2020 Ford Explorer Police Intercept problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (1)
Safety recalls (2)
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.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer 2021-01-15 · campaign 21V014000 · 283 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility and 2020 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The affected vehicles contain windshield washer fluid that was contaminated with brake fluid. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."
Risk: A washer system contaminated with brake fluid can reduce the driver's ability to clear windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush out the washer system, replacing the washer bottle neck, washer pump assembly, fluid level sensor and the front and rear wiper blades. Dealers will also inspect and repair the vehicle's paint and exterior components if affected, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C01.
Service bulletins (74)
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 2026-03-30 · SSM 54702 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2020-2023 aviator and 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 fi
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-12 · SSM 54655 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2020-2026 explorer/police interceptor utility/aviator vehicles may exhibit a concern of inoperative, rattling, crackling and/or distorted sound from one or more speakers (but not all speakers). this may be due to other components located near the suspect speaker. workshop manual (wsm), section
Structure:body 2026-01-23 · SSM 54516 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
2020-2026 police interceptor utility vehicles may require level iii ballistic panels to be replaced due to broken mounting tabs. individual level iii ballistic panel mounting tab service parts are now available: right-hand (78201b68) and left-hand (78201b69). replacement of the level iii ballistic p
Unknown Or Other 2025-11-05 · SSM 54354 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
on 2020-2026 explorer/police interceptor utility vehicles, customers may desire modifications that require access to the driver's door ajar circuit. the vehicle may exhibit a door ajar light on when the driver's door is fully closed. when using pin 13 on the factory 14-way connector to access the dr
Engine 2025-07-14 · 24N10 S1 · Other
certain 2020-2022 model year explorer police interceptor utility (piu) vehicles engine block breaches this program provides a no-cost, one-time repair (if needed) to the engine long-block for 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first.
Fuel/Propulsion System 2025-06-25 · SSM 53982 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2020-2023 explorer/aviator, 2020-2025 police interceptor utility, 2020-2022 escape/corsair, and 2022-2024 maverick vehicles equipped with a hybrid powertrain may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (mil) with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p2450:00 stored in the powertrain control
Showing the 6 most recent of 74 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-18 · Power Train“on my 2020 police interceptor through a no issue for the transmission, failing at early mileage, jerking in a drive and slamming gears when shifting and low gears, i believe the component is the cdf drum in the transmission, which is thousands of dollars to fix ford offered to replace it under warranty, but the issue typically doesn’t arise until a…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.