2020 Ford Explorer engine problems
137 of the 1,228 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Ford Explorer name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). Filed under the same heading: 72 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recalls. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the engine
Source: NHTSA complaint database2 of the 137 reports a crash · 4 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2020: 17 · 2021: 10 · 2022: 13 · 2023: 28 · 2024: 27 · 2025: 29 · 2026: 13
Half of the 51 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 6,000 and 83,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
1,228 complaints in all about the 2020 Ford Explorer, 13 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Engine” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ford Explorer engine problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Engine malfunction indicator lamp came on 10/15/20 while driving.. It was taken to the dealer and I was told that it was a thermostat problem which could wait until there was a loner car available.
There are many issues with this vehicle. The first issue is that water is coming inside of the vehicle and pooling up on the passenger side floor. The second issue is water inside the passenger taillight. The third issue is the allwheel drive sensor is malfunctioning.
Car was in drive or reverse but would not move, like the gearing was not engaged. Pressed on gas it finally took off almost hitting another car. Took to Ford, they fixed so they say, but it has happened 4 more times. Yesterday, was in parking lot and put in reverse and took off.
Purchased Ford Explorer st in sept 2019 and windshield was not properly installed. Took multiple rips to dealership to correct. And it is still not properly fixed. They had to reinstall windshield and passenger side pillar. The electrically connectivity with sync 3 has never worked properly.
I was driving going to get food and when I press on my break to slow down, I had a huge jolt, like it was shifting gears not correctly(it's an automatic)the jolt would occur when I would hit over 46mph and when I would slow down to 26mph.
What is on file about the engine
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 24V598000 CriticalAug 9, 2024 · 85,238 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with the Police Interceptor Utility Package. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
- 20V788000 HighDec 17, 2020 · 1,405 vehicles
- 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.
72 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2020 Ford Explorer names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2020 Ford Explorer
Source: the same files- transmission and drivetrain problems 499 complaints
- electrical problems 186 complaints
- backup camera and parking sensor problems 112 complaints
- brake problems 83 complaints
- visibility and wiper problems 69 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre engine problems common on the 2020 Ford Explorer?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 137 owner complaints naming the engine on this model year (11% of everything owners filed about it), and 72 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recalls are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the engine on the 2020 Ford Explorer?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading: 24V598000, 20V788000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the 2020 Ford Explorer?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 27,000 miles; half of them between 6,000 and 83,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.