Home · 2020 Ford Explorer Gas · Complaints

What 1,160 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 Ford Explorer Gas

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (1,160)Crash / fire / injury (64)Transmission & drivetrain (451)Electrical system (179)Engine (111)Backup camera & sensors (104)Brakes (79)Driver assistance (67)Visibility & wipers (63)Lights (51)Body & structure (43)Fuel system (42)

104 of 1,160 complaints match · Backup camera & sensors · clear filters · page 2 of 5

Oct 22, 2023Electrical systemBackup camera & sensorsCrash

The camera system does not work and disables the reverse braking and other safety features while reversing. This is a safety concern as while backing up to a trailer I have hit it 2 times, as the image will freeze and seems as if there is still room to continue backing up. I have taken this 4 times for recalls (since 2020) and none of them resolved it.

NHTSA ODI 11551276

Oct 19, 2023Backup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V735000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear-view camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacture had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.

NHTSA ODI 11550821

Oct 9, 2023Visibility & wipersBackup camera & sensors

When putting the vehicle in reverse the backup camera will cut out to a blue screen randomly. A recall was issued in May of 2023 and it is now October with no fix at all.

NHTSA ODI 11548936

Oct 4, 2023Electrical systemBackup camera & sensorsDriver assistance

Intermittent non-functional backup camera and brake assist after ford dealer applied a fix for backup camera failure. Backup camera blue/black screen error was not present before dealer applied “fix”

NHTSA ODI 11548336

Sep 25, 2023Electrical systemBackup camera & sensors

Back up camera stays on after selecting Drive and moving forward, it will either stay on showing what’s happening behind me or will stay on for 20-40 seconds than go to a blue screen or blue than black screen and stay in that screen. While this is happening I have no control over the display, sound, radio or heat. There has been time the back up camera has stayed on while in park. I have several pictures and videos of these incidents. In the incidents I was able to reboot my display it would be unresponsive and not update time these issues only happened when the back up camera would not properly shut off

NHTSA ODI 11546404

Sep 1, 2023Electrical systemBackup camera & sensorsDriver assistance

Summer 2023 OTA update to Ford Sync caused Sync system to malfunction. As a result touch screen controls are a black screen. No radio , no rear climate control, no backup camera , no 911 crash assist, no voice activated features, no forward collision warning system. Waiting for service appointment at local ford dealer.

NHTSA ODI 11542205

Aug 25, 2023Backup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V342000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the camera became inoperable with the display screen going black. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11540714

Aug 7, 2023Backup camera & sensorsDriver assistanceCrash

When you put car in reverse the camera screen may go blue or black. Sometimes it is all in cone in rear, other times it’s on the right side and at other times it is the entire screen. Turning blue or black. This started in the first several months of ownership in 2020. The dealership tried several things including replacing the camera in 2020-2021-2022. Problem continued. Was told it was all fixed and the same day it happened again. I live in metro DC and have to park in small spaces often between cement pillars. I bought the car specifically for the camera system. I have hit things while attempting to get the camera back to useable again while in heavier car use areas buy not being able to see or have a sensor go off. Since 2020 Ford has had no viable remedy available. No option for new owners other than taking the loss on the car which as a widow I cannot afford to do.

NHTSA ODI 11536900

Aug 1, 2023Backup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the back over prevention camera displayed a black screen. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the back over prevention camera needed to be replaced; however, the parts were not available. The contact stated that she had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V342000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact later received a notification that referenced a temporary fix; however, when the vehicle was taken to the dealer, the contact was informed that there was no temporary fix available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11535755

Jul 31, 2023Backup camera & sensors

The contact's wife owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear-view camera was displaying a blue image on the screen while in reverse(R). The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer and was initially informed that there would be a recall to address the failure. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V342000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle had been taken to several dealers where repairs were made to the rear-view camera; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 500. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11535424

Jul 8, 2023Electrical systemBackup camera & sensors

I have had the previous recall for my rear camera/display screen repaired in 08/2022. However, recently I have had my display screen start to glitch and turn off intermittently. Sometimes this happens while I am driving. Other times is happens while I am in reverse and the reverse camera does not work. When the reverse camera is not functioning there is concern for unseen dangers. I have videos of this but I cannot upload them into the form.

