AI Damage2021 Ford Explorer: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Ford Explorer filed 447 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine. The maker issued 295 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 447
- involving a crash
- 14
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 295
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 28% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 11% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 11% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 5 Backover prevention 8% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 6% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 4% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 127 complaints (28% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 93.
- Engine: 50 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
- Visibility: 48 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Electrical system: 47 complaints (11% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 89.
- Backover prevention: 36 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.3 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 2 complaints
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cylnamed in 4 complaints
- 3.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 3.3 L · hybrid · 6 cyl
- automatic, 10-speed
Drive: 4WD, RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 447 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 127 | 3 | 93 |
| Engine | 50 | 1 | 17 |
| Visibility | 48 | 0 | 7 |
| Electrical system | 47 | 4 | 89 |
| Backover prevention | 36 | 0 | 7 |
| Structure | 25 | 0 | 15 |
| Service brakes | 23 | 3 | 8 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 19 | 1 | 6 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 19 | 2 | 1 |
| Seats | 17 | 1 | 11 |
| Suspension | 15 | 0 | 8 |
| Vehicle speed control | 15 | 1 | 3 |
| Engine and cooling | 10 | 0 | 29 |
| Fuel system | 8 | 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.
Vehicle available for inspection at South Bay Ford (BAR #XXX; captive 93 days).RISK: On XXX short circuits caused complete power steering assist dropout mid-transit. Steering locked during a turn, causing a crash into gate posts, endangering my minor children inside.
The airbag burnt a hole in a cotton shirt and then left 2nd and 3 degree burns on my side.
The contact's seat belt pretensioner failed to lock and was not able to restrain her. The contact's face hit the steering wheel. The contact had suffered a broken nose, and bruises on her arms. The contact was transported by ambulance to a hospital. The vehicle had extensive crush damage to the rear bumper, lift gate.
Prior to this incident, when the car was turned on, it stalled a bit like it was about to turn off. This lasted for a few seconds, but returned to normal. So may be a component of electrical and/or directly related to the rear tire. There were no warning messages. Driver was thankful injuries did not occur.
They left the automatic emergency brake program engager which results in the vehicle lurching forward or backward when shifted into gear and results in collisions with other vehicles as the collision detection system is not working.
The vehicle was in Park and the Parking Brake was set. As I attempted to unload the trailer, the vehicle started to move and rolled down the incline. I was on the trailer and was moving with the vehicle, I could have been injured but fortunately the vehicle rolled into a pile of topsoil before it could pick up too…
The contact stated that after his wife set the vehicle to "Park" while the engine was running, as she exited, the vehicle lurched forward and crashed into the garage back wall. There was no damage to the vehicle, however, there was damage to the garage back wall.
The contact stated the adaptive cruise control and the collision avoidance systems would malfunction. The vehicle would suddenly deactivate the cruise control and the collision avoidance would detect a non-existing object and stop the vehicle from also turning to avoid the crash.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 119 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 6% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Explorer has 617 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 447, below average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some 2020-2026 Aviator/Explorer/F-150/Bronco/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L (non-diesel)…
Some 2020-2026 Aviator/Explorer/F-150/Bronco/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L (non-diesel) engine may need the front engine cover removed and reinstalled for various reasons. The Workshop Manual (WSM)…
- Some 2020-2024 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with 3.0L EcoBoost/hybrid engine may exhibit blue or…
Some 2020-2024 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with 3.0L EcoBoost/hybrid engine may exhibit blue or black exhaust smoke on startup for the first 5 minutes after an overnight cold soak with no illuminated malfunction…
- This article supersedes TSB 25-2373 to update a print error on publication
Some vehicles listed in the model statement above may exhibit an illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) C00A6 and/or C0631. This may be due to the front axle…
- This article supersedes 26-2287. Reason for update
update the labor operation numbers to add MT to operations C, F, G, H, J, K, L and M, and correct the part number LIMZ-4A015-B to L1MZ-4A015-B. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at…
- For Various Ford and Lincoln vehicles, if diagnostics lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion…
For Various Ford and Lincoln vehicles, if diagnostics lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion cover J-clips, lower-level service parts are now available. Use service part W709919-S901 if the J-clip is…
- Some 2020-2025 Explorer vehicles equipped with a power roof opening panel may exhibit a sunshield with…
Some 2020-2025 Explorer vehicles equipped with a power roof opening panel may exhibit a sunshield with localized bunching or binding/inoperative. This may be due to a broken or missing sunshield fabric retainer/clip. A…
- Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine, 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped…
Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine, 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine, and 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost hybrid engine…
- NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 26E04 Certain 2021-2025 Model Year F-150, Maverick, Mustang,…
NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 26E04 Certain 2021-2025 Model Year F-150, Maverick, Mustang, Ranger, Expedition, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Bronco, Navigator, and Aviator Vehicles Powertrain Control Module…
- Customer Satisfaction Program 26N09 Certain 2020 Model Year Escape, 2020-2021 Corsair, 2020-2021 Aviator,…
Customer Satisfaction Program 26N09 Certain 2020 Model Year Escape, 2020-2021 Corsair, 2020-2021 Aviator, and 2020- 2021 and 2023 Explorer Vehicles Front Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement, if Required After Dealer…
- This article supersedes 25-2302. Reason for update
update the labor time allowance for F-150 vehicles, update the Parts list to replace the part number W716979-S439 with W721084-S439, and add a note for LV fluids XT-10-QLVC and CXT-10-LV6 "Transfer Case Fluid". Some of…
- For 20202026 vehicles equipped with the 10R60 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test…
For 20202026 vehicles equipped with the 10R60 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). This test utilizes the pressure and vacuum…
- Certain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model Year Corsair and…
Certain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model Year Corsair and Escape, 2016-2024 Model Year Explorer, 2019-2020 Model Year Fusion, 2016-2018 Model Year Focus RS, 2022-2024…
NHTSA lists 295 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Explorer?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine, visibility. Total complaints: 447. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (15%), windows, sunroof (13%), infotainment or screen glitches (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA lists 295 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2021 Ford Explorer from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2021 models
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 2026-11-04.