The 2020 Ford Explorer is a reliable, safe, roomy SUV that’s fun to drive and excellent for outdoor adventures. Complaints are few and most drivers are more than happy with the purchase. But, a handful of reports of early transmission failure may have used SUV buyers looking at earlier model years.
- The 2020 Ford Explorer has 12 recalls on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one open investigation for rearview cameras, and 326 complaints.
- Loose bolts and bad welds have led to several recalls, but few complaints.
- Early transmission failure may be foretold by gear-sticking and engine stall in some units.
- Rearview camera complaints continue to roll in despite a recall more than a year ago.
- The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the 2020 Explorer a Top Safety Pick+, while the vehicle earned a five-star overall rating in the NHTSA’s crash tests.
The 2020 Explorer Has Seen Multiple Recalls for Bad Welds and Loose Bolts
Just 49 2020 Explorer units were recalled in 2021 for lower control arm bolts that were prone to breakage due to lack of heat treatment, over a thousand were recalled in 2020 for loose motor mount fasteners, and another 17 for a bad weld in the fuel system.
There was also a recall that year for poorly secured seat belts in 29 units, and one for loose air bags in nearly 500 units. Most of these recalls hit the 2020 Explorer in fairly low numbers, but it’s concerning that they just keep popping up.
There are eleven complaints on file for structural issues, with most of these pointing to an issue with the rear window defroster, which has a tendency in some units to overheat and shatter the window. There are few complaints on file that seem to have any connection to the recalled structural concerns.
That makes it sound like these recalls are no big deal, but because of the potential severity of these issues, you’ll want to check the VIN on any used Explorer you’re thinking of buying to make sure that the previous owner actually got any necessary repairs taken care of.
Gear Sticking May Lead to Early Transmission Failure
There are over one hundred complaints on file under powertrain, making up nearly a third of the total 326 complaints registered with the NHTSA for the 2020 Ford Explorer. These complaints generally point in the same direction: early powertrain failure.
Early signs see the transmission getting stuck as you shift through lower gears. Going from first into second, you may experience engine stall and total loss of locomotive power, which can, of course, pose a major safety hazard when pulling out of a stop light.
There was a recall in late 2020 for over 10,000 units with potential fractures in the drive shaft owing to a bad seam weld. It is unclear at present whether this is directly linked to the hundred or so powertrain issues reporting stalling, sticking, and early transmission failure.
All you can do as a used car buyer is to make sure you run a comprehensive test drive and inspection before making a purchase. See how the Explorer performs on hills, keep an ear out for any weird sounds, and try it out at both city and highway speeds.
Rearview Camera Complaints Persist Despite Recall
A recall was issued in late 2021 for nearly a quarter million Fords with fidgety rearview cameras. In affected units, the video output has a tendency to fail, leaving drivers backing up blind. 2020 and 2021 Explorers were included along with Lincoln Corsairs and Aviators.
There have been around 25 complaints of rearview camera failure since then, with the latest being registered in late October, 2022, shortly before the time of this writing, so the number may be a bit higher by the time you read this report.
With just 46 complaints on file in total, this might not qualify as a major issue with the 2020 Explorer, but with so many of these complaints having been made over a year after the recall went into effect, you can’t blame a used car buyer for wondering whether Ford has actually fixed the problem.
This is another one of those instances where your only option is to check it out on the test drive. Most 2020 Explorer drivers will never have an issue with the rearview camera. Either the recall repairs will stick, or the problem will never come up in the first place. Just keep an eye on the monitor when you get behind the wheel.
The 2020 Ford Explorer’s Issues Are Mostly Pretty Minor, But Early Powertrain Failure is Worrying
The 2020 Explorer would be one of the better used SUVs on the road today, if not for the vehicle’s issues with early transmission failure. The frustrating thing is that, with just over 100 complaints on file, that affects a small minority of Explorers. But why take the risk when the 2019 edition has just one powertrain complaint on file?
If you can get a good deal on a 2020 Explorer, chances are that you won’t regret the purchase. It’s been recalled twelve times, yes, but most of these recalls affect very few units, and there are fewer than 400 complaints on file in total.
But, those powertrain problems may be too much for some drivers to overlook, especially when you could simply avoid having to worry about it altogether by buying an earlier model year.
