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Electronic stability controlPart report

2020 Ford Explorer Electronic stability control Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
0%of 1,244 total for the year
Median mileage
4,700miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2020 Ford Explorer, 0% of the 1,244 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 4,700 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“While my vehicle was in motion there was a loud clank. The car would then not accelerate properly. After stopping the vehicle there was a leak in the transmission fluid and then the car would not move. There was never any lights that appeared or any warning signs. It had to be towed to the Ford dealership at my expense. Less then 6000 miles on the vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #11348962, filed 2020-08, 5,500 miles

“I have numerous fault messages, pre collision assist fault, 4wd temp disabled, 4wd system fault service required, service required, drive mode unavailable fault,auto hold system fault,service advancetrac, vehicle will not swtich into park or neutral. I was in motion at the state speed limit of 70 on the ohio turnpike when out of the bule the warning cluster lit up like a christmas tree with mutiple faults and system errors. Vehicle has limited braking.”

NHTSA complaint #11340124, filed 2020-07, 4,500 miles

“Was driving down the highway 70ish MPH with the cruise control on and the following errors came out of no where less than 5,000 miles on the car and had the oil changed the day before (by a certified Ford dealer) powertrain malfunction/reduced power, pre-collision assist not available, the hill start assist warning. The cruise control was no longer available after that. We were 1 hour from home. We did make it home just wasn't able to use the cruise control. Had the dealership hook it up to read the code errors. Has no explanation of why and cleared the codes. …”

NHTSA complaint #11361962, filed 2020-09, 4,900 miles

“While I was driving on the interstate, in the left most lane, there was road on the side of the road sighted ahead that was extending into the left lane I was traveling in. To avoid the upcoming lane infringement, I needed to accelerate to change lanes to the right of me. I had plenty of room to execute evasive maneuvers; the 2020 Explorer st however, did not allow me to change lanes and instead applied the brakes and froze my ability to steer - almost causing an accident. This has happened twice on the interstate. I took the vehicle to Ford - no explanation/cannot find a problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #11325465, filed 2020-05

Electronic stability control: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202050%
201810%
201740%
2016181%
2015171%
2014141%
2013452%
2012192%
2011282%
201033%
200926%
200832%
200721%
2006102%
200510%
200430%
200330%
200230%
199920%
199810%
199740%
199210%

Other parts of the 2020 Ford Explorer

Transmission and drivetrain
502 complaints
Other or unknown
212 complaints
Electrical system
188 complaints
Engine
117 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
104 complaints
Brakes
88 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
72 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
69 complaints
Exterior lighting
56 complaints
Body and structure
45 complaints
Fuel system
42 complaints
Seats
41 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2020 Ford Explorer

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology