AI DamageFord Explorer Police Intercept: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Ford Explorer Police Intercept across 9 model years: 42 owner complaints and 153 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Structure 26% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 19% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 7% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 5% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 5% of all complaints
- 7 Engine and cooling 2% of all complaints
- 8 Seats 2% of all complaints
- Structure: 11 complaints (26% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 26.
- Engine: 8 complaints (19% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 13.
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 85.
- Steering: 3 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (5% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 118.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 42 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 11 | 0 | 26 |
| Engine | 8 | 0 | 13 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 85 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 9 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 118 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 51 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 15 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 67 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Communication | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 7 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
On my 2020 police interceptor through a no issue for the transmission, failing at early mileage, jerking in a drive and slamming gears when shifting and low gears, I believe the component is the CDF drum in the transmission, which is thousands of dollars to fix Ford offered to replace it under warranty, but the issue…
My check engine light has come on multiple times flashing and numerous issues with loss of power while driving. My vehicle will begin running rough and begin shaking while using the throttle.
Catalytic converter and it was confirmed by independent service center my car only has 88k miles There is a catalytic converter recall on year 2020 but Ford refuses to do a recall for the year 2021 and I have another car that have the same catalytic converter problem with only 84k miles and itâs also 2021 and Ford…
There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the Government mechanic who previously diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the steering rack had failed. The contact stated that two other Police Department vehicles had recently experienced the same failure with the steering rack.
The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with catalytic converter failure. The dealer performed an oil change and reprogrammed the computer; however, the failure recurred.
The contact stated he was unaware if there was any warning light illuminated. The contact stated pulled over to the side of the roadway, restarted the vehicle and continued to drive to his destination.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some 2020-2023 Aviator and 2020-2024 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility hybrid vehicles may exhibit a…
- Some 2020-2026 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility/Aviator vehicles may exhibit a concern of inoperative,…
- 2020-2026 Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may require level III ballistic panels to be replaced due to…
- On 2020-2026 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles, customers may desire modifications that require…
- Certain 2020-2022 Model Year Explorer Police Interceptor Utility (PIU) Vehicles Engine Block Breaches This…
- Some 2020-2023 Explorer/Aviator, 2020-2025 Police Interceptor Utility, 2020-2022 Escape/Corsair, and…
- 2020 Model Year Explorer and Explorer Police Interceptor - Utility Equipped with a 3.3L Engine Replace…
- On 2020-2025 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles, customers may desire modifications that require…
- Certain 2020-2022 Model Year Explorer Police Interceptor Utility (PIU) Vehicles Engine Block Breaches
- In some of the affected vehicles, one or both of the catalytic converters may develop outer cracks or…
- Some 2020-2025 Police Interceptor Utility hybrid vehicles may exhibit multiple warning messages, various…
- Some 2020-2024 Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit erratic shifting and/or a…
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.