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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
14,714 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2020 Ford Explorer drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2020 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 5 of 14)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #184

Dec 012023

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

problem #183

Jan 212024

Explorer

  • miles
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

problem #182

Feb 052024

Explorer

  • miles
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

problem #181

Oct 062023

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 and several unknown dealers were made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #180

Jan 252024

Explorer

  • miles
Randomly one day, the transmission started lurching on downshift between gears 3 and 4. This pattern continued, regardless of driving status without any malfunction indicator lights. This sudden downshift, lurching, caused a rapid decelleration in the vehicle causing me to step on the brakes while in traffic to address the issue. The vehicles issue was identified and confirmed by the dealer and is currently being addressed with no solution being presented. As previously mentioned, this mechanical issue happened suddenly, without any sort of warning lamp or message and without any previous issue and appeared randomly, on a commute home from work.

- Maryville, TN, USA

problem #179

Jan 302024

Explorer

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the passenger-??s side rear brakes were scraping. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V675000 (Power Train). The vehicle was repaired; however, the brake failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

- Tupelo, MS, USA

problem #178

Jan 102024

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission failure at 48k miles under normal driving conditions. Down shifts from 7th to 6th gear you hear noticeable clunk and vehicle jerks as described under Ford TSB 20-2337

- Parker, CO, USA

problem #177

Dec 202023

Explorer

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the pre-collision assist, service engine, four-wheel drive service, and advancetrac service warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the front axle. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 21-2174. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- West Grove, PA, USA

problem #176

Jan 092024

Explorer

  • 42,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, unknown warning lights were flashing. Additionally, the vehicle failed to shift into drive as needed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #175

Oct 012023

Explorer

  • 119,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle independently downshifted without warning. The vehicle also hesitated or lost motive power upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked forward before resuming normal driving operation. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where a diagnostic test was performed. The dealer later diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

- Hernando, MS, USA

problem #174

Apr 012022

Explorer

  • 63,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle started to shake abnormally. While driving, the vehicle lunged forward without the accelerator pedal being depressed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be rebuilt. The software was reprogrammed and set for the parking brake to remain engaged. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.

- Hartford, WI, USA

problem #173

Oct 062023

Explorer

  • 0 miles
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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Maricopa, AZ, USA

problem #172

Dec 072023

Explorer

  • miles
Power train malfunction (wrench) indicator came on. I eventually slowed down and when turning sharply, I could feel some grinding. I didn't want to drive any longer than necessary and got the vehicle to a shop. There was a bulletin for this problem-23-2114 requiring replacement of multiple parts including intermediate shaft and half shaft. Considering this was in the front end drive train, I was very concerned this could have affected the steering ability.

- Martin, OH, USA

problem #171

Dec 012023

Explorer

  • 107,200 miles
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 contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was violently jerking. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the rear axle bolt had previously been replaced; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,200. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Fort Belvoir, VA, USA

problem #170

Dec 032023

Explorer

  • 70,000 miles
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 contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and shook excessively. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to accelerate as intended. The dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

problem #169

Nov 032023

Explorer

  • 80,000 miles
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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that after he started the vehicle, the vehicle failed to shift into drive (D), reverse (R), or neutral (N). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #168

Nov 062023

Explorer

  • 0 miles
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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- El Centro, CA, USA

problem #167

Nov 012023

Explorer

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that with the vehicle in park, the vehicle started reversing independently. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to several faulty parts inside of the transmission. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #166

Oct 152023

Explorer

  • 31,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the transmission was shifting gear, there was an abnormally loud grinding sound coming from the front-end of the vehicle. There was transmission fluid leaking underneath the vehicle while the vehicle was idling. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission cooler had fractured and needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program NHTSA ID Number: 10185994 (Power Train, Equipment) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the Customer Satisfaction Program. The repair was not covered under warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 31,000.

- Stapleton, GA, USA

problem #165

Nov 132023

Explorer

  • miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V342000 (Back Over Prevention) and 23V675000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. 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.

- Pacifica, CA, USA

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