Is the 2020 Ford EXPLORER reliable?

The 2020 Ford EXPLORER has 1611 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2020 Ford EXPLORER?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (445 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (199 complaints, avg repair $500); DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS (198 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2020 Ford EXPLORER?

No recalls have been issued for the 2020 Ford EXPLORER.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Ford EXPLORER?

The 2020 Ford EXPLORER gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2020 Ford EXPLORER?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2020 Ford EXPLORER is approximately $1,652/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2020 Ford EXPLORER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Ford EXPLORER has 1611 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.6x the segment average of 1024. The most common issue is transmission problems (28% of all complaints), specifically: i purchased a 2020 ford explorer at sames ford in laredo, tx. the vehicle was received 11 sept 2019. the vehicle broke down on 18 sept 2019 in indiana (mileage 1896) while in motion on the highway. the vehicle was towed to auto park ford in stergis, michigan. the problem was the transmission oil coo. ⚠️ 13 fire reports filed.

13 fire reports 44 crash reports 37 injuries

1611

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

445 complaints

28%

• I PURCHASED A 2020 FORD EXPLORER AT SAMES FORD IN LAREDO, TX. THE VEHICLE WAS RECEIVED 11 SEPT 2019. THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN ON 18 SEPT 2019 IN INDIANA (MILEAGE 1896) WHILE IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUTO PARK FORD IN STERGIS, MICHIGAN. THE PROBLEM WAS THE TRANSMISSION OIL COO
• THIS VEHICLE WAS GIVEN TO ME ON OR ABOUT 12 NOVEMBER 2019 AS A REPLACEMENT FOR A 2020 FORD EXPLORER, VIN [XXX], PURCHASED FROM SAMES FORD IN LAREDO, WHICH TWICE HAD FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION COOLING SYSTEM WHILE IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS NEW VEHICLE BROKE DOWN WHILE IN MOTION IN THE HIGHWAY
• VEHICLE DOESN'T MOVE FOR LONG SECONDS WHEN I SWITCH TO REVERSE.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 6 crashes

“I PURCHASED A 2020 FORD EXPLORER AT SAMES FORD IN LAREDO, TX. THE VEHICLE WAS RECEIVED 11 SEPT 2019. THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN ON 18 SEPT 2019 IN INDIANA (MILEAGE 1896) WHILE IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUTO PARK FORD IN STERGIS, MICHIGAN. THE PROBLEM WAS THE TRANSMISSION OIL COO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2020 Ford EXPLORER

Based on 539 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 15K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

323

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 37K mi · 174 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

In line with typicalmedian 16K mi · 67 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 10K mi · 61 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 26K mi · 52 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 7K mi · 40 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 6K mi · 38 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2020 Ford EXPLORER

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,778/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2020 Ford EXPLORER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,652

Full coverage / month

$138

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

-1%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1652

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford EXPLORER Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2020 EXPLORER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 1611 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: I PURCHASED A 2020 FORD EXPLORER AT SAMES FORD IN LAREDO, TX. THE VEHICLE WAS RECEIVED 11 SEPT 2019. THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN ON 18 SEPT 2019 IN INDIANA (MILEAGE 1896) WHILE IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUTO PARK FORD IN STERGIS, MICHIGAN. THE PROBLEM WAS THE TRANSMISSION OIL COO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: HAVE EXTREMELY STRONG EXHAUST FUMES COMING IN THE FRESH AIR INTAKE-MAKING ME AND MY PASSENGERS EXTREMELY SICK-NAUSEUS, REALLY BAD HEADACHES, EXTREMELY SLEEPY, ACID REFLUX AND EVEN HAVE PEOPLE ASK HALF HOUR AFTER LEAVING THE VEHICLE IF WE'VE BEEN STANDING NEXT TO AN EXHAUST PIPE!!!! ONE OF THESE TIME
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: VEHICLE DETECTED POSSIBLE COLLISION AND APPLIED BRAKES. THERE WAS NOTHING ANYWHERE NEAR ME. THEN SEVERAL FAULTS APPEARED. SERVICE 4WD, PRE COLLISION ASSIST FAULT, STABILITRACK FAULT, DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE FAULT. INFO SCREEN WENT ALL BLACK. I WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH AND A STRAIGHT 2 LANE ROAD WITH NO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO REV VERY HIGHLY AND THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SWITCHED INTO NEUTRAL, BUT THE FAILURE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)