Ford Explorer 2020–2025
6th generation · U625 (Ford CD6, longitudinal RWD-based)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20262,899 complaints, 797 with mileageMethod
On this generation, 42% of failures fall within the first 12,000 miles — a rate roughly 5 times higher than during the rest of the car's life.
- First 12,000 miles — 42% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 1 complaints (0.1%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 1,400
- 25%
- 5,900
- Median
- 20,000
- 75%
- 58,002
- 90%
- 89,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 286 | 35.9% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 102 | 12.8% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 50 | 6.3% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 55 | 6.9% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 59 | 7.4% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 52 | 6.5% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 53 | 6.6% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 38 | 4.8% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 28 | 3.5% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 26 | 3.3% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 19 | 2.4% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 12 | 1.5% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 12 | 1.5% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 1 | 0.1% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 2,899 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020–2025 Ford Explorer, and 797 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
42% of failures fall within the first 12,000 miles — a rate roughly 5 times higher than during the rest of the car's life. Failures clustered that early usually indicate a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear.
The most-reported areas are the transmission and driveline (23.1% of complaints, typically around 37,000 miles), problems owners could not categorise (13.0% of complaints, typically around 6,000 miles), the electrical system (10.2% of complaints, typically around 12,000 miles).
62 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Transmission and driveline37,000median 37,000 miles, middle half 8,500 to 72,000
- Problems owners could not categorise6,000median 5,761 miles, middle half 896 to 9,000
- Electrical system12,000median 12,000 miles, middle half 4,500 to 44,000
- Engine14,000median 13,800 miles, middle half 6,000 to 80,000
- Reversing camera and sensors23,000median 23,200 miles, middle half 7,000 to 40,000
- Forward collision avoidance10,000median 10,500 miles, middle half 6,500 to 32,000
- Brakes7,000median 7,000 miles, middle half 2,000 to 20,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 670 | 23.1% | 37,000 | 8,500–72,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 376 | 13.0% | 6,000 | 896–9,000 |
| Electrical system | 295 | 10.2% | 12,000 | 4,500–44,000 |
| Engine | 201 | 6.9% | 14,000 | 6,000–80,000 |
| Reversing camera and sensors | 190 | 6.6% | 23,000 | 7,000–40,000 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 144 | 5.0% | 10,000 | 6,500–32,000 |
| Brakes | 128 | 4.4% | 7,000 | 2,000–20,000 |
| Visibility/wiper | 111 | 3.8% | — | — |
| Body structure | 93 | 3.2% | 40,000 | 12,000–62,000 |
| Suspension | 81 | 2.8% | 12,000 | 3,000–60,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 20,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 23.1% of complaints (670 reports, 224 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 37,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 8,500 and 72,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 13.0% of complaints (376 reports, 35 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 5,761 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 896 and 9,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 10.2% of complaints (295 reports, 83 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 12,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 4,500 and 44,500 miles.
The engine accounts for 6.9% of complaints (201 reports, 52 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 13,800 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 6,000 and 80,000 miles.
The reversing camera and sensors account for 6.6% of complaints (190 reports, 70 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 23,200 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 7,000 and 40,000 miles.
Forward collision avoidance accounts for 5.0% of complaints (144 reports, 24 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 10,500 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 6,342 and 32,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2020 model year drew the most — 1,676 complaints — while 2024 drew the fewest at 26. The median year sits at 253.
That makes 2020 an outlier: roughly 6.6 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 62 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the reversing camera and sensors (11), the transmission and driveline (9), the fuel system (6). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 2,899 complaints filed against this generation, 124 reported a crash; 31 reported a fire; 122 reported an injury. Crash-involved reports represent 4.3% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, an early-failure pattern is comparatively good news on a used example: 42% of the reported failures occur in the first 12,000 miles, which on a car of this age means they have already happened or they were never going to. Service history matters more than mileage here.
