NHTSA data · free2021 Ford ExplorerProblems: Top Complaints, Recalls & Failures (NHTSA)
Every owner complaint and safety recall the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has on file for the 2021 Ford Explorer, ranked by the component that failed most.
Complaints on file
445
Recalls issued
26
Crashes reported
14
Fires reported
5
What breaks most
- Power Train126 complaints · 28.3%
- Engine49 complaints · 11%
- Electrical System47 complaints · 10.6%
- Back Over Prevention36 complaints · 8.1%
- Visibility/Wiper27 complaints · 6.1%
Recalls on this model year
- Suspension › Rear
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. Incorrect rear suspension module components may have been installed due to a labeling error.
Campaign 21V870000 · reported 10/11/2021 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Engine
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The right hand motor mount fasteners may have been incorrectly tightened, and may loosen over time.
Campaign 20V788000 · reported 17/12/2020 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Back Over Prevention › Software
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Corsair, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with 360-degree cameras. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Campaign 21V735000 · reported 22/09/2021 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Air Bags › Side/Window › Curtain
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The side air bag attachment weld studs could detach during the deployment of the side air bag, resulting in an improper deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Mot
Campaign 21V652000 · reported 23/08/2021 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Campaign 23V022000 · reported 23/01/2023 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission. An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage.
Campaign 23V069000 · reported 10/02/2023 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L RWD, 3.3L GAS, 3.3L FHEV, or 3.0L ST powertrain. The previous powertrain control module (PCM) update completed under recall 22V-255 did not include the automatic electronic parking brake feature when the
Campaign 23V199000 · reported 24/03/2023 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Back Over Prevention › Display Function
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with a 12.1-inch Integrated Computer Screen (ICS). When the Display On/Off Button is used to turn the display to "Off" prior to placing the vehicle in reverse, the backup camera rearview i
Campaign 23V305000 · reported 28/04/2023 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Campaign 23V342000 · reported 12/05/2023 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 3.0L PHEV engines. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
Campaign 23V626000 · reported 08/09/2023 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
Campaign 23V675000 · reported 06/10/2023 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Engine
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with the Police Interceptor Utility Package. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaus
Campaign 24V598000 · reported 10/08/2024 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco, F-150, Edge, Explorer, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with either a 2.7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engine. The engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive p
Campaign 24V635000 · reported 23/08/2024 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Equipment › Other › Labels
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requiremen
Campaign 24V852000 · reported 08/11/2024 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Seat Belts
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer and Aviator vehicles. The seat belt buckle anchor bolts at one or more seating positions may be improperly secured. Additionally, vehicles may have an improperly secured seat belt retractor anchor bolt and/or seat belt anchor bolt a
Campaign 25V093000 · reported 14/02/2025 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Back Over Prevention › Software
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V-342. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Campaign 25V159000 · reported 14/03/2025 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 23V-199 or 22V-255. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
Campaign 25V166000 · reported 14/03/2025 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.
Campaign 25V393000 · reported 13/06/2025 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Back Over Prevention › Software
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2
Campaign 25V442000 · reported 27/06/2025 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.
Campaign 25V455000 · reported 07/07/2025 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it t
Campaign 25V685000 · reported 10/10/2025 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.
Campaign 26V117000 · reported 03/03/2026 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Back Over Prevention › Software
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles
Campaign 26V123000 · reported 03/03/2026 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Seat Belts
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.
Campaign 26V159000 · reported 17/03/2026 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
Campaign 26V402000 · reported 24/06/2026 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
Campaign 26V451000 · reported 14/07/2026 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
What owners report
Power Train
- The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 26V117000 (Visibility), 26V402000 (Power Train), and 26V451000 (Seats); however, the parts to do th
- I was driving down the road and the vehicle started to cut out like it was running out of fuel. Maybe 1 minute later it died in the middle of heavy traffic and would not re-start. I had to have it tow
- The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle ran over an object and a moment later, the vehicle suddenly jolted very hard and transmission was upshi
Engine
- Vehicle: 2021 Ford Explorer XLT - 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 VIN: [XXX] Odometer: 127,824 Date of failure: [XXX] Complaint Description: I am reporting a complete engine failure due to coolant intrusion on my 2
- I had a very serious safety failure of my 2021 Ford explorer. On Monday, XXX my 2021 Explorer suffered an unprompted, catastrophic failure matching recall 26S48, but Ford is denying coverage based on
- I am reporting ongoing safety-related powertrain and drivability concerns involving my 2021 Ford Explorer ST in Fresno, California. The vehicle has experienced recurring transmission and driveline pro
Electrical System
- The passenger window and the driver window will not respond. The windows will not go up on either side, exposing the driver and passengers to the elements of rain. In addition, the car is vulnerable t
- Ladder being shut off, I exited the vehicle. I shut the driver side door. The car locked itself after shutting . Locking the keys and entrapped my 1.5 year old for 30 minutes while I waited for police
- I was driving down the road and the vehicle started to cut out like it was running out of fuel. Maybe 1 minute later it died in the middle of heavy traffic and would not re-start. I had to have it tow
Back Over Prevention
- The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V123000 (Back Over Prevention). The vehicle faile
- I am reporting a safety concern involving a delayed transmission gear engagement and delayed rearview camera activation. Intermittently, when shifting the vehicle from Park into Reverse or Drive, the
- The parking collision sensors started to act up. Its been replaced 3 or 4 times in the last year over the same problem and no one has tried to tell me how to fix the issue besides keep getting it repl
Visibility/Wiper
- Never really used sun roof , but accidentally hit button to open … then closed….. not realizing that the cover didn’t close it SAG down behind my head… blocking rear view completely. It was dark out a
- Since buying the vehicle the front windshield wipers will intermittently stop working during a rainstorm causing me to have pull over and either wait out the rain or getting out in the rain to wipe th
- The fabric sunshade covering the panoramic roof sags or comes right off the track creating a visibility/safety issue in the rear window. The dealership is aware and has verified the defect.
Excerpts are anonymized owner complaints as filed with NHTSA, trimmed to 200 characters.
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