43 complaints reported

2020 Ford Explorer Electrical System

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
43
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
1

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Dec 2021

Our radio/navigational/climate control screen will go completely black while driving the vehicle. This has happened approximately 15 times since the purchase of the brand new car in August of 2020. Therefore, I lose all of my controls and my GPS. This will not come back on until the car is turned off and is given time to reset. This reset time varies from 30 minutes to 1 hour. The first time this occurred was one month after purchasing the vehicle. So, after three different visits to Ford dealerships, Hopkins Ford, Manning Ford and Dundee Ford, not one technician can duplicate this problem so it is still happening. Recently, I was in Columbus, Ohio and the screen went black while I was driving in an unfamiliar area. I'm aware that Ford had a massive recall on this very issue but somehow our VIN number is not included in this. I frequently travel across the Midwest because my fifteen year old daughter is in travel volleyball. I cannot afford for safety reasons for this to happen to the two of us when we are driving in unfamiliar places. This is a huge safety concern for my daughter and I.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Sep 2020
Nov 2021

A computer system fault caused the inability to start, move, turn off, turn on, lock or otherwise do anything with the vehicle with manual buttons or the remote. The drivers screen flashed through fault codes but would not allow any action. After discussing with the dealer on the phone, who mentioned something about a bad battery cell, I decided to disconnect the battery terminal, waited a period of time, and reconnected. The computer system reset and everything functioned correctly with no fault codes. At the time the vehicle was in a company drive lane causing a major hazard to the vehicles passing through. The vehicle was brought straight to the Dealer Service department who said they could not find anything wrong.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Nov 2021
Sep 2021

I HAVE RECEIVED A AUTO HOLD SYSTEM FAULT MESSAGE ON MY CLUSTER. THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO REPLICATE OR PRODUCE ANY FAULT CODES. THIS IS PART OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2021
Sep 2021

REAR HATCH ERRATIC BEHAVIOR. HATCH CLOSES BY ITSELF, WHILE LOADING ITEMS INTO TRUNK AREA. CLOSE BUTTON ON HATCH DOES NOT WORK. HATCH OPENED BY ITSELF.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2021
Aug 2021

I am associated with the City of Brookings, SD Police Dept. We have two 2020 Ford Hybrid SUV patrol vehicles. Both vehicles since we obtained them in October of 2020 have experienced loss of power. Both vehicles dash indicators lights come on and the vehicles has a complete system failure. In June of this year an officer was responding to an emergency call. The officer was traveling at approximately 50 mph. The vehicle's dash lights all came on and the vehicle's power system shut down. The officer stated the vehicle almost came to a dead stop, almost causing him to crash. He stated if he was not wearing his seat belt he would have went through the windshield. This particular vehicle has had had complete loss of power approximately eight times. Ford has replaced the ECM power module stating this would fix the issue. Now the vehicle's trailer module has supposedly failed and caused a complete loss of power. This trailer module effected the entire electrical system. This vehicle has been unusable since July 19. Prior to this latest incident the vehicle was unusable for approximately four weeks. In the almost year we have had the vehicle in service it has been unusable approximately 6 to 7 weeks. I have contacted Brooklyn Center, MN PD, East Grand Forks, ND PD and Yankton, SD PD. These agencies all have had the same Ford Hybrids. They all have experienced the same issues. Yankton PD is currently had one vehicle labeled a lemon and Ford is replacing this vehicle. Our agency is attempting to have Ford recognize this issue. We want the two vehicles replaced and be deemed unusable. I am contacting the NTSB to assist our police agency in addressing this issue. We cannot provide sufficient public service to our community with these vehicles. If we cannot respond to emergencies in a timely manner due to these vehicles not properly functioning then the potential for the public's safety is potentially at risk. Not to mention the safety of our officers. Thank you.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jun 2021
Jul 2021

Ford has a recall for Explorer backup cameras failing but ours was not built on the correct date so it doesn't fall under the recall. Yet, our 2020 Explorers backup camera shows a blue screen and no video. Took it to the dealership and they said we were 2500 mile out of warranty and we would have to pay. You and Ford knows there is an issue and should have to fix this. it goes beyond the build date listed. This vehicle is full of gremlins and should be heavily watched.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2021
May 2021

The rear camera malfunctions and the display screen is blue. The vehicle is available for inspection. It creates a blind spot on the display screen of the area behind the vehicle and sounds an alert/alarm every time the malfunction occurs. The problem has not been reproduced by the dealer but I have provided multiple pictures of it occurring. The vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturer on several occasions. There were no warnings prior to the failure.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2020
Mar 2021 Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2020 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED UNDER THE CAR PORT AND TURNED OFF, A FIRE IGNITED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BURN AND ALSO CAUSING BURN DAMAGE TO THE HOME. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND A FIRE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY STARTER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN STARTED FOR 2 DAYS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT YET CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Apr 2021
Nov 2020

THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER AND OVER . . THE CAR WILL NOT START. SOMETIMES IT WILL JUST STOP AND WILL NOT START AGAIN. SOMETIMES IT WILL HAPPEN IN A PARKING LOT. SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS IN THE GARAGE. I HAVE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 4 TIMES. THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I CAN'T BE THE ONLY PERSON THIS IS HAPPENING TO!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Apr 2020
Oct 2020

WHEN PUTTING VEHICLRE INTO REVERSE, THE BACKUP CAMERA WORKS ONLY INTERMITTENTLY. WARNING COMES UP TO SEE OWNERS MANUAL WHICH PROVIDES NO INFORMATION TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Oct 2020
Jul 2020

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES VARIOUS FAULT CODES: BLIND SPOT SYSTEM FAULT; CROSS TRAFFIC SYSTEM FAIL; AND REVERSE BRAKE ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, AIR CONDITIONING DOES NOT WORK, INCLUDING RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW AND RIGHT SIDE MIRRORS. FAULTS MAINLY OCCUR AFTER STARING VEHICLE, BUT THEY HAVE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. THE AC FAILURE OCCURS WHEN STARTING VEHICLE AND HAVE OCCURRED AFTER FIRST START IN MORNING AND AT THE END OF THE DAY AFTER MULTIPLE STARTS. THERE IS NO IDENTIFIABLE PATTERN TO FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN JANUARY AND HAS 3254 MILES. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE ISSUE HAS OCCURRED AND FORD CAN NOT IDENTIFY THE ISSUE. THE SYSTEM PROVIDES DAILY CODES AND THE DEALERSHIP AND FOCUSED ON THE SENSORS, INCLUDING REPLACING ON, BUT THE ISSUE IS NOT RESOLVED. INCIDENTS OCCURRED ON MARCH 16, 2020, MARCH 26, 2020, APRIL 14, 2020, JULY 4, 2020, JULY 14 AND JULY 17 2020.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2020
Jul 2020

VEHICLE WAS PARKED. VEHICLE LOCKED INTO PARK AND WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK OR START, BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED FULLY. DASHBOARD MESSAGE: DRIVE MODE NOT AVAILABLE PLUS SCROLLED THROUGH EVERY OTHER MODE OR FEATURE AND INDICATED 'NOT AVAILABLE.' BUT LCD SCREEN SHOWED MESSAGE 'TURN OFF IGNITION.' IGNITION WAS OFF. VEHICLE THOUGHT IGNITION STILL ON. WOULD NOT START. I DISCONNECTED NEGATIVE TERMINAL OF BATTERY AND RECONNECTED AND CAR THEN STARTED WITH NO ERROR OR CODE MESSAGES.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2020
May 2020

SINCE WE HAVE PURCHASED THE SUV IT HAS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS FLASHED CROSS TRAFFIC SYSTEM FAULT, BLIND SPOT SYSTEM FAULT, AC SHUTS OFF, AND THE WINDOWS WILL NOT ROLL DOWN. HAVE TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE, ONCE THEY CHARGED THE BATTERY, THE LAST TIME THEY RESET A MODULE. IT DID IT AGAIN TODAY SO WE WILL HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK. WE HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM HAPPEN WHILE MOVING BUT TODAY WE WERE STATIONARY WHEN IT HAPPENED. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: May 2020
May 2020

THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY WHEN THE MESSAGE 'SERVICE CHARGE SYSTEM NOW'. THE BATTERY ICON APPEARED BRIEFLY ON THE DASHBOARD. I CONTINUED DRIVING AND THE SAME MESSAGE REAPPEARED EVERY 5 MINUTES. THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE MESSAGE, AND TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE SOON. THEY RAN A 'DIAGNOSTIC ' AND DETERMINED IT NEEDED A NEW ALTERNATOR. THE VEHICLE IS SEVEN MONTHS OLD AND HAS LESS THAN 15,000 MILES. IT IS STILL IN FOR SERVICE AS THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE A REPLACEMENT ALTERNATOR IN STOCK. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Feb 2020
May 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING AT 85 MPH. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GEWEKE FORD LOCATED AT 871 E. ONSTOTT RD, YUBA CITY, CA 95991, (530) 821-2121, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN UNKNOWN ELECTRONIC COMPONENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: May 2020
Apr 2020

CAR GOES INTO DEEP SLEEP AFTER TWO DAYS OF BEING PARKED AND HAS TO BE JUMPED TO START. HAPPENS ON REGULAR BASIS. DEALER UNABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE CAR SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Apr 2020
Jan 2020

DEEP SLEEP MODE ACTIVATES AFTER 2 DAYS. MOST RECENT EXPERIENCE INVOLVED HAVING TO JUMP START THE CAR AFTER SETTING 3 DAYS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2019
Dec 2019

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 CONTINUED. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE MANUFACTURER AND LEVITOWN FORD (3195 HEMPSTEAD TPKE, LEVITOWN, NY) WERE NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. *DT*JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2019

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Quick Summary

The 2020 Ford Explorer has 43 Electrical System complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.