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)

3 of 1,160 complaints match · Lights · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Oct 17, 2025Electrical systemLightsCrash

Put vehicle in reverse camera camera on then went black and the backup lights went out while trying to move resulting in hitting a pole.

NHTSA ODI 11694015

Jun 5, 2025LightsCrash

Back up camera glitches and back up lights went out cause me to back into a tree at night

NHTSA ODI 11664995

Jul 16, 2021Electrical systemLightsFire

Smoke started coming from the passenger side visor as I was driving. There was no indication of an issue with warning messages of any kind. Of course I panicked, ran from the car and called the fire department who stated it smelled electrical when they arrived. After a week of being at the dealership, they couldn't find anything; however, 30 seconds after I got into my vehicle, I noticed the cabin lights weren't working. After returning the vehicle within an hour they found that a wire had burned out and shorted out some fuses. 2 weeks later and I still don't have my vehicle. No injuries, just scared beyond belief to have a 2020 ST start smoking!! Even if they state it is fixed, I am still scared to death to drive it after that!! I have had issues with the brakes as well. Those stopped working but apparently that was a recall that was resolved. I have purchased Fords for the past 20 years. I will NEVER buy a Ford again with all the issues I have on this vehicle!

NHTSA ODI 11425163

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 →