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What 4 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 Ford Explorer Hev

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 (4)Crash / fire / injury (1)Transmission & drivetrain (3)

Newest first · 4 complaints

Apr 30, 2026Transmission & drivetrain

When the vehicle was started this morning, it sounded like it was chugging and did not wasn’t to stay on. Then when the driver went to drive, he got the notification on my dash to stop safely and the engine was disabled. The check engine light was on, as well as the battery light was on, and the warning light was on. PCM code P1A0C present. TSB 25-2447 applies but the vehicle has current software already installed as of 3/26/26. Ongoing issue with this and other Hybrid Ford Police Interceptor Utilities in our Fleet.

NHTSA ODI 11734767

Apr 30, 2026Transmission & drivetrain

Driver was responding to a priority call with lights and siren going when the engine RPM's raced to approx 8,000 RPM's, engine lost forward movement and red triangle and stop safely now message turned on. Vehicle was moved to the side of the road and was disabled requiring a tow to Fleet. PCM codes P2884 and P2885 for Hybrid engine disconnect clutch faults were noted in PCM and vehicle was sent to dealer for diag/repairs on 4/27/26.

NHTSA ODI 11734773

Apr 18, 2026Transmission & drivetrain

I was driving the vehicle through a neighborhood and there was a clunk noise and it sounded like my brakes were metal on metal. I stopped to ensure my brakes were okay. Then I continued to drive home when there was a louder clunk and the reared on my vehicle locked up and the car would no longer move. The reared differential unit had failed and exploded parts and put holes in the unit causing fluid to exit onto the street and lock up the drive tires. The vehicle was stranded in the middle of the street and could not move. There was no warning or indication of a failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and components were replaced under extended warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11732065

Dec 14, 2020Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHOP MAKING NECESSARY REPAIRS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE WENT UP IN FLAMES INSIDE THE GARAGE OF THE INDEPENDENT SHOP. NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THERE WAS PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. A POLICE REPORT WAS MADE. THE VEHICLE IS AWAITING INSURANCE ADJUSTOR INFORMATION FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE THAT OCCURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V687000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. DARLING'S403 HOGAN RD, BANGOR, ME 04401 (207) 992-1560 WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NO RECALLS WERE UNDER THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND HAS PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA ODI 11383331

Working with the data? Download all 4 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 14, 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 Hev verdict →