The Ford Explorer is a trend-setter that started the SUV culture back in the ‘90s. The 2020 Explorer brings a similar package with extreme capabilities, as well as a three-row seating capacity. At an MSRP of $34,010, the Ford Explorer rivals the like of the Hyundai Palisade and the Kia Telluride. The SUV has seen very strong sales for eons but the 2020 model year has been on the shorter stick of reliability. The SUV gets a whopping 12 recalls and multiple user complaints registered on the NHTSA. There is also an open investigation for the SUV regarding the backup camera. Let’s see what all issues are the most common for the SUV and explore the recalls.
2020 Ford Explorer User Complaints
Electrical issues:
- Deep Sleep mode: The electrical issues of the 2020 Explorer start in Deep Sleep mode. This mode disables all the electrical functions and drains the battery after a prolonged period. The complainants had to jumpstart their vehicle to get it working again.
- Infotainment issues: The infotainment system of the 2019 and the 2020 Explorer has been nothing short of problematic. Many people have complained of the system freezing and switching off while the vehicle is in motion. There have been frequent connection issues and freezes reported as well. In some cases, the system refused to start at all and disabled the rearview camera.
- Starter fires: Some people have reported the Explorer to catch fire while the SUV is turned off. Diagnosis reveals that an overheated and faulty starter motor comes in contact with the surrounding apparatus to cause a fire.
Mechanical issues:
- Engine stalling: The Ford Explorer engine stalling issue has been there for quite some time now. People have reported the engine shut down irrespective of the driving behavior. This has caused numerous close-call incidents for the driver and the occupants inside. Some people weren’t lucky and sustained injuries due to the engine stalling out on the highway.
- Transmission issues: The Explorer transmission issues are also a widespread epidemic in many model years. People have complained about how the gearbox is unreliable and has a mind of its own. There have been numerous incidents of the gear shifting to neutral while driving. People have also reported it moving into gear and causing unintended acceleration.
2020 Ford Explorer Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
August 5, 2019 |
19V575000 |
Powertrain |
Absence of the Manual Park Release (MPR) cover may lead the SUV into Factory Mode. This disables all the warnings and doesn’t display the selected gear. The affected units fail to comply with FMVSS Number 114, “Theft Prevention” and 102, “Trans Shift Lever Seq/Starter Interlock/Trans Braking Effect”. |
The recall began on August 23, 2019. The dealers installed the MPR cover and clear any fault codes, if in Factory Mode. |
|
2. |
August 28, 2019 |
19V633000 |
Seats |
A missing third pawl in the seatback affects the reclining mechanism of the seats. This may cause the seat to move unexpectedly and increase the risk of injury in a crash. The affected vehicles also fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS Numbers 202, “Head Restraints” and 207, “Seating Systems”. |
The recall began on October 21, 2019. The dealers will inspect and replace if required, the affected seatbacks. |
|
3. |
September 30, 2019 |
19V687000 |
Electrical System |
Improperly secured wiring harness may come in contact with the A/C belt and result in a short circuit. This increases the risk of a fire. |
The recall began on October 21, 2019. The dealers will install a tie strap to secure the harness. |
|
4. |
December 4, 2019 |
19V859000 |
Fuel System |
A chafe on the protective sleeve on the fuel vapor line may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire. |
The recall began on March 23, 2020. The dealers will install a longer protective sleeve on the fuel line. |
|
5. |
August 21, 2020 |
20V497000 |
Airbags |
Improperly tightened front seatback may hinder airbag operations, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. |
The recall began on September 10, 2020. The dealers will check if the seatbacks are properly tightened. |
|
6. |
September 10, 2020 |
20V549000 |
Seatbelts |
Improperly secured seat buckles in the rear seats may not restrain the occupant properly, increasing the risk of injury. |
The recall began on November 6, 2020. The dealers will replace the affected second-row seat assembly. |
|
7. |
September 23, 2020 |
20V575000 |
Visibility |
Malfunction in the backup camera affects rearward visibility, increasing the risk of an injury/a crash. The affected units fail to comply with the FMVSS Number 111, “Rear Visibility”. |
The recall began on November 17, 2020. The dealers will replace the rearview camera. |
|
8. |
November 10, 2020 |
20V693000 |
Powertrain |
Fracture of the driveshaft in the 10-speed automatic transmission may cause loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash. |
The recall began on December 11, 2020. The dealers will inspect and replace the driveshaft, if necessary. |
|
9. |
November 24, 2020 |
20V730000 |
Fuel System |
Improperly welded fuel tank inlet check valve may cause fuel leakage, increasing the risk of a crash. |
The recall began on December 8, 2020. The dealers will inspect and replace the fuel tank shell, if necessary. |
|
10. |
December 17, 2020 |
20V788000 |
Engine |
Incorrectly tightened right-hand motor mount fasteners may disconnect the axle from the engine, increasing the risk of a crash. |
The recall began on February 3, 2021. The dealers will replace the right-hand motor mount fasteners. |
|
11. |
March 10, 2021 |
21V154000 |
Suspension |
Improperly heat-treated rear lower control arm (RLCA) bolts may cause loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash. |
The recall began on April 2, 2021. The dealers will replace the RLCA bolts. |
|
12. |
September 22, 2021 |
21V735000 |
Back Over Prevention |
Failure of the video output affects rearward visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. |
The recall began on April 2, 2021. The dealers will update the Image Processing Module (IPMB) software. |
Should you buy the 2020 Ford Explorer?
The 2020 Ford Explorer is a good SUV that combines practicality and a cavernous cabin at an attractive price. That apart, the SUV is wrecked with major issues like engine stalling, gearbox issues, and backup camera issues. The backup camera is the reason there is an open investigation on the SUV. To keep yourselves safe, we’d recommend skipping the 2020 Explorer, both new and used.
