Skip to main content

Used 2020 Ford Explorer Consumer Reviews

3.2 out of 5 stars
161 reviews
1

See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

Price history graph example

Trending topics in reviews

Pros
Cons
5 out of 5 stars

1,100 Miles on Platinum

Geronimo Jenkins, 08/12/2019
2020 Ford Explorer Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
210 of 219 people found this review helpful

Extremely pleased with this car. Features: LANE CENTERING with adaptive cruise. This car basically takes me for a ride while on the highway. It frees you up to really scan your surroundings while driving and anticipate what other drivers are doing. Definitely spec it with the Copilot 360 Assist PLUS with whichever trim you choose if drive on interstates. This feature is not available on the Durango which stopped me from considering it. Explorer with these features is very relaxing to drive. Park assist is good for parallel, useless for perpendicular parking. 360 camera implementation is subpar with upgraded 10.1 screen. If you don’t value massage seats or the upgraded stereo (I do) then skip the technology package with the big screen as the implementation is much better in the smaller screen. Performance: After test driving all trim levels of the explorer to see if I could get away with a 4 cyl model, I ultimately decided that the low RPM torque available in the twin turbo model was a necessity for my style of driving. It’s ability to waft from a low rpm to merge onto a highway is excellent. Steering feel is the best of any crossover/suv I’ve ever driven. Great waiting and appropriate steering ratio. I find body roll to be minimal. 365 horsepower is a lot, and the 10 speed allows you to use all of it instantaneously if you put your foot down. I’d like the ST tune, and I would have purchased it if it had an optional adaptive suspension. Luxury: with the hollow barrier between the engine and the acoustic glass all around in Platinum model it feels like a Mercedes acoustically. Stereo sounds excellent, bass oriented, but very tight with no rattling. Leather is everywhere in platinum, passengers are shocked that it’s a Ford when they get inside. The seats are supremely comfortable. Practicality: captains chairs are a hit. Everyone notices how plush the armrests are and plentiful legroom. Auto tailgate is nice, and the hidden cubby underneath to keep things hidden is great. Dislikes: optimization of large screen and Apple CarPlay. Seats have developed a crease already in the leather, probably won’t look great after a few years. Overall: the Platinum is a great choice if you want a more modestly styled luxurious cruiser with excess power without the “racy” features of the ST like piped in exhaust sounds. I found it more agile and better looking than the Durango. 59k for an American Crossover is steep, but to get an equivalently equipped German SUV is over 70k, and much more if you want a usable third row from some brands. For a cheaper alternative, I recommend getting the Kia Telluride if you don’t value driving dynamics. The new Explorer is a great driving three row crossover that is supremely comfortable.

Report Abuse

4 out of 5 stars

THIS SUV IS AWESOME....EXCEPT

Rob Ortiz, 10/26/2019
2020 Ford Explorer Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
134 of 142 people found this review helpful

I only have 200 miles on my fully loaded Platinum model, but I already have a few concerns. First let me say that the safety features on this Explorer are incredible and work flawlessly. I was backing out of my garage and suddenly it braked to an immediate halt. My neighbors cat was walking by, it works. Ok, the few complaints. I'm not crazy about the 10.1" screen, would of preferred the 8" screen. But at the time, inventory was limited due to factory issues, so I really couldn't hand pick my options or color. So being impatient, I settled for magnetic with the technology package. I don't need massaging seats either. Anyway, the interior is very nice, but the dash material is rather rough, so wiping it down even with a microfiber cloth seems to scratch it. That's probably why they recommend vacuuming it. What? I may have to invest in a dash cover. Really? Another issue is noises. I realize when you open the door, the noises you hear are waking up all the systems including the brakes. What I don't like, is after I park in the garage, 10 minutes latter things are still activated, making noises. No, it's not the exhaust cooling down. Also, this vehicle has clunking type noise in the suspension at low speeds. When ever I buy a new vehicle, I make sure I drive it around for a few weeks with the entertainment system off. I want to find out what is normal, and what is not. As a lifetime Auto/Truck mechanic, I can tell you, this vehicle makes noises that are not normal. Time will tell. I'm still in the break-in stage. I Love the way this vehicle handles. Has a lot of power, and I can't wait to tow my boat behind it.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
3 out of 5 stars

First SUV

DG, 05/21/2020
updated 11/23/2020
2020 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
30 of 31 people found this review helpful

This is my first ever SUV. I’ve always driven sedans. Pros: comfortable seats, easy navigation of entertainment system, good visibility, plenty of power, decent gas mileage for its size, very impressive exterior looks, lots of cargo space, and the car just feels good to be in. Cons: a little too much plastic in the cabin, and the transmission failed with only 331 miles on the car! The transmission kept me from giving this a higher rating. There is no excuse for that to happen, and it seems to be a big problem with this model. I will say that Ford went out of their way to make things right. They bent over backwards and were super responsive. I have almost 1,000 miles now and the car is fine. If Ford solves the transmission problems that plague this car I see no reason for it to not garner four and five star reviews UPDATE: I ended up getting rid of the Explorer and going with a Lexus IS. I missed a sedan, and the transmission was just too jerky. It was also a rougher ride than I anticipated. If I had a boat or trailer this would have been an acceptable car, but I need a driver and this is not that.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
2 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse

2 out of 5 stars

Nice Looking, Functional; Horrible Transmission

Otto, 04/22/2020
2020 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
101 of 108 people found this review helpful

