2020 Ford Expedition Body & structure Problems

Car is equipped with power running boards. Set to come down when the doors are opened on that side, and return up and tucked under when doors on that side are closed. Lately they have been glitching and stuck down, stuck up, or, the most dangerous - go back up under car when door is opened and stepping on to them - children's feet have almost been crushed in them tucking under the car. I have tried overriding the system in the car to make them either stay out or stay in regardless of when the door is opened or closed but it resets when powered off and you can only reselect it when in park the next time. If the power running boards fail to pull up and tuck under the car when the door is closed, you can hear the system trying to lift it over and over while driving. There is no warning when it malfunctions, you have to open the door and just wait a moment to let it decide what to do. Unable to replicate it at a repair shop. System had been reset for a safety recall and then another visit resulted in a drained battery. Both of those temporarily fixed the issue for a few days but then it goes back to the above.

NHTSA ID

11751716

Incident

Jul 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 26V368000 (Structure), 26V402000 (Power Train), 26V344000 (Seat Belts) and 25V197000 (Seat Belts); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while shifting the transmission into park(P) or drive(D), the vehicle lunged forward. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ID

11751518

Incident

Jul 20, 2026

Mileage

50,000 mi

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 26V344000 (Seat Belts), 26V368000 (Structure) and 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and stalled and needed to be towed on several occasions. An unknown dealer was initially notified of the failure during an oil change appointment, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had become undrivable and was parked at the residence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11751505

Incident

Jul 20, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled on several occasions, and the instrument panel turned blank, forcing the contact to coast to the side of the road to restart the engine. Additionally, when shifting from Park to Drive, the vehicle shuddered violently and unintendedly shifted into Park. The contact associated these failures with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train). The contact also stated that the cup holder was collapsing inward, and the text or coating on every control button in the vehicle was peeling off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no diagnostic trouble code was found. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000.

NHTSA ID

11748502

Incident

Aug 25, 2023

Mileage

31,000 mi

The power liftgate system appears to be malfunctioning. The vehicle intermittently displays a warning that the liftgate is open when it is fully closed and secured. When this occurs, the liftgate will not open using the exterior handle, interior button, or key fob. Additionally, the false “liftgate open” alert triggers the vehicle’s alarm system to activate unexpectedly without any attempt to access the vehicle. The issue occurs randomly and without warning. This malfunction creates a safety risk because the liftgate cannot be opened when needed, which could prevent access to emergency supplies, child safety items, or the spare tire in an urgent situation. The false alert also causes the vehicle alarm to activate randomly, which can startle the driver and others nearby, potentially causing distraction while driving or in traffic areas. Additionally, the system incorrectly indicates that the liftgate is open, creating uncertainty about whether the vehicle is secure and safe to operate. A malfunctioning liftgate could present a hazard if the vehicle incorrectly detects an open door while in motion. Yes, the issue has been reproducible at Bluebonnet Ford in New Braunfels, TX. No, alerts prior to it happening, when I does alert all lights in the vehicle turn on, as well as notifications on the Ford Mobile app

NHTSA ID

11728842

Incident

Dec 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that upon entering the rear passenger’s side of the vehicle, the folding seat gap hider panel was missing, leaving a deep hole on the floor, approximately 19 inches deep. The contact believed that was a serious safety concern for a small child. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 87,000.

NHTSA ID

11658238

Incident

May 1, 2025

Mileage

87,000 mi

The chrome trim around the center console where cup holders, gearbox are located has peeled. When driving and going to pickup something off the console, the chrome that is peeling is very sharp and has cut myself and my husband. This is a known issue with people with the same vehicle. It’s distracting while driving as you get a shock and do not expect that which can cause a motor vehicle accident. It also poses a danger for people that have a fear of the sight of blood while driving too.

NHTSA ID

11605772

Incident

Jul 29, 2024

Issue is with Ford 10R80 transmission. While at freeway speeds ( 60/65 MPH) transmission is engaged in 8th/9th gear and you command vehicle to downshift to a passing gear (3rd for example) with a 3/4 throttle input - the gear indicator light shows 1st gear ( which is not possible going 60MPH ), but the vehicle falls into a false neutral basically loosing all power. The RPMs will rev all the way up, and you have to take your foot off of the accelerator and allow approx. 5 seconds of "coasting" before the vehicle is able to get itself back into a gear to resume power. This failure happens basically on command, and you aren't able to apply more than 1/2 throttle while driving down the freeway. Reported defect to Peoria Ford who told me no TSB exists for this issue and they aren't able to fix anything because no DTC error codes exist in the computer so I need to come pick up the vehicle. I am not forced out of a Ford rental and back into a vehicle with a known safety defect according to your TSB bulletin 22-2428. Ford needs to recall these unsafe vehicles off the road instead of currently waiting for the warranties to run out on all of them so they aren't liable for repairs. This is a well known/documented safety problem and needs to be addressed ASAP with a nationwide recall. Also, power running boards fail to deploy causing a fall hazard ( my pregnant wife has fallen out and in of the vehicle because the step isnt there. If referencing the picture below : 1st gear, no power/boost gauge shows 0, vehicle is going 60 MPH on the freeway.

