2020 Ford Explorer Electrical Problems

When I was driving on the highway, the car braked really hard like brake checked. It seemed like it was part of the safety system because a light was flashing on the dash like I was gonna hit something but no car was there. Now my car keeps jolting and breaking fast even when I accelerate it will brake for half a second when I am driving. in my car keeps overheating. The mechanics tell me it’s related to something pinching off oil lines and the transmission possibly and that the recalls are possibly related to this issues. it’s not safe and it’s messing up my transmission and my car keeps stopping and starting in the middle of traffic. I have a family I LOVE my vehicle but it’s not safe and I can’t afford to fix it.

NHTSA ID

11775126

Incident

Oct 22, 2026

My 2020 Ford Explorer previously received a safety recall repair under Ford Recall 23S23 for the 360-degree/rearview camera system. Unfortunately, the camera system is malfunctioning again following that repair. The 360-degree display intermittently shows solid blue/teal or black areas instead of properly displaying the vehicle’s surroundings. The camera images also become washed out, distorted, or unusually dark, reducing visibility when reversing. Additionally, my instrument cluster displays the warning “Reverse Brake Assist Not Available – See Manual.” These problems raise serious safety concerns because the vehicle’s camera visibility is compromised while another safety system reports that it is unavailable. This creates potential risks when backing near children, pedestrians, other vehicles, or obstacles. I have photographs documenting the camera malfunctions and dashboard warning. Ford subsequently issued Recall 25S27 after discovering that certain vehicles previously repaired under Recall 23S23 may not have received the correct remedy, even though the repairs were recorded as completed. I have not yet received confirmation whether Recall 25S27 applies to my specific vehicle. On October 8, 2026, I visited Mullinax Ford of Olympia regarding the recurring safety problems. The dealership advised that I would have to pay out of pocket for a diagnosis. I subsequently submitted a written request asking for the recurring defect and applicable recall coverage to be reviewed, but received no response. I escalated the matter to the dealership’s General Manager on October 19, 2026. The underlying cause has not been determined. I am concerned that the original camera safety defect may not have been adequately corrected and that the vehicle continues to experience a related safety risk. I request that NHTSA review these recurring malfunctions and the adequacy of the previous recall remedy.

NHTSA ID

11772252

Incident

Sep 18, 2026

When I am driving, every now and then there is a grinding/electrocution noise that my vehicle makes. When that happens, I lose all acceleration power until the episode stops then it seems like it kicks back into gear.

NHTSA ID

11771148

Incident

Jul 1, 2026

"CHECK HEADLAMP SYSTEM SEE MANUAL" appears intermittently on the dash with headlights going out. As hundreds of others have reported here and on internet forums, we too are dealing with intermittent headlights. This is a major SAFETY issue while driving at night and your headlights go out suddenly. After bringing our vehicle to a Ford Dealership (who regularly service our vehicle) and paying a diagnostic fee, they could not properly diagnose the issue and said the only fix THEY THINK MIGHT correct the issue is to replace the entire headlamp assembly at an over a $3500 cost. The problem is Ford does not know that this will correct the issue. If it truly was a headlamp issue wouldn't our headlamps go out completely after approximately a year of experiencing the headlights going out intermittingly, especially when they are supposed to last the life of the vehicle. The dealership printed out the detailed list of codes on our vehicle going back to January and it confirms the headlights intermittently going out. Besides the dealership, we have spoken to Ford corporate multiple times and they are unwilling to help us in any way nor do they want to address this dangerous issue. An investigation needs to be opened into this matter before a serious accident occurs and Ford needs to answer why this issue is happening to so many vehicle owners and create a recall. NHTSA has helped me before with a problem/recall I had on my Dodge Durango many years ago and I am hopeful that we will be helped on this issue as well.

NHTSA ID

11768546

Incident

Sep 1, 2025

I own a 2020 Ford Explorer XLT AWD, VIN 1FMSK8DH6LGA35229. While driving, my vehicle displayed “4WD Fault – Service Required” along with the powertrain wrench warning. I then became unable to select/change drive modes. Pre-Collision Assist became unavailable, I experienced Lane Keeping/Lane Assist problems, and additional stability/traction warnings appeared. A professional diagnostic scan found AWD codes C0631:7E-68 and C0631:7F-6C related to the front axle disconnect actuator. The ABS module also stored U0102 (Lost Communication With Transfer Case Control Module) and U0155 (Lost Communication With Instrument Panel Cluster). My mechanic diagnosed failure of the front axle disconnect actuator/intermediate-shaft system. The repair requires removal of the original disconnect system and installation of Ford’s revised intermediate shaft/axle components, replacement of the vent/breather hose, and AWD programming. I was quoted approximately $1,337. The mechanic will then determine whether the transfer case/AWD control module also requires replacement, which would cost approximately $828 additional. Ford has issued TSB 25-2373, superseding TSB 23-2174, for certain 2020-2021 Explorer AWD vehicles. The bulletin specifically identifies C0631 and/or C00A6 and the front axle disconnect actuator/intermediate shaft and directs replacement with a revised intermediate shaft. I am concerned this is a safety defect because the failure resulted in AWD/drive-mode malfunction while multiple driver-assistance systems became unavailable. I request that NHTSA investigate this known failure and determine whether a safety recall is warranted.

