2020 Ford Explorer engine problems
moderate 66 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Owners have filed 66 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: This generation Explorer has serious engine reliability and safety issues: stalling without warning even on new units, premature engine seizures requiring replacement, throttle unresponsiveness at low mileage, and exhaust leaks entering the cabin. Multiple owners report dealers unable to replicate problems or find fault codes despite recurring failures; some issues occur outside recall coverage despite being identical to recalled failures.
Stalling and loss of power dominate this cluster. Owners describe sudden engine shutoffs with no restart for minutes, happening at traffic lights, on interstates, and in parking lots. Multiple reports cite the vehicle dying without warning lights, forcing restarts after multiple attempts or leaving owners stranded mid-road. One new Explorer (2,407 miles) suffered violent shaking, loss of acceleration, and complete stall on a state road; the dealer found a defective camshaft position sensor, timing belt slippage, scoring on the #6 piston, and impact damage to the spark plug—likely requiring full engine replacement.
Engine failures requiring replacement appear across multiple complaint narratives. Owners report catastrophic seizures, metal shavings in oil, holes in engine blocks, and failed bearings—sometimes at very low mileage (under 2,000 miles on one brand-new unit). Several cite lack of warning lights preceding failure. Some failures occur within weeks of purchase.
Exhaust system leaks and cracks are frequent: fractured catalytic converters, cracked flex pipes, and welds that corrode early, allowing exhaust fumes into the cabin. Owners report strong exhaust odor entering through vents or doors, sometimes with no warning lights. Some link their issues to Ford's CSP 21E11 or 21B35 programs but find their VIN excluded despite identical symptoms.
Loss of throttle response occurs on acceleration at various speeds. Owners report the gas pedal becoming unresponsive—completely or intermittently—with the engine running but not responding, sometimes requiring gear shifting or pedal release-and-repress cycles to re-engage. Dealers repeatedly tell owners no codes are stored and attribute it to "bad gas."
Transmission failures include parking pawl malfunction and sudden shifts from drive to neutral, with one owner facing an $8,000+ bill after transmission destruction at 66,000 miles, just beyond the 60,000-mile warranty limit.
Same Ford Explorer engine reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2021 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Stalling and loss of power
Engine shuts off suddenly with no restart capability for minutes, or extended cranking needed to restart. Occurs at traffic lights, during acceleration, on highways, and in parking lots. No warning lights in most cases.
When: Various mileage; reported as early as stop-and-go driving in new vehicles and up to 112,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off suddenly without warning; Vehicle fails to restart or requires multiple restart attempts; No warning lights illuminated in most cases; Occurs at traffic lights, during highway driving, during acceleration
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (reported in some cases after stall), Battery warning light (one report at 112,000 miles)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships unable to replicate issue in multiple cases; vehicle kept at dealership for extended periods (30+ days in one case) without diagnosis or repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford Engineering case opened in at least one instance; no recalls identified for stalling issues in narratives
Catastrophic engine failure / seizure
Engine seizure, loss of all power, metal shavings in oil, or internal engine damage (holes in block, failed bearings, piston scoring). Requires full engine replacement. Occurs with little or no warning.
When: Very low mileage (under 2,000 miles on new vehicle) to 130,000 miles; one brand-new 2020 Explorer failed in December 2019 with <2,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Violent engine shake and loss of acceleration; Complete loss of power mid-drive; Engine malfunction indicator light (in some cases); Abnormal knocking or squealing sound; Low oil pressure warning light (in some cases); Engine seizes and fails to restart
Codes mentioned: Defective camshaft position sensor (P0010 or similar, per one narrative), Check engine light (after stall in some cases), Low oil pressure warning
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required; turbochargers may also need replacement. Metal shavings found in oil and filter indicate internal wear/failure. One owner reported dealership found excess oil drenching oil pan suggesting severe leak. Repairs not completed in most narratives; waiting on parts availability.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford Engineering case opened in one instance (new vehicle at 2,407 miles); owner stated Ford customer service rep confirmed 'multiple engines' experiencing the same problem. Dealership denied vehicle swap. NHTSA Recall 23V597000 mentioned in one complaint; another referred to NHTSA for assistance due to VIN not in recall.
Timing belt slippage / camshaft position sensor failure
Timing belt slips, causing loss of power, engine stall, and piston scoring. Borescope inspection reveals scoring on pistons and impact damage to spark plugs, indicating internal engine damage.
