2020 Ford Explorer Collision Avoidance Problems

Which parts fail

• Warnings
  55
• Sensing system › Camera
  32
• Automatic emergency braking
  29
• Adaptive cruise control
  16
• Rearview system braking
  12
• Camera system
  10

Components named in complaints (automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise, lane keeping, backup camera).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  3256%
• 25k–50k
  1221%
• 50k–75k
  1119%
• 75k–100k
  00%
• 100k–150k
  24%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2020 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

I had an issue with the rearview backupcamera. The camera kept going out multiple times. I asked Fodd customer care if there was a recall and told me no. One day I was backing up at night my camera went out and I hit a mailbox which was in my blindspot I immediately called Ford to alert them that the camera went out a d I damaged my vehicle. Ford requested that I bring in my truck and changed the camera. They found out the camera had an electrical shortage. I attempted to get Forx to pay for the damages to my vehicle and they refused. The total estimate was 2700.00. The response why they denied my claim was I had an accident and they were not responsible regardless of the camera not working. They told me to contact my insurance to fix the damage. I feel I wouldn't have had an accident if my rearview camera did not go out. …

Backup camera failed with a blue screen that was initially identified early August and brought into Ford 8/11-13 but dealership unable to reproduce problem. It is believed that the dealership re-booted the computer and downloaded new software. The same problem occurred just two days after we got the car back on 8/15 at which time a picture was taken to show the service department. A Google search suggested there was a problem with the back up camera for 2020 Explorer, but there was no recall on my VIN. After reaching out to Ford soon after we got the car back, a service person offered to order a new camera, but it was never approved. Numerous calls were placed to the dealership given ongoing camera failure and concern for causing an accident, but we were told that the problem needed to be reproduced. The camera could not be ordered. …

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, a message indicating that the 360-degree camera was inoperable was displayed. The contact stated that the failure persisted while reversing. The contact also stated that the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) that activated an indicator light in the side view mirrors when a vehicle was detected in the blind spot was malfunctioning as the sideview mirror indicator light failed to illuminate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure mostly occurred during cold weather. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V022000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. …

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was shifting hard. While driving uphill, the transmission failed to properly shift into gear. The transmission was slow to respond while shifting gears. There were codes and warning lights related to the power train and pre-collision assist. Additionally, the powertrain, Hill Start Assist, and pre-collision warning lights were simultaneously activated and then deactivated. The TPMS warning illuminated and eventually turned off, and then became illuminated. The tire pressures were checked and were at proper inflation levels. The contact stated that the failure was possibly related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V239000 (Power Train). …

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, upon releasing the brake pedal, the vehicle started to roll backwards. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal a second time, the vehicle stopped. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while parking the vehicle. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V675000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) steered the vehicle towards traffic. The contact stated that he was able to steer the vehicle back into the lane; however, the steering wheel was very resistant. The contact stated that the failure had occurred twice while driving. …

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated when the vehicle was shifted into reverse, there was no image displayed on the screen. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that there was a recall for the failure. The contact stated a programming update was needed and was performed; however, the failure continued. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where an update was completed several times; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle had been to the dealer at least 7 times to update the software. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and advised to go back to the dealer and a case was opened. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for a 9-hour update. The contact stated that the dealer called and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty and the contact would be responsible for the repair. …

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the day he purchased the vehicle, the rearview camera turned blank as he was reversing out of the dealer parking lot. The warning message "Back Up Brake Assist Is Not Functioning" appeared on the instrument panel. The dealer diagnosed that the rear-view camera needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and was repaired, however the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 20V575000 (Visibility) due to the manufactured date. A case was opened and the contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 10. …

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while reversing, the back-up camera image turned blue. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V735000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the failure reoccurred a week later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the back-up camera failed and needed to be replaced; however, the recall repair did not include a back-up camera replacement. The contact stated that the recall remedy failed to repair the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not currently under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000.

When you put car in reverse the camera screen may go blue or black. Sometimes it is all in cone in rear, other times it's on the right side and at other times it is the entire screen. Turning blue or black. This started in the first several months of ownership in 2020. The dealership tried several things including replacing the camera in 2020-2021-2022. Problem continued. Was told it was all fixed and the same day it happened again. I live in metro DC and have to park in small spaces often between cement pillars. I bought the car specifically for the camera system. I have hit things while attempting to get the camera back to useable again while in heavier car use areas buy not being able to see or have a sensor go off. Since 2020 Ford has had no viable remedy available. No option for new owners other than taking the loss on the car which as a widow I cannot afford to do.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact initially received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V022000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where the recall was performed. Once the vehicle was returned, the contact stated that the lane assist, the forward collision assist, and several other electrical features failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to correct the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The contact was then transferred to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000. The contact states that none of the accident prevention features are working. After two months, the manufacturer still has not provided a remedy and no parts are available.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Collision Avoidance complaints in other Explorer years