NHTSA ID

11764430

Incident

Sep 9, 2026

On August 14, 2026, the power liftgate on my 2020 Forde Explorer unexpectedly began closing while I was loading my dog into a kennel in the rear cargo area. I did not press the liftgate close button and no one else activated a liftgate control. My key fob was inside my purse on the front seat of the vehicle. The liftgate came down while I was underneath it and struck me directly on the head. The impact knocked me to the ground. I saw stars and was confused immediately afterward and sustained a scalp laceration with significant bleeding. I did not lose consciousness and did not require stitches. One person directly witnessed the incident and was also struck by the closing liftgate. Because the liftgate struck my head first, its force was reduced before it contacted the other person, who was not injured. Other people arrived immediately afterward and can confirm my condition following the impact and that the key was in my purse on the front seat. This was not the first time this has happened. It has occurred on multiple occasions while loading without intentionally activating. I have been hit in the head before but not enough to cause bleeding. The incident occurred Friday evening on 8/14/2026. Vehicle has not yet been inspected because the service department is closed for the weekend. I plan to contact Ford once open on Monday. I am reporting this because I am concerned there may be a defect involving unintended activation of the power/hands-free liftgate and/or its safety obstacle-detection system. The unexpected closure has now caused an injury and also struck a second person.

NHTSA ID

11757115

Incident

Aug 14, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced intermittent starting failures, and upon starting the vehicle and shifting into gear, the vehicle shut off. No warning light illuminated. Additionally, the electronic parking brake was unintendely engaged. The contact replaced the battery; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11754954

Incident

Jul 22, 2026

Mileage

100,000 mi

My wife was driving and the horn started blowing and the rear wiper started ejecting all the wiper fluid. When I showed up to assist, it smelled super hot and I had to pull the fuse and negative lead to make the wiper pump and horn stop. It was towed to a Ford dealer, who found the main engine harness had MELTED going into the engine compartment fuse box. The horn and wiper fluid pump also had to be replaced. It's fortunate this did not result in a fire. Ford dealer had the vehicle for TWO MONTHS to repair (and we had to take it back for the horn and washer pump). The Ford dealer said they could not give any reason for why this happened. The entire main harness and fuse panel had to be replaced. No check engine or warning lights appeared when this happened. My wife had to pull over on the side of the road.

NHTSA ID

11753061

Incident

Jun 24, 2026

My driver window won’t stay up once it gets to the top it goes back down. The underbody is starting to detach. It is shifting hard and makes a loud noise. Worse at low speeds and applying brakes . The tire pressure sensors all went out at one time

NHTSA ID

11747989

Incident

Dec 31, 2025

With people in the backseat, the seats decided to fold out of nowhere from the previous recall where the seat released buttons on the second row get stuck. Even though it’s very clear that these buttons need to be replaced and I took it to a Ford dealership they said that they were fine even though the buttons literally are stuck in no matter what and ever so slightly touching them causes the seats to fold. The passengers in the second row were not injured, but very easily could’ve been.

NHTSA ID

11747334

Incident

Mar 12, 2026

First the fuel pump control module went out and now for the 3rd time the electrical to the fuel pump control module has faulted

NHTSA ID

11746795

Incident

Jun 26, 2026

The front windshield wiper on my vehicle,may become inoperative. The Ford Motors says that they don't have the part to replace,and when they have it I have to pay for the repair.

NHTSA ID

11745393

Incident

Jun 20, 2026

I am filing a complaint regarding a recurring safety-related electrical and AWD defect in my 2020 Ford Explorer. My vehicle repeatedly displays the following warnings while driving: “4WD Fault Service Required” “Service AdvanceTrac” “Pre-Collision Assist Not Available” “Hill Start Assist Not Available” The issue began about a year ago occurring intermittently every few weeks and disappearing after restarting the vehicle. It has progressively worsened and now appears almost immediately after driving only a few feet. The defect affects multiple critical safety systems including AWD/4WD, traction/stability control, hill assist, and collision avoidance systems. I have contacted Ford multiple times. Ford only opens customer service cases but has not provided a permanent repair. Ford is aware this is a common issue with 2020 Explorers specifically, and later model years appear to have been corrected. Numerous owners report the exact same failures online. Ford has issued service information involving software reprogramming, module communication faults, and wiring harness issues, but only Ford dealerships can perform the required programming. This appears to be a widespread manufacturing or engineering defect and creates a serious safety concern while driving. Vehicle Information: 2020 Ford Explorer Mileage: Under 55,000 miles I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate this issue for a potential recall or mandatory corrective action.

