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.
The worst 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Transmission1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission1
Recalls 1
Power train: axle assembly
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer Police FHEV, Explorer Police 3.3L, and 2020-2022 Explorer 2.3L RWD, 3.0L PHEV, 3.3L FHEV, and 3.0L ST GAS vehicles. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
- Risk
- A disconnected driveshaft can result in vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in 'Park' without the parking brake applied, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the bushing and axle cover, or update the electronic parking brake software. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2022, and March 10, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S27.
Recall number 22V255000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid
Defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
the federal safety agency received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, the federal safety agency opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified the federal safety agency he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by the federal safety agency regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP22005
Technical service bulletins for the 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid 13
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- "Refuel Error See Manual" message in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) after installing a replacement...
- Illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0A1E stored in...
- Multiple warning messages, various drivability concerns and/or an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp...
- Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0A1E stored in the powertrain control...
- 2020-2023
- Illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and/or powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with...
- This article supersedes TSB 23-2279 to update the Service Procedure
- The Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be...
- 2020-2023
- Concern where the EV power flow does not display in the center display screen
What 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 the federal safety agency 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.
Compare the 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid
Other model years
Questions about the 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid
Is the 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid reliable?
Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid, close to a typical Explorer Hybrid model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 1 complaint.
How many recalls does the 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid have?
1 recall, covering power train.
Was there a recall on the 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 22V255000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history