2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid

Routine

Owners filed 2 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the unknown or other. It has been recalled 1 time.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Unknown or Other1
010
Power Train1
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Power Train › Axle Assembly22V255000
Filed Apr 14, 2022252,936 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer Police FHEV, Explorer Police 3.3L, and 2020-2022 Explorer 2.3L RWD, 3.0L PHEV, 3.3L FHEV, and 3.0L ST GAS vehicles. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.

Risk. A disconnected driveshaft can result in vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in 'Park' without the parking brake applied, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the bushing and axle cover, or update the electronic parking brake software. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2022, and March 10, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S27.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Apr 18, 2026CA

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.

Unknown or OtherFire
Filed Dec 14, 2020ME

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.

2 of 2 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2021
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20270100Routine
20260100Routine
20251200Routine
20231000Routine
20221100Routine
20217100Routine
2020 — this page2110Routine

Compare every Explorer Hybrid year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 14, 2022. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.