2021 Ford EXPLORER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2021 Ford EXPLORER has 523 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 6.5x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is transmission problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: i purchased a ford explorer st 2021 in new york from city world ford on boston rd in the bronx on april 22, 2021 at approximately 9:37pm. i took my car home the same same day. the following day (second day) i started experiencing a pre-collision assist not available and powertrain malfunction/reduce. ⚠️ 7 fire reports filed.

7 fire reports 11 crash reports 12 injuries

523

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

6.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

TRANSMISSION

106 complaints

20%

• I PURCHASED A FORD EXPLORER ST 2021 IN NEW YORK FROM CITY WORLD FORD ON BOSTON RD IN THE BRONX ON APRIL 22, 2021 AT APPROXIMATELY 9:37PM. I TOOK MY CAR HOME THE SAME SAME DAY. THE FOLLOWING DAY (SECOND DAY) I STARTED EXPERIENCING A PRE-COLLISION ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE AND POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION/REDUCE
• 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 B
• 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. T

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“I PURCHASED A FORD EXPLORER ST 2021 IN NEW YORK FROM CITY WORLD FORD ON BOSTON RD IN THE BRONX ON APRIL 22, 2021 AT APPROXIMATELY 9:37PM. I TOOK MY CAR HOME THE SAME SAME DAY. THE FOLLOWING DAY (SECOND DAY) I STARTED EXPERIENCING A PRE-COLLISION ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE AND POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION/REDUCE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

87 complaints

17%

• Constant shuddering between 30-45mph. Local dealer fobs it off as typical, I've driven other 2020 and 2021 Explorers, none have exhibited similar symptoms. Dealer refuses to repair, Ford corporate will not investigate. Has already had one rear axle replaced under warranty, not waiting another 3 we
• When vehicle is up to temperature, there is an overpowering burning smell coming through the vents into the cab. It only occurs at idle and dissipates when the vehicle is in motion. With the hood open, there is some small noticeable amount of smoke coming from the left side of the engine compartment
• There is no way to securely lock the vehicle when someone with the key fob is near it. When fueling, someone can unlock the opposite side of the car, by pulling on the door handle, which unlocks it, enter and drive away. Not only does this open the possibility of easily stealing the car, but also ab

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 2 crashes

“Constant shuddering between 30-45mph. Local dealer fobs it off as typical, I've driven other 2020 and 2021 Explorers, none have exhibited similar symptoms. Dealer refuses to repair, Ford corporate will not investigate. Has already had one rear axle replaced under warranty, not waiting another 3 we”

— NHTSA complaint filing

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

57 complaints

11%

• I PURCHASED A FORD EXPLORER ST 2021 IN NEW YORK FROM CITY WORLD FORD ON BOSTON RD IN THE BRONX ON APRIL 22, 2021 AT APPROXIMATELY 9:37PM. I TOOK MY CAR HOME THE SAME SAME DAY. THE FOLLOWING DAY (SECOND DAY) I STARTED EXPERIENCING A PRE-COLLISION ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE AND POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION/REDUCE
• When putting the car in reverse it jerks back if the pedal is touched which has almost caused an accident. It takes about a minute or two to adjust backing up and the rear camera does not show until the clutch has adjusted.
• I had the safety recall 21V735000 performed on October 12, 2021. Within 2 days the same problem of rear-view backup camera blue screen recurred, just as it did before the recall. The problem happens in about 1/3 of trips. Once the blue screen occurs, it doesn't go away until powering off the vehicle

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

55 complaints

11%

• A police officer complained of a strong odor of exhaust coming through the hvac vents. Officer complained of a light dizziness feeling. Suv was grounded from service. Complaint was verified. Upon opening of the hood a odor of exhaust gas was smelled on the right side of the motor. No visible leaks
• Got it in the car and pushed the push start button. The cars engine turned over only half way and started to restart and turn over multiple times even though the motor was running halfway. This went on for 15 minutes until i opened up the hood and looked down and after a couple minutes the engine se
• While driving vehicle, reduced engine power occurred resulting in the vehicle being unable to safely maintain highway speeds. Once safely on side of roadway, vehicle lost all engine power and would start. Vehicle had 11,049 miles on it and had been properly maintained. Attempts to start vehicle w

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“A police officer complained of a strong odor of exhaust coming through the hvac vents. Officer complained of a light dizziness feeling. Suv was grounded from service. Complaint was verified. Upon opening of the hood a odor of exhaust gas was smelled on the right side of the motor. No visible leaks”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

40 complaints

• I PURCHASED A FORD EXPLORER ST 2021 IN NEW YORK FROM CITY WORLD FORD ON BOSTON RD IN THE BRONX ON APRIL 22, 2021 AT APPROXIMATELY 9:37PM. I TOOK MY CAR HOME THE SAME SAME DAY. THE FOLLOWING DAY (SECOND DAY) I STARTED EXPERIENCING A PRE-COLLISION ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE AND POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION/REDUCE
• 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 Au
• The contact owned a 2021 Ford Explorer which was used to haul a 2002 Opus OP. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the RV dealer for installations to be performed the vehicle caught on fire and was destroyed. The contact was informed after the installation of an electronic brake controll

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 4 fire reports💥 3 crashes

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 523 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: I PURCHASED A FORD EXPLORER ST 2021 IN NEW YORK FROM CITY WORLD FORD ON BOSTON RD IN THE BRONX ON APRIL 22, 2021 AT APPROXIMATELY 9:37PM. I TOOK MY CAR HOME THE SAME SAME DAY. THE FOLLOWING DAY (SECOND DAY) I STARTED EXPERIENCING A PRE-COLLISION ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE AND POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION/REDUCE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: Constant shuddering between 30-45mph. Local dealer fobs it off as typical, I've driven other 2020 and 2021 Explorers, none have exhibited similar symptoms. Dealer refuses to repair, Ford corporate will not investigate. Has already had one rear axle replaced under warranty, not waiting another 3 we
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: I PURCHASED A FORD EXPLORER ST 2021 IN NEW YORK FROM CITY WORLD FORD ON BOSTON RD IN THE BRONX ON APRIL 22, 2021 AT APPROXIMATELY 9:37PM. I TOOK MY CAR HOME THE SAME SAME DAY. THE FOLLOWING DAY (SECOND DAY) I STARTED EXPERIENCING A PRE-COLLISION ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE AND POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION/REDUCE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: A police officer complained of a strong odor of exhaust coming through the hvac vents. Officer complained of a light dizziness feeling. Suv was grounded from service. Complaint was verified. Upon opening of the hood a odor of exhaust gas was smelled on the right side of the motor. No visible leaks
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)