Lemon Vehicles: The Ford Explorer Underbody Shield Problems

The federal government has recently opened an investigation into a possible defect in underbody shields installed on 2020 Ford Explorer vehicles. An Explorer owner contacted the government to request an investigation after reporting a recurring issue with their vehicle. The underbody shield was wearing out too quickly and detaching, despite repeated attempts by Ford-authorized service centers to fix it.

Some of the key takeaways from this recent development include:

• A 2020 Ford Explorer owner submitted a petition alleging that the vehicle’s underbody shields suffer from a defect.
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into the possibility of a widespread defect.
• Earlier model years of the Ford Explorer have also experienced body panel detachment issues.
• The underbody shield defect may warrant a Lemon Law claim if Ford cannot fix the problem after a reasonable opportunity under warranty.

If you own a 2020 Ford Explorer, an experienced lawyer can help you assess your legal options after experiencing recurring warranty-covered problems with your SUV’s underbody shield despite Ford’s multiple repair attempts.

What Is Wrong with the Ford Explorer Underbody Shield?

In 2025, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition requesting that it open a defect investigation into an alleged issue with the underbody shield on 2020 Ford Explorer vehicles. The petition states that the 2020 Ford Explorer plastic underbody shield suffered premature degradation and detachment. This defect can create dangerous road debris for other vehicles and damage the underside components of Ford Explorer vehicles.

The petition, which came from a 2020 Ford Explorer owner in Puerto Rico, claimed that the owner had taken the vehicle to multiple Ford-authorized service centers to address the alleged underbody shield problem. However, Ford and its authorized dealers had yet to resolve the issue or acknowledge it as a manufacturing defect.

A vehicle’s underbody shield is a protective panel on the underside that protects essential components and the undercarriage from moisture, road debris, and other hazards. Vehicle manufacturers typically equip cars with plastic or metal underbody shields. When an underbody shield detaches during driving, it can damage a vehicle’s underside components as it flies off and pose a collision hazard to other motorists.

Ford Models That Are Affected

The petition under review by the NHTSA only covers model year 2020 Ford Explorer vehicles. However, earlier model years of the Ford Explorer have also undergone recalls for defects that caused vehicle panels to come loose and detach during driving, including windshield and door trims.

The NHTSA’s investigation may find that underbody shield problems affect other model years of Ford Explorers or other models in the Ford Motor Company lineup, especially if other Ford or Lincoln vehicles used the same underbody shield components and design as the 2020 Ford Explorer.

Does the California Lemon Law Protect Me?

The California Lemon Law protects owners or lessees of vehicles that suffer a defect covered by the manufacturer’s original warranty that significantly affects their value, use, or safety. A vehicle may be a lemon if a severe defect starts during the manufacturer’s original warranty period and the manufacturer fails to resolve it after a reasonable number of repair attempts.

What constitutes a “reasonable” number depends on the facts of the specific case. For instance, a defect that poses a safety risk may require two or more repair attempts to provide a reasonable opportunity. Less severe issues may require more repair attempts. A defect may also make a vehicle a lemon if it keeps it in the shop for an unreasonably long time.

Under the Lemon Law, you may have the right to demand that the manufacturer buy it back and pursue financial recovery for:

• The purchase or lease price
• Sales and use taxes
• License and registration fees
• Repair-related expenses, including out-of-pocket repairs and towing charges
• Alternative transportation costs, such as rental car fees
• Legal fees and expenses

What Should I Do If I Think My Ford Explorer Is a Lemon?

If you believe that your Ford Explorer qualifies as a lemon under the California Lemon Law, steps you should take to preserve your rights include:

• Take your vehicle to a Ford-authorized service center for repairs under the new-vehicle warranty, as the Lemon Law only counts repair attempts by the manufacturer or its authorized dealers against the number of reasonable repair attempts.
• Save copies of repair records and diagnostic reports to document your vehicle’s issues and the number and types of repairs that Ford makes.
• Keep all records of out-of-pocket expenses you incur during repairs, such as towing or rental car fees.
• Gather your purchase or lease paperwork and receipts for loan or lease payments to establish how much you have spent on the faulty vehicle.
• Contact a Lemon Law attorney as soon as possible to discuss your vehicle’s problems and learn whether you may have a viable claim under California law.

A California Lemon Law Attorney Can Help

If your Ford Explorer has had problems with the underbody shield prematurely degrading or detaching, which Ford has failed to fix despite multiple repair efforts while under warranty, you might have a valid claim under California’s Lemon Law. However, Ford is a huge company and is unlikely to accept your claim without a fight.

An experienced Lemon Law attorney can help you file a strong Lemon Law claim, pursue the legal relief you deserve, and protect your rights throughout the process. And when you work with The Barry Law Firm, you won’t have to pay a penny. California’s Lemon Law requires the manufacturer to pay your legal fees in a successful claim, and we won’t charge you anything – regardless of the outcome of your case.

Don’t try to handle your case without skilled legal representation on your side. Contact The Barry Law Firm today for a FAST & FREE consultation with a Lemon Law attorney to learn more about your legal rights and options.