2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (1)
Safety recalls (1)
Power Train:axle Assembly 2022-04-14 · campaign 22V255000 · 252,936 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer Police FHEV, Explorer Police 3.3L, and 2020-2022 Explorer 2.3L RWD, 3.0L PHEV, 3.3L FHEV, and 3.0L ST GAS vehicles. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
Risk: A disconnected driveshaft can result in vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in 'Park' without the parking brake applied, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the bushing and axle cover, or update the electronic parking brake software. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2022, and March 10, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S27.
Service bulletins (13)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-29 · SSM 54646 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2020-2024 explorer/police interceptor utility hybrid vehicles may exhibit a "refuel error see manual" message in the instrument panel cluster (ipc) after installing a replacement fuel filler door assembly (7827936). this may be due to a concern with the replacement fuel filler door assembly. if
Power Train 2026-04-27 · SSM 54783 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2021-2023 f-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5l powerboost engine and 2020-2026 explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3l hybrid engine may exhibit an illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0a1e stored in the powertrain control module (pcm). the veh
Power Train 2025-12-04 · SSM 54425 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2020-2026 police interceptor utility hybrid vehicles may exhibit multiple warning messages, various drivability concerns and/or an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (mil) with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p061b stored in the powertrain control module (pcm). this may be due to the incorrec
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 2024-02-09 · SSM 52244 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2021-2023 f-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5l powerboost hybrid engine, 2020-2023 explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3l hybrid engine and 2020-2023 aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0l hybrid engine may exhibit a malfunction indicator lamp (mil) with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0a1e stored
Electrical System 2024-02-01 · SSM 52229 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
2020-2023 escape/explorer, 2021-2023 f-150 and 2022-2023 maverick vehicles equipped with a full hybrid electric vehicle (fhev) powertrain may exhibit a cable connection error screen from the midtronics xrc-3363 high voltage battery rescue charger. the xrc-3363 will prompt the technician to verify th
Electrical System 2024-01-19 · TSB 24-2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2020-2023 explorer 3.3l full hybrid electric (fhev) vehicles built on or before 12-nov-2023 may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (mil) and/or powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p084b stored in the powertrain control module (pcm). this m
Showing the 6 most recent of 13 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-04-18 · Power Train“i was driving the vehicle through a neighborhood and there was a clunk noise and it sounded like my brakes were metal on metal. i stopped to ensure my brakes were okay. then i continued to drive home when there was a louder clunk and the reared on my vehicle locked up and the car would no longer move. the reared differential unit had failed and exp…”
2020-12-14 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“tl* the contact owns a 2020 ford explorer. the contact stated that while the vehicle was at the independent mechanic shop making necessary repairs for the police department. without warning the vehicle went up in flames inside the garage of the independent shop. no injuries sustained. there was property damage. the fire department extinguished the …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.