10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
16,320 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #300

Apr 142025

Explorer

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle jolted and failed to shift into gear as intended while the gear lever was used. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with a transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

- Thousand Oaks, CA, USA

problem #299

Mar 262025

Explorer

  • miles
See attached document for complaint

- Bay Minette, AL, USA

problem #298

May 052025

Explorer

  • miles
Currently have my vehicle in for a recall notice and mentioned to the Ford service staff that the transmission makes a jerking motion when engaged in a low gear but no warning lights are lit up. Technician states I need an entire new transmission and my vehicle is just barely out of the powertrain warranty. Ford refuses to replace transmission on their dime because its out of warranty. However, I've researched and found multiple complaints of people experiencing the same problem that just barely out of warranty their Ford transmissions are failing and need complete replacement too. Why is this not a recall issue with Ford!? My issue could create a safety issue if it completely failed without warning while I was driving. A car transmission typically lasts between 100,000 to 200,000 miles, or approximately 7 to 10 years for most drivers, yet mine is only 5 years old and 65,000 miles when it failed.

- Vero Beach, FL, USA

problem #297

Sep 072023

Explorer

  • miles
At 84000 miles, just roughly 6k after my "extended warranty" expires ford says my transmission needs to be replaced. I had an issue with my transmission September 07, 2023, they looked at it verified it was slipping and the fluid was dirty but did nothing to replace it at that time acting like that was normal. Ok. It would have and should be covered under the warranty I paid for, they took advantage of me because I'm a women. I have the paperwork from that and I would like someone to reach out to me personally. On top of that there is a recall on other 2020 ford explorer with the exact same engine and transmission as mine. At 84000 miles I should not be looking at replacing a 10,000$ transmission! Especially when they should have fixed it the first time.

- Roseville, MN, USA

problem #296

May 022025

Explorer

  • miles
Powertrain malfunction/reduced power came on when I came home from work as I pulled in my driveway. The check engine light comes on and off for the past week or two prior to the powertrain malfunction.

- Spanaway, WA, USA

problem #295

Apr 102025

Explorer

  • 64,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted and the vehicle lost motive power while the accelerator pedal was depressed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the failure was linked to Technical Service Bulletin: 20 -?" 2305. The contact was informed that the A-clutch and transmission front support needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

- Maize, KS, USA

problem #294

Apr 112025

Explorer

  • miles
When driving the vehicle felt sluggish and the 4wd fault came on, on the dashboard. Decided to take it to the dealer and they inspected it and stated the front differential actuator needs to be replaced. It's a component that is electrical and it turns on the four wheel drive and turns it off when not needed. This should be covered by ford since it's a manufacturing error for putting faulty components to control the AWD.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #293

Mar 052025

Explorer

  • miles
When accelerating to enter the highway the car loses forward momentum and emits a loud grinding sound from the console area from the transmission

- Abilene, TX, USA

problem #292

Apr 152025

Explorer

  • 37,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact's husband stated while driving 60 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to respond. The Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with a possible sensor failure or transmission failure. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

- Port Chester, NY, USA

problem #291

Apr 102025

Explorer

  • miles
I have 68,000 miles on car and car suddenly started making a thumping sound and jerking when braking. Slip also when driving at low speeds. The Dealership says it needs a new Transmission. I have searched online and found this is a common problem for this year and model.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #290

Apr 202025

Explorer

  • miles
The wiring is faulty. We have had electrical issues since buying this vehicle. The car is not old- I turned my car on put it into reverse and all these lights popped up saying there-??s electrical issues and it can-??t work and the brakes legitimately did not work. We almost went into traffic from a business with no ability to break. For a 4-5 year old car this should not even be a thing I feel like. And it should not be having this serious electrical issues. Everything electrical in the car is not working and the fuses are fine according to the mechanic. Si we are going down the list of issues that could be an issue. But he is saying the wiring could just be faulty. Which is scary because it almost cost me and my oldest child our lives.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #289