I actually like this car. Its nice looking, spacious, simple and easy to use controls, and very functional. Unfortunately, the transmission is a loser. I work in real estate, so looking at properties, lots of stop and go driving. Shifting from 1st into 2nd gear, and 2nd into 3rd gear, is quite jerky. Also, when the car is downshifting from 3rd into 2nd, and 2nd into 1st gear, the car lunges forward in a jerky manner. Thought I would get used to this, but its quite annoying and a bit unsettling when merging into traffic. I assumed that since it is such an important car for Ford, that they would do extensive testing to make sure it runs really well before selling it. Unfortunately, I was wrong. Do some homework and you will see many reviews have commented on the jerky transmission (Motortrend, Consumer Reports, etc). Half the reviews on Edmunds also mention the transmission. What happened is that Ford redid their manufacturing plant on a fasttrack, and ended up having lots of 2020 Explorers could not be sold due to quality problems, and had to send the cars to third party companies to fix them. Do yourself a favor and wait a year or two if your heart is set on an Explorer. If I didnt have the transmission problem, I do like the car and would probably have given it a 5 star rating. I'll be fighting with Ford now. As an engineer, I always knew you shouldnt buy the first year of a new model. Better to wait a year or two until the issues are worked out. Did I follow my own advice? Ofcourse not. Maybe I can help you avoid this problem. Best of luck.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse

1 out of 5 stars

You had better double check

DMoore, 01/20/2020
2020 Ford Explorer Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
103 of 111 people found this review helpful

In November 2019 my wife bought at 2020 Ford Explorer Platinum. I went in and signed as my name is on it as well, however, I didn’t do a thorough check on the vehicle myself. Everything seemed fine until the first rain and when I went outside and opened the back of the vehicle after the rain the inside of the vehicle was soaked. While trying to clean up the water I also noticed that the back panels of the vehicle we not put in correctly at all. Of course I took the vehicle back to the dealership and explained the problems and they, of course, said they would take care of it. After a few weeks we were called to come get the vehicle upon repair. My wife picked the vehicle up and before I had a chance to check it out it rained again. The vehicle was full of water again and upon further inspection we also found that the back panels inside the vehicle were not repaired either. We had several other issues of which most were with the particular dealership so I will not go into that. I will say that we are almost at two months without the vehicle and still do not have it back. We were told that there was a design problem and that they are trying to figure it out. We did contact Ford Motor Company directly to file a complaint there as well. We have received no help from them. It would be very wise to completely check out this vehicle if you are planning on buying one. Maybe they need a year to work out the problems. I don’t know. I will say that this is our first purchase from Ford and I highly doubt there will be a second one.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
2 out of 5 stars

Dangerous driver assist and plenty of odd noises

James K, 05/07/2020
2020 Ford Explorer Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
27 of 28 people found this review helpful

This is my 3rd Explorer and I am, or was a fan but not with this fully loaded Platinum AWD. With only 600 miles on it,one of its many failures is the adaptive cruise with lane centering - it is terrible technology compared to other brands and is dangerous and unreliable. The adaptive cruise is slow to react and then over-corrects, and doesnt work around curves. The lane centering is horrible even with good road markings, rocking the vehicle from side to side. The steering torque makes the vehicle handle poorly and has nearly pulled me into curbs and ditches. ( And yes I have cleaned and checked the cameras). The all wheel drive front suspension has an array of clunks and rattles, and the engine is much noisier than the previous 2016 and 2012 models I have owned. I do not recommend this vehicle

Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
4 out of 5 stars

Nice, but some quality issues

Joel S, 02/09/2020
2020 Ford Explorer ST 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
26 of 27 people found this review helpful

I just purchased a 2020 Ford Explorer ST. I love the way it drives and all the great features. I get great comments about the looks and styling. But, with less than 200 miles on it, I am noticing quality issues. Before I picked it up, the dealer had to fix the rear bumper alignment. It was touching the liftgate. We also noticed the same problem on anther Explorer ST on the lot. When I got it home, I noticed the rear door window trim was almost falling off on both rear doors. The infotainment screen is very sluggish. And the issue that bothers me the most iswhat sounds like a skip in the engine when its cold. I can hear an occasional "thump" in the motor, like it is mis-firing once in a while. It also seems to fill my garage with lots of exhaust condensation. But that might b due to the below zero temp here right now. We will see what happens when the temps rise. The engine skip seems to go away after the engine warms up and there are no check engine lights. So the computer is not detecting a skip. I am worried about the long-term reliability of my Explorer. Let's hope I am worried about nothing. It has less than 200 miles on it.

Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Much improved

Karen B, 08/01/2019
2020 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
84 of 91 people found this review helpful

I have an XLT with the 202A package. It now has just over 1k miles on it. It handles very well with improved visibility (over the 2015 I had). The cabin is comfortable with easy controls. The 2nd row captain seats are nice, and it's easier to pass thru to the 3rd row. Nobody misses the bench seat. There's enough leg room and the front seems roomier. The new screen is easy to work your way thru the menus. The 2.3l 1-4 Ecoboost gets the job done. Surprised at that one, after having only V6 engines for nearly 20 years. It's a beautiful vehicle that's fun to drive.

Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

Transmission Issues!!!! BEWARE!!!!

AaronSinc, 10/06/2020
2020 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
15 of 15 people found this review helpful

We have had transmission issues on our 2020 Explorer. It currently has around 5k miles. Its not acceptable. If I could give it back I would. Buyer Beware.

Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

Transmission Problems at 1700 miles

Deidre Velazquez, 09/28/2020
2020 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
62 of 67 people found this review helpful

I regret buying this car, and I am stuck with it! Ford will not "buy back" this vehicle, and I don't have a case because according to Illinois Lemon Laws, the vehicle must be repaired more than once in order to be considered a lemon. Well, I think this needs revision, because if the transmission fails within the first 2000 miles....the car is faulty...PERIOD. So, Ford has replaced my transmission, and I am still driving this car. The transmission still does not feel right, it does a little "jerk" when shifting. Each car payment I make, makes my blood boil. Now, I am going to say that Ford has fixed the transmission, they did supply me with an enterprise rental car, that they paid for during the fiasco, but I am still very unhappy with the way Ford handled my case. We were on Vacation in Montana, re-gassing up at a gas station in Bozeman when the transmission failed to go into gear. There were no warnings at all that this was going to happen! It just...quit at 8PM. I called roadside assistance and had it towed to the nearest Ford dealer, and me and my family of 6 walked to a motel. We spent 5 days in Bozeman in that motel! The dealer in that town was less than helpful and refused to give us a loaner. We got corporate involved, which is how we actually got a rental car to get us home in, but the service at the Bozeman Ford dealer was horrendous, absolutely horrible the way we were treated there, which was completely ignored, with a shoulder-shrug attitude. A month later my Ford is back in my possession, and I have been compensated for some of my motel, and rental car expenses, but not to the extent that I feel I am out of...which is a completely ruined vacation to Montana. I will never trust this car, and every car payment I make makes me cringe.