When: Reported at 2,407 miles on a brand-new Explorer
Symptoms owners cite: Violent engine shake; Vehicle slows without driver input; Engine runs but will not accelerate; No warning lights illuminated
Codes mentioned: Fault code: Defective camshaft position sensor
Repairs/costs cited: Borescope revealed scoring on #6 piston and impact damage to #6 spark plug. Dealership stated engine likely requires replacement. Battery draining and vehicle going into sleep mode also noted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership contacted Ford Engineering and established a case number; working with Ford Engineering to determine root cause
Throttle unresponsiveness / loss of acceleration
Gas pedal becomes unresponsive to driver input; engine running but vehicle does not accelerate even with pedal to the floor. Occurs intermittently and may resolve after releasing pedal, shifting gears, or cycling drive mode.
When: Reported at various speeds and drive modes; multiple occurrences over vehicle's ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal pressed to floor with no engine response; Vehicle coasts during turns or intersections; Engine runs but vehicle does not accelerate; Shift error message appears and disappears quickly (in some cases); No stored codes in system per dealership diagnostics; Workaround: releasing pedal for several seconds, shifting to neutral then drive, or cycling drive mode re-engages acceleration
Codes mentioned: No stored codes found by dealers
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships unable to replicate during test drives and attribute to 'bad gas.' Owner reports using top-tier gas does not resolve issue. No repair performed in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response recorded in narratives; owners referred to dealership or NHTSA
Coolant leak and overheating
Coolant leak from unknown source; engine coolant overheat warning light illuminates. Vehicle purchased new with 78 miles showed coolant leak before any driving. Dealership unable to locate leak source and waiting for Ford Engineering guidance.
When: At 78 miles (brand-new vehicle with only remote-start usage)
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke from hood immediately after delivery; Interior heat blowing cold air only; Engine light and coolant light illuminated before driving; Notifications via FordPass app indicating engine overheating
Codes mentioned: Engine light on, Coolant light on
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnosed coolant leak but unable to locate source. Vehicle held at Ford Service awaiting engineer guidance on how to proceed. Two days at dealership with no resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership contacted Ford Engineers; status unclear as of complaint filing
Exhaust flex pipe cracking and rattling
Flexible exhaust pipes crack, corrode, or rattle excessively. Some failures include flex pipe vibration so severe it breaks the metal exhaust hanger rod. Defective design; Ford's factory fix (hose clamp) does not resolve underlying vibration issue.
When: Reported at very low mileage (5,500 miles) and up to 47,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud rattling sound from exhaust during idle or acceleration; Flex pipe vibrates violently; Exhaust hanger rod breaks from vibration; No warning lights illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Ford's fix involves placing a hose clamp on the flex pipe, but owners report this does not address the underlying vibration issue and the same defective part is replaced with an identical defective part. One owner (pilot) concerned about carbon monoxide poisoning if crack develops. Multiple owners report this issue discussed in Explorer forums.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: CSP 21B35 (Right-Hand Catalytic Converter and Right-Hand and Left-Hand Exhaust Flexible Pipe(s) Inspection); however, many VINs not included in program despite identical failures. NHTSA Technical Bulletin 20-2282 referenced in one complaint. Ford has offered to pay for part but not labor in one case.
Catalytic converter cracking and failure
Catalytic converters crack, corrode at welds, or fail completely, allowing exhaust fumes to enter cabin. Occurs on both left and right sides. Failures happen well before typical converter lifespan (converters typically last 10+ years and 300k+ miles).
When: Reported at 27,000 miles to 100,000+ miles; one vehicle had right-side failure at 113,000 miles and left-side already replaced under CSP 21E11 in March 2023
Symptoms owners cite: Loud rattling or abnormal sound from rear end; Excessively loud exhaust sound; Strong exhaust odor inside cabin; Cracked weld on catalytic converter; No warning lights illuminated in most cases
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (in some cases)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers quote $3,500+ for passenger-side repair. Replacement typically needed. One owner reported both converters fractured and only left-side covered under warranty at 92,000 miles. Weld corrosion appears to be root cause of cracking. Multiple owners report this is known problem with 3.0L Explorer across 2020-2022 model years.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: CSP 21E11 (Left side Exhaust Flexible Pipe(s) and Left side Catalytic Converter inspection and replacement) and CSP 21B35 exist, but many VINs not included. One owner noted Ford Police Interceptor version of Explorer had right-side converter recalled, but civilian version did not. Manufacturer referred contacts to NHTSA Hotline; no repairs authorized outside warranty.
Exhaust fumes entering cabin
Strong exhaust odor present inside vehicle cabin while driving or idling. Caused by cracks in exhaust system, flex pipes, or catalytic converters. Odor detectable through vents, especially when using defrost or AC.
