2020 Ford Explorer Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

111Engine complaints

9.6%Of all 1,158 complaints

#4Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

POWER TRAIN438 · 37.8%

Unspecified / other197 · 17%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM177 · 15.3%

ENGINE111 · 9.6%

SERVICE BRAKES79 · 6.8%

Share of the 1,158 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2020 Ford Explorer overview page.

What owners report

“TRIED TO START THE CAR AND WOULD NOT START. THE SCREEN ON DASH BOARD WENT CRAZY AND EVERYTHING WAS FLASHING. HEAD LAMPS CAME ON AND…”NHTSA complaint 11355562 — filed 09/17/2020

“I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE SINCE FEBRUARY AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES FOR VARIOUS THINGS! THERE IS A JOLT WHEN IT…”NHTSA complaint 11352507 — filed 09/01/2020

“PURCHASED FORD EXPLORER ST IN SEPT 2019 AND WINDSHIELD WAS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED. TOOK MULTIPLE RIPS TO DEALERSHIP TO CORRECT. AND IT IS STILL NOT…”NHTSA complaint 11342169 — filed 07/29/2020

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2020 Ford Explorer have engine problems?

Engine is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2020 Ford Explorer: 111 of 1,158 complaints on file (9.6%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2020 Ford Explorer have in total?

1,158 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 34 involved a crash, 10 involved a fire, 37 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.