Ford Explorer Complaints (2021)

412 consumer complaints on file.

#11731103April 14, 2026
VISIBILITY, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 26V117000 (Visibility); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH in inclement weather, the windshield wipers were activated, and the driver’s side windshield was not cleared, causing limited visibility. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11730852April 13, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Passenger low-beam headlight failure. Dealer replaced headlight module but did not resolve. Next suggestion is replacing headlight for more than $2,000. Quite common issue on the Platinum model.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11730769April 13, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the master warning, brake, battery, ABS, and brake system warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the message "STOP Safely Now" was displayed. The vehicle then went into LIMP Mode each time, but the vehicle failed to respond while the contact was attempting to turn off the vehicle or accelerate. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in neutral(N), it failed to respond as intended. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that there were 11 undisclosed modules that needed to be updated, and the hybrid system was inoperable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,230.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11730599April 11, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Interior panoramic roof shade roller broke and is not retracting the liner anymore
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11729928April 8, 2026
SEATS
The third-row seat headrest in my 2021 Ford Explorer is stuck in the upright position and will not fold down, preventing the seat from fully collapsing. This affects rear visibility and cargo use, which may create a safety concern while driving. The issue appears to be a mechanical failure and has not been resolved despite repeated attempts to adjust it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11729877April 8, 2026
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear of the vehicle unexpectedly jolted, and there was a dragging sound coming from the rear. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear axle had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired due to the vehicle being previously assigned to a recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11729208April 4, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Sunshade has fallen off the tracks and the fabric is falling. This is a known issue amongst Ford Explorers with a sunroof; rear visibility is completely blocked. Ford requesting $1800 just to repair shade.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11728602April 1, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Car turns on but the engine will not turn over due to the electrical. And locks the car and not able to check or fix anything. If I was driving in the busy roads it would have been very dangerous as it stopped suddenly after starting the last time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11728030March 30, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I am reporting a persistent and escalating electrical safety defect in a 2021 Ford Explorer. On February 28, 2022 (at approximately 10,542 miles), I formally reported a strong burning metal smell and the engine would be loud and idle high, there was abnormal noises and unusual electrical changes to the dealership (West Herr Ford). The dealer service advisor documented no problem found and told me not to worry about it. Over time, this unresolved electrical short and metal smell has resulted in a total system failure. In February 2026, the vehicle suddenly suffered a complete ‘black screen’ (APIM/infortainment failure) and a no-start condition. Most dangerously, the battery suddenly drains within days, which can lead to total loss of vehicle power while in motion, disabling power steering, braking assists and you can’t even put the car in neutral when this happens. I am gravely concerned that this unaddressed metal burning smoking/ electrical short issue poses a significant potential fire risk to myself, my passengers and other drivers. The same dealership has now had this car in there possession for 32 days and admits that what has happened is what happens while they have it and that they cannot find the root cause. Yet the previous service advisor from 2022, and the current service advisors ( gave the car back on 2/21/2026 and 3/6/2026 saying their was no problem) allowed the vehicle to remain on the public roads despite documented fire hazard symptoms.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11727292March 26, 2026
Carry Handle, Shell, Base, Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness, Other/I am not sure
my son is rear facing and puts his arm in the forward facing belt path then can not get his arm back out. he starts screaming and crying and i have to pull the car over to the side of the road to help him get his arm out and even i struggle getting his arm free. no sooner than i start driving again, he puts his arm back through and it’s the same cycle. i have contacted britax and have unfortunately not gotten any solution for this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11727025March 25, 2026
POWER TRAIN, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Everyday I get alerts saying the power train system, then I can’t use my cruise control, and many other alerts pop up
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11726842March 24, 2026
VISIBILITY
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V117000 (VISIBILITY); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed in the rain, the windshield wiper motor failed to function as intended and prevented the windshield wipers from operating properly. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11726292March 23, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
SUNROOF SHADE SAGS WHEN OPENING IT, IMPEEDING REARVIEW VISABILITY
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11726262March 23, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Repeated failures of the rear axle bolt recall remedy on my 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid. The vehicle has undergone multiple repairs including replacement of the rear axle bolt, axle seals, and transmission alignment. Despite these repairs the vehicle continues to exhibit driveline instability, seal leakage and symptoms similar to transmission slip.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11725690March 19, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
vehicle stalls when diving . After pulling over ina coast and turning off with start stop button then turning it back on with start stop button vehicle runs fine until it happens again intermediately cold be days could be months apart. about the 6th time over 2 years that it has occurred
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11723738March 12, 2026
SUSPENSION
When driving to our local store I noticed my down shift to be rough, so I turned into the back roads, I heard lots of noise coming from the back of the vehicle and then I heard a loud pop and it was my rear axe differential bolt that snapped causing me to lose power.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11718923February 18, 2026
SEATS
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V393000 (SEATS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11718811February 18, 2026
POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION
For full details please refer to complaint 11715221. Since the initial complaint, repairs have been completed and I will attach a list of parts that were replaced. The repair confirmed the rear axle bolt sheared and there were significant metal shavings in the rear differential. When the bolt broke, numerous other components were damaged as detailed in the repair documentation. Ford has refused to accept any responsibility for this repair even though the safety implications for this type of incident are alarming.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11718657February 17, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
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 replaced. People are at risk of getting hit or hitting a object that could be in the way of me reversing.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11718529February 17, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Transmission clutch failure. As a result my 2021 ford explorer needs a new transmission.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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