When: Reported at 24,000 miles to 100,000+ miles; some at very low mileage (27,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Strong exhaust odor inside cabin; Odor present while driving or idling; Odor enters through HVAC vents or open doors; No warning lights illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers identify cracked flex pipes or catalytic converters as cause. One owner needs to roll windows down and freeze in order to avoid exhaust smell when using defrost. No repairs authorized in some cases due to warranty limits.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: CSP 21E11 and 21B35 identified in some cases, but many VINs excluded. Owners report safety concern due to unknown carbon monoxide exposure.
Oil leak and excessive oil consumption
Severe oil leaks (excess oil drenching oil pan) or rapid oil depletion. Engine oil levels drop significantly between oil changes. Associated with turbocharger issues and potential catastrophic engine failure.
When: Reported from 5,000-mile intervals to engine failure at 68,000-130,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil pan drenched in excess oil; Low oil pressure warning light; Rapid oil level drop between services; Excessive smoke/oil burn on startup; Engine failure following oil consumption
Codes mentioned: Low oil pressure warning light
Repairs/costs cited: One mechanic diagnosed excess oil in pan and indicated engine and turbochargers needed replacement. Another owner reports oil line from block to turbo requires replacement (newly designed line) but Ford has not issued recall or service bulletin. Metal shavings in oil filter indicate internal wear.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Similar issue reported on Ford F-150 2.7L turbo; no recalls or repair notices issued for Explorer ST oil consumption
Variable camshaft timing (VCT) system failure
VCT system fails, causing abnormal engine shaking while idling or at traffic lights. Failure intermittent at first, becoming constant. Requires VCT system replacement.
When: At approximately 60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal shaking while idling at stop light or while parked; Check engine warning light illuminated; Failure intermittent at first then becomes constant
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed VCT system failure requiring replacement. Vehicle not repaired in narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Linked to unknown Customer Satisfaction Program but vehicle not included. Manufacturer referred contact to NHTSA Hotline.
Transmission failure / parking pawl malfunction
Parking pawl malfunction causes transmission to slip from drive to neutral on its own, then stuck in park unable to shift for extended period. Parking pawl failure destroys transmission, requiring full replacement at $8,000+.
When: Reported at unspecified mileage; one case at 66,000 miles (just over 60,000-mile warranty limit)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle slips from drive to neutral without driver input; Vehicle stuck in park unable to shift out for 20+ minutes; Vehicle rolls when appearing to be in park; Transmission completely destroyed by parking pawl malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement required; cost $8,000+. Dealership confirmed service technician stated owner did nothing to cause failure. NHTSA Recall 23V-069 appears to address same issue but owner's VIN excluded.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner notes NHTSA Recall 23V-069 exists for same problem but VIN not included. Ford denied repair coverage due to 66,000 miles exceeding 60,000-mile limit. Dealership identified parking pawl and transmission destruction.
Gear shift malfunction and transmission issues
Transmission exhibits 'Gear Shift Malfunction' warning with complete loss of power and inability to accelerate. Multiple occurrences force repeated pressing of gas pedal. Eventually full transmission replacement required.
When: Multiple occurrences over time; one vehicle eventually received full transmission replacement after multiple failures
Symptoms owners cite: 'Gear Shift Malfunction' warning light; Complete loss of power; Inability to accelerate despite pressing gas pedal; Multiple occurrences over vehicle ownership
Codes mentioned: Gear Shift Malfunction warning
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement eventually performed after multiple repair attempts. Occurred on interstate highway in one instance.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified in narrative
Thermostat and wire harness failure
Thermostat malfunction leads to engine coolant over-temperature warning. Vehicle enters fail-safe mode running on 5 cylinders. Wire harness replacement required.
When: At 70 MPH, 5 days after initial malfunction indicator lamp warning
Symptoms owners cite: Malfunction indicator lamp illuminated while driving; Engine coolant over-temperature warning light illuminated while driving at 70 MPH; Vehicle enters powered-down fail-safe mode running on 5 cylinders
Codes mentioned: Malfunction indicator lamp, Engine coolant over-temperature light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership initially diagnosed thermostat problem (deferred repair). Later diagnosed wire harness failure requiring replacement. No engine overheat or damage to engine found.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership was working to replace wire harness as of complaint filing
Water intrusion causing electrical failures
Water enters spare tire compartment located in rear of vehicle after heavy rains. Water spills into cabin flooding floor during emergency braking. Water intrusion causes multiple electrical failures including false collision warnings and false intrusion alerts.
