10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 4 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 12,323 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset occurred while the vehicle was in motion and resulted in park system damage. The entire transmission needs to be replaced.
- Las Vegas, NM, USA
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after pulling into the driveway of the residence, the vehicle failed to shift into park(P). The vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was parking system damage within the transmission, and the transmission shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact believed that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V069000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
- Las Vegas, NM, USA
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate and there was an abnormal cracking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, she became aware that the rear axle had detached. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V675000 (Power Train). The vehicle was being diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
Ford changed a part that my vehicle has and now the new part does not have my sensor and requires my car to be reprogrammed.
- Blue Ridge, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V675000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
- Waxahachie, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer.?The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V675000(Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirm parts not available.
- Waxahachie, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 20-?"30 MPH and downshifting, the contact detected an abnormal clunking sound coming from the vehicle. The driver pulled to the side of the road. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, opened a case, and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 69,160.
- Hubertus, WI, USA
Took vehicle to Ford dealer to investigate whining noise at acceleration from a cold start. No warning lights. Dealer verified whine noise. Also found leak in transmission cooler. Removed and replaced transmission cooler. Not covered by a recall, although there is a recall for some vnn vehicles of same year and model for this defect.
- Spencerville, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving and shifting to another gear it was difficult to shift and jolted the vehicle. There was an abnormal clunking noise detected. The maintenance light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that a transmission replacement was needed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced but was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
- Greensboro, NC, USA
The Police Department where I work is experiencing a high quantity of AWD Module error messages on our 2020 Ford Explorer Interceptors. We have 14 of these vehicles and so far 5 of them have had the same issue. The latest vehicle with the error is the VIN number above. An internet search on the issue states that the AWD system is not functioning properly and recommends service ASAP. Even though we have extended warranties up to 60K miles, the issue is not being covered. We are told that the AWD module is not part of the drive train and therefore will not be covered. In all instances the module has been replaced and re-programmed. The best deal repair cost we have found at our local Ford dealerships is $698. Has this issue been submitted or at least investigated for a recall? The date of the LATEST incident is shown below.
- Biloxi, MS, USA
[XXX] [XXX] Description On your vehicle, a rear axle bolt may fracture. Safety Risk If your vehicle was previously repaired for this issue under recall [XXX] to apply the electronic parking brake when the vehicle is shifted to park, a further repair is needed to prevent rear axle bolt fracture. A fractured rear axle bolt will allow the rear axle housing to move out of position, resulting in severe noise and vibration. If the rear axle bolt breaks, the driveshaft or half-shafts may become disconnected, resulting in loss of transmission torque to the rear wheels. Transmission torque is necessary to hold the vehicle in park and is also needed for the vehicle to move forward or backward. Loss of the vehicles forward power increases the risk of crash and injury. The loss of the primary park torque will allow the vehicle to roll in park if the parking brake is not applied, increasing the risk of crash and injury. Remedy Parts are now available to repair your vehicle. Ford Motor Company has authorized your dealer for the repair of the rear axle bolts free of charge parts and labor. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Long Beach, CA, USA
I purchased a used 2020 Ford Explorer ST. The vehicle is having significant transmission issues and I-??ve owned the vehicle for five months. This is absolutely a safety issue as at times, the vehicle stalls while merging into traffic, which could cause an accident. The vehicle also sometimes downshifts randomly while traveling at highway speed, which could also cause a serious accident. I have contacted Ford and they are refusing to fix the issue and said I am responsible for all costs associated to the problem. The transmission in this particular model (10 Speed) has numerous issues and is the subject of several safety bulletins. Ford is well aware of the problem, but has not provided a remedy for this issue and has not issued a recall. Brand new, this vehicle costs approximately $64,000 and has significant safety issues approximately four years after it was built. I used this vehicle to transport my family, including my infant daughter. I believe Ford is putting my family and other families at risk by refusing to provide assistance. It should be noted, the powertrain warranty for this vehicle is 60,000 miles or five years (whichever is first). My problems began at 62,000 miles and they said there is nothing they can do. I am a police officer and my wife is a nurse. It is embarrassing and shameful that Ford would allow this vehicle to continue with these problems and not provide a remedy, even outside of warranty.
- Saint Peters , MO, USA
Vehicle has 91000ish miles and I have been told by the Mall of Georgia Ford dealership my vehicle has failure in the transmission. This is a 2020 its is a 4 year old car there is no way the transmission should be going out in only last 4 years. This is our family car most of the miles are from the Hwy. I live in Atlanta Ga. This issue could have left us stranded in the middle of a 6 lane highway. Possibility resulting in a major multiple car pile up. Based on my research this is a known problem with late model Ford Explorers it is unknown if this has been inspected by. The manufacturer, police, or insurance. There was not warnings or lights that notified me of a problem. Thank you for your consideration on making Ford recall theses vehicles.
