What 1,163 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 Ford Explorer Police Intercept

1. The Explorer spontaneously went on fire while being driven damaging the entire front of the vehicle 2. The vehicle could have exploded affecting other vehicles as well as injured or killed the driver and passenger 3. No. Insurance Company immediately declared vehicle totaled. 4. No. Once again, vehicle was immediately declared a total loss and assigned salvage company to take possession 5. No warnings. First sign of anything wrong was flames coming from under the hood

NHTSA ODI 11537794

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that she became aware that the rear passenger’s side head rest was fractured several months ago. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the head rest needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

NHTSA ODI 11537220

Cars jerking while upshifting or downshifting at regular speed.

NHTSA ODI 11537294

The component that has failed is on the exhaust listed as the flexible exhaust pipe assemble part N1MZ5G203A. The part has no visual damage but consistently rattles while idle. The vehicle has been well taken care of but the part appears to be defective. This appears to be the same issue as NHTSA Technical Bulletin 20-2282. There are no safety concerns at this point. The vehicle has been inspected by Capital Ford in Charlotte North Carolina. There has been a Ford customer experience associate assigned to the case who has reviewed the dealerships diagnostic of the issue. Ford has offered to pay for the part but not the labor required to install the part. There were no warning signs/lamps/indicators notifying of the underlying issue.

NHTSA ODI 11536848

Fuel gauge on electronic instrument panel shows empty at all times. Driver can run out of gas without warning. Vehicle OBDC shows fuel sensor fault, local dealer claims a faulty instrument cluster with very costly repair. No warnings before this happened. Just Fuel light coming on, check engine light coming on and fuel level showing Zero.

NHTSA ODI 11536882

Shifting is hard shifting up and down

NHTSA ODI 11537043

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

2020 FORD EXPLORER ST-ABOUT 55,000 MILES. DEALER: PREFERRED FORD IN GRAND HAVEN, MI. ISSUE IS SOMETIMES A MULTITUDE OF WARNING LIGHTS WOULD COME ON WHEN TRAVELING. THEY INCLUDE SHUTTING DOWN THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN IN MOTION, THE FORWARD COLLISION SENSOR WOULD STOP WORKING, ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND HILL ASSIST LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AND STOP WORKING. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER A SHORT TRIP, 10-15 MILES INTO TOWN, OR ON A LONGER TRIP. ONLY WAY TO POTENTIALLY RESET IT WAS TO STOP, TURN VEHICLE OFF FOR A MINUTE OR TWO AND RESTART. SOMETIMES THIS WORKED AND SOMETIMES NOT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN OPERATING ON A ROADWAY, USUALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY IN WINTER ROAD CONDITIONS OR AN OCCASIONAL TRIP THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS TO THE SOUTHERN STATES. HAD A COMPUTER UPDATE, WHICH COST $540.00, STILL NOT SOLVE IT. FINALLY ABLE TO GET INTO DEALER WITH ALL WARNING LIGHTS ACTIVATED. DEALER STATED HAS TO DO WITH DRIVETRAIN. NOW TODAY (8-3-23), WAS ADVISED BY DEALER A NEW FORD ENGINEER INTERNAL SERVICE MEMO STATED THAT IS NOT THE TOTAL FIX. TOTAL REPAIRS COST IS IN/AROUND $2000.00. IF FORD KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUE AND WITH THE MANY FORD EXPLORERS ON THE ROAD TODAY, THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED SO THE CONSUMER CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE IN DRIVING THEIR VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI 11536128

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

1. My 2020 Explorer has about 75,000 miles. 2. The car rolled back while in park during the week of 7/24, and the emergency brake stopped the car from rolling. 3. I called Ford Customer Care and my local dealer to see if my model was included in the current transmission recall (23v06900), it is not. 4. On 7/28/23, the car would not go into park. The emergency brake kicked in. The screen shows a message that says "Park not available apply brake before exiting". 5. Car is currently at the dealership in need of a new transmission. Vehicle still will not go into "park". Car remains in place due to the emergency brake, only.

NHTSA ODI 11535541

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

The trim between the rear passenger side and the non-moving window flew off on the freeway 3 weeks ago. I had an appt at the dealership for an oil change and was told “yeah, it can happen.” I opted not to have them reschedule me to fit me in for a fix and I’m glad I didn’t because the driver’s side trim in the same window location came off while driving over the Golden Gate Bridge. There were pedestrians all over and it could have hit someone. Both window trims in three weeks, one on a freeway and another on a highly-populated pedestrian/vehicle bridge. These pieces appear to be metal.

NHTSA ODI 11535324

There have been a few times when the gas pedal (accelerator) isn’t responsive. I have pressed the accelerator to the floor a few times and there has been a long delay in response from the engine and when it did respond it was at a lower rpm then expected when the pedal is to the floor. It has occurred when the vehicle is at a stop and the accelerator is pressed to hard. This has occurred multiple times.

NHTSA ODI 11535225

Rear lift gate doesn't operate or operates erratically . Rear lift gate will not open traping occupants in the vehicle. Particularly any occupant seated in the third row seats. Yes. Took it to the dealer and they failed to address the problem First began February 2023. The dash board button will work some times and not others. Same for the key FOB and rear lift gate located on the the exterior of the vehicle. I have had occupants trapped in the back of the vehicle when the lift gate will not operate at all.

