2020 FORD EXPLORER Forward Collision Avoidance Warnings Problems
32 NHTSA complaints on file
Forward Collision Avoidance Warnings Issues in the 2020 FORD EXPLORER
32 forward collision avoidance warnings complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2020 FORD EXPLORER. Of these, 5 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 2 resulted in injury.
32
Complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
All Forward Collision Avoidance Warnings Complaints
On December 26, at approximately 7:08 p.m., I was driving on the Belt Parkway during a snowstorm. I was traveling in the middle lane and began to safely change lanes to the right. During the lane change, the vehicle’s four-wheel-drive system suddenly displayed an error and appeared to malfunction. Immediately after this occurred, I lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle veered to the right, struck the median, and flipped over twice before coming to rest on its side. Prior to the system error, I was operating the vehicle normally and driving cautiously given the weather conditions. The loss of control occurred abruptly and without warning.
Car was bought from Healy Ford in Goshen Ny in January 2023. Car drove fine for the first 6 months. Out of no where all the lights on the dash came on. Hill assist 4wheel drive fault power train malfunction. Collision assist I mean everything. Took it it Rea Ford they looked at it and charged me for a system update. Was good for about 8 months still had a problem when in reverse splitting out of gear then would slam back in to gear. Then the power train malfunction comes on every time I drive it, Took it back to dealership he updated the software I was told it was a bulletin not a recall and it is going to cost me over 2000.00 to fix since the update didn’t fix the problem. I am truly disappointed but stuck with ford at the moment. How can this not be...
Powertrain malfunction/ Reduced power Bill start assist warning Pre-collision assist not available
The first component that fails and gives a warning is a 4WD failure. Once this warning occurs it cascades into a failure of collision assist, a sudden loss of adaptive cruise control, traction control and lane assist component. When this first occurred and my vehicle would suddenly slow down on the highway, because the cruise control would suddenly shut down and swerve due to the lane assist also shutting down. these warnings and failures did not reset immediately when you shut the car off and would last for days at a time. this would also happen randomly either on the highway or local roads. This is a known issue to Ford and they have issued TSB 23-2174 in regards to this.
Bought my car 2020 and every year I have been on and off the shop to fix it. Last year I just paid them to fox my transmission gearing, clutch and axle. The other dY I have them service it again due to power train malfunction. And sent me an invoice of $1700 not including the $195 to diagnostic test for my car.
At this time, I am unsure if there is some kind of recall, but my alarm is going off alerting me that the lift gate opened but that isn't true once my vehicle is locked. Also, the headlights turn on by themselves as if i have pressed on the keyfob. I then get an alert stating that the remote features disabled to preserve battery. These are just a few of the issues that i am having with this vehicle at this moment. I am a mother to 3 kids and i need to have a reliable vehicle and I don't have time to stress about not locking my vehicle at night jus to avoid my alarm going off. This is insane.
issued started happening when I tried to get into my car and my keyfob was not working. then notice the number pad was working and was able to get into the vehicle. Once inside, vehicle did not want to start. I turn on and off the headlights and thats when the vehicle started. Once started, vehicle started showing orange warning messages. the following messages were shown: Pre-Collision Assist Not Available Hill Start Assist Not Available 4WD Fault Service Required Service AdvanceTrac See Manual with a wrench on it. There is also a wrench light on with the advance trac light on. This issue was diagnosed by Ford Scarsdale and they charge me $209 just for the diagnostic and stated that I need a new AWD Module plus performing TSB 23-2174. with a list of parts totaling $926.42 plus labor of $1,463. The labor seems a bit over price as I...
While driving, vehicle gave Powertrain malfunction, downhill assist unavailable and Pre-collision warning system unavailable faults. The vehicle then came to a stop and would not move. Turning the ignition off and on allowed the vehicle to be safely parked in a nearby parking lot.
ADAS System malfunctions, 4WD malfunctions, Vehicle will randomly shut off during driving.
The hill assist malfunction warning followed by multiple malfunction warning failures started about a two weeks ago since being inspected at the dealer. Other warnings include pre-collision malfunction warning and advance track malfunction warning occurs then a wrench appears on the top left of display screen
Vehicle continuously shows a fault for Hill Start Assist, AWD Mode disabled, AdvanceTrac fault, Park Sensor, AWD Module Failure, ABS disabled. These faults started showing 13/04/25. While in traffic, driver was giving the throttle gas. While giving gas, driver lost power, and noticed a ticking noise as car was losing power in normal drive mode. Driver could have potentially been rear ended, pushed into traffic, and fear that the vehicle will eventually have a brake failure; or have the brakes lock up on the car while driving that could also lead to fatality, or bodily injuries of driver, or civilians. After making it to destination, driver parked for the night. The next day driver started car all faults were gone. Driver then trashed car to dealership to see what malfunction the car had and everything was fine. Fault later appeared, and driver lost power again. Driver then proceeds to a...
