2020 Ford Explorer
Model year 2020: every recall NHTSA’s file names for it, the complaints owners made to NHTSA, and its crash ratings.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. NHTSA’s recall lookup is on nhtsa.gov.
The short answer
From NHTSA’s files, copied Nov 4, 2026.
- 33 recalls naming it in NHTSA’s file (needs attention)
- 1,252 owner complaints to NHTSA
- 5of 5 the fewest overall stars NHTSA gave any of its versions
A recall covers the vehicles it names, by build date where NHTSA gives one. Your VIN says which are open on yours.
Is your vehicle in one of these recalls?
No public file says which recalls are still open on one vehicle. NHTSA’s lookup does, from its VIN.
The VIN goes to NHTSA, never to Hearth Record.
What recalls name it?
33 recalls for the 2020 Ford Explorer in NHTSA’s file, newest first. Each covers the vehicles it names; your VIN says if yours is one.
None carries NHTSA’s advice not to drive it or to park outside.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Nov 4, 2026. Updated daily.
Jul 14, 2026. Seats: mid/rear assembly
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NHTSA campaign
26V-451
Jun 24, 2026. Power train: automatic transmission
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NHTSA campaign
26V-402
Mar 17, 2026. Seat belts
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NHTSA campaign
26V-159
Mar 3, 2026. Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
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NHTSA campaign
26V-117
Mar 3, 2026. Back over prevention: software
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NHTSA campaign
26V-123
Oct 10, 2025. Equipment: electrical: engine block heater
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NHTSA campaign
25V-685
Jun 27, 2025. Back over prevention: software
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NHTSA campaign
25V-442
Jun 13, 2025. Seats: mid/rear assembly
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NHTSA campaign
25V-393
Mar 14, 2025. Back over prevention: software
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NHTSA campaign
25V-159
Mar 14, 2025. Power train: driveline: driveshaft
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NHTSA campaign
25V-166
Feb 14, 2025. Seat belts
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NHTSA campaign
25V-093
Nov 8, 2024. Equipment: other: labels
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NHTSA campaign
24V-852
Aug 9, 2024. Engine
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NHTSA campaign
24V-598
Mar 8, 2024. Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
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NHTSA campaign
24V-188
Oct 6, 2023. Power train: driveline: driveshaft
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NHTSA campaign
23V-675
Sep 8, 2023. Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery
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NHTSA campaign
23V-626
May 12, 2023. Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
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NHTSA campaign
23V-342
Apr 28, 2023. Back over prevention: display function
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NHTSA campaign
23V-305
Mar 24, 2023. Parking brake: electrical; power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
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NHTSA campaign
23V-199
Feb 10, 2023. Power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
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NHTSA campaign
23V-069
Jan 23, 2023. Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
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NHTSA campaign
23V-022
Sep 22, 2021. Back over prevention: software; back over prevention: sensing system: camera
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NHTSA campaign
21V-735
Mar 10, 2021. Suspension: rear
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NHTSA campaign
21V-154
Dec 17, 2020. Engine
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NHTSA campaign
20V-788
Nov 24, 2020. Fuel system, gasoline: storage
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NHTSA campaign
20V-730
Nov 10, 2020. Power train: driveline: driveshaft
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NHTSA campaign
20V-693
Sep 23, 2020. Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
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NHTSA campaign
20V-575
Sep 10, 2020. Seat belts: rear/other: buckle assembly
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NHTSA campaign
20V-549
Aug 21, 2020. Air bags: critical fasteners; seats; air bags: side/window
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NHTSA campaign
20V-497
Dec 4, 2019. Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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NHTSA campaign
19V-859
Sep 30, 2019. Electrical system: wiring
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NHTSA campaign
19V-687
Aug 28, 2019. Seats: mid/rear assembly; seats: front assembly: recliner
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NHTSA campaign
19V-633
Aug 5, 2019. Parking brake; electrical system: instrument cluster/panel; power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)
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NHTSA campaign
19V-575
What have owners told NHTSA?
1,252 complaints to NHTSA, received from Nov 12, 2019 to Nov 2, 2026.
- 37 complaints told of a crash, and 10 complaints of a fire.
- Together they report 39 people injured and no deaths.
- Complaints are owners’ own reports, not findings: NHTSA reads them to decide what to look into. Only their counts are kept here; no complaint’s words or owner are read.
NHTSA, Owner complaints flat files. Released Nov 4, 2026. Updated daily.
How did it do in crash tests?
NHTSA rated 6 versions of the 2020 Ford Explorer: 5 stars overall, every version.
NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings, in whole stars. NHTSA’s safety concerns are shown beneath the stars they qualify, as NHTSA asks.
NHTSA, 5-Star Safety Ratings. Released Aug 7, 2026. Updated monthly.
| Version | Overall | Frontal crash | Side crash | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer, SUV, 4WD | 5 stars | 5 starsDriver 5, passenger 5 | 5 starsSide pole 5 | 4 starsA 15.1% chance of rolling over; no tip |
| Explorer, SUV, RWD | 5 stars | 5 starsDriver 5, passenger 5 | 5 starsSide pole 5 | 4 starsA 14.7% chance of rolling over; no tip |
| Explorer HEV, SUV, 4WD | 5 stars | 5 starsDriver 5, passenger 5 | 5 starsSide pole 5 | 4 starsA 15.1% chance of rolling over; no tip |
| Explorer HEV, SUV, RWD | 5 stars | 5 starsDriver 5, passenger 5 | 5 starsSide pole 5 | 4 starsA 14.7% chance of rolling over; no tip |
| Explorer Phev, SUV, 4WD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
| Explorer Phev, SUV, RWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
NHTSA lists no safety concern for any version rated here.
NHTSA’s notes on these ratings
- During the side pole impact test, the windshield separated from the roof, A-pillar, and lower edge
Safety technology, as NHTSA lists it
- Forward collision warning: standard.
- Lane departure warning: standard.
- Crash imminent braking: standard.
- Dynamic brake support: standard.
What the record doesn’t say
- Which recalls are still open on one vehicle: only NHTSA’s lookup, with its VIN, says that.
- Ratings are for the versions NHTSA tested. Other cabs, engines and drives can rate differently.
- How serious each complaint was, or whether it was confirmed: complaints aren’t findings.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010).
Released Nov 4, 2026 and checked Nov 4, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Owner complaints flat files.
Released Nov 4, 2026 and checked Nov 4, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 5-Star Safety Ratings.
Released Aug 7, 2026 and checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated monthly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Nov 4, 2026.