Model year record

2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid recalls & problems

The 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid has 1 safety recall and 2 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is unknown or other (1 complaint).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints2filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Power trainApr 14, 2022

Axle assembly

Recall 22V255000252,936 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Components: Power train › Axle assembly; Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Unknown or other	1	0	1	0	—
Power train	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Power train
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.
Mar 13, 2026
Unknown or otherFire
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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V687000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. DARLING'S403 HOGAN RD, BANGOR,…
Dec 8, 2020

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Pedestrian alert soundsClosedLed to recall 22V063000
NHTSA 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 NHTSA.gov 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, NHTSA 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 NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review…
DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023