The transfer case module failed after a software update. The response from the bcm is no forward collision warning , emergency braking. It turned it off?? Aren't they required to have these features? I bought the vehicle for those features that are no longer available?
360 cameras are foggy and cannot see out of them causing false readings on parking alerts.This is the same issue the f150s have a recall about but there is not one for the explorer. The foggy display is getting worse over time. Hard to tell by the picture but in not very bright areas out of direct sun you cannot see anything on the 360 camera
While in motion a 4wd fault is detected that also makes forward pre crash unavailable. The fault resets when the engine is cycled and remains out for sporadic amounts of time I.e one week, one month, three months... Due to the fault resetting the dealer is unable to confirm cause and the sporadic nature make it difficult to replicate. The dealer was given a DTC 0f C0631-7F but was not able to verify it do to the code not being present at time of service. There is an Internal Tech. service bulletin for said code but is only before if code is present at time of service
On [XXX] I was driving my 2020 explorer east bound on [XXX] just past the [XXX] intersection in Aurora, CO when all kind of warning lights lit up on the dashboard. (Parking brake engaged, pre collision prevention system failure, ABS light, check break system and other warning lights as well) the vehicle had a hard time stopping when I applied brakes almost caused a collision. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I have had the blue screen sensors replaced 3 times. This has been a recall. Now my front camera is having an error code. Yeh blue screen came on while backing up and I hit a rock. They say it has been fixed but now it is still occurring with the radio freezing and the front camera producing an error. The dealer says there’s no current fix and they have an unable to reproduce it when it is at the dealership because it happens intermittently. I have had the driveshaft replaced and the transmission I am unable to trade this car and due to the multiple safety issues and transmission issues, this car has such a long repair history that it is priced up below market value. I am afraid that I am going to have another accident or something is going to freeze up at an in opportune moment...
FORD EXPLORER 2020 LIMITED ECOBOOST 4WD. Purchased this vehicle used in November 2023. Intermittently, the frontal crash warning goes off when there is no vehicle in front me. The front warning sensor did not beep as I tried to parallel park along a sidewalk. I gently hit a curb and had to have my tire replaced, seems like I hit it just right for a chunk to be taken out and threads were exposed. The rear back up camera and 360 view screen turns blue intermittently. I have the shut the vehicle off and turn it back on for it to properly function again.
the pre collision assist came on 10/09/2022 then On 10/02/2023 the pre collision assist warning light flashed 3 times on dash then went out drove to work when i started the car again the hill assist light came on abs light came on collision warning light came on4wheel drive light came on and little wrench light came on i could not change drive modes while driving the vehicle home the reduced power light came on and the vehicle ran slower got the vehicle home did feel safe driving it with system telling me failures and everything not working and called ford dealership asked if it was ok to drive with everything going on was told it was ok to drive was told i had to wait 3 weeks I called another ford dealership was told not to drive it and it had to be towed because it was unsafe and...
Summer 2023 OTA update to Ford Sync caused Sync system to malfunction. As a result touch screen controls are a black screen. No radio , no rear climate control, no backup camera , no 911 crash assist, no voice activated features, no forward collision warning system. Waiting for service appointment at local ford dealer.
When you put car in reverse the camera screen may go blue or black. Sometimes it is all in cone in rear, other times it’s on the right side and at other times it is the entire screen. Turning blue or black. This started in the first several months of ownership in 2020. The dealership tried several things including replacing the camera in 2020-2021-2022. Problem continued. Was told it was all fixed and the same day it happened again. I live in metro DC and have to park in small spaces often between cement pillars. I bought the car specifically for the camera system. I have hit things while attempting to get the camera back to useable again while in heavier car use areas buy not being able to see or have a sensor go off. Since 2020 Ford has had no viable remedy available. No option for new owners...
17 recalls, multiple recalls for the same thing with the rear view camera Currently have another recall on the rear view camera with no exact date on when remedy will be available. Sounds like a qualifying lemon to me.
When the car starts all warning lights come on. Hill start assistance, pre collision assistance, all assistance. There is no cruise, no safety collision assistance at all. First appeared on May 19 2023. Ford Dealer is currently trying to fix the problem. They are unsure why it’s doing it. It puts all occupants life at risks as the car doesn’t have any safety assistance.
