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2020 Ford Explorer seats problems

42 complaints (3% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 35,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
42
of this car's complaints
3%
typical mileage
35,000
crashes
1
recalls
3

Which part fails

  • Mid/rear assembly: head restraint
    3

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Explorer seats problems in other years

19911995200020052010201520202026

Related recalls

Seats: mid/rear assemblyReported July 14, 2026 · 387,917 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
Risk
A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed August 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Lincoln Aviator owner notification letters were mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S52. This recall expands Recall 25V393. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on July 16, 2026.

Recall number 26V451000 · Recall details

Seats: mid/rear assemblyReported June 13, 2025 · 304,662 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.
Risk
A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S67.

Recall number 25V393000 · Recall details

Seats: mid/rear assemblyReported August 28, 2019 · 639,137 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
Risk
A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, 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 19C07.

Recall number 19V633000 · Recall details

What 2020 Ford Explorer owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 6, 2026 · Seats · CO

While driving, the drivers seat started to move all the way forward and the back rest started folding all the way forward as well.

Filed Oct 16, 2026 · Seats · IN

Safety recall 26S52 / 26V451 for the 2020 Ford Explorer. The passenger side second row seat will collapse while driving. It has been an ongoing issue for months. There is no part remedy at this time. I have asked to get this taken care of as I transport kids daily and just avoiding the seat is not feasible at all times. They state they hope you have this handle by September, they have no pushed it back till January 2027.

Filed Oct 3, 2026 · Seats · IL

Both headrests in the third row have broken. Neither headrest will stay up in the locking position.

Filed Aug 19, 2026 · Seat belts, Seats · TN

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V675000 (Power Train), 25V093000 (Seat Belts), 26V402000 (Power Train), and 26V451000 (Seats) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.

Filed Jul 21, 2026 · Seats · CA

My Ford explorer has a 3rd row headrest stuck in a down position. So, the passengers head will not be supported in a whiplash situation. I have found many complaints on this issue but cant find what should be a very important safety recall.

Filed Jul 13, 2026 · Seats · 110,000 miles · AR · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while her son was positioned in the third-row seat, the head restraint unexpectedly slammed down on the tip of his left index finger. As a result, he sustained a severe injury that required immediate medical attention. The injury required 6 to 8 stitches, and the child also required surgery. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Filed Jun 30, 2026 · Electrical, Seats · OH

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 could’ve been.

Filed May 12, 2026 · Seats · HI

Safety recall the federal safety agency 25V093, vehicle at dealership Cutter Ford, Aiea, Hawaii, for appointment to correct recall defect with the seat restraint bolts and the technician determined the center two rear seats failed the inspection and the bolts were defective. Cutter Ford invoice #XXX, dated January 15, 2026. Repair and correction not completed, stated back order the parts needed. On February 26, 2026, vehicle appointment at Cutter Ford for brake service and recall service, brakes completed, but informed parts for recall 25V093 on back order. On March 23, 2026, received notice from Ford Motors stating our vehicle required to be taken in for recall service for 25V093, seat restraint fasteners that are improperly secured may not effectively restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Immediately contacted Cutter Ford, and was informed that the parts are on back order, unknown date for correction of the recall defect. On March 23, 2026 contacted Ford Recall Assistance at [XXX] , case #XXX was informed parts on back order, nothing they can do at this time. On May 11, 2026, emailed Cutter Ford customer service requesting information on the back ordered recall parts and a date and time for repairs. We use our recalled vehicle daily to transport our grandchildren to and from school and to their other activities. The recall notice states that this recall defect can increase the risk of injury-the grandkids sit in car seats on the two defective seats, this is a very serious matter that is endangering our families lives and welfare. We do not have the financial or other means of securing another vehicle, and do not believe that the burden of Ford's defective manufacturing should in anyway be assigned to us. Requesting that our vehicle be immediately replaced or repaired according to laws and regulations and policies implemented to protect people from these bad practices that place vehicle owners and families in danger. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C.

Filed Apr 15, 2026 · Airbags, Seats · GA

On my 2020 Explorer ST, the plastic backing on the front seats is popping off and exposing the seats airbags. My dealer said ONE replacement backing would be $1400 to replace. In a facebook group I am in, multiple people have complained on the 2020 ST that theirs has done the same thing.

Filed Jan 12, 2026 · Seats · TX

The 2nd row seat folding buttons have been malfunctioning for years and folding unexpectedly but Ford would simply say that it was user error causing it to stick. In June of 2025 I received a recall for the issue stating the buttons on the second row may bind or stick. The notice said the parts werent available and that I would be notified again by Ford when the parts came in to schedule a service appointment to complete the repairs free of charge. However, the notice was misleading because when the follow up notice came it stated "Following an inspection/replacement, dealers will ensure proper operation of the switch free of charge." When the dealer came to service the vehicle they inspected the buttons and said that they "looked fine" and offered to dust the buttons off. After they left, the seats continued to sporadically fold until finally one day I went to remove my daughter's car seat to a booster and the seat kept folding as I went back and forth to remove the old seat and install the new one. I was able to record a video of the seat folding repeatedly and reached back out to the dealership. The dealership came out did an inspection and took the parts from the vehicle. They claimed they would resubmit the issue to Ford to approve the parts under the recall and/or the manager was willing to pay out of pocket for them. Jordan Ford insisted removing the parts so that the seats wouldn't unexpectedly fold on my daughter. They didn't know if the issue was mechanical, electrical, or something else. It's now Jan/2026 and they are refusing to take my calls and to give me back my parts or even an estimate if I have to pay out of pocket instead of the wires being exposed without a cover. It's probably not a great idea to drive with the windows down or the sunroof. The condensation from humidity will and/or has gotten into the seats by now. There are other components like the seat warmer and air bag sensor near this. Safety Recall Notice 25S67 / the federal safety agency Recall 25V393

Questions about the 2020 Ford Explorer seats

Does the 2020 Ford Explorer have seats problems?

Owners have filed 42 complaints about the seats of the 2020 Ford Explorer, 3% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2020 Ford Explorer seats problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 35,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2020 Ford Explorer seats?

Yes, 3 recalls: 26V451000, 25V393000, 19V633000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Explorer have bad seats?

The Ford Explorer model years with the most seats complaints are 1998 (70 complaints), 1999 (67 complaints) and 2020 (42 complaints).

Other 2020 Ford Explorer problems

Transmission 507Electrical 189Driver assistance 180Engine 139Brakes 88Visibility 70Lights 56Body 46Fuel system 43Suspension 37Acceleration 29Steering 28Seat belts 18Wheels 16Locks 7Airbags 6Tires 2

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