NHTSA ODI 11531064

Jun 25, 2023BrakesEngineBackup camera & sensors

For months our backup camera would turn blue and not show the rear cameras. Also during this time, on occasion the emergency braking would stop us from backing up and then the brakes would not work. We had a recall on the blue screen software but the breaking has started again.

NHTSA ODI 11528757

Jun 12, 2023Backup camera & sensorsCrash

360 degree camera is failing. The screen goes blue in reverse and i hit a garage wall unable to see it thru camera. Now the camera is failing in the front as well . Also is now occuring on a daily basis nor random anymore. Ford has not addressed the issue only thue software updates which i have has 2 occasions and yet camera still fails.

NHTSA ODI 11526521

May 19, 2023Visibility & wipersBackup camera & sensorsCrash

My vehicle has had 3 software updates to try correct blue screen issues. Recently under a blue screen i was backing up in a parking garage and hit the wall as i could not see with the screen being blue. Fortunately I was going slow but it did scrape my bumper from hitting the concrete wall. Mostly It scared my kids and had an abrupt stop. I had read a pin on the connector was left uncapped leading to corrosion resulting in faulting screen. Why is ford trying to fix with software update? They should of been replacing connector pins or cameras. I have been experiencing this for over 2 years.

NHTSA ODI 11522821

May 16, 2023Electrical systemLane DepartureBackup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact initially received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V022000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where the recall was performed. Once the vehicle was returned, the contact stated that the lane assist, the forward collision assist, and several other electrical features failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to correct the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The contact was then transferred to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000. The contact states that none of the accident prevention features are working. After two months, the manufacturer still has not provided a remedy and no parts are available.

NHTSA ODI 11522218

May 11, 2023Backup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V022000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the rearview camera image turned black, blue or gray while reversing. The contact stated that the failure occurred increasingly. The messages "Reverse Brake Assist Not Available - See Owner’s Manual” and "Park Aid Fault" were displayed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11521547

May 10, 2023Backup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a blue image on the rearview camera screen and a black image on the side-view cameras. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V022000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11521318

May 1, 2023Electrical systemLane DepartureBackup camera & sensors

I purchased this 2020 Ford Explorer ST, used while still under factory warranty. Within a week or two the IPMB module started malfunctioning, this affects all of the safety systems to include reverse brake assist, lane keeping assist, rear view camera and more. I have had the vehicle in two different dealerships over 9 times in the 15 months I have owned this suv, and within days of the problem being fixed the unit malfunctions again. I have tried to have the vehicle bought back by the dealer through their customer service program and the BBB of Michigan, to witch both claims have been denied claiming that the chicle does not fall under the NYS lemon law policy for used cars. The issue I have is this problem started within 1-2 weeks if purchasing the vehicle. What are the next steps that can be taken to have Ford Motor Company but this vehicle from me, as there is recall after recall on the unit in question.

NHTSA ODI 11519799

Apr 28, 2023Backup camera & sensors

on several occasions when applying reverse the rear vision camera gives an image on the blue screen making vision impossible

NHTSA ODI 11519471

Apr 25, 2023Backup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V022000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11518924

Apr 24, 2023Backup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V022000 (Back Over Prevention). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the recall repair was performed; however, the contact stated that while shifted into reverse, the rear-view camera failed, and the screen display was blue. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under 21V735000 (Back Over Prevention) and needed to be repaired again. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11518698

Apr 4, 2023Electrical systemBackup camera & sensors

Backup camera stays on the entire time driving or it will stay as a black or blue screen and not go back to original screen

NHTSA ODI 11515338

Mar 30, 2023SteeringBackup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the back over prevention camera malfunctioned and intermittently displayed a blue screen. Additionally, while driving, the display screen would erroneously activate and cause the steering wheel to momentarily vibrate and shake. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who performed a software update which corrected the failure; however, after a second software update was performed, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 37,000.

NHTSA ODI 11514558

Mar 27, 2023Backup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rearview camera image was distorted. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V022000 (Back Over Prevention). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11514014

Mar 27, 2023Backup camera & sensors

Despite bringing the vehicle in for two recall repairs, I still get the blue screen on the 360 camera when reversing. This limits my ability to safely back up and view my surroundings.

NHTSA ODI 11513989

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Working with the data? Download all 1,160 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 20, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2020 Ford Explorer Gas verdict →