The issue was initiated when you turn the vehicle on. The vehicle would process through normal startup modes, and then produce several error codes and light illuminations, all within several seconds. The illuminations would consist of; Traction Control Error, Auto Hold Error, Descent Control Error, Lane Assistance Error, and Collusion Avoidance Error. This would then maintain the error during the trip or until the vehicle was powered off for several minutes. After the power cycle, the vehicle would start and show no symptoms of any error codes, at all. This would happen in several different instances a day, lasting several months. In several of my cases, this would disable traction control for longer periods of time throughout the day or week as well. This places extreme risk to drivers who may not know that there are so little standard safety features active while behind the wheel. Additionally, it affects drivers...
The vehicles rear view camera randomly displays a blue screen on reverse backup. All sensors go failing at times. Attached are some screens over the month. I have taken this to a dealership for a most recent recall fix (02/01/23) and it seems this issue never gets fixed. I keep getting notices of recalls and they claim they will patch it with software fixes but there seems to be more serious sensor issues . When this happens in a school zone it feels dangerous. This is a leased vehicle and I haven't received much help even from the manufacturers dealerships. Didn't find anyone to even listen to these issues. If we try to manually reverse the emergency braking comes into play from nowhere and applies itself due to these malfunctioning of sensors.
While driving on normal suburban roads, error messages appear on the instrument display every two to three days: 4WD Fault Service Required, Pre-Collision Assist not available, Service Advance Trac. The check engine light or wrench icon appears on the instrument display, and the stability trac icon appears on the instrument display. When this happens, the adaptive cruise control does not function. Safety of the vehicle and driver are impaired by major safety system(s) do not function, such as the stability control and the collision avoidance feature. I have brought the Explorer in to one dealer one time, and another dealer two times. A repair to the half shaft speed sensor has been performed twice, however the problem still persists. This problem first appeared on the vehicle in July of 2022 at 44,000 miles.
While driving on a busy , high speed road the pre collision error message came on the screen. It felt like the truck started applying brakes causing us to jerk. Although I tried I could not accelerate. Several error messages were sent to the ford app about the Powertrain. This put my kids and my safety in jeopardy. Our speed was greatly reduced and someone easily could have hit us. This is the second time I’m taking this truck in for service with the same problem. I have less than 25 k miles on this truck. This should not be happening.
My car warnings were malfunctioning as they were all flashing on briefly. The car has done this before and has other issues with the panel such as now it has the icon for camera visibility is not working. I cleaned each camera and the light is still on. I backed out of the driveway put the car in drive and started to accelerate. I stepped on the brakes and they were not working, I repeatedly tried to stop but they were gone. My car finally stopped (I was not far enough to have started to build any speed. I turned the car off and back on and the brakes were back on. This happened March 31st, 2022.
Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning . The systems did not perform as they where designed to. No the problem was not looked at by the company.As far as I know Ford never looked at the vehicle. No warning of any kind showed up on the vehicle before the collision.
The backing aid camera turns blue out of nowhere when put in Reverse gear, which causes the parking warning system to fail, the forward collision warning turned on by itself while driving on the freeway, there were absolutely no cars or objects in front at the time, causing the SUV to abruptly come to a complete stop, putting my self and my family at risk of being hit by a vehicle in the back. this is absolutely unacceptable.
WHILE MAKING A TURN AROUND UNDER THE FREEWAY, I SAW AN UPCOMING SUV STOPPED FOR CROSS TRAFFIC. BY THE TIME I WAS WHERE THE SUV WAS I SAW THE SUV ACCELERATE TO MERGE. I CHECKED OVER MY SHOULDER FOR THE CROSS TRAFFIC UNAWARE THE SUV HAD STOPPED AGAIN IN FRONT OF ME. MY SUV'S COLLISION WARNING AND BRAKING SYSTEM NEVER ENGAGED OR ALERTED ME. I ENDED UP REAR ENDING THE SUV IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING A FENDED BENDER.
I RECEIVED MY 2020 FORD EXPLORER BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP ON 01/23/2021, AFTER IT HAD BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP SINCE 12/22/2020 FOR AN "OVERHEATING" ISSUE, WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE A MODULE AND SENSOR ISSUE. WHILE DRIVING LAST NIGHT I RECEIVED A WARNING FOR A "POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION". I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME WITH NO ISSUE BY DRIVING SLOWLY. I PARKED THE CAR OVERNIGHT AND CHECKED THE STATUS THIS MORNING, 01/24/2021, IN ORDER TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT THE CURRENT ISSUE IS. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR I RECEIVED WARNINGS FOR "PRE-COLLISION ASSIST" NOT AVAILABLE, "HILL DESCENT CONTROL" FAULT, "HILL START ASSIST" WARNING, AND "ANTI-LOCK BRAKE" FAULT. I ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY TO MAKE IT EASIER TO LOAD ON A TOW TRUCK, AND I HAD ALMOST NO BRAKING POWER. I HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK TO STOP IT FROM ROLLING...
