2021 Ford EXPLORER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
414 owner complaints analyzed
26 distinct recall campaigns
41,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 98 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 111 of 414 complaints (26.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 57 | 13.8% |
| Braking behavior | 45 | 10.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 25 | 6.0% |
| Engine operation | 17 | 4.1% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 2.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 1.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 111 |
| Unknown Or Other | 81 |
| Engine | 47 |
| Electrical System | 41 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 23 |
| Back Over Prevention | 19 |
| Service Brakes | 19 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 17 |
Power Train: 111; Unknown Or Other: 81; Engine: 47; Electrical System: 41; Visibility/Wiper: 23; Back Over Prevention: 19; Service Brakes: 19; Fuel/Propulsion System: 17
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 26 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 30 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 24 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 26; 25,000 to 49,999: 30; 50,000 to 74,999: 24; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (30). 316 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2022 | 49 |
| 2023 | 86 |
| 2024 | 82 |
| 2025 | 103 |
| 2026 | 76 |
2021: 18; 2022: 49; 2023: 86; 2024: 82; 2025: 103; 2026: 76
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 57 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 45 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 25 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11415587 · 2021-05-07 (May 7, 2021)
I NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. MARCH 27,2021. DROPPED THE CAR OF AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR. 2021 FORD EXPLORER ST WITH 2120 MILES I PURCHASED ON JANUARY 30, 2021. PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS LEAKS AT THE TRANSFER CASE SEALS ON THE TRANSMISSION OUTPUT DRIVE TRAIN. THE BOOTS WERE LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REMOVED AND THE SEALS REPLACED. THIS RESULTED IN WAITING 6 WEEKS FOR THE PARTS TO BE DELIVERED AND 1 WEEK MORE TO REPAIR AND INSTALL. TODAY I STILL DO NOT HAVE MY CAR BACK. WEEK 7 W…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,120 miles reported. Look up ODI 11415587 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11423018 · 2021-06-30 (June 30, 2021)
The transmission in the Ford Explorer failed on June 28th. This was noticed by observing the vehicle struggle to shift gears, and sometimes failing to shift at all resulting in extremely high RPMs. It also resulted in rough transitions from Park to Drive, combined with lurching forward suddenly. The vehicle is currently awaiting service at the Ford dealership, which was originally scheduled for June 29th. Upon notification to the dealership (where vehicle was purchased) of a transmission issue, the dealership moved the appointment to July 6th…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11423018 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11438750 · 2021-10-30 (October 30, 2021)
Vibration: First use of the day, at about 35 MPH vehicle exhibits vibration throughout, especially around 40-41mph. Felt in steering wheel, seat, and with a loud rumble often heard. Has been since car was new. Has a vibration in rear view mirror at highway speeds. Goes away after driving for 15 miles or so, and at least a half hour. Returns after vehicle cools off. Cruise control: Adaptive cruise sometimes causes extreme braking at highway speeds for no reason. This happened while driving past a vehicle on Alligator alley causing all my …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11438750 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11447016 · 2022-01-11 (January 11, 2022)
I took possession of a Ford Explorer approximately October 12, 2021. Two weeks later on October 20, 2021, I took the car to a carwash and after paying with a credit card, the barrier went up and as I was putting my card back into my wallet, and my foot not on the accelerator, the car took off on its' own to approximately 20 to 25 mph, so I applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor with no braking. I applied the brakes continually, as the car jumped a curb traveled through a meadow went through a fence and crashed into a tree. I had …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11447016 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11429266 · 2021-08-16 (August 16, 2021)
Third row seat won't go up or down (it is an electrical seat for folding flat or to lift back up for seating). On Aug 12, 2021 took it to Ford dealership near me for any appointment to have fixed. In morning of Friday 13th dealership said still hadn't figured out the problem. By afternoon of 13th August dealership said it is either module or buttons issue and said they needed keep it over weekend. Dealership said they d call me by noon on Monday 16th August to let me know. Well, since I hadn't heard from then I called them again (as I have been…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11429266 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11443642 · 2021-12-13 (December 13, 2021)
On 11/25/2021, I started the vehicle and drove about 2 miles when I noticed that the airbag light was illuminated on the dash. Knowing that this is a safety concern, I pulled into a parking lot and shut off the vehicle. I let the vehicle sit for about 30 seconds and restarted the car. When restarted, the light did not come back on. Took the vehicle in to have a recall performed and told the service advisor that the light had come on. They confirmed that there was a "stored code" but "not something that made sense". The dealership has had …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11443642 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11528839 · 2023-06-26 (June 26, 2023)
Numerous times over the recent 2 months, I have experienced different issues with my 2021 Ford Explorer. The vehicle was purchased used in 2022 with less than 10,000 miles on it. It currently has 36k miles. When the vehicle is stopped but in drive and then accelerated to merge into traffic, the vehicle stalls and will not engage. The accelerator has to be pressed repeatedly to get the vehicle to begin moving again. This can take anywhere from 2-3 presses and 10-20 seconds. This creates a hazard for moving traffic and a safety issue. This occu…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11528839 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11535412 · 2023-07-31 (July 31, 2023)
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, there was a rattling sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle started shaking and vibrating before the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 69,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11535412 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11404027 · 2021-03-20 (March 20, 2021)
THE WHEEL WELLS OF THE VEHICLE COLLECT LARGE AMOUNTS OF SNOW AND ICE. THIS BUILD UP CONSTRICTS THE WHEELS OF THE VEHICLE CONTACTING THE TIRES RESTRICTING ROTATION AND STEERING. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS POTENTIALLY DEADLY SITUATION. WE HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THE DEALERSHIP. NO REMEDY TO THIS SITUATION HAS BEEN OFFERED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND ANY ASSISTANCE IS APPRECIATED. I BELIEVE THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM FORD IS UNWILLING TO DEAL WITH. THIS CONDITION OCCURS IN COLD WEATHER AND SNOWY ICY CONDITIONS. THE BUILD UP HA…
Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 11404027 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11460176 · 2022-04-08 (April 8, 2022)
Since purchasing this vehicle I have off and on experienced my bluetooth echoing for the party on the other end of the line. I have also experienced my gas tank shaking my entire car upon stopping depending how much gas is in the tank, usually full to 3/4 full. I have also experienced on multiple occasions my back up camera turning blue. There was a trend going for a while if it was hot outside it would turn blue all the time. However, over the winter months it periodically started changing blue. More recently, when I put my car into reverse i…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11460176 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11627664 · 2024-11-27 (November 27, 2024)
I have had this problem ever since we Purchased this automobile on [XXX], When the car gets to a Quarter tank of gas or a little less the dash monitoring system says there's 87 miles left till empty and you park this car on a hill or incline with the front end facing down the car will not start and everything shuts down. The only way to restart it is to put more gas from a can in it or go through a long process to takes two people to do to get the car on a level area then it will restart. I call the Dealer abut it and they said there is no prob…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11627664 at NHTSA ↗