Safety
1 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
2 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
3 out of 5 stars

Great Except 1 Thing

Jim in Ohio, 10/18/2019
2020 Ford Explorer ST 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
49 of 53 people found this review helpful

I have 1500 miles on my new ST. I love a lot of things about it, there's been a lot of improvements since I bought a Explorer Sport in 2016. There's one major problem though. The display for the reverse camera view is horrible. It defaults to a split screen so the actual view behind you is on a 3" x 2.5" screen. You can remove the 360 degree view on the other half of the screen but almost always it hasn't loaded the entire program before I'm done backing. That means 90% of the time I have to look at the 3" x 2.5" version. The actual monitor looks like an I-pad so there's plenty of room but Ford didn't utilize the space! My 2016 reverse monitor view was at least 3 times larger! If you buy one just count on rubber necking when backing up, the camera isn't a lot of help.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
3 out of 5 stars

My first Ford lemon

Larry, 02/15/2020
2020 Ford Explorer Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
31 of 33 people found this review helpful

We have 13000 miles on Platinum 4 WD explorer and love size, drive, features. It has been a quality control nightmare. Right rear shock fell apart, driver seat trim broke, rear seat folding system had to be replaced, engine thermostat locked up causing overheating, rear seat folding system broke again, all screen functions failed and restarted later, driver seat control started returning to forward position when ignition shut jamming my knees into dash. It is 30 miles to my nearest warranty dealer and over 1000 of my miles have been for warranty work and I am not done yet.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
4 out of 5 stars

System Software Glitches - a year later

Hopeful 2020 Platinum Owner, 03/23/2020
updated 08/13/2021
2020 Ford Explorer Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
83 of 91 people found this review helpful

A year later after first review and about 20,000 miles. I am happy with my purchase. This 2020 Explorer meets a lot of needs. After many visits the tech glitches have been mostly fixed. There have been a few visits to the wonderful local dealer for warranty-covered repairs. Overall am happy I purchased the vehicle and would likely do it again. Wish list: Apple Car Play: Wish it had Bluetooth Apple Car Play. Sometimes it takes a while for the software to boot up and am not sure why. Radio - sometimes it takes the display of the radio along time to recognize the station selected or even change the station and then when moving through the preset channels it doesn’t change the screen Effortless driving when pulling a trailer and the settings for the trailer length are very helpful! Wish the gas tank was bigger and the car could pull heavier trailers to competent with Dodge and Mercedes bettter. There is a serious blind spot at the A Frame that I had to become accustomed to. Original Review Follows: This vehicle was purchased to meet specific requirements both functional and geographic. Competition was Mercedes. I hope to be happy but am now a bit worried. Car is comfortable and fun to drive. Self parking works well. Does an adequate job of lane centering and adaptive cruise control. The problem is there seemed to be software glitches and Ford Corporate does not seem to support the dealership in resolving them. The challenges are described below and the hopeful fix which was a software update. Challenges 1. System Fault for Auto Hold. All of sudden the Auto Hold turns off. When I tried to turn it on a warning light displayed that said Auto Hold System Fault. This was an erratic fault and was difficult to predicatively reproduce. The dealer couldn't reproduce it after the first couple of visits so I shot a video and pics and sent to them. They accepted the car for service and for a number of days, drove it but still couldn't reproduce the fault....then called and said suddenly something did not work when they were driving it and they were going to work with Ford to figure it out. Ford was not efficient or helpful. Eventually I think they did a software update. Hopefully it is fixed. This could be a safety issue! I contacted Ford using the app and have not heard back. There is a something not correct with Ford support when both the dealer and I can't receive reasonable service. 2. Suddenly the display in the car locks up when driving. Didn't touch a thing....just locks. Occasionally have to turn the car on and off to reset and it comes back...... go figure. Again hope the software update fixes this. My local dealer, after some prodding has been wonderful. Loaner car, serious effort to diagnose and constant updates. Ford Company......not so good. Finally I don't know why Apple Car Play doesn't work with Bluetooth. I knew this when purchasing...but really can't Ford do better. Have the car back now, intend to drive and hope all is good.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

Bad Transmission

Greg, 12/17/2019
updated 07/14/2021
2020 Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
56 of 61 people found this review helpful

At about 3000 miles the transmission went out 500 miles from home: A rental car to get me home cost $350 and they will only reimburse $30. I live in Florida and it is sitting at a dealership in North Carolina and don’t know when I will get it back. I have been loyal to Ford’s but after this I probably won’t buy another. Even when I get it back I don’t know if I will trust it. As of 1/12/20 this car has still not been repaired.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

Wouldn’t start 3 times within first month!

Jacklyn Glenn, 01/20/2020
2020 Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
95 of 105 people found this review helpful

I bought A 2020 Ford Explorer on Saturday December 21st. On Monday the 23rd it wouldn’t start. After 2 hours it decides to start and I took it to the dealership. They couldn’t duplicate the issue and sent me back home. It happened again on January 2nd. I was stranded in a parking lot with my 7 and 9 year old and a car full of groceries. I called to have it towed back to the dealer. By the time the tow truck arrived 2 hours later it cranked. I took it back to the dealer and they kept it for 3 days. They still couldn’t identify the problem. On the morning of January 16th when I was about to take my kids to school it would t crank again. I called a tow truck and they towed it to the dealer. Now that I have a video on social media Ford Motor Company is appearing concerned. They think the body control module needed reconfiguring. After 5 days they still have my car because they know if this happens againI don’t want it back. I want my money back and I’ll go to Nissan or Toyota for a 3rd two vehicle. Find my video on the Ford Motor Company Facebook page.