NHTSA ID

11740378

Incident

Mar 1, 2025

Both my passenger and driver headlights have failed. I have paid to have them replaced. The drivers side has failed twice. The passenger side has failed 3 times. I have taken it to the dealership and they “fixed” the issue but it keeps coming back months or weeks later. The low beams are what is failing. The message on the dash says “check headlight assembly see manual” This is a safety risk to me and other people on the road. They have failed while driving. If I am driving early in the morning or late at night I can not see if there are no street lights. People also can’t see me coming. This is a major safety risk. I bought the car in August 2024. Headlights have failed 5 times since then. The dealership helped me with my first four failures. On this last failure, they said it is not covered under warranty and that I need to pay $3000 for the headlight. Five failures of headlights seems like a manufacturer issue and not something. I am doing on my end.

NHTSA ID

11739255

Incident

Aug 26, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power and stalled. The contact stated that there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle prior to the vehicle stalling. The vehicle was stopped and there was an abnormal burning rubber odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the messages “Charging System Fault” and “Service Steering” were displayed. The contact stated that unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that her husband replaced the battery and the alternator, however the failure persisted, and the vehicle was losing automotive power. The vehicle had not been taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V687000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 113,849.

NHTSA ID

11731790

Incident

Mar 9, 2026

Mileage

113,849 mi

Three alerts appeared on my dash after starting my car. These alerts are “Pre-Collision Assist Not Available,” “Service AdvanceTrac,” and “4WD Fault Service Required.” This has been an ongoing issue with this vehicle which directly affects the safety of drivers. After discussing with other consumers, this system failure is happening more and more. While these alerts are displayed, the front end collision assist is completely nonfunctional, thus increasing the risk of an accident. The Advanced Traction Control System is also nonfunctional. Based on other consumers with the same experience, the only solution is to replace the AWD module.

NHTSA ID

11730969

Incident

Apr 13, 2026

I previously reported a safety issue re. Brakes not working in park. Vehicle rolled back and car almost hit mom and young daughter walking behind vehicle in parking lot. When I brought it to BellFord in [XXX] they told me it was not covered under the recall since it wasn’t being caused by rear axle. Instead they wanted to charge me $3,000 to diagnose their manufacturing defect. In addition when I notified Ford rep who never said anything other then I must get car diagnosed and pay for it and then “we will see .” Ford complaint XXX and I believe this is the NHTSA Complaint # XXX. Here is my initial Ford complaint Cxh-XXX was closed without explanation no one could tell me why no one had contacted me. I am very concerned that Ford is not taking responsibility for defective cars. My car now has only 47k. Brake issue. I had to replace front boots due to leaking and front axle was leaking. I had that fixed and now rear back up camera isn’t working. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11725306

Incident

Feb 1, 2026

The back camera screen went blue, even though I already replaced the camera as per the previous recall. This time, the entire screen went blue.

NHTSA ID

11716401

Incident

Feb 6, 2026

**Upon request, all failed components can be inspected anytime for any reason. From this date (01/23/26) forward. If any repairs or replacementa had been rectified by Ford, receipts of the repair(s) will be provided regardless. I cannot recall exactly when these issues started so my ball park is 5/11/22. That is literally 2 years of driving the car from the show room. I was getting some lights on my dash that I have lost all functions with the vehicle ...ie: drivers assistance, airbags, up hill decent, pre- collision, no driving modes and the car felt normal. I was still under warranty so the repair that was done was an update to the BCM (is what I am told.) So the mechanic did a reprogram to the module. About a year I noticed I was then getting check headlamp notification pin my dash. I check the lamps and all seemed to be just fine. Also I was dealing with a dead battery all the time. at least once a month. But I was told I needed to drive the car more often. No matter still getting a dead monthly battery and here and there "check headlamp". Approx last year 2025, I realized. it was really dark driving the SUV. I get out and long behold the low beam headlamp was out. Played with switches..nothing. Checked into just getting a new one. its is a STAGGERING 1.5K!!!!PER HEADLamp! Well, the cops pull me over 4 times. For a headlight with LEDs why am I even having to price this? This Platinum trim just h I 5 years old and I cant believe all the problems. Along with that I found that this is considered something for the owner has to replace due to owners maintenance. No. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECALLED. THE DEAD BATTERY. WELL...I know am out of all warranties to the vehicle AND FORD IS SHUTTING THE DOOR IN MY FACE for any "goodwill repairs" (So far) As of this very moment, I have a dead 2020 Ford Platinum Explorer. Heads Lamp is still out. Yet there is a recall on a backup camera. Complete joke and this is literally disappointing.

