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.
I have put my 2020 ford explorer platinum in the ford shop several times because my cruise control has never worked properly. While using the cruise control it will reset to 85 mph whenever it chooses. This is a dangerous issue. Sames Ford dealership has looked at this issue 4 or so times with no fix. This issue needs to be addressed as my car is not the only one with this same issue.
While vehicle was driving in motion, all system error messages began to sequence on the dashboard (Steering Assist Fault Service Required, Check Park Aid, See Manual, Service AdvanceTrac, Front Camera Fault Service Required, Full Accessory Power Active, Park Brake Fault Service Now, Pre-Collision Assist Not Available, Navigation Fault). Vehicle lost acceleration and had decreased steering and braking capability. This happened on 5/20/2024 and was "repaired" by dealership then happened again on 6/21/2024. It also happened in 08/17/2021 and was repaired by dealership until most recent reoccurrences. This DOES NOT include the instances where the same error messages sequenced prevented the vehicle from even starting (for hours) leaving the motorist stranded. This is also not the first time this concern has been submitted to the NHTSA.
When braking and slowing down between 30-25 mph the transmission catches and feels like it -??bucks-??. Almost to a sudden stop and I-??m afraid the cars behind me are going to rear end me. I took it to my local Ford dealer where they reprogrammed and reset adaptive tables, then told me to drive it like this for 500-1000 miles to see if it worked itself out! I feel this is dangerous! I have an extended warranty 5 yr/ 60,000 miles, I-??ve owned it 4 yrs with approximately 30,000 miles on it. Ford needs to just fix it!
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound and accelerated unintendedly. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact depressed the brake pedal continuously until the vehicle stopped. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently while driving from a complete stop. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while driving downhill, and the vehicle nearly drove into highway traffic. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure had occurred while reversing in a parking lot, nearly causing the vehicle to crash into other vehicles. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer several times to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
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
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1.Issues with Navigation / Map display 2.Issue with Speedometer display changing location on dash while driving Have previously written re: issues with the backup camera system on this vehicle. This a new recurring issue with the Navigation system and Driver Information Center display. 10/02/23 -?" Upon starting vehicle, map only displayed on the bottom 1/3 of center 10-?? display. Attempts to restore settings unsuccessful. Searched internet, found procedure for -??soft reboot-?? of system (Press and hold Volume on/off button, then press right -??next track / seek-?? button simultaneously.) This restored map to full screen. 10/03/23 - Start vehicle, map reverted to 1/3 screen. A soft reboot restored screen. This happened repeatedly over next several days. 10/08/23 -?" Map back to 1/3 screen, and Navigation kicks in telling me to resume a route previously cancelled. I cancel route and proceed. I don-??t soft reboot. 10/09/23 -?" Start vehicle, map displays full screen, and Navigation again wants to resume the cancelled route. Cancel the route and drive 1 mile. Return to the vehicle within 15 minutes. Restart vehicle, map back to 1/3 screen, and Navigation again wants to resume cancelled route. Go to next destination and exit vehicle upon return, map is back to full screen. 10/09/23 -?" Evening -?" Map back to 1/3 screen. 10/10/23 -?" Map back to full screen. Drive approximately 40 miles. During drive map repeatedly zooms in and zooms out, AND A NEW PROBLEM APPEARS. During drive, speedometer display on the dash Driver Information Center repeatedly shifts back and forth from left side of the display to center of the display. Am out of vehicle for approximately 30 minutes. Upon restart map is back to 1/3 screen. I press the -??Home-?? button and am provided driving instructions to some address never before visited and not even remotely close to my home. The map display is annoying. The repeated shifting of the speedometer display is a real distraction while driving.
2020 Ford Explorer St-about 55,000 miles. Dealer: Preferred Ford in grand haven, mi. Issue is sometimes a multitude of warning lights would come on when traveling. They include shutting down the cruise control when in motion, the forward collision sensor would stop working, all wheel drive and hill assist lights would come on and stop working. This happens whether a short trip, 10-15 miles into town, or on a longer trip. Only way to potentially reset it was to stop, turn vehicle off for a minute or two and restart. Sometimes this worked and sometimes not. This is a safety hazard when operating on a roadway, usually at highway speeds, especially in winter road conditions or an occasional trip through the mountains to the southern states. Had a computer update, which cost $540, still not solve it. Finally able to get into dealer with all warning lights activated. Dealer stated has to do with drivetrain. Now today (8-3-23), was advised by dealer a new Ford engineer internal service memo stated that is not the total fix. Total repairs cost is in/around $2000. If Ford knows this is an issue and with the many Ford Explorer on the road today, this needs to be addressed so the consumer can have confidence in driving their vehicles.
When the car starts all warning lights come on. Hill start assistance, pre collision assistance, all assistance. There is no cruise, no safety collision assistance at all. First appeared on June 13 2023. Ford Dealer is currently trying to fix the problem. They are unsure why it-??s doing it. It puts all occupants life at risks as the car doesn-??t have any safety assistance.
