Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 1,203 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Ford Explorer, and it carries 33 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 334 | 28% |
| Unknown or other | 122 | 10% |
| Back over prevention | 56 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 45 | 4% |
| Engine | 44 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 42 | 3% |
| Visibility/wiper | 29 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 28 | 2% |
| Seats | 27 | 2% |
| Structure | 26 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The transmission is sporadically shifting causing the vehicle to lose or stop during acceleration and deceleration making it unsafe to pull away from a stop or during deceleration and causing it to stop in the in the rd
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and i
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Ford Corporate office has responded with the following: “You are not responsible for paying the actually recall remedy out of pocket. The recall remedy has not yet been released. At this time, the costs being discussed
NHTSA complaint: Power train
My 2020 Ford Explorer experienced a catastrophic mechanical failure directly tied to active Safety Recall 26S48 / NHTSA Campaign 26V402000. While operating the vehicle, the transmission's internal parking pawl failed/sha
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Moon roof is leaking from rain and snow and causing damage to whole interior
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
While driving my car, the transmission suffered a mechanical failure. The vehicle is shuddering when decelerating, causing sudden jolting and knocking sounds with no warning or error messages. Because of this defect, the
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The dash skin covering is deboning and lifting and it’s very concerning that the airbags might be compromised from inflating in an accident.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I am writing to formally express serious concerns regarding the safety of a Ford vehicle that continues to carry a 5-star safety rating despite multiple known, safety-critical defects that emerged after relatively low mi
NHTSA complaint: Lane departure
NHTSA lists 33 recall campaigns for the 2020 Ford Explorer. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. Over time, the protective sleeve on the vapor fuel line may chafe through the plastic liquid fuel line and cause a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a longer protective sleeve on the liquid fuel line, as necessary, free of charge. Ford issued owners and interim notification on January 29, 2020. R
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The right hand motor mount fasteners may have been incorrectly tightened, and may loosen over time.
Risk: With a loose motor mount, motor vibration may cause the axle to disconnect from the engine and could result in loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove and replace the right hand motor mount fasteners, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-86
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles. The rear lower control arm (RLCA) bolts that attach the rear lower control arms to the wheel knuckles may not have been heat-treated, which could cause them to break.
Risk: Broken RLCA bolts can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace both RLCA bolts, free of charge. The recall began on April 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for t
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Corsair, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with 360-degree cameras. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the Image Processing Module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 16, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
| Reliability | 46 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 59 | average |
| Maintenance | 69 | good |
| Depreciation | 53 | average |
| Performance | 72 | good |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
| Safety | 93 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 1,203 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 334 of them (28%). There are 33 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 46/100 (below average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 59/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2020 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 59/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.