When: At approximately 1,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Water fills spare tire compartment after heavy rain; Water spills into cabin during emergency stop; Forward collision warning light illuminates without vehicles nearby; Multiple false intrusion alerts via FordPass app (false tailgate opening alerts); Various electrical failures following water intrusion
Repairs/costs cited: Owner vacuumed nearly 4 gallons of water from spare tire compartment. Vehicle inspected but not repaired per narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified; vehicle not repaired
Unexpected acceleration while parking
Vehicle suddenly accelerates with no driver input while stopped with brake depressed, causing collision with parked vehicle. Steering wheel jerks back and forth with no driver input.
When: During parking maneuver
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden acceleration with no driver input; Steering wheel jerks back and forth with no driver input; Vehicle strikes parked vehicle; No warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Police report filed (military police, FOIA pending). Dealer found no evidence of equipment malfunction.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer inspection found no equipment malfunction
Engine noise and internal engine damage
Abnormal engine noises (knocking, squealing, scraping) indicate internal engine damage. Metal shavings found in oil and filter showing internal wear has been ongoing for extended period.
When: At 27,000 miles; owner had vehicle since 9,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Random noises from engine compartment with no warning lights; Scratching sound from engine at red light; Low oil pressure light illuminated; Metal shavings in engine oil and filter
Codes mentioned: Low oil pressure warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership found metal shavings in oil and filter; stated internal wear had been ongoing for long time. Dealership had vehicle for 3+ weeks with no update. Cause of metal shavings not determined.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified in narrative
Engine block hole and failure
Engine develops a hole in engine block causing complete engine failure. Low oil pressure warning light illuminates before failure.
When: At 93,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of motive power while driving; Vehicle fails to restart after pulling to shoulder; Low oil pressure warning light illuminated; Check engine warning light illuminated
Codes mentioned: Low oil pressure warning light, Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosed hole in engine block and engine failure. Vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified and case opened; contact referred to NHTSA hotline
Exhaust pipe attachment failure and corrosion
Exhaust pipe loosens due to corrosion caused by bolt loosening from elements. Hole develops in exhaust pipe. In other cases, weld on catalytic converter corrodes. Pipe detaches or becomes loose.
When: Reported at 5,500 miles to 55,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormally loud exhaust sound; Loose or detached exhaust pipe; Hole in exhaust pipe due to corrosion; Rattling sounds from underneath vehicle; No warning lights illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers diagnosed loose bolts causing corrosion and holes; some state failure due to 'elements.' Exhaust pipe or system replacement needed. Weld corrosion on catalytic converter also causing cracks.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer referred contacts to NHTSA hotline; case CSP 21B35 mentioned but VIN often not included
Transfer case, transmission, and drivetrain failure
Multiple drivetrain components fail simultaneously or in sequence: transfer case, transmission, gears, and engine all requiring replacement. Represents catastrophic powertrain failure.
When: At 68,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to move while driving at 40 MPH; Vehicle seized; No warning lights illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed transfer case, gear, transmission, and engine all requiring replacement. Vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted; referred contact to NHTSA Hotline
EVAP system leak
EVAP (evaporative emissions) system develops a leak, triggering warning light. Cause and location of leak not clearly identified.
When: At 82,253 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Unknown warning light illuminated while driving at 35 MPH; EVAP system leak diagnosed
Codes mentioned: Unknown warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Pep Boys diagnosed EVAP leak; vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; referred contact to NHTSA Hotline
Battery drain and sleep mode
Battery drains excessively and vehicle enters sleep mode, preventing restart or normal operation.
When: Reported in brand-new vehicle at 2,407 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Battery draining; Vehicle going into sleep mode; Unable to restart vehicle
Codes mentioned: Defective camshaft position sensor fault code
Repairs/costs cited: Noted during diagnosis of timing belt slippage and catastrophic engine failure. Root cause tied to engine failures.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership working with Ford Engineering
Hard downshift and acceleration failure
Vehicle experiences hard downshift while driving and fails to accelerate as needed. Accompanied by multiple warning lights. Catastrophic engine failure diagnosed.
When: At 60 MPH
Symptoms owners cite: Hard downshift; Failure to accelerate as needed; Multiple unknown warning lights illuminated
Codes mentioned: Multiple unknown warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Towed to dealer; catastrophic engine failure diagnosed. Vehicle unrepaired due to repair cost.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified
Synthesized from 66 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2020 Ford Explorer?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 66 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 26 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 24,000 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 47,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 24,000; a quarter make it past 90,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.