I had an oil change at the Feldman Ford Dealership on or around 3/7/2023. On 4/14/2023 at or at round 5-6 pm; I was traveling southbound on I-75 when my 2020 Explorer suddenly slowed down from 70 miles per hour to around 40 miles per hour while I-??m in the farthest lane and it wouldn-??t go pass 45 miles per hour almost causing the vehicle behind to rear end me. The dash displayed a reading stating the oil pressure is low and to get engine serviced. I put on my hazards and safely made it to exit off of the freeway. I stopped at a gas station because the engine was making a loud screaming noise. I called my salesman from Feldman Ford and explained what was happening and what the dash was saying so he asked me to shut off the engine and to check the oil. So when I opened the hood I saw oil everywhere and the engine was so hot that the heat was burning my face. The dipstick was indicating that the oil was low to empty. He stated that-??s impossible you just had an oil change 4-5 weeks ago and the engine appears that it-??s not cooling. So he advised me to put in 2-3 quarts and get on my knees to see if any oil is leaking underneath and there was no leak after I put in 3 quarts of oil. So he asked how far was i from home i told him no more than 15 minutes, then he asked me to start the car to see if the noise diminished and it was not as loud so he said to see if I could get the car home because I had my 1 month old grandson and my daughter with me and he will have a tow truck to come and get it. I made it a block from my home then the car shut off and wouldn-??t start. So I had family to come get my daughter and grandson and I stayed with the vehicle until 930/10 pm when the tow truck arrived and my vehicle has been at the Feldman Ford service lot ever since 4/14/2023 and it has not been fixed or worked on. I was told that the oil pump failed causing 2 or 3 seals to go bad in the back and front of the motor. The Ford app displayed engine issues 2 months prior to my purchase.
When stopped at a light the engine suddenly accelerated forcing a hard braking action to prevent an accident. after 2-3 seconds it went to idle still in gear. This has happened 3 times the third time 2 witnesses said that it was not caused by braking with their foot on the accelerator. In reviewing the three episodes I noted that the air-conditioned switch was engaged all three times when this uncommand occurred. This never occurred when the car was moving only at a stop. It seems that the air conditioner was called to turn on by the body control module which cause the engine RPM to decrease which cause the power train control module to react increasing the demand to the throttle body which either stuck high or was over commanded in not reacting in a fast enough manner to satisfy the power train control module. When this occured I thought we were going to hit the car in front of us. I think this is correctable with some changes in the power train control module programing.
On March 14, 2021, a failure with the vehicle posed a serious safety hazard when my two children, another minor child and our dog were accompanying me, with the car fully loaded for spring break, and the brake system completely failed, among other electrical issues, as we were departing our neighborhood. The vehicle was subsequently towed to the dealership. I cringe to imagine what would have ensued if this defect would have occurred only a few minutes later, as we pulled into traffic or made it to the highway for our trip. I don't recall what lamps came on as it was very scary at the time, but the alerts on the Ford App were, Antilock Brake Fault, Hill Start Assist Warning, Hill Descent Control Fault Warning and Pre-Collision Assist Not Available.
My 20 Ford Explorer has experienced twice where the speed limiter (acc adapted cruise control)-(ssr speed sign recognition) reads the speed limit signs incorrectly. Posted speed was 65 mph and it increase speed to 85 mph. I was driving thru columbus Ohio, on I670 going ne, starting at the leonard ave exit to I270 (to exit 10B SR161). I don't drive here often; the first time was Feb 23 & then March 16 (photos attached) in the same exact location. On both occasions, the speed sign (speed sign recognition) on the dash read 85 mph for at least 3 miles before correcting itself to the posted 65 mph speed limit. On Feb. 23rd, I was driving approx. 65mph with the acc set. The car accelerated quickly and not realizing at first what was happening, I pressed the brake to slow down (I was going over 75mph). The icon on the dash (ssr) read 85 mph which is 20 mph over the posted speed limit. The second time when the car sped up, it slowed abruptly due to a car crossing in front of me (within the 4 car following gap setting). Both times I had the cruise set (acc) around 69 mph and the car speed increased or tried to, to 85 mph before realized what it was doing. Either time I could have caused an accident or been cited for speeding. I have video of the incident if needed. Why I'm submitting this to you...I called my service department and it was suggested by them to check my exterior sensors and clean them (wash my car) and contact Ford corporate. I contacted Ford Corp. Via the 800#, I was instructed to call my service department to have the car looked at. I also contacted Ford via their facebook site. They requested personal/privy information to be sent thru the social media site but wouldn't give me a secure email to submit to. So I'm at a loss to who can help resolve this issue.
This particular problem has occurred on more than one occasion, most recently today (January 30, 2021). While driving and then accelerating, the car sputtered and almost died. We were pulling into oncoming traffic and needed to accelerate. We pushed on the accelerator and the car made a sound as if it would speed up, instead it stalled. (a message flashed on the screen, but it was too quick for me to read.) we were almost hit by a car before we were able to pull into a parking lot. We turned off the car and drove around for a few minutes. We went to pull back out onto the street and accelerate when it sputtered and stalled. We turned the car off and sat. We were lucky we were not on a highway or busier street.
I have numerous fault messages, pre collision assist fault, 4WD temp disabled, 4WD system fault service required, service required, drive mode unavailable fault, auto hold system fault, service advancetrac, vehicle will not swtich into park or neutral. I was in motion at the state speed limit of 70 on the Ohio turnpike when out of the bule the warning cluster lit up like a christmas tree with mutiple faults and system errors. Vehicle has limited braking.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 10,200.
Transmission issues again. Same broken / cracked weld at transmission oil cooler. Part replaced. This is the vehicle's 3rd oil cooler (we're at 12,600 miles now)
Cruise control can not be disabled by pressing brake pedal. Requires passing steering wheel button to turn off. Also "pre-collision assist not available" message comes on dash every time vehicle is started.
Vehicle unexpectedly breaks, as if detecting a crash, when there is clearly no car ahead. Vehicle takes over control of breaks unexpectedly. Has happened on repeated occasions and already reported to manufacturer months ago.
The Explorer was put into reverse. The vehicle drove forward about 3 ft, jerked, then slammed into reverse. Reaction time on my behalf was slow as it was unexpected, I almost hit a light pole. This occurred in a parking lot
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Cedar Creek, TX, USA