025Electrical system, Back over preventionODI 11647429

Showing 6 of 104 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

9 recalls on this component

Back over prevention: software

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Back over preventionReported Mar 4, 2026NHTSA 26V123000

Back over prevention: software

Free remedy

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.

Back over preventionReported Jun 27, 2025NHTSA 25V442000

Back over prevention: software

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V-342. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.

Back over preventionReported Mar 14, 2025NHTSA 25V159000

Back over prevention: camera

Free remedy

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."

Back over preventionReported Mar 8, 2024NHTSA 24V188000

Back over prevention: camera

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.

Back over preventionReported May 12, 2023NHTSA 23V342000

Back over prevention: display function

Free remedy

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."

Back over preventionReported Apr 28, 2023NHTSA 23V305000

Back over prevention: camera

Remedy pending

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.

Back over preventionReported Jan 23, 2023NHTSA 23V022000

Back over prevention: software

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Corsair, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with 360-degree cameras. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.

Back over preventionReported Sep 22, 2021NHTSA 21V735000

Back over prevention: camera

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair 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 (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Back over preventionReported Sep 23, 2020NHTSA 20V575000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026

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