Safety
1 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

Great family car so far ( 10AT sucks)

Ricky Liu, 11/03/2019
updated 09/08/2020
2020 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
45 of 49 people found this review helpful

Updates_Sep 2020: 8k miles. Transmission problem! upshift or downshift from 1.5k rpm- 2.5 rpm, 20-35 mph, big jerky noise from the hood. I hate myself for buying this shit. My first Ford and is my last Ford. Sending this shit back to service, will trade in for a realible family SUV before the end of the year for sure. Updates in May 2020 after 8 months. I was trying to sell it because of its unpleasant acceleration from 0-30mph, I was very disappointed for a while. I think Ford need to do a better job on the 10 AT transmission, it sucks. Eventually, I decide to keep it... If I have the second chance, I will not choose the 2020 Explorer with 10 AT. I will put my review in the following sections, just want to give some ideas for those people who are thinking of to buy explorer 2020. 1. test drive: Before buying this car, we did test drive on Toyota Highlander, Subaru ascent, Chevy traverse, Honda Pilot; saw the interior/exterior of Hyundai Palisade. For us, explorer 2020 ranked 1st after all the test driving. 2. Interior: it has the most comfortable seats; the largest overall space, that is one of the main factors when we were evaluating 3-row SUV. When I did some research: even some official websites were complaining about the cheap plastic panel design, but I don’t think they are cheap design, in fact, we really like this design, much much better than the design in highlander and pilot. 2. Trim and package We choose XLT with 202a package. XLT has the same engine with Limited trim, of course, Ford upgrades technology package in Limited trim, but the engine and transmission are the same, so it won’t make a difference for your driving experience. I mean if you have enough budget, I would suggest go to hybrid or Platinum trim, they should offers better driving experience because of their 6 cylinder engines. 3. Price I know the sticker price looks scary for all the trims. The price of XLT(4wd)-202a is around 45k, you can easily get a top trim of Kia Telluride/ Hyundai Palisade at this price. I’m not sure I got a good deal or not, and I’m not sure the price in other explorer reviews is the price after including tax or not; but I got 5k discount before paying tax. This is a acceptable price for us. 4. 2.3T engine I think it will be a controversial topic for the explorer 2020 depends on how you think of it and how you drive your car or what is your driving style. Statistically, it provides 300hp which sounds be a great number for a 3-row SUV. But the reality is that every time when you starts from 0 to 40 mph in the city, you will hear the annoying sound from the engine, feels like it is not powerful enough to accelerate. But above 40 mph, you will like this engine a lot. This is a point where I really hope it has a 6 cylinder engine in it. Hopefully Ford will provide this option in the future. So, either control your rpm below 2k or adjust your driving style to be less aggressive. 5. Front parking sensor It is a pity that there is no front parking sensor for such a big car...I am trying to buy one from a third party 6. Reliability Have to drive more and then make comments on that. Cross finger.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

Complete Lemon

Nothing but regret , 08/08/2020
2020 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
52 of 57 people found this review helpful

My Explorer is a lemon. It's 3 months old and has been in the shop so often. I feel as though I am making a payment to share it with the dealership. Every door and seal has come out of alignment on my car. The more I drive the more they shift and move. My back door sits partially on the bumper. After 2 months the plastic cover came in and it's still sitting on the bumper. Now I have damaged paint. My interior moldings and head liner continue to shift and pop off. My intercooler blew at 2100 miles. The car has so much interior road noise it is unbearable for me to drive it. The engine is loud clanking noises. The transmission whines and grinds when shifting gears. Adaptive cruise control does not work properly and the information tablet piece continues to have a mind of its own or not work at all. All and all I would never recommend this car to anyone! Ford keeps trying to repair the problems and offered me a trade in buy back with almost a $20,000 loss.

Safety
1 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Interior
1 out of 5 stars
Comfort
2 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
3 out of 5 stars

Transmission Problems

Danielle, 09/15/2020
2020 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful

I purchased my 2020 Ford Explorer XLT in September of 2019 with 250 miles on it. I was so impressed by the way the 2020 models drove compared to the 2019. I loved the way it handled, but needless to say this has been short lived. By the end of 2019, I had to put it in the shop for a whining/grinding noise when accelerating. Come to find out this was a known issue with the transmission and the part wasn’t scheduled to come out until the end of January 2020 so my car sat at the dealership for over 3 weeks waiting on this part. Once the part was out in place the dealership failed to do there due diligence and the car broke down on me the day after picking it up. So once again it went back to the shop. Every since I have had those issue the transmission has never drove correctly I have experienced the vehicle jerking while changing gears and also a lag in acceleration while going up inclines. I have out the vehicle in the shop 2 other times since then with the dealership saying everything checked out and nothing is wrong. This time they have decided to give me a print out explaining that the car may jump gears or double shift gears at times. This is not normal for a brand new vehicle not even a year old. I am highly disappointed with Ford. This is the 3rd Ford I have owned and I have never experienced theses issues. So on top of the transmission issues my driver seat broke I have had a couple of plastic pieces fall off inside the vehicle Which had to be put back on as well as issues with the driver side window not rolling down. Anyways I am starting to think I purchased a lemon that Ford is not doing anything about. If I were you I would wait a couple of years then purchase one after they have hopefully made improvements or just don’t purchase one at all.

Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

The all new 2020 Ford Explorer ST is a Beast!

Dave S, 10/08/2019
2020 Ford Explorer ST 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful

I just upgraded from a 2016 Ford Explorer Platinum to the 2020 Ford Explorer ST. I went with the ST over the Platinum this time to get the higher powered engine, 400 HP vs 365 HP. I wouldn't think that is much of a difference but this car drives totally different then the 2016. Probably not as smooth a ride but definitely more exciting! This large SUV is fast! I love the new styling and got my car with the Premium Technology Package and ST Street Pack. Love the huge display screen and red caliper brakes! The new car also can tow a bit more (5,600 lbs vs 5,000). I really think Ford has done nothing but improve on the last generation Explorer, which I thought was fantastic too! The twin turbo Ford engines are awesome!

