2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid

Recalls

1 recall names the 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid. Newest first.

• Power train › Axle assembly

  Apr 14, 2022NHTSA 22V255000252,936 vehicles

  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 and remedy

  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.

  Remedy

  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.

  Full recall details →

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Power train1
2. Unknown or other1

Latest complaints

• Apr 18, 2026CA
  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…

  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 exploded parts and put holes in the unit causing fluid to exit onto the street and lock up the drive tires. The vehicle was stranded in the middle of the street and could not move. There was no warning or indication of a failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and components were replaced under extended warranty.

• Dec 14, 2020MEFire
  Unknown or other
  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…

  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 flames and deemed the vehicle a total loss. A police report was made. The vehicle IS awaiting insurance adjustor information for the cause of the failure that occurred. The contact mentioned nhtsa campaign number: 19v687000 (electrical system) as a possible solution to the failure however, the vin was not included. Darling's403 hogan rd, bangor, me 04401 (207) 992-1560 was contacted and informed the contact that no recalls were under the vin. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and has provided the contact with a case number. The failure mileage was unknown at this time.

Defect investigations

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.

• Pedestrian alert sounds

  DP22005Opened Jan 27, 2023Closed Aug 7, 2023Recall 22V063000
  NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for…

  NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

Service bulletins

Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.

• 10250306Some 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 in the powertrain control module (PCM) and auto start/stop disabled. This may be due to a loose wiring connection to the belt integrated starter generator (BISG). The Workshop Manual (WSM) has recently been updated to provide new direction for DTC P0A1E. Refer to the WSM, Section 303-06 Starting System, Diagnosis and Testing, Starting System for applicable diagnosis.
• 102502982020-2023 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 the low voltage connections, when no actual fault is present. This may be due to the software level of the Midtronics xRC-3363 High Voltage Battery Rescue Charger. To correct this condition, update the Midtronics xRC-3363 High Voltage Battery Rescue Charger to the latest software level by navigating to the Main Menu > Settings > About (i) then selecting the download button in the bottom right corner of the tool's screen.
• 10249785Some 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 may be due to the software thresholds in the PCM
• 10245358This article supersedes TSB 23-2279 to update the Service Procedure. 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 powertrain malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0A1E stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to the belt integrated starter generator (BISG). To correct this condition, follow the Service Procedure to diagnose and repair this symptom.
• 10240743The Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be presently available in a TSB, SSM, GSB, or other electronic communication. This article includes information on warranty, technical service tips and other service information.
• 102365872020-2023 Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a charging system warning in the message center and/or illuminated battery lamp with DTC B11D9 present in the body control module (BCM). Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 414-01, Pinpoint Test C for diagnosis and repair. If the 125 amp fuse on the 14300 wire harness at the auxiliary battery is open, do not replace a complete wire harness to obtain this fuse. The 125 amp fuse (service part number JU5Z-14526-A) is now available separately for service. If the 125 amp fuse is ok, check C1168 connector / SBF08 circuit located underbody behind the left front wheel for wiring or connector issues. For additional C1168 location images, view WSM 414-01 > Removal and Installation > Auxiliary Battery Cable. Repair as necessary per Wiring Diagram (WD) Cell 5 > Connector Repair Procedures.
• 10226727Some 2020-2022 Aviator/Explorer Hybrid vehicles may experience a concern where the EV power flow does not display in the center display screen. This may be due to accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software. To correct the condition, run the APIM-SYNC Module (APIM) Standard Programming application using the latest software level of the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). For claiming, use causal part 14G371 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
• 10220380Some 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with a hybrid powertrain may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P2D40. This may be due to the chiller not interpreting the correct cooling value of the high voltage battery chiller. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to diagnose the cause of the incorrect value.
• 10212126Some 2020-2022 Aviator/Explorer Hybrid vehicles may experience a low battery warning message displayed in the message center with diagnostic trouble code B11D9 present in the body control module (BCM). Refer to Workshop Manual, Section 414-01, Pinpoint Test C for diagnosis and repair. If the 125 amp fuse on the 14300 wire harness at the auxiliary battery is open, it is not necessary to replace a complete wire harness to obtain this fuse. Service part number JU5Z-14526-A is now available separately for service.
• 10212101Some 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator Hybrid vehicles built on or before 11-Apr-2022 may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with only diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P1A0C stored in the PCM. This may be due to the software in the battery energy control module (BECM). To correct the condition follow the Service Procedure to reprogram the BECM, powertrain control module (PCM), and other modules in a coordinated flash.

Every Ford Explorer Hybrid model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.