NHTSA ID

11712966

Incident

Dec 1, 2025

I have a leaking antenna (likely the "shark fin" or roof antenna base) on my 2020 Ford Explorer. This has caused significant electrical issues, leading to safety concerns like malfunctioning lights, infotainment, or even stalling, the water shorting wiring harnesses or modules located in the roof or headliner area. This should be a recall, but rather it is a known problem where water intrusion damages sensitive electronics, necessitating immediate professional inspection and repair to prevent further damage and ensure safety, as electrical failures can be dangerous. My GPS and satellite do not work because of this and I am being charged significantly by the dealership because I have to repair this or the damage will become more severe. The antenna's base seal can fail, allowing water to seep into the roof, drip down the pillars, and saturate the headliner and wiring harnesses. Common Symptoms: Interior lights, instrument cluster, or dashboard warnings. SYNC system freezing or failing. Windows, locks, or other accessories malfunctioning. Even potential water on the front passenger floor. Safety Risks: Loss of Control!!!!!!! Malfunctioning lights (headlights, brake lights) or sudden power loss can create dangerous driving conditions. Reduced Visibility: Issues with the infotainment screen or instrument cluster can distract the driver. System Failures: Critical safety systems, if affected by water, could fail unexpectedly. I barely get car washes or anything. This is certainly a manufacturers issue & poor design or cheap casing/ seals that leak and corrode too easily. This problem is a known weakness for the 2020 Explorer, often requiring a thorough inspection beyond just the antenna itself, as water can travel far from the entry point. And sure enough I have plenty of damage that I should not have to pay for. This is not a fluke, there are forums all across the internet about this. Please help! This is truly unfair to the customers.

NHTSA ID

11709031

Incident

Jan 5, 2026

Air Conditioner turns ON by itself even after being manually TURNED OFF, happened multiple times. This occurred with the manual start and the vehicle running / moving.

NHTSA ID

11696925

Incident

Oct 31, 2025

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Sunroof headliner assembly failed. The headliner fabric detached and came off the track without an prior misuse or manual operation, it simply fell loose on its own. The material is now sagging and when trying to use the sunroof the fabric hangs in the line of vision causing a safety hazard. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? While the issue did not cause an immediate accident, the loose headliner obstructs visibility while trying to use could become a distraction to the driver.IT blocks the driver's line of sight or interferes with airbags in an emergency. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center?The failure occurred spontaneously and I have a appointment to take the dealership for further inspection. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No formal inspection has been completed at this time. The issue will be presented to a Ford service center for further evaluation. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning lights or messages appeared prior to the failure. The issue occurred suddenly and without any prior indication. The fabric and track system separated unexpectedly during normal stationary conditions.

NHTSA ID

11696011

Incident

Oct 27, 2025

When driving the vehicle's instrument panel cluster randomly goes blank. When it does so, all of the items related to speed control, lighting, turn signals, etc. become non-operational. Additionally, the driver has no idea what his/her speed is nor any other information about the operation of the vehicle. It is very unsafe.

NHTSA ID

11695888

Incident

Oct 27, 2025

Ford ST 2020 just 37000 miles, the window from driver side can’t complete close when you try to roll up. When it all most close- it will automatically roll down. TPMS fails cause 4WD fault, ABS turn off and a lot of warning symbol turn on like pre-collision…etc. Dealer can’t fix and claim for client need to paid for 4WD program.

NHTSA ID

11695707

Incident

Sep 17, 2025

Vehicle: 2020 Ford Explorer XLT Date of Incident: October 24 2025 Approx. Mileage: 82000 Affected Component: Visibility / Defroster / Rear Window Glass Description of Problem: While the rear defroster was on, the rear window of my 2020 Ford Explorer XLT suddenly made a popping noise and began to spider-crack from a point near the defroster grid. There was no external impact to the glass. The cracking continued slowly across the entire rear window after the noise. The event occurred on October 24 2025. The vehicle was parked outdoors in normal fall weather conditions in Pennsylvania, and the rear defroster had been turned on to clear condensation. This appears to be a rear defroster thermal event, similar to issues described in Ford’s Customer Satisfaction Program N192265660, which addressed defroster overheating and rear-window damage in certain Ford vehicles. The defect presents a safety concern, as the rear glass integrity is compromised and visibility is reduced. I have photographs of the crack pattern and plan to have the the window replaced by safelite. It is not safe to drive to a dealership. Please investigate this potential manufacturing or electrical defect affecting 2020 Ford Explorer models.

NHTSA ID

11695423

Incident

Oct 24, 2025