Should I buy a 2020 Ford Explorer with documented wheels problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented wheels issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2020 Ford Explorer wheels problems

moderate Owners of the 2020 Ford Explorer have filed 8 NHTSA complaints about the wheels at roughly $400 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See wheels across all vehicles →

Complaints

Recalls

Avg fix

$400

wheels complaints on the Ford Explorer, by model year
Model year	wheels complaints
2016 Explorer	37
2017 Explorer	46
2018 Explorer	7
2020 Explorer (this page)	8

Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins

The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering wheels on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.

Service Bulletin 22N06 Sep 2022

Certain 2020-2022 Model Year Explorer Vehicles Rear Axle Bolt Replacement REF : NEW VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD Safety Recall 22S27 Supplement #3

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin SSM 49433 Jan 2021

Some 2020-2021 Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit an illuminated anti-lock brake system (ABS) warning lamp with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) C0031, C0034, C0037, and/or C003A. This may be due to metal contamination on the wheel speed sensors or wheel speed sensor rings. Verify that all wheel speed sensors and wheel speed sensor rings are free of metal contamination before replacing them. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 206-09 for diagnostics.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.

What owners are reporting 0 most recent

Had wheels trouble with your 2020 Ford Explorer? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.

Common questions

How serious is the wheels problem on the 2020 Ford Explorer?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 8 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $400 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the wheels typically fail?

Based on the 8 complaints filed, wheels issues most often appear around 90,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $400 for wheels 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 wheels?

No active recalls currently cover wheels 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.

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Ford/Explorer. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.