2020 Ford Explorer safety record
Crash-test ratings, severity signals from owner complaints, fatal-crash involvement and safety recalls — all from official federal sources.
★★★★★
NHTSA overall rating (5/5)
35
complaints reporting a crash
10
complaints reporting fire
33
safety recall campaigns
NHTSA 5-star crash test ratings
| Overall | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Side crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★ (4/5) |
Tested: 2020 Ford Explorer SUV 4WD
Among NHTSA complaints for this model year, 28 report injuries (37 people injured). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Fatal crash records (FARS 2020–2023). 2020 Ford Explorer vehicles were involved in 121 fatal crashes with 37 occupant deaths in federal crash records. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Crash- and fire-risk recalls
- Crash riskSwitch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting… · Jul 14, 2026
- Crash riskTransmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in… · Jun 24, 2026
- Crash riskSeat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be… · Mar 17, 2026
- Crash riskImage on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly… · Mar 3, 2026
- Crash riskWindshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from… · Mar 3, 2026
- Fire riskEngine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short… · Oct 10, 2025
- Crash riskA software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the… · Jun 27, 2025
- Crash riskSwitch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting… · Jun 13, 2025