Ford Explorer Complaints (2021)

412 consumer complaints on file.

#11666217June 11, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
While our 2021 Ford Explorer with 47,000 miles to work the vehicle warning light came on stating the vehicle was overheated and shut down. We allowed the vehicle to cool for 20 minutes as recommended by the owners manual and then restarted the vehicle which immediately overheated again. We had the vehicle towed to the local dealer who diagnosed the issue as coolant in the oil forcing a replacement of the engine and coolant systems.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666166June 10, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
As I am traveling on the freeway or expressway, when I have cruise control active and I am in the far right lane the vehicle suddenly changes to the speed of the frontage road dropping my speed from 65 or 70mph down to 40, even tho I am on the expressway. It almost caused me to be rear ended because of the sudden drop in speed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665714June 9, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sun roof clips broke causing sunroof shade to sag
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11664891June 4, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The electronic sunshade that covers the panoramic sunroof has malfunctioned and cannot be retracted fully. The sagging sun shade covers the rear window and blocks the view. I have taken it to the dealership for repair, but it is not covered under my extended warranty and is around $2000.00 to repair out of pocket. The dealership charged a $199.99 diagnostic fee to ascertain that it was the sunroof shade that had broken. There were no symptoms or warnings before this happened.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11664320June 2, 2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon shifting into reverse, the rearview camera failed to display an image. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V315000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11664184June 1, 2025
Carry Handle, Shell, Base, Other/I am not sure
We bought this in 2022 from clek, and a few months before we were transferring our daughter from the infant seat to a convertible seat, our infant seat became stuck on the base. Absolutely impossible to get off and my husband and I both tried many times. I reached out to Clek because I was very concerned that in an emergency situation it would take much longer to unstrap and get baby out instead of just grabbing the seat and going. I mean in a car fire, if we went in any body of water- anything it’s extremely concerning to me that this could happen. I have bought cheaper car seats than this for our other children and never once had this issue. They ended up emailing me with a video showing me to break the base, pull a strap and remove the seat from the base - that’s great besides it still won’t detach and you could never do this in an emergency. They also said this happens often which clearly it does if they have a video showing how to remove it. The car seat has been inspected by the hospital and police prior to this and we have had other friends/ family who are in those professional fields who were very concerned. We actually were told by Albee baby to report clek because they said they should refund us. They aren’t even offering us a new seat and we are due in less than 2 months with baby number 3. We have no seat and to be truthful I don’t want one like this where it may get stuck again. They also told me in an email, police and ems could help save my child- sometimes you can’t wait for that- that’s a horrible excuse to me. I should be able to save my children myself and I will never rely on anyone else.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11662838May 23, 2025
FIRERELATED
The contact owned a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked in the driveway for over three hours before the vehicle caught on fire. The origin of the fire was unknown, however, the contact believes the fire originated from faulty electrical wiring. The vehicle was unoccupied during the fire. The location of the fire was the rear end of the vehicle. The fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. A fire department report was filed. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The local dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed as it was determined to be a complete loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11662750May 23, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The rear axle bolt snapped. Causing the differential to fall out and rear wheel axles and driveshaft to break out of position.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11660826May 14, 2025
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
The vehicle has intermittent issues with bucking, running poorly, and not shifting properly. It results in several warning lights which will clear at random. The dealer has told us it needed a new alternator. The repair was made but the problem resurfaced again today. This is not a new issue as it has occurred many times before.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657281April 28, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY/WIPER
Moon roof cover is sagging and interfering with visibility with the rear view mirror. There have been many incidents of the sagging occurring online in for forums. There have been no warning notices for this issue
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656758April 25, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My vehicle is having the blue screen & message to contact my dealer when in reverse. I understand there is a recall for this. I contacted ford to see why I haven't received a notice & am being told that it only affects certain vehicles yet I'm having the exact issue. It is a safety hazard due to low visibility behind the vehicle when in reverse.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655271April 17, 2025
POWER TRAIN
This vehicle has an electronic shifting transmission and when shifting from drive to reverse, the system lags significantly (1-3) seconds before engaging reverse. This has been an issue causing several close calls. In addition to not being able to back up efficiently and being left hanging in limbo while waiting for the transmission to engage, the vehicle also continues to roll forward causing near collisions. Happens while maneuvering the vehicle in situations where a three point turn is necessary or when trying to quickly go from drive to reverse in an attempt to avoid another traffic unit or on coming hazard. Has been brought to Ford for them to check and they advised after a test drive that the vehicle shifts smoothly. The smoothness of the shifting was not the concern. It was the lag between drive to reverse. I believe it needs a software reprogram for the transmission.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654353April 13, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
The chrome on the window switch on the passenger side is peeling and cut my finger while using it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654149April 11, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V635000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653703April 9, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Sunroof headliner sagging. Can't see out back window
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653073April 6, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2021 Ford Exploer the RPM SHOOTS UP AND DOES NOT GO DOWN. I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT VEHICLE OFF TO RESET.. This has been replaced in 2023 and I am having problems with same issue. VEHICLE WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED UPON Accelerating and when it finally picks up the transmission with jerk really hard. This happens 2x a week. At times I have to pull over because there is no speed when pressing on the gas and need to shut off my car to reset it. When pressing on the gas pedal it Will sped up and take off with light Touch from gas pedal .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652584April 3, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V675000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652208April 2, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER
Sun shade sagging. Causing loss of visibility.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651784March 31, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651261March 28, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V675000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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