THE VEHICLE HAS A 'WAKE UP' NOISE UNLIKE ANY OTHER THAT FORD CAN SHOW ME. ONCE YOU OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR, IT MAKE AN EXTREMELY LOUD METAL GRINDING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD IN THE ABS AREA. AFTER YOU DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND PARK IT, IT DOES IT BY ITSELF 30 MINS LATER THEN AGAIN ONCE YOU OPEN UP THE DOOR AGAIN. ALSO, THE BREAK PEDAL AND BREAKS LOCK IN PLACE AT TIMES WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE. NOT IMMEDIATELY, BUT ONCE YOU START TO MOVE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VIOLENTLY JERK. THE 'CRASH WARNING' FOR A VEHICLE STOPPING SHORT IN FRONT OF YOU ALSO GOES OFF BY ITSELF WITHOUT ANYTHING AT ALL IN FRONT OF YOU CAUSING THE ALARM TO SOUND AND THE VEHICLE TO BREAK ON ITS ON. THIS HAPPENS A VARIOUS SPEEDS BUT ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. ALL OF THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN HAPPENING SINCE...
Other 2020 FORD EXPLORER Problem Areas
Power Train
396 complaints
Unknown Or Other
182 complaints
Electrical System
168 complaints
Engine
104 complaints
Service Brakes
75 complaints
Exterior Lighting
46 complaints
Visibilitywiper
45 complaints
Back Over Prevention
40 complaints
Fuelpropulsion System
38 complaints
Seats
31 complaints
Back Over Prevention Sensing System Camera
30 complaints
Suspension
27 complaints
Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking
26 complaints
Structurebody
26 complaints
Steering
23 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
23 complaints
Back Over Prevention Warnings
18 complaints
Forward Collision Avoidance Adaptive Cruise Control
15 complaints
Seat Belts
15 complaints
Back Over Prevention Rearview System Braking
12 complaints
Back Over Prevention Camera System
10 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
10 complaints
Wheels
10 complaints
Lane Departure Blind Spot Detection
9 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling
8 complaints
Lane Departure Assist
6 complaints
Electronic Stability Control Esc
5 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
5 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor
5 complaints
Latcheslockslinkageshatchbackliftgatelock
4 complaints
Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly
4 complaints
Forward Collision Avoidance
3 complaints
Structure
3 complaints
Air Bags
2 complaints
Forward Collision Avoidance Sensing System Camera
2 complaints
Fuel System Gasoline
2 complaints
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
2 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncoolerradiatorhoses And Fittings
2 complaints
Seatsmidrear Assemblyhead Restraint
2 complaints
Structurebodydoorhandleinterior
2 complaints
Suspensionrearshock Absorber
2 complaints
Tires
2 complaints
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
2 complaints
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
2 complaints
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
1 complaint
Electrical Systemadashill Start Assistassembly
1 complaint
Electrical Systemadashudcamerasensor
1 complaint
Electrical Systemadasparking Assistsensors
1 complaint
Electrical Systempropulsion Systemtraction Batterymanagement Systemenergy Control Module Bmsbecm
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolineturbosupercharger
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe
1 complaint
Equipment
1 complaint
Equipmentelectricalnavigational Systemglobal Positioning System
1 complaint
Firerelated
1 complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance Dynamic Brake Supportbrake Assist
1 complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance Sensing System Radar
1 complaint
Lane Departure
1 complaint
Lane Departure Lane Keep Automatic Steering
1 complaint
Lane Departure Lane Keep Steering Assist
1 complaint
Lane Departure Warning
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkages
1 complaint
Parking Brake
1 complaint
Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncontrol Module Tcmpcmtecm
1 complaint
Power Traindrivelinedifferential Unit
1 complaint
Power Traintransfer Case 4 Wheel Drive
1 complaint
Service Brakes Air
1 complaint
Service Brakes Airantilock
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
1 complaint
Steeringrack And Pinion
1 complaint
Structurebodydoor
1 complaint
Structurebodydoorhandleexterior
1 complaint
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgate
1 complaint
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgatehinge And Attachments
1 complaint
Structurebodyhood
1 complaint
Structurebodytailgate
1 complaint
Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields
1 complaint
Structureinterior Panelssun Visor
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontshock Absorber
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontwheel Bearing
1 complaint
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
1 complaint
Visibility
1 complaint
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
1 complaint
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemrear Windowelectrical Heating Element
1 complaint
Visibilityglass Siderear
1 complaint
Visibilitywindshield
1 complaint
Wheelslugsnutsboltsstuds
1 complaint