Some Ford Explorer models are taking that, ‘keep rollin’, rollin’, rollin’,” song too literally because they are actually rolling away. 2020 – 2022 Ford Explorer models are facing a recall because they may unexpectedly roll away while in park. 

2020 – 2022 Ford Explorer recall due to rolling away 

When you have a Ford Explorer or any other vehicle, you should have peace of mind when you put it in park and walk away. However, Explorer SUVs are causing havoc when they randomly roll away. 

See if your Ford Explorer is under recall before you find yourself chasing it down the street. The recall covers 2020 – 2022 Ford Explorer models equipped with the 2.3-liter engines, the 3.3-liter hybrids, 3.0-liter ST trims, and the 2020 – 2021 Explorer Police hybrids with 3.3-liter gas engines. 

Can you imagine being a cop and having your Explorer SUV roll away during a routine stop? That would be quite embarrassing in front of criminals! 

What to do if your Explorer is at risk

Ford will notify owners of 2020 – 2022 Ford Explorer models via mail starting June 6, but that’s about five weeks away! You don’t have to wait that long to see if your Explorer is at risk. 

You can visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) site here. Enter your 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to see if your vehicle is under recall. 

According to ABC News, U.S. safety regulators said that the rear axle mounting bolt could fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect. If that happens, the SUVs can roll away while placed in the park gear. However, they might not roll away if the parking brake is on. 

Ford shared that there are 235 warranty claims related to this problem. Also, Ford is currently unaware of any accidents or injuries caused by this issue. 

You will need to take your Explorer to a local Ford dealership for service. Technicians will inspect the rear axle for damage and replace the bushing and axle cover if necessary. They might update the electronic parking brake software as well. 

We hope the supply chain shortage doesn’t impact how long it takes to get replacement parts. Also, be sure to schedule your maintenance appointment in advance to avoid long waiting times. 

How reliable is the Explorer? 

Consumer Reports gives the Ford Explorer a predicted reliability ranking of one out of five, which is below average. The ranking is based on issues that owners reported on previous model years. 

On a positive note, most of the problems are reported for the 2020 models. Fewer issues have been reported for the 2021 and 2022 models, indicating that the problems may have been corrected. 

The 2020 Explorer has about 14 recalls, which is a little concerning, and the 2021 model has four while the 2022 model has two. 

If you’re in the market for an Explorer, the 2020 model seems like the one to avoid. The Ford Explorer was redesigned for 2020, and some critics feel as if it was rushed, leading to frustrating problems. 

We will keep an eye on the Explorer to report on its reliability rankings and potential issues if new recalls and problems emerge. Until then, use your parking brake and be sure to see if your SUV is at risk.