2020 Ford Explorer electrical system problems

Related recalls

• Recall 23V626000Sep 8, 20232,954 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 3.0L PHEV engines. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.

  Risk: Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: Dealers will perform a Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) diagnostic test and replace the high voltage battery pack, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford Motor Company's number for this recall is 23S53.

• Recall 19V687000Sep 30, 201910,655 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 2.3L or 3.3L engines. The wiring harness may not have been properly secured and may contact the air conditioner compressor (A/C) pulley, potentially damaging the harness or the A/C belt.

  Risk: The A/C pulley may rub through the wiring harness insulation and contact the unfused battery positive wire, resulting in a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a tie strap to the wiring harness at the hand shock tower clip, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S32.

• Recall 19V575000Aug 5, 201913,896 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL · PARKING BRAKE · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The Manual Park Release (MPR) cover may not be installed. In addition, the vehicles may be in Factory Mode, which disables warning alerts and does not display the transmission gear selected. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 114, "Theft Prevention" and 102, "Trans Shift Lever Seq/Starter Interlock/Trans Braking Effect."

  Risk: Without the cover, the MPR lever may be unintentionally moved, allowing the vehicle to roll away. Being in Factory Mode, the vehicle will not display warnings and/or gear selection on the instrument cluster. Both conditions increase the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, install a MPR cover. Dealers will verify the instrument cluster is not in Factory Mode and clear any fault codes, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C06.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 2, 2026FLElectrical SystemLighting

   "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…

   NHTSA complaint #11768546 · source
2. Filed Sep 15, 2026NJDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   I own a 2020 Ford Explorer XLT AWD, VIN [VIN removed]. 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.…

   NHTSA complaint #11764430 · source
3. Filed Aug 15, 2026WA1 injuredBody & StructureElectrical System

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11757115 · source
4. Filed Aug 5, 2026100,000 miTXBrakesElectrical System

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11754954 · source
5. Filed Jul 27, 2026INElectrical System

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11753061 · source
6. Filed Jul 2, 2026INBody & StructureElectrical SystemWheels & Tires

   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 complaint #11747989 · source
7. Filed Jun 30, 2026OHElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11747334 · source
8. Filed Jun 26, 2026MNElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   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 complaint #11746795 · source
9. Filed Jun 20, 2026NJElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers

   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 complaint #11745393 · source
10. Filed May 27, 2026NJElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

    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…

    NHTSA complaint #11740378 · source
11. Filed May 21, 2026MOElectrical SystemLightingVisibility & Wipers

    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…

    NHTSA complaint #11739255 · source
12. Filed Apr 17, 2026113,849 miTXTowedElectrical System

    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…

    NHTSA complaint #11731790 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology