2020 Ford Explorer Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
  6
• Exhaust system
  5
• Exhaust system › Emission control
  1
• Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
  1
• Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/supercharger
  1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  2650%
• 25k–50k
  713%
• 50k–75k
  510%
• 75k–100k
  1019%
• 100k–150k
  48%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

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

The contact owned a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 15 mph, the vehicle began to decelerate its speed on its own. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and saw fire located on the front passenger side wheel. The contact, his wife, and grandson were able to safely exit the vehicle before the vehicle was engulfed by the fire. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. The fire department extinguished the fire and filed a fire report. A police report was filed. The insurance company deemed the vehicle total loss. The contact towed the vehicle to towing lot. The contact drive to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle was shaking excessively, with severe vibrations throughout the cabin of the vehicle. The failure was coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that while approaching a stop sign or a red light and depressing the brake pedal, the RPM was rising and the vehicle failed to stop as intended, causing the vehicle to crash into a pole in a parking lot, causing a dent to the front grille and scratches in the paint. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, but the technicians were unable to duplicate the failure. The failure mileage was 102,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon rapid acceleration at various speeds, exhaust fumes from the tailpipes would enter the cabin of the vehicle. The contact also stated that after heavy rains, water-filled the spare tire compartment located in the rear of the vehicle. One day while his wife was driving and coming to a complete stop, the water spilled out of the compartment and flooded the cabin floor of the vehicle. Once the contact discovered where the water was located, he vacuumed up nearly four gallons of water out of the spare tire compartment. As a result of the internal water intrusion, there were several electrical failures. The forward collision warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel without any vehicles in near proximity. …

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon raising the front passenger's side power window switch, the window rolled up and then rolled back down unintentionally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the power window control module was reset. The contact stated after the dealer had performed a rearview camera recall repair on the vehicle, messages advising that the traction control and the other drive modes were inoperable were displayed. The dealer replaced the throttle body and an unknown part. Additionally, the contact stated after the dealer had lifted the vehicle for servicing, the dealer noticed that the catalytic converter, the mufflers, and the shock absorbers had failed. The dealer informed the contact that the shock absorbers were leaking fluid. …

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a routine oil change. While driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle began to make an abnormal knocking and squealing sound. The vehicle began to jerk. The driver turned off the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was like the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V597000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was towed to the residence. The mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine, turbo, and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming the rear end of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The contact returned to the residence and inspected underneath the vehicle and became aware that the right exhaust had detached. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that right exhaust needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21B35 (Right-Hand Catalytic Converter and Right-Hand and Left-Hand Exhaust Flexible Pipe(s) Inspection); however, the VIN was not included in the Customer Satisfaction Program. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 40,416.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, there was an abnormal exhaust odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the odor was present while driving. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the left exhaust flex pipes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was advised by the dealer that the manufacturer had issued a Customer Satisfaction Program: 21E11 - Left side Exhaust Flexible Pipe(s) and Left side Catalytic Converter inspection and replacement (Engine and Engine Cooling), however, the vehicle was no longer covered under warranty. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while shifting into reverse the Back Over Prevention screen failed to operate as designed. Additionally, the vehicle would respond without the accelerator pedal being depressed. The contact also stated that while driving 35 MPH, the Forward Collision Avoidance warning system activated while there was no vehicle nearby. The contact stated that the vehicle was sputtering. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the technician informed the contact that the brake assist was unavailable. The technician was unable to duplicate the failure with the Forward Collision Avoidance system. The vehicle was currently being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 4,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. An abnormal sound was coming from the engine. No warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road where the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the front passenger's side axle had detached, and the engine had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was provided NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V788000 (Engine). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while at a complete stop, she would hear abnormal rattling sounds coming from underneath the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at 40 MPH and coming to a complete stop, she noticed that the rattling sounds had stopped; however, the exhaust pipe was emitting abnormal sounds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the exhaust pipe was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. A case was opened, however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 5,500.

Related recalls

Engine complaints in other Explorer years