2020 Ford Explorer seats problems
38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the seats on the 2020 Ford Explorer — 3% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“My Ford explorer has a 3rd row headrest stuck in a down position. So, the passengers head will not be supported in a whiplash situation. I have found many complaints on this issue but cant find what should be a very important safety recall.”
filed Jul 21, 2026
“The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while her son was positioned in the third-row seat, the head restraint unexpectedly slammed down on the tip of his left index finger. As a result, he sustained a severe injury that required immediate medical attention. The injury…”
filed Jul 13, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the…Campaign 26V451000 · Jul 14, 2026
- Switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the…Campaign 25V393000 · Jun 13, 2025
- Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with…Campaign 19V633000 · Aug 28, 2019
Seats problems in other Explorer years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Explorer | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 Explorer | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 Explorer | 2 | 11% |
| 2023 Explorer | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 Explorer | 4 | 2% |
| 2021 Explorer | 13 | 3% |
| 2019 Explorer | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 Explorer | 7 | 1% |
| 2017 Explorer | 16 | 1% |
| 2016 Explorer | 32 | 1% |
| 2015 Explorer | 16 | 1% |
| 2014 Explorer | 7 | 0% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2020 Ford Explorer
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.