2021 Ford Explorer Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2021 Explorer most often describe transmission and driveline problems — rough or delayed shifting, loss of power, and in some cases rear axle bolt or driveshaft failures — that appear from low mileage onward. A second recurring theme in the sampled complaints is electronics and camera/visibility faults: blank or blue rearview camera images, wipers that stop clearing the windshield, and window controls acting on their own. Many complaints reference open recalls for which parts were reported as unavailable, so several vehicles were still waiting for the remedy.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shifting problems and loss of power

   • 104 complaints (23%)
   • median 46,000 mi at 3.7 yrs old (39 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe hard or delayed shifts, hesitation when pulling away from a stop, lunging, and occasional loss of motive power while driving, sometimes with a transmission or powertrain warning. Some report the vehicle stalling and needing a restart, and at least one had the transmission replaced. Where diagnostics were done, dealers variously reported a transmission fault, a turbo reset, coolant intrusion into the transmission, or found no problem. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 80,000 miles, with many cases between 10,000 and 50,000 miles.

   Recall 26V402000Recall 23V0690004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive from a stop and at highway speed, watching for hard shifts, hesitation, or a shudder when accelerating. Ask whether any transmission software updates or the 10R60/10R80 clutch circuit leak test have been performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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/reduced power light on my dashboard at 12:49 pm. The car began to jerk and felt like it was on awd mode. The gas pedal was heavy and difficult to drive while I was on the highway with my children. I started to smell fire coming from the inside of my car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11414737, filed 2021-05, 111 miles

   “The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle started to hesitate as if the transmission was slipping. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an unknown dealer where it was diagnosed that no issues were found. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,100.”

   NHTSA complaint #11454819, filed 2022-03, 11,100 miles
2. 2
   Back-over prevention (rear camera)

   Rearview camera blank or blue image

   • 33 complaints (7%)
   • median 36,000 mi at 2.9 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners report that when shifting into reverse the screen shows a blue, black, or blank image instead of the rear view, sometimes intermittently. Several say a software update was attempted without lasting success, and many had received recall notices but were told the remedy or parts were not yet available. Reported from about 13,000 to 90,000 miles, often within the first few years of ownership.

   Recall 26V123000Recall 25V442000Recall 25V159000Recall 23V342000Recall 23V022000Recall 21V735000

   What to check: Put the vehicle in reverse and confirm the camera image displays correctly, then repeat after the screen has been used for a while. Ask whether the camera software recalls and any prior camera repairs have been completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact’s daughter owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his daughter was reversing, the rear-view camera image was blue and black. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11549371, filed 2023-10, 75,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V342000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11570525, filed 2024-02, 30,000 miles
3. 3
   Other or unknown

   Rear axle bolt fracture and driveshaft separation

   • 42 complaints (9%)
   • median 72,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Complaints describe clunking or grinding from the rear, vibration, and in some cases the rear axle bolt breaking or the rear axle detaching while driving, which leaves the vehicle without drive. Several owners say the vehicle had already been repaired under a prior axle-related campaign and the failure came back; dealers sometimes told owners the vehicle was out of warranty or that parts were not available. Mostly between roughly 40,000 and 110,000 miles, often during normal driving or reversing.

   Recall 25V166000Recall 23V675000Recall 22V255000Recall 23V199000

   What to check: Ask for the repair history on the rear axle bolt recalls (22V255, 23V199, 25V166) and whether the work was completed at a dealer. Listen for clunks or grinding from the rear on a test drive and check for any rear-end vibration.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate after coming to a complete stop, the vehicle briefly lunged forward. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11557719, filed 2023-11, 15,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear axle bolt fractured. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving on a busy highway. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V675000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11606086, filed 2024-08, 40,093 miles
4. 4
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers stop clearing the glass

   • 30 complaints (7%)
   • median 55,401 mi at 5.5 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe the wipers or wiper motor failing to work properly in rain, or the driver's side of the windshield not clearing despite new blades. Some were notified of a wiper motor recall but told the part was not yet available, so the vehicle was not repaired. Reported from roughly 43,000 to 90,000 miles, typically noticed in wet weather.

   Recall 26V1170001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Run the wipers at every speed setting and check that both sides clear evenly. Ask whether the wiper motor recall (26V117) or the wiper motor customer satisfaction program has been completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the front windshield wipers were inoperable. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V117000 (Visibility). The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that a remedy was not yet available. 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 failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11756526, filed 2026-08, 43,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 26V117000 (Visibility) and 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the parts to perform the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. While driving at various speeds, the transmission shifted into park, the vehicle entered LIMP mode, the engine revved abnormally, and there was a smoke odor inside the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11764422, filed 2026-09, 64,000 miles
5. 5
   Other or unknown

   Second-row seats unlatching or folding on their own

   • 17 complaints (4%)
   • median 77,000 mi at 4.9 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2026

   Complaints describe second- and third-row seats that unlock, tip forward, or get stuck in a partly folded position, including cases where rear seats moved while passengers were seated or the seat would not lock back into place. Dealers in some cases diagnosed a failed seat control unit or confirmed the problem was known, while others could not duplicate it. Reported from about 15,000 to 119,000 miles, at varying ages of ownership.

   Recall 26V451000Recall 25V3930001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Operate the second-row easy-entry seats and the third-row power folding several times and confirm each latches firmly in place. Ask whether the easy-entry seat switch recalls (25V393, 26V451) have been completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V451000 (SEATS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired because the remedy was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11766889, filed 2026-09, 119,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the third-row seats were inoperable. The contact stated that the passenger’s and driver’s side seats were frozen in a semi-folded-down position and were not responding to the electronic control switch. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the seat control unit needed to be replaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11571384, filed 2024-02, 40,438 miles

Buying note. Check the recall history carefully and confirm which campaigns have actually been completed with the remedy applied, since several owners reported waiting on parts. A thorough test drive covering transmission shifts, reverse camera display, wipers and rear-seat latches will surface most of what owners describe.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.