On inspection, the transmission and driveline and problems owners could not categorise are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. Problems owners could not categorise in particular shows a median failure mileage of 5,761, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Drivetrain 2020–2022 (AWD with 2.3L EcoBoost or 3.3L hybrid)
Rear axle horizontal mounting bolt can fracture under hard acceleration, allowing the driveshaft to disconnect from the rear axle. Because the park pawl acts on the transmission output side, a disconnected driveshaft means the vehicle can roll away when shifted to Park; also causes sudden loss of drive. Multiple recalls covering roughly 250,000-290,000 vehicles.
Powertrain Control 2025
PCM can intermittently reset while driving, causing loss of drive power, inability to shift into Park, or unintended engagement of Park at speed with possible pawl damage.
Assembly Quality 2020
Chicago Assembly launch-quality problems produced an unusually dense recall cluster in the first model year, spanning trim, wiring, seat, and rear-view camera issues.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1,676 | 548 |
| 2021 | 549 | 122 |
| 2022 | 358 | 75 |
| 2023 | 148 | 31 |
| 2024 | 26 | 6 |
| 2025 | 142 | 15 |
Recalls (62)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 26V122000 | 2026-07-31 | Engine and Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:gas Recirculation Valve (egr Valve) |
| 25V455000 | 2026-07-27 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump |
| 26V371000 | 2026-06-24 | Power Train:automatic Transmission |
| 26V123000 | 2026-06-23 | Back Over Prevention:software |
| 26V165000 | 2026-04-13 | Electrical System:adas |
| 26V159000 | 2026-03-30 | Seat Belts |
| 26V121000 | 2026-03-23 | Exterior Lighting:headlights |
| 25V730000 | 2025-11-06 | Visibility:windshield |
| 25V687000 | 2025-10-29 | Trailer Hitches |
| 25V543000 | 2025-10-13 | Exterior Lighting:tail Lights |
| 25V442000 | 2025-09-04 | Back Over Prevention:software |
| 25V344000 | 2025-08-15 | Engine and Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/Mechanical |
| 24V598000 | 2025-08-13 | Engine |
| 25V393000 | 2025-08-07 | Seats:mid/Rear Assembly |
| 24V635000 | 2025-07-03 | Engine and Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/Mechanical |
| 25V371000 | 2025-06-20 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper |
| 25V239000 | 2025-06-06 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module:software |
| 25V093000 | 2025-06-05 | Seat Belts |
| 25V316000 | 2025-05-21 | Structure:frame and Members |
| 25V166000 | 2025-04-25 | Power Train:driveline:driveshaft |
| 25V159000 | 2025-04-25 | Back Over Prevention:software |
| 25V164000 | 2025-04-11 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:fluid/Lubricant:valves/Valve Body |
| 24V801000 | 2025-03-28 | Back Over Prevention:software |
| 25V020000 | 2025-01-29 | Structure:frame and Members |
| 24V852000 | 2024-12-19 | Equipment:other:labels |
What owners reported
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the day he purchased the vehicle, the rearview camera turned blank as he was reversing out of the dealer parking lot. The warning message "Back Up Brake Assist Is Not Functioning" appeared on the instrument panel. The dealer diagnosed that the rear-view camera…
2020 · 10 miles · Reversing camera and sensors
The vehicle is randomly braking for no unknown reason. Almost like if i was driving and put on emergency brake. It mostly does it while in reverse when there is literally nothing around me. There is an option and it has still does it with option off. It has nearly caused 1 accident when i was in my sons car pool line…
2020 · 15 miles · Brakes
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon purchase of the vehicle, the rearview camera would lose stream upon use as the reverse brake assist not available; see manual warning message would illuminate on the instrument panel. The contact spoke with tomball Ford (22702 tx-249, tomball, tx…
2020 · 20 miles · Reversing camera and sensors
My 2020 Ford Explorer, bought brand new. At 25k miles, car started to make this weird sound when the gear shifts 1-2 and 2-3 when accelerating. Now every time it shifts very noticeably from 1-2 and 2-3, it jerks so hard. It is so annoying. Seriously so disappointed this car is my dream car. Love everything else about…
2020 · 25 miles · Transmission and driveline
Built from 797 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page