Oct 022024

Explorer

  • miles
The vehicle was driven to the destination and then turned off. Upon turning the vehicle back on and attempting to drive it, the vehicle vibrated and shuttered violently at times. The vehicle was looked over on-site before being driven to a mechanic for any loose parts or debris in the fender wells. The vehicle was able to be driven slowly to mechanic and only wide turns could be made or it would shudder and vibrate. After inspecting the vehicle, the mechanic stated that the front axles needed to be replaced and this would solve the issue. Approval for the front axle replacements to be completed was given to the mechanic and the soul was completed. However, the vehicle continued to vibrate and shudder in forward and reverse gears, especially when turning. The mechanic suggested to go to the dealership to get it checked out and reset/reprogram the PCM. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who looked it over and checked for a rear axle bolt failure and then sent it back to the original mechanic to swap the axles as they are unsure if the correct parts were installed. The original mechanic contacted the Ford dealership and ordered the front axles again and installed them. The problem persisted. The mechanic then attempted the completion of the TSB 23-2174 to see if that would help solve the problem. The vehicle was then driven to the dealership to have the PCM reprogrammed and the work completed by the mechanic reviewed. After leaving the vehicle at the dealership for several weeks and having the work completed, the problem persists. However, since this problem started, the transmission or drive train now slips or hips when coming to a stop right at 0mph. It also pops and jumps when taking off in the lower gears.the drive train behaves erratically and feels like something is loose or slipping or of place. The rough shifting and hop when stopping causes concern about the vehicle not stopping or shifting out of gear or into the strong gear or something is coming loose

- Roanoke, VA, USA

problem #288

Apr 092022

Explorer

  • miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle felt misaligned and made an abnormal rubbing sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated; however, the dealer recommended the transmission be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and covered the transmission replacement. The dealer replaced the transmission. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was test-driven, and the failure was duplicated; however, the dealer could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related to the failure of Ford Campaign Number: 24N01. The manufacturer was contacted, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Fort Washington, MD, USA

problem #287

Apr 082025

Explorer

  • 108,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly jerked and jolted before returning to normal functionality. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission control module. The contact was informed that the TCM needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 108,000.

- Mebane, NC, USA

problem #286

Apr 042025

Explorer

  • 56,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped at a traffic light, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle jerked with the transmission warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.

- Phoenixville, PA, USA

problem #285

Mar 172025

Explorer

  • 84,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle had started to vibrate abnormally. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact later noticed that oil had leaked onto the driveway from the rear driver's side wheel well. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the subframe bushing had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V675000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

- Jacksonville, NC, USA

problem #284

Mar 242025

Explorer

  • miles
Transmission randomly shifts from gear to gear. Dealer says must replace transmission. Only 58k miles

- Hudson Oaks , TX, USA

problem #283

Mar 102025

Explorer

  • miles
At 56000 miles and 5 years 40 days, the transmission started downshifting roughly from 8 to 7. Apparently this is a common issue with the explorers. Ford extended the warranty to 5 years or 60000 miles, so by driving the car conservatively and not beating on it we inadvertently helped the transmission survive a little over a month past its warranty length. The transmission degraded towards complete failure quickly making it nearly impossible to get it to the repair facility safely.03

- Holbrook, NY, USA

problem #282

Mar 262025

Explorer

  • 66,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH and attempting to decelerate, the vehicle independently jolted before downshifting into the 1st gear while the accelerator pedal was being depressed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several local service shops; however, the vehicle was later taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

- Clayton, DE, USA

problem #281

Nov 122024

Explorer

  • miles
Nearly all loss of engine power while driving on on a highway. Ford states these are the necessary repairs. The mechanic supervisor Verbally told me told me possible Engine coolant in cylinders 2 and 3. I requested photos, however none have been provided. I have not approved repairs due to the costs. Total Estimate for repairs is over $15000 Ford ecoboost engines have had a lot of recalls, for these same issues on other model Ford engines except the 2.3 liter 2020 Ford Explorer. (Rapid Coolant loss and leaking into the combustion chamber) causing the engine block to damaged. However, no recalls yet on the 2020 Ford Explorer. Cause REPLACE LONGBLOCK DUE TO INTERNAL FAILURE Correction REPLACE ENGINE AND ALL ONE TIME USE PARTS Estimate $ $11,534.51 EITHER PCM, HARNESS OR SENSOR BAD HEATER CIRCUIT OXYGEN SENSOR BANK 1 SENSOR 2 Correction REPLACE O2 SENSOR BROKEN EXHAUST PRESSURE SENSOR Correction REPLACE SENSOR Concern Critical Check Engine Light Is On And Running Rough Cause REPLACE SPARK PLUGS AND RECHECK Correction REPLACE SPARK PLUGS AND RECHECK Approved $ $605.56 Total estimate $ $15,863.61 Manufacturer Recall Issued Recall 23S23 Inoperative Rear 360 Degree Camera With A Blue Screen Imported From Oxlo On 12/18/2024 06:52 Approved No Charge I have not authorized repairs due to the high costs, and lack of guarantee of repair. Plus I'm still making monthly payments for another 15 months. Ford has not acknowledged cylinder manufacturing defects to engine block on the 2020 Ford Explorer. I'm at a loss.

- Freeport, FL, USA

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