2020 Ford Explorer Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 2%of 1,244 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 17,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the steering of the 2020 Ford Explorer, 2% of the 1,244 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 17,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Purchased new 2020 Ford Explorer st and the steering failed 3 times in 5 months. Returned the car to the dealer each time for repairs. In all cases some or all steering went out while I was driving the vehicle. On june 15th I had a severe wreck and totaled the car as I tried to navigate a slight curve in the road.”
NHTSA complaint #11359990, filed 2020-09, 5,000 miles“My 2020 Ford Explorer st power steering went out while the vehicle was driving in traffic on a freeway doing 70 MPH going down a 6% grade at 6,000 ft. (cajon pass) while my wife was driving nearly causing a major accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11340991, filed 2020-07, 8,300 miles“Transmission was grinding and stopped pulling at approximately 17,000 miles. Had car towed to dealer. There was a transmission leak. It was repaired and 6 quarts of fluid added. Since the repairs, transmission is hard shifting and jerking. I've had the car back at the dealer for steering issues 3 times. At highway speeds (65mph and above) the car wanders all over the road, like there's slack in the rack and pinion. The dealer says the alignment is okay and refuses to listen to my complaints. Have issues with the sync. …”
NHTSA complaint #11404111, filed 2021-03, 17,000 miles“On saturday august 22, I drove my 2020 Ford Explorer sport to work in my company parking lot. When I attempted to leave work to go home, after starting the car, I received a succession of warning notices - hill start assist not available / reverse brake assist not available / pre-collision assist not available / service advance trac / steering loss - stop safely. The car was brand new, not even a year old and has only 7,000 miles. The car was towed to summit Ford in siverthorne colorado on august 23 where it has been for two weeks. …”
NHTSA complaint #11352988, filed 2020-09, 7,731 miles“While driving on the highwaythe 'steering fault service now light' came up on the dashboard while traveling 75 MPH miles on odometer 900. After stopping the car and restarting it the 'steering loss stop safely' message popped up on the dashboard I had to drive to the dealership with no power steering or any transmission options like sport, economy, regular, deep snow, no assist for uphill or downhill parking”
NHTSA complaint #11315531, filed 2020-03, 900 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11018597May 21, 2025This article supersedes TSB 25-2121 to update the affected production build dates. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit a click/pop noise while…
- 10236031May 6, 2023There is a parts and labor time error for Explorer/Aviator 3.0L EcoBoost and Aviator 3.0L plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Ford is in the process of updating TSB 23-2114…
- 10210476Apr 25, 2022Some 2020 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with a power adjustable steering column may exhibit a creak/squeal type noise during up or down travel, including ingress/egress…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 2% |
| 2025 | 9 | 8% |
| 2024 | 2 | 10% |
| 2023 | 12 | 11% |
| 2022 | 9 | 3% |
| 2021 | 6 | 1% |
| 2020 | 28 | 2% |
| 2019 | 9 | 3% |
| 2018 | 21 | 3% |
| 2017 | 76 | 4% |
| 2016 | 532 | 22% |
| 2015 | 347 | 19% |
| 2014 | 500 | 30% |
| 2013 | 836 | 37% |
| 2012 | 360 | 43% |
| 2011 | 742 | 62% |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 13 | 9% |
| 2007 | 10 | 5% |
| 2006 | 9 | 1% |
| 2005 | 12 | 2% |
| 2004 | 41 | 3% |
| 2003 | 27 | 2% |
| 2002 | 155 | 5% |
| 2001 | 21 | 6% |
| 2000 | 40 | 4% |
| 1999 | 38 | 3% |
| 1998 | 70 | 4% |
| 1997 | 33 | 2% |
| 1996 | 47 | 3% |
| 1995 | 52 | 6% |
| 1994 | 24 | 2% |
| 1993 | 19 | 2% |
| 1992 | 25 | 4% |
| 1991 | 10 | 2% |
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