Everything NHTSA's vPIC database knows about this exact vehicle:
Decoding from NHTSA…
Vehicle history — accidents, title & owners
The decode above is what this vehicle is. For what it's been through — accidents, title brands, odometer, theft/total-loss and previous owners — pull a full history report.
NHTSA publishes the first 11 characters of the VIN with every complaint — that identifies the plant, model year, body and engine. So these are reports from cars built exactly like this one, not an average across the whole model.
1FM5K8GC5LG••••••2020 Ford EXPLORER
This build draws 2.7× more complaints than the average 2020 Ford EXPLORER build (31 vs 11).
31on this build
1183on the model
103builds in total
3involved a crash
1involved a fire
3injuries
Most reportedElectrical System 9Power Train 8Engine 4Back Over Prevention 4
What owners of this build wrote
SeatscrashJun 2025
Driver side headrest does not properly lock in place. The headrest moves from the upright position to a forward angle position when jostled. While braking heavily in a car accident, my driver side headrest abruptly moved forward causing the headrest to slam into the back of my…
Electrical SystemcrashApr 2024
I hit a pole in early April, and brought it to a shop - Casey’s in Brentwood - to have it fixed. The car had no warning lights or issues. They needed to take off the front of the car to repair the body damage. They discharged the car to us, and I noticed a battery light was on.…
Unknown Or OtherfireMay 2021
Turned the car on and immediately the headliner above the drivers seat started smoking. Within seconds there was an actual fire and had to call the fire department. Ford does NOT seem concerned about it at all. Are not sending it to be investigated at all from my understanding,…
SteeringcrashJun 2020
Purchased new 2020 ford explorer st and the steering failed 3 times in 5 months. Returned the car to the dealer each time for repairs. In all cases some or all steering went out while I was driving the vehicle. On june 15th I had a severe wreck and totaled the car as I tried to…
Power TrainAug 2026
My car was banging into gear when downshifting. I took to the ford dealer and they told me it was TSB 20-2337 a known issue. My warranty had just expired and I had to pay out of pocket for the damages. If this is a known issue, it should be covered by ford not an out of pocket…
Read all 31 complaints on this exact buildFull text, search by keyword, and the systems that fail most on cars built like yours.Unlock with Pro →
Owner complaints…
Now the whole model — all 103 builds of it, not just this build. Same NHTSA reports, wider net:
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Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
The original window sticker and factory options
Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
Decoded via NHTSA vPIC. Recalls, complaints and safety from NHTSA; MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Full history reports from our partner. VIN 1FM5K8GC5LGC40604 · decoded Sep 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.