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

DO NOT BUY A FORD EXPLORER

Letha Attaway, 03/04/2020
2020 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
77 of 86 people found this review helpful

This is my first ever purchase of any Ford vehicle. I purchased it on 12/27/19. I knew 2 different people who had experience with Ford Explorers and loved them. I should have done more research. I would not have needed a lot more research because Ford is very aware of the issues with the new Explorers. There are MULTIPLE articles and recalls for the transmission in them. On my way to work on 02/11/20 the transmission did a hard slam as I was preparing for a right turn. I though that is strange. I prepared for a left turn and it slammed with a hard shift again. I had only had it 6 weeks and it had only 2,046 miles on it. We took it immediately back to Reynolds Ford in Norman, OK, where it was purchased. The transmission had a "severe internal issue" and could not be driven at all until they replaced it. Upon talking to the dealership I find out this is the 3rd transmission they have had to replace since the new 2020 came out. That's when I realized I'm in deep do-do. I've bought a Lemon. We immediately contacted the Ford Corporation Customer Service Manager, Don Cole. He talked and acted like he would assist us on the buyback process that Ford has. He indicated it would take about 30 days to complete the process. He was blowing smoke! He knew they never intended to buy it back. We were told it did not meet criteria for a buy back and they would look at it again in 3 weeks because the replacement transmission is in high demand and would take some days to locate a transmission and have it shipped in. The transmission was found and was shipped in. The one time mounting bolts were not available when the transmission arrived. More waiting. When the bolts came in they replaced all except one "safety bolt" and they wanted us to pick it up with a bolt that was not supposed to be re-used. Mr. Corporate said don't get it until they had replaced the safety bolt with the new one. Then to drive it and it would not affect the buyback process. So today we get the call from the dealership that the new safety bolt is in and has been replaced. They want us to bring their loaner back and pick up the lemon. Mr. Don Corporate now says there will be no buyback and it does not meet the criteria. He apparently was blowing smoke to pacify us. The moral of this review.....1) DO BUY A 2020 FORD EXPLORER. IT WILL BREAK DOWN BEFORE IT IS BROKEN IN. 2) DO NOT TRUST ANY CORPORATE PERSON. IF THEIR MOUTH IS MOVING THEY ARE LYING.

Safety
1 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
1 out of 5 stars
Comfort
1 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
2 out of 5 stars

Could be better

Unsatisfied Customer, 10/29/2020
updated 04/30/2021
2020 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
11 of 11 people found this review helpful

I had a 15' Explorer Sport. My wife and I loved it. Had it for a couple of years and then sold it. We never had any problems with it but at the time we had too many vehicles. Well we have downsized and we got another Explorer. We got a '20 Explorer XLT. Interior is nice and it is comfortable. After a few thousand miles we had transmission problems. They fixed it and we got the vehicle back. Now it feels to have some problems again. It does not shift smoothly around 45 mph. It feels like it is will give you whiplash. We have taken it in several times and they tell us they can not find anything wrong.If this is the case the I am done with Ford. I have had many Fords and this is by far the worst. I really hope they can eventually fix the problem. Update: Still have problems. Car fell under the lemon law. Long story short Ford gave us a little bit of money to shut us up. I would have to go to court for who knows how long to get them to give us another vehicle or buy this one back. I don’t have the time or money for that. I can honestly say my wife and I will never buy or own another Ford. They have lost my business.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

Lemon in my opinion

Mphilli, 12/02/2020
2020 Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
11 of 11 people found this review helpful

Purchased my 2020 Ford Explorer in April of this year. It has been back at the dealer for issues 4 times already. This most recent time they had it 11 days. There have been multiple software issues including the blind spot cross traffic detection erroring out and turning off while driving, navigation going out of whack while using and looked Like I was driving in the ocean, hill start assist failure(no hills where I live), Collision assist kicking in when I'm nowhere near another vehicle. There has been several times when drive and reverse wouldn't engage. Backup camera has worked intermittently since I drove it off the lot in April and this last time in the shop It was supposed to finally be replaced as cameras have been on backorder. When I went to pick it up the paperwork stated part on order...………..The dealer(Mullinax Ford West Palm Beach FL) told me while it was there for service ford recalled the new backup cameras and they had to return them all, just so happened to be while they had my vehicle in??????? sounds fishy. Transmission shifts hard a lot, and many other issues. Sad thing is I traded in my 2015 ford Explorer for this one and am thinking I should have just kept it. I filed a complaint with Ford Corporate yesterday stating I have a lemon and now after reading the reviews here about Ford corporate don't have a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Safety
2 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
2 out of 5 stars

Why the 2020 Explorer doesnt make the expectation.

Alan W, 12/24/2019
2020 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
58 of 65 people found this review helpful

I have had 7 fords explorers and Expiditions. I currently leased the new 2020 XLT with some options and for the first 1000 miles it seemed to perform ok. I started having issues with the car play not working correctly, then the windscreen wipers didnt even come close to removing the water when it rained while on the HWY doing 70 mph. Then Thanks Giving 2019 the transmission failed at 3,500 miles while in NW Georgia at 11pm on a country road. I had the car towed the next day to a Ford dealership and one week later re-transported to Florida to the dealer i leased it from for repair. I requested ford to buy back the vehicle, which after one month I was told they would'nt do as they would repair the car. Now i'm waiting for parts to arrive which i was told would take 2-3 months, as Ford haven't made parts for the 2020 as yet to be available the next day delivery. I'm now waiting for Ford to decide whether they will replace the car with another, Explorer or the dealer replaces the car with a new.?????

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Very nice upgrade.

