2021 Ford Explorer Forward collision avoidance Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 4%of 448 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 11,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the forward collision avoidance of the 2021 Ford Explorer, 4% of the 448 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 11,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“As I am traveling on the freeway or expressway, when I have cruise control active and I am in the far right lane the vehicle suddenly changes to the speed of the frontage road dropping my speed from 65 or 70mph down to 40, even tho I am on the expressway. It almost caused me to be rear ended because of the sudden drop in speed.”
NHTSA complaint #11666166, filed 2025-06“I already having problem with the parking !When I set the packing bottoms it's turns automatically into rear I already have an issues with that!! almost kill my son an nephew I'm scared this happened again in the parking lot at store almost crash other vehicle! I need my car fixed as soon is possible I hope I hear from your side! Thank you!!!”
NHTSA complaint #11558057, filed 2023-12“I haven’t been problem with the parking !When I set the packing bottoms it’s turns automatically into rear I already have an issues with that !! almost kill my son an nephew I’m scared this happened again in the parking lot at store almost crash other vehicle! I need my car fixed as soon is possible I hope I hear from your side! Thank you!!!”
NHTSA complaint #11558054, filed 2023-12“With the Ford Intelli-Cruise enabled in settings, the vehicle automatically adjust the speed while using the cruise control. The vehicle will randomly, quickly, accellerate to a extreme new speed limit it thinks it has detected. For instance, several times while travelling on I-81, with a 70mph speed limit, the vehicle will think the new speed limit is suddenly 85mph and quickly accelerate to that speed. I have attached a photo of the dash displaying that setting the car set by itself. …”
NHTSA complaint #11562894, filed 2024-01Forward collision avoidance: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 10% |
| 2025 | 15 | 14% |
| 2024 | 3 | 14% |
| 2023 | 6 | 5% |
| 2022 | 12 | 4% |
| 2021 | 19 | 4% |
| 2020 | 72 | 6% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 5 | 1% |
| 2017 | 9 | 1% |
| 2016 | 8 | 0% |
| 2015 | 6 | 0% |
| 2014 | 9 | 1% |
| 2013 | 5 | 0% |
| 2011 | 3 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2021 Ford Explorer
127 complaintsOther or unknown
90 complaintsEngine
50 complaintsElectrical system
48 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
48 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
36 complaintsFuel system
27 complaintsBody and structure
25 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsSeats
17 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Ford Explorer
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology