Worst 2021 Ford Explorer Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
POWER TRAIN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ENGINE
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2021 Ford Explorer.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 99 | 1 | — | 34,874 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 73 | 2 | — | — | |
| ENGINE | 41 | 1 | 2 | 53,000 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 36 | 3 | 4 | 24,311 mi | |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 19 | — | — | — | |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 18 | — | — | 41,238 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 16 | 3 | — | 29,500 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 15 | — | — | 6,010 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 14 | — | — | — | |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 12 | 1 | — | — | |
| SEATS | 12 | 1 | — | 56,284 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 12 | — | — | 7,600 mi | |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING | 9 | — | — | 30,500 mi | |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING | 8 | — | — | — | |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS | 7 | — | — | 22,000 mi | |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL | 7 | — | — | — | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 6 | — | — | — | |
| AIR BAGS | 5 | 3 | — | 6,500 mi | |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA | 5 | — | — | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 5 | — | — | 52,500 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 5 | — | — | 58,800 mi | |
| LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION | 4 | — | — | — | |
| STEERING | 4 | — | — | 11,510 mi | |
| STRUCTURE | 4 | — | — | 56,000 mi | |
| WHEELS | 4 | 1 | — | 20 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 3 | — | — | 57,330 mi | |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS | 3 | — | — | 111 mi | |
| VISIBILITY | 3 | — | — | 71,196 mi | |
| VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY | 3 | — | — | 38,400 mi | |
| Carry Handle, Shell, Base | 2 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Ford Explorer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2021 Ford Explorer
62 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~16,582,229 vehicles.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
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 to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
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 to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
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.
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.
+ 52 more recalls
Other Ford Explorer Years
Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2021 Ford Explorer
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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