What are the most common Ford Explorer problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 1,701+ owner reports, the 2020 Ford Explorer has 15 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Rear Axle Mounting Bolt Fracture, Front Windshield Wiper Motor Failure (Recall 26V117 / 26S14), Improperly Secured Seat Belt Anchor / Buckle Bolts May Not Restrain Occupants in a Crash (Recall 25V093). Of these, 4 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Ford Explorer reliable?
The 2020 Ford Explorer has 15 known issues documented across 1,701+ owner reports. 4 issues are rated critical: Rear Axle Mounting Bolt Fracture and Front Windshield Wiper Motor Failure (Recall 26V117 / 26S14) and Improperly Secured Seat Belt Anchor / Buckle Bolts May Not Restrain Occupants in a Crash (Recall 25V093) and Rear Driveshaft Weld-Seam Fracture (Recall 20V693000 / 20S65). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Ford Explorer problems?
Repair costs for known Ford Explorer issues range from $0 to $6,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Rear Axle Mounting Bolt Fracture, typically costs $0-$2,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2020-2022 Ford Explorer Rear Axle Mounting Bolt Fracture?
The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture, causing the rear axle housing to move out of position. This can result in the driveshaft or half-shafts becoming disconnected, leading to loss of forward power and loss of transmission torque to the rear wheels, significantly i… Repairs typically run $0-$2,500. Severity: high.
What is the 2020-2022 Ford Explorer Front Windshield Wiper Motor Failure (Recall 26V117 / 26S14)?
The front windshield wiper motor can fail because the motor cover terminal is not properly aligned with the brush-card terminal, creating a poor internal electrical connection. This causes intermittent wiper operation or complete failure of the wipers, reducing visibility in rain… Repairs typically run $0-$500. Severity: high.
What is the 2020-2021 Ford Explorer Improperly Secured Seat Belt Anchor / Buckle Bolts May Not Restrain Occupants in a Crash (Recall 25V093)?
Certain 2020-2021 Explorers (and Lincoln Aviators) may have improperly secured seat belt buckle anchor bolts at one or more seating positions, and/or an improperly secured seat belt retractor anchor bolt or anchor bolt at the second-row center seating position. A loose seat belt… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
What is the 2020 Ford Explorer Rear Driveshaft Weld-Seam Fracture (Recall 20V693000 / 20S65)?
Certain 2020 AWD Explorers (and the Lincoln Aviator) left the Chicago Assembly Plant with an inadequately welded rear driveshaft. The weld seam can fracture, allowing the driveshaft to deform and separate from the driveline; this severs the mechanical connection between the trans… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
What is the 2020-2024 Ford Explorer 10R60 10-Speed Transmission Harsh Shifting?
The 10R60 10-speed automatic transmission exhibits harsh shifting, delayed gear engagement, slipping between gears, and erratic behavior. Ford identified that actuators in the transmission are sometimes too tight, causing abnormal shifts. The transmission adaptive learning can al… Repairs typically run $150-$6,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2020-2024 Ford Explorer 360-Degree / Rearview Camera System Failure?
A software failure in the 360-degree camera system's image processing module can cause the rearview camera to display a blank/black image when the vehicle is placed in reverse, or the image may remain frozen on the display after the backing event has ended. This affects driver vi… Repairs typically run $0-$800. Severity: medium.
What is the 2013-2020 Ford Explorer 3.5L EcoBoost Ignition Coil and Spark Plug Misfire (Often Caused by Broken Exhaust Manifold Studs)?
Explorers (especially the Sport and Platinum) with the twin-turbocharged 3.5L EcoBoost are widely reported to develop cylinder misfires, a flashing check-engine light, rough idle and a loss of power that owners frequently chase by replacing ignition coils and spark plugs. The tur… Repairs typically run $120-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 2016-2020 Ford Explorer A/C Compressor Failure Causing Loss of Cold Air and Whining/Burning Smell?
Explorer owners frequently report the A/C compressor failing internally, leaving the system unable to produce cold air. A failing compressor can seize or shed metal debris, sometimes accompanied by a whining noise and a burning smell. When the compressor comes apart it can contam… Repairs typically run $800-$1,600. Severity: medium.
What is the 2016-2023 Ford Explorer Panoramic Sunroof / Moonroof Water Leak and Tempered-Glass Shattering?
Explorers equipped with the dual-panel/panoramic moonroof are widely reported to leak water into the cabin and, less often, to have the tempered roof glass spontaneously shatter ('exploding sunroof'). Leaks typically present as water dripping from the overhead console / map-light… Repairs typically run $0-$1,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2020-2022 Ford Explorer Water Leak Into Rear Cargo Area and Spare-Tire Well (2020+ Explorer/Aviator)?
Sixth-generation Explorers exhibit water intrusion into the rear of the vehicle, pooling in the spare-tire well and cargo floor. Ford addressed it with TSBs (e.g., 20-2425 / 23-2181) that trace leaks to missing or poorly seated seals behind the tail lamps, unsealed liftgate/body… Repairs typically run $150-$700. Severity: medium.
What is the 2016-2020 Ford Explorer Parasitic Battery Drain From WiFi/APIM and Accessory Modules Causing Repeated Dead Batteries?
Owners report repeated dead batteries from a parasitic draw that exceeds Ford's ~50 mA key-off spec; affected Explorers have measured ~200 mA, killing a battery in about three days of sitting. Culprits traced on the forums include the in-vehicle WiFi hotspot/modem module, the API… Repairs typically run $100-$600. Severity: medium.
What is the 2020-2022 Ford Explorer SYNC 3 / APIM Touchscreen Freezing and Black Screen (TSB MC-10179121)?
Early sixth-generation Explorers with SYNC 3 experience the center touchscreen freezing unresponsive or going fully black — frequently when Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connects — losing audio, climate, and backup-camera display until a reset. Ford traced many cases to outdated API… Repairs typically run $0-$300. Severity: low.
What is the 2011-2020 Ford Explorer Aluminum Hood Paint Bubbling and Corrosion (Filiform/Iron-Contamination Defect)?
The aluminum hood (and to a lesser extent other aluminum panels) develops paint bubbling, blistering and flaking, most often along the leading edge of the hood. The defect is attributed to iron particle contamination of the aluminum panel before paint, which corrodes from within… Repairs typically run $500-$1,500. Severity: low.
What is the 2011-2020 Ford Explorer EVAP Canister Purge Valve Failure Triggering Small-Leak Check-Engine Codes?
A very common check-engine cause on the Explorer is an EVAP small-leak code, most often from a stuck or leaking canister purge valve, but also from the capless fuel filler seal, vent valve, or a loose/faulty gas cap. The purge valve controls fuel-vapor flow from the charcoal cani… Repairs typically run $150-$350. Severity: low.
What is the 2020-2023 Ford Explorer Auto Start-Stop System Stops Working Due to Auxiliary Battery / Current-Sensor Fault?
Sixth-generation Explorers commonly have the Auto Start-Stop feature stop functioning, showing 'Auto Start-Stop Not Ready.' The most common causes are a weak or degraded battery, a failed auxiliary/AGM battery that supports the restart function, or an inaccurate battery current (… Repairs typically run $250-$550. Severity: low.
