2020 Ford Explorer Back Over Prevention Problems
Owners have filed 104 complaints with NHTSA about back over prevention problems on the 2020 Ford Explorer, 8% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 18,850 miles. The words owners use most often: “blue screen” (24% of reports).
- 104back over prevention complaints
- 18,850median miles at failure
- 8mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 9related recalls
- 19%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Blue screen: mentioned in 25 of 104 complaints (24%)
- Backup camera: mentioned in 20 of 104 complaints (19%)
- Rear view: mentioned in 12 of 104 complaints (12%)
- Brake assist: mentioned in 10 of 104 complaints (10%)
At what mileage do back over prevention problems happen?
Based on 40 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 104 complaints, 8 mention a crash, 1 an injury.
Ford Explorer back over prevention complaints by model year
| Model year | Back Over Prevention complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Explorer | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2025 Explorer | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2024 Explorer | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2023 Explorer | 7 | 6% | 5,000 |
| 2022 Explorer | 23 | 9% | 14,000 |
| 2021 Explorer | 36 | 8% | 35,300 |
| 2020 Explorer | 104 | 8% | 18,850 |
| 2019 Explorer | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2018 Explorer | 26 | 4% | 54,800 |
| 2017 Explorer | 7 | 0% | 140,000 |
| 2016 Explorer | 6 | 0% | 99,308 |
| 2015 Explorer | 143 | 8% | 100,000 |
| 2014 Explorer | 29 | 2% | 85,000 |
| 2013 Explorer | 38 | 2% | 120,000 |
| 2012 Explorer | 12 | 1% | 98,500 |
| 2011 Explorer | 2 | 0% | 125,000 |
| 2008 Explorer | 1 | 1% | 197,000 |
| 2002 Explorer | 1 | 0% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (9)
Back over prevention:software
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C11. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.
Back over prevention:software
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Back over prevention:software
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V-342. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the Image Processing Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S27.
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank or distorted image can reduce the drivers view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C19. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 20V-575 and 22V-252.
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the 360-degree camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S23. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 23V-022. Vehicles previously repaired under 23V-022 will need to have the new remedy performed.
Back over prevention:display function
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with a 12.1-inch Integrated Computer Screen (ICS). When the Display On/Off Button is used to turn the display to "Off" prior to placing the vehicle in reverse, the backup camera rearview image will not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will update the ICS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C14.
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the image processing module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 25, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S02. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 21V-735. Vehicles previously repaired under 21V-735 will need to have the new remedy performed.
Back over prevention:software; back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Corsair, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with 360-degree cameras. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the Image Processing Module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 16, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S44.
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C19.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Service advance track 4 weel drive doesnât work and I donât have control on the weels
SUMMARY OF FACTS FOR LEGAL CONSULTATION Bad Faith Redhibition Claim â Louisiana Civil Code Art. 2545 Prepared for Attorney Consultation 1. Vehicle & Transaction Information Vehicle2020 Ford Explorer ST â AWDPurchase DateMarch 2025Purchase Structure$17,000 trade-in applied + $17,000 remaining…
Rear camera does not detect traffic passing or people walking behind the vehicle.Sometimes the screen goes blue. Crash alert goes off any time it wants. Even when parked.
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2020 Ford Explorers have back over prevention problems?
No. NHTSA has 104 owner complaints about back over prevention for the 2020 Ford Explorer (8% of the 1,232 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2020 Ford Explorer back over prevention?
Yes: 9 safety recalls list back over prevention. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do back over prevention problems start?
The median reported mileage is 18,850 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about back over prevention problems on the 2020 Ford Explorer?
The most frequent phrase is “blue screen”, in 25 of 104 complaints, followed by “backup camera” (20).
Other 2020 Ford Explorer problems
See all 2020 Ford Explorer problems or back over prevention problems across all Explorer years.