2020 Ford Explorer fuel system problems

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · IN · 1 injury

When I was driving on the highway, the car braked really hard like brake checked. It seemed like it was part of the safety system because a light was flashing on the dash like I was gonna hit something but no car was there. Now my car keeps jolting and breaking fast even when I accelerate it will brake for half a second when I am driving. in my car keeps overheating. The mechanics tell me it’s related to something pinching off oil lines and the transmission possibly and that the recalls are possibly related to this issues. it’s not safe and it’s messing up my transmission and my car keeps stopping and starting in the middle of traffic. I have a family I LOVE my vehicle but it’s not safe and I can’t afford to fix it.

Filed Jun 26, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · MN

First the fuel pump control module went out and now for the 3rd time the electrical to the fuel pump control module has faulted

Filed May 15, 2026 · Fuel system · MI

Cruise in vehicle was set to 58 mph. Vehicle shut off going around a curve and would not restart. At 40mph emergency brake set as car wasn’t running and it was coasting to a stop. I sat on the road barely off the shoulder as car would not restart and would not come out of park to be able to push the rest of the way off the road. Had it towed to a ford dealer where they replaced the fuel pump control module and they had concerns of it possibly not fixing the problem. I made it 10 miles after pickup and it did the exact same thing shuts off no warning like it ran out of gas. Get towed back to the ford dealer and they can’t duplicate the problem and say nothing is wrong and they don’t know why it randomly shuts off and loses fuel. However it still has the same codes as initially in relation to lack of fuel. I don’t feel safe driving the car as now I’ve broke down twice same problem and fear it’ll keep happening and I may not get so lucky as to not get seriously injured as I cannot move it from the road. Asked about getting rid of it and no dealership wants it because of these problems. Now I’m stuck with a $30,000 paperweight that I can’t drive safely and I can’t replace without going into a lot of debt.

Filed Nov 14, 2025 · Fuel system, Lights · MD

Left lowlight headlight stops working intermittently and then completely. Both front axles cracked. Right rear shock busted. Gas purge valve malfunctioned

Filed Oct 13, 2025 · Fuel system, Transmission · MI

On [XXX]., in heavy rush‑hour traffic on [XXX] , my vehicle (~75,417 mi) suddenly lost motive power w/o warning at ~55 mph. It became immobile in a live lane, creating a roadblock and rear‑end crash risk. Drivers swerved/honked. Accelerator had no effect; limited/no power‑steering assist; I coasted to an in‑lane stop (no safe shoulder) and activated hazards. Cluster displayed “SHIFT SYS FAULT—Service Required” and wrench icon. Attempts to restart failed; the vehicle remained disabled ~30min until a tow arrived; police responded. After tow, on a slight incline, the vehicle rolled backward when started and the parking brake was released, though the cluster showed Park—clear rollaway concern. Recovery/diagnosis: Towed first to AutoTech Clinic (advised replacement trans). Then to Bill Brown Ford (Livonia, MI): fractured planetary gear and broken park pawl; recommended full transmission replacement (~$8,500). Repair history (pre‑purchase): I’ve owned the car <6 mos (now ~75k). A Ford dealer later informed me the vehicle previously had major work at Taylor Ford of MI: trans‑cooler plumbing cracks between cooler and trans lines at ~34k, and major internal trans repair at ~46k (“burnt clutch A; full reassembly”). None of this appeared on CARFAX or was disclosed by the selling dealer. Costs/downtime: ~$700 towing/diagnostics to date; trans replacement quoted ~$8,500. Mfr/dealer response: Reported to Ford on 10/13/2025, case [XXX]. Initial response: no assistance; pending. The Ford 10R60 has multiple TSBs for trans issues, but neither the dealer nor CSR cited any, and no assistance has been offered. Maintenance/mods: Vehicle stock; maintained per mfr schedule. Safety concern: Sudden loss of propulsion in traffic + inability to move to safety, combined with a Park indication that allows rollback, present significant crash/rollaway hazards. Please investigate and, if warranted, require a recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 24, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · MA

On highway was accelerating to pass another vehicle the transition froze , engine revved with no acceleration ( transmission skipped) this has happened several times over the 5 years. The lasted event we documented the date and mileage it happened date 7/13/25 mileage is 34990. These skips have put us in extremely dangerous situations. Transmission has been making growling noise now under normal driving.

Filed Aug 4, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · MD

This problem started about 2 months ago and it happened 3 different times so far. While driving, when pressing the gas, the vehicle will all of a sudden not go. You just drift as if the car is not getting gas. On 2 of the occasions, a shift error message appears on the dash but quickly disappears. This can be very dangerous while driving and cause an accident. I have not had the vehicle looked at yet because I feel it should apart of the new recall for the other Ford Explorers.

Filed Jul 24, 2025 · Fuel system · 112,000 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was inspected using a scanner and provided an error code for the fuel pump module. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

Filed Jul 21, 2025 · Fuel system · WA

There is hesitation when coming from a stop to accelerating there is a delay of power. This problem has been going on since we have had the car. It is safety issue especially when we accelerate to get onto the highway. It is very inconsistent. We recently took it in and found that an error code of P0496 the evaporator purge valve to be a problem. Not sure if this is a problem with other Fords like ours. So I thought you could investigate it for me. Thank you.

Filed Jul 15, 2025 · Fuel system, Suspension · NC

When my vehicle reaches 60 mph the back end of my vehicle begins to sway excessively. Something may be wrong with the axle. It’s actually very frightening. Also, when my vehicle is running, I feel a slight puttering and then it quickly goes away as if somethings going on with the fuel pump. Lastly, my rearview camera sometimes looks a little blurry. I did take my vehicle to team Chevrolet in Swansboro, North Carolina where I purchased the vehicle. They stated something is going on with the axle and sway bar.