Model year

2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid

SUV, hybrid, RWD/Rear-Wheel Drive, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Dec 14, 2020 to Apr 18, 2026.

Recall campaigns covering this model year1253k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints2Below the median 2020 suv
Severity index50.02020 suvs average 5.6
First 24 months1Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid peaked in 2020, with 1 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

00.250.50.75120201202120222023202420252026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

50% of complaints about the 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid name powertrain

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Powertrain
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

One recall campaign covers the 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Recall campaigns for the 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
22V-255Apr 14, 2022Rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnectPowertrain252,936Software update
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid

The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

2 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Apr 18, 2026Failure Mar 13, 2026Riverside, CAPower train

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11732065
  2. Filed Dec 14, 2020Failure Dec 8, 2020North Yarmouth, MEUnknown or otherFire

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11383331
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

1 NHTSA investigation on file

  • DP22005 Defect petition, Electrical system
    Pedestrian alert sounds
    Opened Jan 27, 2023, closed Aug 7, 2023 · led to a recall
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins

13 manufacturer communications cover this model year

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.

  • SSM 54646 Apr 29, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2020-2024 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility hybrid vehicles may exhibit a "Refuel Error See Manual" message in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) after installing a replacement fuel filler door assembly (7827936). This may be due to a concern with th…
  • SSM 54783 Apr 27, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine may exhibit an illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0A1E stored in t…
  • SSM 54425 Dec 4, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2020-2026 Police Interceptor Utility hybrid vehicles may exhibit multiple warning messages, various drivability concerns and/or an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P061B stored in the powertrain control mo…
  • SSM 52244 Feb 9, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid engine, 2020-2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine and 2020-2023 Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L hybrid engine may exhibit a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with…
  • SSM 52229 Feb 1, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    2020-2023 Escape/Explorer, 2021-2023 F-150 and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles equipped with a full hybrid electric vehicle (FHEV) powertrain may exhibit a cable connection error screen from the Midtronics xRC-3363 High Voltage Battery Rescue Charger. The xRC-3…
  • TSB 24-2019 Jan 19, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2020-2023 Explorer 3.3L full hybrid electric (FHEV) vehicles built on or before 12-Nov-2023 may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and/or powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P084B stored in …
  • TSB 23-2347 Nov 10, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This article supersedes TSB 23-2279 to update the Service Procedure. Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid engine, 2020-2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine and 2020-2023 Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3…
  • SAN-Vol1 I1 Jun 8, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    The Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be presently available in a TSB, SSM, GSB, or other electronic communication. This article includes information on warranty, technical service tips and othe…
  • SSM 51650 May 22, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    2020-2023 Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a charging system warning in the message center and/or illuminated battery lamp with DTC B11D9 present in the body control module (BCM). Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Sectio…
  • SSM 51169 Nov 1, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2020-2022 Aviator/Explorer Hybrid vehicles may experience a concern where the EV power flow does not display in the center display screen. This may be due to accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software. To correct the condition, run the APIM-SY…
  • TSB 22-2342 Sep 12, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with a hybrid powertrain may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P2D40. This may be due to the chiller not interpreting the correct cooling value of the h…
  • SSM 50800 May 23, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2020-2022 Aviator/Explorer Hybrid vehicles may experience a low battery warning message displayed in the message center with diagnostic trouble code B11D9 present in the body control module (BCM). Refer to Workshop Manual, Section 414-01, Pinpoint Test…
  • TSB 22-2177 May 18, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator Hybrid vehicles built on or before 11-Apr-2022 may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with only diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P1A0C stored in the PCM. This may be due to the software in the battery energy…
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.