MyCarTSB

2020 Ford Explorer Cruise Control Problems

11 owner-reported cruise control complaints from NHTSA data

11
Complaints
Jan 2025Jul 2024
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (11)

highVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Mar 2026

While driving 75 mph with cruise control on, your Explorer unexpectedly slowed down even though you were pressing the accelerator pedal. No warning lights came on. Your dealer said your vehicle wasn't under recall and wouldn't diagnose or repair the issue.

NHTSA #: 11721751
mediumVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Feb 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at 65 MPH with the cruise control engaged, the vehicle occasionally exceeded 85 MPH and accelerated independently. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

NHTSA #: 11641809
mediumVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jan 2025

The accelerator pedal is mounted to the floor and the pedal itself is attached to the base with a very thin piece of plastic that over time separates. In my vehicle the pedal has separated and is moving freely which makes the accelerator pedal raise up while your foot is on the brakes and when you go to accelerate the pedal is blocking your foot from returning to the accelerator. The answer to question #1, the accelerator pedal and yes it is available for inspection. #2 I was nearly struck while crossing over a divided highway because my foot was obstructed by the accelerator pedal. #3 I have contacted the dealer and they advised I had to replace the part because it was not under recall. #4 I am law enforcement and I have encountered and inspected the pedal and deem it to be dangerous. #5 There were no lamps, no warning lights and this occurred all of the sudden, no symptoms prior to separation.

NHTSA #: 11634155
mediumVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Jul 2024

I have put my 2020 ford explorer platinum in the ford shop several times because my cruise control has never worked properly. While using the cruise control it will reset to 85 mph whenever it chooses. This is a dangerous issue. Sames Ford dealership has looked at this issue 4 or so times with no fix. This issue needs to be addressed as my car is not the only one with this same issue.

NHTSA #: 11599515
mediumVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Feb 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound and accelerated unintendedly. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact depressed the brake pedal continuously until the vehicle stopped. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently while driving from a complete stop. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while driving downhill, and the vehicle nearly drove into highway traffic. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure had occurred while reversing in a parking lot, nearly causing the vehicle to crash into other vehicles. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer several times to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

NHTSA #: 11573569
mediumVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Apr 2022

The gas pedal snapped off where connected to the floor.

NHTSA #: 11462614
mediumVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Mar 2021

MY 20 FORD EXPLORER HAS EXPERIENCED TWICE WHERE THE SPEED LIMITER (ACC ADAPTED CRUISE CONTROL)-(SSR SPEED SIGN RECOGNITION) READS THE SPEED LIMIT SIGNS INCORRECTLY. POSTED SPEED WAS 65 MPH AND IT INCREASE SPEED TO 85 MPH. I WAS DRIVING THRU COLUMBUS OHIO, ON I670 GOING NE, STARTING AT THE LEONARD AVE EXIT TO I270 (TO EXIT 10B SR161). I DON'T DRIVE HERE OFTEN; THE FIRST TIME WAS FEB 23 & THEN MARCH 16 (PHOTOS ATTACHED) IN THE SAME EXACT LOCATION. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THE SPEED SIGN (SPEED SIGN RECOGNITION) ON THE DASH READ 85 MPH FOR AT LEAST 3 MILES BEFORE CORRECTING ITSELF TO THE POSTED 65 MPH SPEED LIMIT. ON FEB. 23RD, I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 65MPH WITH THE ACC SET. THE CAR ACCELERATED QUICKLY AND NOT REALIZING AT FIRST WHAT WAS HAPPENING, I PRESSED THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN (I WAS GOING OVER 75MPH). THE ICON ON THE DASH (SSR) READ 85 MPH WHICH IS 20 MPH OVER THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT. THE SECOND TIME WHEN THE CAR SPED UP, IT SLOWED ABRUPTLY DUE TO A CAR CROSSING IN FRONT OF ME (WITHIN THE 4 CAR FOLLOWING GAP SETTING). BOTH TIMES I HAD THE CRUISE SET (ACC) AROUND 69 MPH AND THE CAR SPEED INCREASED OR TRIED TO, TO 85 MPH BEFORE REALIZED WHAT IT WAS DOING. EITHER TIME I COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR BEEN CITED FOR SPEEDING. I HAVE VIDEO OF THE INCIDENT IF NEEDED. WHY I'M SUBMITTING THIS TO YOU...I CALLED MY SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND IT WAS SUGGESTED BY THEM TO CHECK MY EXTERIOR SENSORS AND CLEAN THEM (WASH MY CAR) AND CONTACT FORD CORPORATE. I CONTACTED FORD CORP. VIA THE 800#, I WAS INSTRUCTED TO CALL MY SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT. I ALSO CONTACTED FORD VIA THEIR FACEBOOK SITE. THEY REQUESTED PERSONAL/PRIVY INFORMATION TO BE SENT THRU THE SOCIAL MEDIA SITE BUT WOULDN'T GIVE ME A SECURE EMAIL TO SUBMIT TO. SO I'M AT A LOSS TO WHO CAN HELP RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA #: 11403744
mediumVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
Filed: Jan 2021

THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, MOST RECENTLY TODAY (JANUARY 30, 2021). WHILE DRIVING AND THEN ACCELERATING, THE CAR SPUTTERED AND ALMOST DIED. WE WERE PULLING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND NEEDED TO ACCELERATE. WE PUSHED ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR MADE A SOUND AS IF IT WOULD SPEED UP, INSTEAD IT STALLED. (A MESSAGE FLASHED ON THE SCREEN, BUT IT WAS TOO QUICK FOR ME TO READ.) WE WERE ALMOST HIT BY A CAR BEFORE WE WERE ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT. WE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND DROVE AROUND FOR A FEW MINUTES. WE WENT TO PULL BACK OUT ONTO THE STREET AND ACCELERATE WHEN IT SPUTTERED AND STALLED. WE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND SAT. WE WERE LUCKY WE WERE NOT ON A HIGHWAY OR BUSIER STREET.

NHTSA #: 11390820
mediumVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Jun 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,200.

NHTSA #: 11331043
mediumVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Feb 2020

CRUISE CONTROL CAN NOT BE DISABLED BY PRESSING BRAKE PEDAL. REQUIRES PASSING STEERING WHEEL BUTTON TO TURN OFF. ALSO "PRE-COLLISION ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE" MESSAGE COMES ON DASH EVERY TIME VEHICLE IS STARTED.

NHTSA #: 11308550
mediumVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2020

THE EXPLORER WAS PUT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE DROVE FORWARD ABOUT 3 FT, JERKED, THEN SLAMMED INTO REVERSE. REACTION TIME ON MY BEHALF WAS SLOW AS IT WAS UNEXPECTED, I ALMOST HIT A LIGHT POLE. THIS OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT

NHTSA #: 11307291

Other 2020 Ford Explorer Issues