The headrests of both of the back seats first locked and would not release, then suddenly released and were never able to lock back in place again. Because of the headrest mechanism failures, we cannot allow anyone to sit in the rear seats because they are not safe. We need to be able to use those seats for our children. We had them inspected by our local Ford dealer and they confirmed that this is a known issue for this model, but that there has not been a recall yet. They could fix them, but unfortunately it would be a significant cost to fix both of them out of pocket when this really is a safety issue and should be a recall. There were no warning messages other than one day they simply would not lock in place properly.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

There are problems with these items which are covered under a Ford recall. My vehicle is at Liccardi Ford dealer in Watchung NJ and I feel a tremendous resistance from the dealer to repair the recalled ordered repairs.

- Scotch Plains, NJ, USA

Various electrical issues GPS not working also drivers seat electrical

- Pittsburg , CA, USA

Several years ago I reported to Elk Grove Fird that the middle right car seat would release and move forward when a personas seated in the chair. It wouldn-??t happen otherwise and we seldom have a 3rd person in our car. They couldn-??t duplicate the issue and did nothing. In May 2024, it took it in again. They replaced a seat release button and something else. In August, the unexpected seat release occur again. Another repair was done. The same problem happened again when I had my [XXX] granddaughter with me. On a 5 mile drive to Costco, it suddenly released about 10 times; each time propelling the seat forward and causing the seal belt around her neck. I stopped, placed my iPhone to catch what was occurring, as no body believed me. Within 5 minutes, as we returned home, I captured about 5 more releases. After one month of discussion with Ford, they said they would replace the entire seat and pay about $1,400 and I would pay $1,150. This is a safety issue that could cause serious injury or death to my grandchildren. I believe Ford doesn-??t want to make safe a high-end car they know has a serious problem. I have video evidence of this defect. What can the NTSB do to help me? [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

Multiple warnings lights from advanced drivers assistance 4x4 went accelerate and could not error code u0102 also rattling from right second row seat.

- Pittsburg , CA, USA

The drivers side outside seat valance broke and needs to be replaced.

- Mount Horeb, WI, USA

When drivers side seat automatically goes back it will eventually break off the seat control cover with the adjustment controls on the left side of seat.

- Boyd, TX, USA

The left, middle row captain seat chair passenger fails to lock in place. The back part of the chair can be easily folded down or pushed back just by pressing or pulling on it. The back part of the chair won-??t stay locked in whatever position is chosen via the adjustment level on the side of the seat. None of my children are allowed to sit in that chair as I fear it could crush them or allow them to slide out of their booster seats in an accident. I have not reported this to our dealership yet, but I do intent to have my vehicle looked at soon.

- El Paso, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while exiting the vehicle, the front driver's side seat shifted backwards. Due to the failure, the front driver's side seat was installed slanted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a cracked seat assembly and the seat assembly needed to be replaced. The contact was informed of an unknown recall notification with the similar failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. In addition, the contact was advised that the vehicle was unsafe to drive until the repair was completed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

- Statesville, NC, USA

When parked with the vehicle running a passenger exited the rear seat behind the driver. When they closed the door the drivers seat moved all the way forward and the seat back also moved forward pinning the driver to the steering wheel. After a few seconds the driver was able to move the seat back from the steering wheel. Not sure if there is a setting for the electric seats to move forward like that but it should not do it with the driver in it.

- Wheatland , WY, USA

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while attempting to engage the front driver's seat control buttons, he noticed that the seat control buttons housing was fractured internally. The contact stated that he replaced the part himself. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact they could not assist because the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

- Port Republic, MD, USA

I-??m having to replace the driver-??s seat mounting/frame (underneath the seat) for a second time since I-??ve had this vehicle. It happened last year as well.

- Lake Charles, LA, USA

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the front passenger-??s seat became detached. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had been diagnosed by the dealer and determined that the failure was due to a design flaw which cause the plastic clips used to hold the seat together had fractured. The vehicle was repaired several times, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to contact the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

- Akron, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while exiting the vehicle, she observed the front driver's side seat control housing separating, hindering the use of the seat controls. The failure was later observed in the front passenger-??s side seat. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 16,000.

- Lutz, FL, USA

Both front seats have brackets that have broken and come apart. Service says this is seen all the time. Pants and skirts get caught in it all the time.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

Memory seat module issue. After parking vehicle and turning off ignition, the driver's seat will automatically move all the way forward and wedge the driver against the steering wheel.

- Chicago, IL, USA

Electrical- lift gate will just stop working at times. Trouble with Bluetooth connection Fuel- when filling up the pump will stop (even if only put in 2 gallons). Seats- drivers seat broken Engine/transmission- hard shifting, put itself in park while at red light Multiple ongoing issues with Explorer. Been in/out of shop over 10 times in one year. I have videos but unable to upload them.

- Louisville, KY, USA

Driver's seat will not go all the way back or all the way down. Limited range of motion and will not power back to a safe driving position. Coming up on 6 weeks at the dealership and Ford techs and engineering cannot figure it out. They just keep changing parts. I have concerns about other Explorer St's.

- Centereach, NY, USA

Transmission started violently shifting and jerking the car at city and highway speeds. The transmission was determined to be damaged and took 2.5 months to fix because parts were not available. Additionally, the driver's seat massage feature failed, interior columns kept popping out, defective pull down sun glass holder, gap in lift gate interior plastic bolted to it and replacing of damaged seat clips.

- Bothell, WA, USA

Drivers seat appeared to shift when turning. This has resulted in the plastic trim at bottom of seat to break and come loose from seat while moving. This has occured twice. Additionally we have received error messages on the 4WD while on an extended trip. It dropped us out of cruise controlled an told us to service transmission. Also reverse assist was inactivated as well as cruise. Back up view on screen turned blue. Brakes have also become inactive when starting to back up. (November 15, 2020) these problems are continuing to occur and the dealer has not tried to fix the issue.

- Chapin, SC, USA