2020 Ford Explorer Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 2%of 1,244 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 51,250miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2020 Ford Explorer, 2% of the 1,244 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,250 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming the rear end of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The contact returned to the residence and inspected underneath the vehicle and became aware that the right exhaust had detached. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that right exhaust needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11668881, filed 2025-06, 40,416 miles“The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, there was an abnormal exhaust odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the odor was present while driving. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the left exhaust flex pipes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11593829, filed 2024-06, 39,000 miles“The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that the engine coolant overheat warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact pulled over. The contact then continued driving at 10 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with coolant sensor failure. The contact was informed that the coolant sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. …”
NHTSA complaint #11637940, filed 2025-01, 93,000 miles“The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle failed to move and was seized. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed the transfer case, gear, transmission, and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11479333, filed 2022-08, 68,000 miles“The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys, where it was diagnosed and determined that the EVAP system was leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 82,253.”
NHTSA complaint #11558722, filed 2023-12, 82,253 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10252520Mar 22, 2024This TSB supersedes TSB 22-2377 to update the vehicle model years affected and Parts List. Some 2020-2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost engine or 2020-2023…
- 10251952Mar 6, 2024For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak…
- 10241601Aug 24, 20232020-2023 Explorer non-hybrid vehicles and equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost or 3.3L Duratec engine and 2020-2023 Aviator non-hybrid vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost engine…
- 10240578Aug 1, 20232020-2023 Explorer non-hybrid vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost or 3.3L Duratec engine and 2020-2023 Aviator non-hybrid vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost engine may…
- 10238468Jul 3, 2023Some 2020-2023 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and low oil pressure warning in the instrument…
- 10236688May 26, 2023Some 2021-2023 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L engine may exhibit an upper engine thump/knock noise coming from the left cylinder head. This condition is…
- 10225445Oct 18, 2022Some 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a ticking/tapping or rattle type noise from the top front cover area of the engine on…
- 10218605Aug 18, 2022Some 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may exhibit automatic transmission fluid (ATF) contamination in the engine cooling system due to the transmission cooler. If the cooling…
- 10217835Aug 8, 2022Some 2020-2022 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with a 3.3L Duratec engine may exhibit delayed acceleration response under heavy to wide open throttle input…
- 10217832Aug 2, 2022Some 2018-2021 F-150 3.3L, 2020-2021 Explorer 3.3L, and 2020-2021 Transit 3.5L may experience an illuminated low oil pressure and malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 2 | 1% |
| 2021 | 10 | 2% |
| 2020 | 21 | 2% |
| 2019 | 6 | 2% |
| 2018 | 29 | 4% |
| 2017 | 77 | 5% |
| 2016 | 114 | 5% |
| 2015 | 66 | 4% |
| 2014 | 67 | 4% |
| 2013 | 67 | 3% |
| 2012 | 14 | 2% |
| 2011 | 21 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 10 | 5% |
| 2006 | 164 | 26% |
| 2005 | 29 | 6% |
| 2004 | 71 | 5% |
| 2003 | 69 | 6% |
| 2002 | 163 | 5% |
| 2001 | 39 | 10% |
| 2000 | 90 | 9% |
| 1999 | 100 | 7% |
| 1998 | 189 | 10% |
| 1997 | 198 | 11% |
| 1996 | 81 | 6% |
| 1995 | 45 | 5% |
| 1994 | 74 | 6% |
| 1993 | 55 | 6% |
| 1992 | 64 | 10% |
| 1991 | 52 | 9% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2020 Ford Explorer
502 complaintsOther or unknown
212 complaintsElectrical system
188 complaintsEngine
117 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
104 complaintsBrakes
88 complaintsForward collision avoidance
72 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
69 complaintsExterior lighting
56 complaintsBody and structure
45 complaintsFuel system
42 complaintsSeats
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