2020 Ford Explorer: Recalls and Reported Problems
Every NHTSA safety recall recorded for this model year, what owners report most often, and how to check whether one specific vehicle still has open work.
Two identical Explorers can differ entirely: one may have had every recall repaired, the other none.
NHTSA lists 33 safety recalls for the 2020 Ford Explorer, alongside 1,194 owner complaints filed with the agency, most often about power train. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by a franchised dealer, with no expiry on safety recalls. A recall applies to a production range, so check the specific VIN — a previous owner may already have had the work done.
2020 Ford Explorer at a glance
What owners report most
These are the vehicle systems named most often in complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Ford Explorer. A complaint is an unverified owner report: it does not establish a defect, and a high count can simply reflect a popular model. Use it to decide where an inspection should look hardest.
| Vehicle system | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 471 |
| Electrical System | 182 |
| Engine | 113 |
| Back Over Prevention | 104 |
| Service Brakes | 82 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 67 |
Recall campaigns for the 2020 Ford Explorer
Each campaign below is an official NHTSA record. The remedy is performed free of charge by a franchised dealer, and safety recalls never expire — but a campaign covers a production range, so only a VIN lookup confirms whether a particular vehicle is included and whether the work is still outstanding.
| Campaign | Component | Issue |
|---|---|---|
| 19V859000 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 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. |
| 20V788000 | ENGINE | 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. |
| 21V154000 | SUSPENSION:REAR | 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… |
| 21V735000 | BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE | 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. |
| 20V549000 | SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with second row center seat belt buckles that may not be properly secured to the seat. |
| 20V693000 | POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with a 2.0L or 3.3L engine and a 10 Speed Automatic Transmission with the All Wheel Drive package. The drive shaft may fracture along the weld seam. |
| 20V575000 | BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. |
| 20V730000 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer vehicles equipped with 2.3L engines and 19 gallon fuel tanks. The fuel tank inlet check valve may not be fully welded to the fuel tank shell. |
NHTSA records 33 campaigns in total for this model year; the 8 most recent are listed above. Run the VIN through NHTSA’s free lookup for the complete, vehicle-specific list.
How to check one specific Explorer
- Copy the 17-character VIN from the windshield or driver-door label — not from the listing.
- Run it through NHTSA’s free recall lookup to see open campaigns for that exact vehicle.
- Ask the seller for repair documentation on any campaign that shows as completed.
- Check title, odometer, and total-loss history separately; recalls say nothing about a vehicle’s past.
- Book an independent pre-purchase inspection focused on the systems owners report most.
What this data cannot tell you
- Whether a specific vehicle is included in a campaign, or whether its recall work was completed — only a VIN lookup answers that.
- Whether a complaint is accurate. NHTSA publishes owner reports without verifying them.
- How reliable the model is overall: complaint volume tracks how many vehicles were sold as much as how they hold up.
- Anything about title brands, accident history, odometer records, or liens on an individual vehicle.
Primary sources behind this page
Open the underlying public source and verify that its scope matches the question you are asking.
2020 Ford Explorer questions
How many recalls does the 2020 Ford Explorer have?
NHTSA lists 33 safety recalls covering the 2020 Ford Explorer as of 2026-08-27. Whether a specific vehicle is affected — and whether the repair was already done — depends on its VIN.
What are the most common 2020 Ford Explorer problems?
Owners most often report power train, electrical system, engine issues to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports and do not establish a defect, but they show where to focus an inspection.
Are Ford recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed at no charge by a franchised dealer, and federal safety recalls do not expire. Bring the VIN and ask the dealer to confirm open campaigns before the appointment.
Can I check recalls on a specific 2020 Ford Explorer VIN?
Yes. NHTSA's free VIN lookup reports open recalls for an individual vehicle, including whether the repair is still outstanding. Model-level lists like this page cannot tell you that.