2020 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet
Forward collision warning goes off or the camera drops out
- 35owner reports
- 29,000median miles
- $1,000median quote
- 5involved a crash
Newest report Aug 26, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026
35 of the 1,204 complaints on this car describe false collision warning.
Tick what matches of 35 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the forward camera (9 reports), the radar sensor (8 reports) and the software (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on collision avoidance covers the 2020 model year as of Sep 19, 2026.
What owners paid
9 of the 35 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $209 to $1,700.
When it happens
Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.
What owners wrote
“ADAS System malfunctions, 4WD malfunctions, Vehicle will randomly shut off during driving.”
Filed Jul 23, 2025
“The hill assist malfunction warning followed by multiple malfunction warning failures started about a two weeks ago since being inspected at the dealer. Other warnings include pre-collision malfunction warning and advance track malfunction warning occurs then a wrench appears on the top left of display screen”
Filed Jun 8, 2025
“The transfer case module failed after a software update. The response from the bcm is no forward collision warning , emergency braking. It turned it off?? Aren't they required to have these features? I bought the vehicle for those features that are no longer available?”
Filed Oct 21, 2024
“360 cameras are foggy and cannot see out of them causing false readings on parking alerts.This is the same issue the f150s have a recall about but there is not one for the explorer. The foggy display is getting worse over time. Hard to tell by the picture but in not very bright areas out of direct sun you cannot see anything on the 360 camera”
Filed Jul 23, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 5 of 35 reports involved a crash and 2 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.
Other problems on this car
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 186 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 176 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 93 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 82 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 69 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 56 reports
- Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems 51 reports
- Headlights too dim or fail 46 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 35 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 28 reports