Vince Horne, 02/22/2019
2020 Ford Explorer Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
70 of 79 people found this review helpful

I got to experience this vehicle at the auto show. Besides getting to take it for a test run, the inside comfort and cargo/leg room was amazing like every other version of the Explorer. The exterior is a very nice re-design from the previous models. Doesn’t feel bulky or large when sitting in the driver seat like many have said about the 2016-2019 Explorer model. In my opinion, every version of the Explorer so far is better than its predecessors (Chevy Traverse, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango, etc...)

Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

DO NOT BUY

Chelsea, 10/02/2019
2020 Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
80 of 91 people found this review helpful

At 3200 miles, the transmission on my limited was spilling fluid everywhere. I was given a loaner, drove it for a week, and the transmission went out on it as well (at 2500 miles/ base model). I'm now in a F-150 loner. I wont be getting in another Explorer, I'm afraid to drive it. Transmission issues are serious. The car is nice on the inside, but the Explorer has lost my business.

Safety
1 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
2 out of 5 stars

Less bang for the buck

Mike C, 01/13/2020
2020 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
22 of 24 people found this review helpful

I have owned Ford Explorers since 2014, my first model was the low end Explorer and I like it a lot. Very comfortable and quite. In 2017 I upgraded to the next level of Explorer. Loved the car. Plenty of power, comfort and quite. I just traded up to the 2020 version. Smaller, less features such as no navigation system, no front end sensors, very weak rear sensors, bucket seats in second row instead of bench seat and worst sound proofing I have ever encountered in a modern car. At 70mph on the interstate the noise coming from the rear of the car makes it hard to hear a person sitting next to you in the front seat. I can't imagine the noise in the second or third row. The transmission shifts and jolts the car at city driving speed and is not smooth at all. I wish I had my old Explorer back. If this is the future of this line I have bought my last.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
4 out of 5 stars

Transmission Needs Fine Tuning

Doctor Tom, 03/13/2020
updated 03/22/2024
2020 Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
15 of 16 people found this review helpful

Shifts from first to second and from second to third are jolting, not smooth at all. Downshifting, as in passing, is hesitant and slow to respond to the gas pedal. Starts from a dead stop must be slow and deliberate to avoid sudden jolts as gears change.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
3 out of 5 stars

Nice overall but weak engine

Jeff sims , 10/13/2020
2020 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful

For a high priced suv , has many features however I think they need to reprogram the shifting and motor. The 2.3l turbo motor sounds tinny and like a first edition Honda CR-V. Shifting in lower gears is jumpy and gets smoother as you get higher in gears. Love the car. Not a fan of the engine. And unless you drive like molasses don’t expect to get that 24 mpg

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

Worst purchase ever...from a lifelong Ford owner

Shawn F, 09/17/2020
2020 Ford Explorer ST 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
26 of 29 people found this review helpful

2020 Explorer ST. On the positive side this vehicle looks great! That concludes the positive. We have had nothing but problems with this vehicle. We are at about issue 17 with 8000 miles on the vehicle. Multiple intermittent issues which could not be resolved (windows, auto seat and steering adjust, battery dieing to name a few). Have also had many factory assembly issues including sun roof shade, mid seat fold button (folding seat on my 8 year old while driving), rear tailgate harness to name a few. We have went through 2 dealerships and ford customer service to try to reach resolution here and it is an absolute joke. Have had multiple dealership visits result in leaving with more issues than I came with. As someone who has been a ford fan for life with 3 ford vehicles sitting in my garage I will never be buying a ford again after this experience.

Report Abuse
3 out of 5 stars

Early production issues

Charles, 12/31/2019
2020 Ford Explorer ST 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
20 of 22 people found this review helpful

Against my better judgement i rushed to buy the new Explorer ST. Being an existing owner of two Explorer Sports i had high expectations. Unfortunately Ford has slipped in quality. The power and performance is top notch but quality issues abound. My suv has been in the shop numerous times already for sensor issues and other quality problems. As an early buyer i am having buyers remorse for sure with a steep price tag. The 360 driving leaves something to be desired as well as i feel like i am fighting the steering wheel and the adaptive cruise control should provide some warning it is slowing you down. Finally the all season Pirelli tires leave enough to be desired that i have already purchased a new set of rims and better winter tires. Overall a good deal of misses on Ford part in the launch of this Suv.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

Buy If you love living in a Ford dealership

Shaggy, 04/02/2021
2020 Ford Explorer ST 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Purchased a 2020 Ford explorer st and has been a complete POS for over five months! This thing is super dangerous to drive as it literally has a mind of it own. It reads adopt a highway signs, county road signs, church signs and anything else it can pick up on. I can set the cruise control and it will go into a nosedive or speed up to over 80 mph. I can't believe Ford hasn't taken this thing back. Customer care is completely worthless an hour on the phone every other day. The transmission is terrible feels like it's going to fall out. The touch screen/table is horrible. I live in MN so in the winter it won't turn on until the vehicle warms up. It randomly turns off the radio on it's own. You can change stations music changes but won't change on the screen. The sync system is horrible sounds like you're calling someone from the moon. Crossing my fingers for a buy back or lemon law.

Safety
1 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
2 out of 5 stars

Broken with less than 8K miles!

James lewis, 08/26/2020
2020 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
13 of 14 people found this review helpful

my girlfriend bought a 2020 explorer xlt. Drove it off the lot with less than 100 miles! Now, with less than 8,000 miles, has serious transmission issues! Slams into gear when down shifting. Several features like break assist are nolonger functional! To think i was about I to trade my 2016 explorer in on a 2020... i have 94k miles and no problems! Thank God she has the factory warranty!

Report Abuse
2 out of 5 stars

2020 Ford Explorer ST

Joe E, 02/11/2020
2020 Ford Explorer ST 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
22 of 25 people found this review helpful

We’ve had our 2020 Ford Explorer for approximately 4 months. It looks nice, ride is a little rough, gas tank is small but at least it takes regular gas. Already the A/C is broken, the steering wheel is making terrible grinding noises and there has been a recal for a faulty seat recliner. The Ford dealership won’t promise us a loaner car for our scheduled appt to get all this fixed. They said we can rent from Enterprise and that they’ll decide after they inspect the Explorer whether they’ll pay for the rental. Can’t wait to see what the next 32 months of our lease has in store....