- Flowery Branch , GA, USA
December 16, 2023 My Ford Explorer had engine failure on the highway, just as I had entered it. The dashboard read powertrain malfunction, engine overheat, and service engine. My vehicle went from 60 mph to almost a complete stop on the highway. I had almost a dozen cars nearly rear end me as this happened. Getting off the road was just as dangerous as it only went 10mph max on the busy highway I was nearly hit several times. The vehicle was taken to an automotive shop for diagnosis. There was oil in the coolant tank and cracked head gasket, needing a new engine. The automotive shop called the ford dealer to confirm it was under warranty and was towed to the dealer at my expense 12/19/23. Was told February 9th that parts were ordered for repairs. I asked the service rep Mike for a list of parts being replaced and the cause of the engine failure, he would not give me an answer and said he'd call me back. February 20th I then asked Crystal R at Ford customer service the same questions, she said she would get back to me February 22. As of 2/20/24 Ford customer service representatives, and employees at Red McCombs Ford have gone no contact with me.
- San Antonio, TX, USA
Our 2020 Ford Explorer has experienced two recent Powertrain issues Event 1: 1/28/24 ~5:20pm EST Location: Highway Situation: - Following a ~200+ mile road trip our vehicle was on the last mile of highway driving - As we started to move from the middle to right lane to exit the highway, the vehicle lurched, the dashboard lit up (with a wrench icon), the vehicle speed dropped to 40-45mph in an instant, and the RPMs revved from 1-2K to ~4K - We pulled onto the shoulder and stopped - After stopping the car, we nursed the car (at low speed and high RPM) home (a total of ~3-4 miles) - The next morning the car was started, the light was off, and we took it to a Ford dealer - The dealer had the car until 2/15, at which point they replaced an Automatic Transmission Internal Wiring Harness and Solenoid Event 2: 2/24/24 ~5:00pm EST Location: Highway Situation: - Following a ~1K mile road trip our vehicle was ~30 miles from our destination - We were traveling in the left-hand lane at highway speeds when again the vehicle suddenly lurched, the dashboard lit up (with a wrench icon), the vehicle speed dropped to 40-45mph in an instant, and the RPMs revved from 1-2K to ~4K - Despite road traffic we pulled across three lanes of traffic to the shoulder, where we stopped the vehicle - After bringing the car to a complete stop, we turned the vehicle off and restarted the engine - The wrench light was off, so we started to reenter traffic in the right lane; after travelling ~50 yards at climbing speed, the dashboard lights lit up (with a wrench icon and engine light icon), the vehicle speed held ~40-45mph, and the RPMs revved around 4K - Being within ~1/2 mile from the highway exit, we managed to the nurse the car (at low speed and high RPM) to a gas station where it was flat bedded to the same dealer - As of this writing, there has been no diagnostic activity nor timetable for the vehicle-??s repair
- E Greenwich, RI, USA
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while the vehicle was started and in park(P) in the driveway, he exited the vehicle to retrieve a package left inside the residence; however, when he returned, the vehicle had rolled down the driveway and struck a light pole across the street from the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle was still in park(P) and the engine was still running. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local body shop. The vehicle was repaired. The contact had not called a local dealer or informed the manufacturer of the failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V675000 (Power Train) several months after the failure. The contact related the failure to the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 5,600.
- Chicago, IL, USA
I have had the blue screen sensors replaced 3 times. This has been a recall. Now my front camera is having an error code. Yeh blue screen came on while backing up and I hit a rock. They say it has been fixed but now it is still occurring with the radio freezing and the front camera producing an error. The dealer says there-??s no current fix and they have an unable to reproduce it when it is at the dealership because it happens intermittently. I have had the driveshaft replaced and the transmission I am unable to trade this car and due to the multiple safety issues and transmission issues, this car has such a long repair history that it is priced up below market value. I am afraid that I am going to have another accident or something is going to freeze up at an in opportune moment and causes collision as it did before.
- Litchfield, CT, USA
Out of nowhere, there was an issue with downshifting between 4th and 3rd gear. A loud clunking noise started every time on the downshift. I took it to a transmission shop, they diagnosed that there was significant issues downshifting from 8 to 7, 7 to 6, and 4 to 3. I was notified it was still within manufacturers warranty so I took it to a ford dealership. They felt the issue when test driving it then notified me that it needs -??a total tear down of the transmission-?? but didn-??t tell me the specifics of the issue. All of this happened without any warning lights showing on the dash.
- Charlotte, NC, USA
On 02/05/24 my 2020 Explorer XLT alerted me that the pre collision assist was not available, to service advancetrack, Hill Start assist not available, 4wd fault service required, and to see manual. The alert went away after I restarted the car, but it came back on again 02/06/24. In addition to the alerts on the dashboard, the vehicle had delayed acceleration after standing at redlights. I took it to the dealership who told me I needed part #7p238 MOD ASY DRV LN CONTR, they also informed me the part was not covered under my extended warranty plan. I called Ford manufaturers directly, spoke with Miracle who informed me that Ford would not offer any financial assistance with replacing this switch. The price is $770. The vehicle has 70,666 miles.
- Pikesville, MD, USA
- Destrehan, LA, USA