Model year
2021 Ford Explorer
NHTSA lists 26 recalls and 447 complaints for the 2021 Ford Explorer (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 4 recalls and 8 complaints under EXPLORER HYBRID, EXPLORER INTERCEPTER PHEV, EXPLORER INTERCEPT HYBRID, EXPLORER PHEV, and EXPLORER POLICE INTERCEPT. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are POWER TRAIN (122), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (86), ENGINE (50). NHTSA lists 2 investigations. NHTSA rated 4 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 19–27 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,500–$3,550, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 952 complaints
- 2001 375 complaints
- 2002 3,295 complaints
- 2003 1,131 complaints
- 2004 1,304 complaints
- 2005 497 complaints
- 2006 630 complaints
- 2007 208 complaints
- 2008 148 complaints
- 2009 33 complaints
- 2010 115 complaints
- 2011 1,197 complaints
- 2012 829 complaints
- 2013 2,237 complaints
- 2014 1,684 complaints
- 2015 1,810 complaints
- 2016 2,462 complaints
- 2017 1,703 complaints
- 2018 734 complaints
- 2019 299 complaints
- 2020 1,241 complaints
- 2021 447 complaints
- 2022 271 complaints
- 2023 111 complaints
- 2024 21 complaints
- 2025 107 complaints
- 2026 42 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
26V451000 · Jul 14, 2026
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
26V402000 · Jun 24, 2026
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
26V159000 · Mar 17, 2026
SEAT BELTS
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.
26V123000 · Mar 3, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
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…
26V117000 · Mar 3, 2026
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
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.
25V685000 · Oct 10, 2025
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
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…
25V455000 · Jul 7, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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…
25V442000 · Jun 27, 2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit,…
25V393000 · Jun 13, 2025
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.
25V166000 · Mar 14, 2025
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 23V-199 or 22V-255. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
16 more recalls are in the NHTSA file for this name and are not listed here. Campaign numbers above link to NHTSA.
Complaints
447 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 14, fire flag on 5, injury field 17, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| EXPLORER HYBRID | 1 | 7 |
| EXPLORER INTERCEPTER PHEV | 0 | 0 |
| EXPLORER INTERCEPT HYBRID | 1 | 0 |
| EXPLORER PHEV | 1 | 0 |
| EXPLORER POLICE INTERCEPT | 1 | 1 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| RQ23002 | Rear Axle Bolt Failure · POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY; POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT | Jun 20, 2023 | Feb 15, 2024 |
| EA23002 | Loss of Motive Power · ENGINE | Sep 29, 2023 | Oct 31, 2024 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HEV SUV 4WD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.151 | NHTSA photo |
| HEV SUV RWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.147 | NHTSA photo |
| SUV 4WD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.151 | NHTSA photo |
| SUV RWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.147 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer RWD · 2.3L · Automatic (S10) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 28 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Explorer RWD · 2.3L · Automatic 10-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 28 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Explorer RWD · 3L · Automatic (S10) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Explorer AWD · 2.3L · Automatic (S10) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 27 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Explorer AWD · 3L · Automatic (S10) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Explorer FFV AWD · 3.3L · Automatic (S10) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 16 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Explorer HEV AWD · 3.3L · Automatic (S10) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 23 | 26 | 25 | — | — | $2,700 |
| Explorer AWD · 2.3L · Automatic 10-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 27 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Explorer HEV RWD · 3.3L · Automatic (S10) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 27 | 28 | 27 | — | — | $2,500 |
| Explorer Timberline AWD · 2.3L · Automatic (S10) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 23 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2021 Ford Explorer at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.