NHTSA ID

11600925

Incident

May 30, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side air conditioning tube was leaking fluid, causing the carpet on the front passenger’s side floor to become wet. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed but the results were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,185.

NHTSA ID

11582376

Incident

Aug 23, 2023

Mileage

95,185 mi

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? APIM issues causing GPS, Bluetooth, radio, settings and camera to mess up. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Getting lost on the road without GPS. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has been to a Ford dealership. They were able to recreate the issue. They state the APIM is bad. We had to have the APIM reset with less than 9k miles on the vehicle. They are now saying resetting the APIM is not resolving the issue. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No, this started about 2 months ago. We were just able to get the vehicle looked at this week.

NHTSA ID

11570842

Incident

Dec 28, 2023

Front passenger door latch is inoperable from inside in cold weather (below freezing) preventing egress of front passenger without a seperate person opening door from outside vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11566214

Incident

Jan 13, 2024

Driver's door latch inoperable when in freezing weather, potentially blocking egress in emergency situation. Ford has issued a service bulletin to address this safety concern and engineering (and testing!) flaw, yet will not cover safety concern because car is out of warranty. SSM 50571 - 2018-2021 Expedition And 2020-2021 Explorer - Doors Intermittently Unable To Lock/Unlock And/Or Difficult To Open In Freezing Temperatures Some 2018-2021 Expedition and 2020-2021 Explorer vehicles may intermittently exhibit doors unable to lock/unlock and/or difficult to open in freezing temperatures. This may be due to water entering the interior door latch lock indicator cable assembly. To resolve the condition, replace the affected latch and cable assembly per Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 501-14. Use the latest level service parts only. APPLICABLE VEHICLES 2020 - 2021 CAR: TW U625N EXPLORER 2018 - 2021 TRUCK: B8 U553N EXPEDITION

NHTSA ID

11551787

Incident

Feb 1, 2023

I was driving down the highway and parts of the roof rack flew off and hit the car behind me in the process.Ford will not cover even though they have a recall on the same parts for the ford explorer

NHTSA ID

11541987

Incident

Aug 23, 2023

Muffler and exhaust pipes have gotten rusted. I only have 37k miles on it. Is this a defect from manufacturer? I have many other cars but not rust over 100k miles.

NHTSA ID

11503590

Incident

Jan 23, 2023

While driving down the highway I heard a pop in my vehicle and realized my sunroof had burst. Glass separated and flew into my car and cut myself and my 4 small children. No warning lights were on in my vehicle at this time. When brought to the dealership for repair, the repair shop reported that this will happen with these vehicles and to pursue reimbursement with Ford. Unfortunately, Ford reports that vehicle is not under warranty and the repairs won’t be covered.

NHTSA ID

11471613

Incident

Jun 3, 2022

WE ARE ONLY DOING PICKUP ORDERS AS WE HAVE HAD COVID. WE PARK OUR VEHICLE AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND OPEN THE LIFT GATE WHILE WAITING FOR THE DELIVERY TO BE PLACED IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. ONCE DELIVERY IS COMPLETE, LIFT GATE WILL ONLY CLOSE A FEW INCHES AND THE HORN BEEPS TWICE. THIS HAPPENS OVER AND OVER AGAIN UNTIL WE GET OUT AND CLOSE THE LIFT GATE MANUALLY. OUR LOCAL DEALER WE JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM HAS TRIED TO FIX THIS ISSUE, HOWEVER, FORD HAS ADVISED US THAT THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE EITHER KEPT RUNNING, OR TURNED ON TO CLOSE THE LIFT GATE. AFTER TRYING THIS PROCESS, OUR SONS IN THE 3RD ROW HAVE BEEN GETTING NAUSEOUS FROM THE FUMES. FORD ALSO STATES IN THE USER MANUAL THAT THE LIFT GATE SHOULD BE FULLY CLOSED TO PREVENT FUMES FROM ENTERING THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE VIDEOS OF THE LIFT GATE STOPPING AND HORN BEEPING THAT WE CAN NOT SEND BUT ARE AVAILABLE IF WE ARE CONTACTED.

NHTSA ID

11397991

Incident

Feb 10, 2021

Mileage

300 mi