Safety
2 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
2 out of 5 stars
Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
4 out of 5 stars

2020 Explorer Limited... Very Limited

ErikT, 09/21/2020
updated 04/04/2022
2020 Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful

Between 10 - 11 K miles and our transmission is having problems. Loud Winding \ Whining noise at 2000 RPM's and then a nice slam into gear. Hit the gas too hard and she just revs out. This is in the middle of driving too. Utterly ridiculous. Ford service is backed up 15 days. I used Roadside assistance to have it towed into the dealership in hopes to expedite service and a loaner car. Nothing so far. Flatbed driver says "this is the 10th one this week"... Unbelievable... I guess back to Toyota for my next lease... 4/3/2022 - Since i wrote that very negative review, the truck has been very good to us. Sure, some kluge electronics issues... Blue screen on backup camera, radio stops working... The truck has been a pleasure. Awesome 4x4, handles a foot of snow like a boss. Very roomy... GAs mileage isn't terrible compared to a V6 Atlas my son has... Anyway, I might just stick with another Explorer but opt for a ST... We shall see

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Comfortable entry and exit after hip replacement

Allen P., 10/14/2019
2020 Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful

If you have trouble getting in and out of your vehicle, or 2013-2019 Explorer, then go check out the 2020 Explorer. I am 6-1” and after the hip replacement I could not get into a 2018 as my leg is too stiff. The change to rear wheel drive has increased the wheelbase dramatically (but not the length). This has allowed much bigger door openings and incredible front row legroom. Of course the rear wheel drive has improved the handling, and made the vehicle quieter. It’s making great gas mileage for me, over 28 including a mountain pass both ways. It’s beautiful. I have gotten many compliments. The only negative so far is that the backup camera at night makes everything an overexposed washed out white. I missed a road I was trying to back into as I simply could not see it at night. So far the automatic wipers, automatic dimming and lane sensing are without fault.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
2 out of 5 stars

Been at dealer for one of the five months we’ve ow

William Olshelfske , 12/27/2019
2020 Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
15 of 17 people found this review helpful

Can not find out from dealer if ford is having major issues with its sensors. Ours is back at the dealer waiting on another sensor to be replaced. Love the vehicle when it is working, just have lost faith in it being reliable.

Report Abuse
2 out of 5 stars

2020 explorer limited transmission problems

Cassie, 01/19/2020
2020 Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
22 of 26 people found this review helpful

I traded in my 2014 explorer and bought my vehicle in November 2019. With 2,800 miles, the transmission is leaking and the vehicle is making a horrible noise. I'm going to take it to the dealer tomorrow. Very disappointed!

Report Abuse
2 out of 5 stars

Worse value you can get!!

Adolfo Carballo, 12/13/2020
2020 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Leased this car 7 months ago and have been in the shop 3 times for transmission. 10 speed transmission is a BS. Plastics inside fall apart. Very Poor design

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
2 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
2 out of 5 stars

8000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT

Emilie, 12/26/2020
2020 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

The transmission went out on my 2020 Explorer with 4 cylinder Eco-boost at just over 8000 miles.I have had it less than a year and I have never towed anything! As of today, it has been in the shop 5 weeks thus far and it is still not fixed. This vehicle meets the Lemon Law requirements and have asked Ford to buy back the Explorer. That said, before the transmission and back up camera went out the only complaint I had was the very loud 4 cylinder engine. At times it sounded like the muffler was rattling and not bolted on well. Space inside is wonderful. Acceleration and turning radius are great. But none of those matter when you cannot drive the car that you're making BIG payments on and have to pay additional payments to drive a rental car.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
3 out of 5 stars

Replaced transmission at 8000miles

ERR4, 01/09/2021
2020 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Love the interior size and legroom, but this has been a problem laden vehicle. The transmission was replaced after 40 days in the shop. Yes, FORTY. The back up camera has also been replaced. Not sure I will ever trust this car again. At least it was under warranty.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

My 2020 Ford Explorer XLT

Faith King , 12/31/2020
2020 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

After 6 months, started jerking hard when braking and when speeding up, having issues with dealership in Jackson Mississippi trying to trade

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

Beautiful but terribly noisy car

Sergey, 01/20/2021
2020 Ford Explorer ST 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

I bought the car at the end of September 2020, and during this time (today is January 19, 2021), a lot of different annoying sounds appeared, from the mechanical sound from the side of the passenger door to the whistle when driving, the noise insulation of the car is just terrible, it is impossible to drive more than 80 km per hour on it, the wheels start to make noise on the highway and I can hear the hum from the trunk, a hum that lays the ears. Before that I owned a Ford Edge 2019, and it did not have such problems, the cabin was quiet and comfortable, I am very upset and I don’t even know if it is worth considering your brand in the future to buy new cars, the build quality and attention to detail are clearly worse than before.