NHTSA ODI 11534602

There seems to be a recurring issue with Explorer ST vehicles burning excessive oil upon start-up. In my situation, I have seem my oil levels drop after 5,000 miles. In some reported cases the constant consumption of oil has caused catastrophic engine failure while driving. A similar issue has also been reported on Ford F-150 trucks with the 2.7l turbo. There appears to be a fix for this that requires a oil feed line from the block to the turbo unit to be replaced (newly designed oil feed line) but Ford has not issued any recalls or repair notices for the 2020 Explorer ST's that experience a similar problem.

NHTSA ODI 11534160

Previously filed reports 11521566 and 11494044, stating problem with no response from the accelerator pedal, it happened several times again, at different speeds and different driving modes, should I wait to be involved in an accident to sue the company directly or what other recourse do I have? Have taken the car different times and mentioned the problem but they say "we found nothing wrong" the car is out of warranty now and have seen reports of transmission problems that should have caused a recall.

NHTSA ODI 11533701

When the car starts all warning lights come on. Hill start assistance, pre collision assistance, all assistance. There is no cruise, no safety collision assistance at all. First appeared on June 13 2023. Ford Dealer is currently trying to fix the problem. They are unsure why it’s doing it. It puts all occupants life at risks as the car doesn’t have any safety assistance.

NHTSA ODI 11533745

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while exiting the vehicle, she observed the front driver's side seat control housing separating, hindering the use of the seat controls. The failure was later observed in the front passenger’s side seat. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 16,000.

NHTSA ODI 11533025

I had an oil change at the Feldman Ford Dealership on or around 3/7/2023. On 4/14/2023 at or at round 5-6 pm; I was traveling southbound on I-75 when my 2020 Explorer suddenly slowed down from 70 miles per hour to around 40 miles per hour while I’m in the farthest lane and it wouldn’t go pass 45 miles per hour almost causing the vehicle behind to rear end me. The dash displayed a reading stating the oil pressure is low and to get engine serviced. I put on my hazards and safely made it to exit off of the freeway. I stopped at a gas station because the engine was making a loud screaming noise. I called my salesman from Feldman Ford and explained what was happening and what the dash was saying so he asked me to shut off the engine and to check the oil. So when I opened the hood I saw oil everywhere and the engine was so hot that the heat was burning my face. The dipstick was indicating that the oil was low to empty. He stated that’s impossible you just had an oil change 4-5 weeks ago and the engine appears that it’s not cooling. So he advised me to put in 2-3 quarts and get on my knees to see if any oil is leaking underneath and there was no leak after I put in 3 quarts of oil. So he asked how far was i from home i told him no more than 15 minutes, then he asked me to start the car to see if the noise diminished and it was not as loud so he said to see if I could get the car home because I had my 1 month old grandson and my daughter with me and he will have a tow truck to come and get it. I made it a block from my home then the car shut off and wouldn’t start. So I had family to come get my daughter and grandson and I stayed with the vehicle until 930/10 pm when the tow truck arrived and my vehicle has been at the Feldman Ford service lot ever since 4/14/2023 and it has not been fixed or worked on. I was told that the oil pump failed causing 2 or 3 seals to go bad in the back and front of the motor. The Ford app displayed engine issues 2 months prior to my purchase.

NHTSA ODI 11532753

Both front seats have brackets that have broken and come apart. Service says this is seen all the time. Pants and skirts get caught in it all the time.

NHTSA ODI 11532426

17 recalls, multiple recalls for the same thing with the rear view camera Currently have another recall on the rear view camera with no exact date on when remedy will be available. Sounds like a qualifying lemon to me.

NHTSA ODI 11532456

The Radio would not keep stations and eventually was almost always static. I took it to the Ford dealership that I purchased from since it is supposed to have a full warranty. They are now saying that it has water leaking in from the roof and it has damaged the OEM (?) system. They don't know if Ford will cover under warranty so I now sit with no vehicle as they wait for a decision. When and if it gets repaired I will now have to worry about other damage that will be caused by a leaking roof vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11531596

Car hesitates on acceleration; almost hit by oncoming traffic. Dealer reports a broken axle on 4 wheel drive assembly. Apparently there is an open investigation on this?

NHTSA ODI 11531299

My passenger side low beam Headlamp stopped working in Nov 2022. I had a "check headlamp" warning light. I took it to the dealer on 12/09/22. They stated that they found code B155A:96 requiring replacement of the LED control module, requiring part #JX7Z-13C788-L (total cost $1112.25). Headlamp was operational approx 1 week. Returned to the dealership 12/16 with a non-functioning light. They installed RT Headlamp asset, performed calibration, and adjusted horizontal position. Requiring part #MB5Z-13008-AG (total cost $1750). The headlight remained operational for approx 6 months. The "Check Headlamp" warning light has come on again and I will need to have further repair. Having an intermittently functioning or non-functioning Headlamp makes driving at night or in the rain both unsafe and illegal. The cost of this repair was not covered by warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11531063

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