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Ford Explorer HybridModel year report

2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid Problems

Complaints
7filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
59,074miles, 2 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid. The part named most often is other or unknown, with 2 complaints (29% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (2) and air bags (1). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 59,074 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 13 technical service bulletins for this model year. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Other or unknown: “While taking groceries out of the back of the SUV, the hatchback closed without a sound warning and hit the top of my head causing a concussion and neck injury.”

NHTSA complaint #11761721, filed 2026-09

Transmission and drivetrain: “The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the electronic lift gate ajar warning was activated; however, the liftgate was not open. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who adjusted the liftgate striker, and the failure was remedied; however, the failure reoccurred. Additionally, while driving at speeds between 5 - 20 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and vibrating with the RPM’s extremely elevated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the cause of the failure was not identified. …”

NHTSA complaint #11501484, filed 2023-01, 22,000 miles

Air bags: “On July 8, 2026, I was traveling westbound on Highway 7 when another vehicle pulled right out in front of me from southbound Orchard Road, attempting to cross the highway. We collided and I struck the other vehicle at a 45° angle. My seatbelt was buckled. The impact caused me to be thrown forward into the windshield which I broke with my skull. I suffered a broken neck. The seatbelt did not operate properly to keep me secure in the seat. There's no way I should've struck the windshield if the seatbelt would've worked. …”

NHTSA complaint #11754258, filed 2026-08

Electrical system: “The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, there was a burning odor present. The message Pull Over Possible Powertrain Damage was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who determined that the high voltage junction box had overheated and was burned. The high voltage junction box and high voltage junction box wiring harness were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and indicated that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V626000 (Electrical System). …”

NHTSA complaint #11556636, filed 2023-11, 96,147 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 22,000 and 96,147 miles.

0%0–1050%10–250%25–500%50–7550%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 59,074 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

202342026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 13 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 13 bulletins →

Other model years of the Ford Explorer Hybrid

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2021759,0741———Not enough data

All Ford Explorer Hybrid model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid have?

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid is reported most often?

Other or unknown is named most often, in 2 complaints (29% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 2.

Has the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 59,074 miles and the middle half falls between 22,000 and 96,147 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.