I would love to return this car and forget this experience as a bad dream.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
1 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

1,100 Miles on Platinum

Geronimo Jenkins, 08/12/2019
2020 Ford Explorer Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
17 of 20 people found this review helpful

Extremely pleased with this car. Features: LANE CENTERING with adaptive cruise. This car basically takes me for a ride while on the highway. It frees you up to really scan your surroundings while driving and anticipate what other drivers are doing. Definitely spec it with the Copilot 360 Assist PLUS with whichever trim you choose if drive on interstates. This feature is not available on the Durango which stopped me from considering it. Explorer with these features is very relaxing to drive. Park assist is good for parallel, useless for perpendicular parking. 360 camera implementation is subpar with upgraded 10.1 screen. If you don’t value massage seats or the upgraded stereo (I do) then skip the technology package with the big screen as the implementation is much better in the smaller screen. Performance: After test driving all trim levels of the explorer to see if I could get away with a 4 cyl model, I ultimately decided that the low RPM torque available in the twin turbo model was a necessity for my style of driving. It’s ability to waft from a low rpm to merge onto a highway is excellent. Steering feel is the best of any crossover/suv I’ve ever driven. Great waiting and appropriate steering ratio. I find body roll to be minimal. 365 horsepower is a lot, and the 10 speed allows you to use all of it instantaneously if you put your foot down. I’d like the ST tune, and I would have purchased it if it had an optional adaptive suspension. Luxury: with the hollow barrier between the engine and the acoustic glass all around in Platinum model it feels like a Mercedes acoustically. Stereo sounds excellent, bass oriented, but very tight with no rattling. Leather is everywhere in platinum, passengers are shocked that it’s a Ford when they get inside. The seats are supremely comfortable. Practicality: captains chairs are a hit. Everyone notices how plush the armrests are and plentiful legroom. Auto tailgate is nice, and the hidden cubby underneath to keep things hidden is great. Dislikes: optimization of large screen and Apple CarPlay. Seats have developed a crease already in the leather, probably won’t look great after a few years. Overall: the Platinum is a great choice if you want a more modestly styled luxurious cruiser with excess power without the “racy” features of the ST like piped in exhaust sounds. I found it more agile and better looking than the Durango. 59k for an American Crossover is steep, but to get an equivalently equipped German SUV is over 70k, and much more if you want a usable third row from some brands. For a cheaper alternative, I recommend getting the Kia Telluride if you don’t value driving dynamics. The new Explorer is a great driving three row crossover that is supremely comfortable.

Report Abuse
4 out of 5 stars

ST test drive

Woody, 07/15/2019
2020 Ford Explorer ST 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
16 of 19 people found this review helpful

Test drove an ST over the weekend back to back with a limited. The ST was much quicker and I preferred the ride and handling over the limited. The ST has enough power that I could see it being possible to overload the suspensions ability to cope with too much throttle. Overall the interior was nice but the fake carbon fiber is odd and has a raised texture. The vehicle was comfortable and quiet over various road surfaces. The interior is very dark and if that bothers you I would recommend the sun roof. I am not positive that putting 400 pounds of glass on the roof will do anything for the handling though. I have driven all of the front drive based competition and I think if you are looking for a better handling and quicker SUB the ST is the way to go.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
3 out of 5 stars

Multiple Problems

Mark B, 10/23/2020
2020 Ford Explorer ST 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful

I have the ST which performs well and drives nice. I have had it for 7 months have have had to 3 repairs. The horn started blowing while I was driving and could not get it to shut off which was embarrassing - had to remove and replace a part. A bracket came loose and was not able to use the sunroof. The large display went black multiple times and had to be replaced.

Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

So far so good

Camel24hrs, 05/29/2020
2020 Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful

So far so good. Have not had any problems with transmission shifting at all. 3000 Miles. Rides well and gets advertised MPG. Had plenty of power. No rattles or strange noises. Ours had the options of moon roof and hand polished wheels with towing package added in. What I like, the way it handles, the quiet ride, the power it has, the feel of rear wheel drive. and all the added features. What I dont like. The engine start stop. You can turn it off but you have to do so every time you start the car. On the lane assist I have to use it in alert only. That just vibrates the steering wheel. when in the alert and aid mode...that scares the hell out of me. I guess maybe all brands with this feature operate the same in this mode. I just dont like the steering automatically pulling one way or the other. At times I am just changing lanes and it fights me. I just set it to alert only. And the price is a bit steep from limited trim on up. From what I have read in reviews the transmission failures seem to occur before 5000 miles. This a new transmission that ford put out. I was offered 600 off the Premium care extended warranty. I got basically bumper to bumper for 7 years 100,000 miles. I suggest this to anyone buying this SUV. Its a brand new transmission in it and it has 9 computers and 21 sensors. Thats a lot that can go wrong over the life of this vehicle. I got 60 months interest free on note so I am not paying interest on the plan.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

Worst company car ever!

Mike T., 08/09/2020
2020 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful

I had a 2016 XLT and really loved the car—It was my favorite company car ever. I was excited to get 2020 Explorer but have hated this vehicle since picking it up from the dealer. The ride is horrible—mostly jerky shifting and a lot of road noise. The fit and finish of the interior is incredible cheap and the “new” storage space in back is a collection of plastic trash. I will never have another Ford product if this is indicative of the quality “improvements”.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
1 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

The worst suv I never buy

Christian, 11/22/2020
2020 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful

Transmission problems electric problems super loud noise coming from the engine inside cabin it's just to much for a 2020 explorer

Safety
1 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
2 out of 5 stars

Not impressed

Eric Pedersen, 03/09/2020
2020 Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
15 of 18 people found this review helpful

Recently drove a limited for about 300 miles in San Jose and Monterey CA. I was excited when handed the key, but that faded fast, very fast. This SUV was a chore to drive and unsatisfying. Wind noise from the side windows and a near constant rattle from the sunroof took away from the enjoyment. The seats were comfortable once you worked the power adjustments to get everything just right and the power adjustable tilt and telescope steering wheel really helped. My 13 year old daughter had no complaints about the second row. The ride, to us, was awful on anything but The smoothest pavement. My wife called it “floaty” I thought it was stiff and jarring. The steering and the multitude of driver aids drove me nuts. The steering was numb, imprecise and devoid of feel. Plus, I felt like I was fighting the lane-keep assist at times. I suppose more time with the car and learning how to turn features on or off and adjust them could help.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
2 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

Ford explorerST Lemon

David NYC, 12/18/2020
2020 Ford Explorer ST 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Do not buy. Too many problems. Electronics are BS. Plastic interior falling apart, oil pan gasket leaking. A outside mechanic showed me this. Eventhough I took to dealer and they found nothing wrong.i can go on and on. Getting rid of this car ASAP.

Safety
2 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
1 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
1
Items per page:
50