2021 Ford Explorer Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 1%of 451 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 51,103miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the seat belts of the 2021 Ford Explorer, 1% of the 451 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,103 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact owned a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the seat belt on the passenger’s side failed to retract as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the seat belt components were replaced. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V093000 (Seat Belts). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,600.”
NHTSA complaint #11733954, filed 2026-04, 65,600 miles“The contact owned a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact was stopped at an intersection traffic signal when she was crashed from behind by another vehicle. The contact's seat belt pretensioner failed to lock and was not able to restrain her. The contact's face hit the steering wheel. The contact had suffered a broken nose, and bruises on her arms. The contact was transported by ambulance to a hospital. The vehicle had extensive crush damage to the rear bumper, lift gate. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and later declared a total loss by her insurance provider. …”
NHTSA complaint #11606835, filed 2024-08, 36,606 milesRelated recalls
- 26V159000Mar 17, 2026Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating…Covers: Ford Explorer 2020–2026, Lincoln Aviator 2020–2026
- 25V093000Feb 14, 2025Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer and Aviator vehicles. The seat belt buckle anchor bolts at one or more seating positions may…Covers: Ford Explorer 2020–2021, Lincoln Aviator 2020–2021
Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 2% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 5 | 4% |
| 2022 | 5 | 2% |
| 2021 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 18 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 8 | 1% |
| 2017 | 23 | 1% |
| 2016 | 40 | 2% |
| 2015 | 38 | 2% |
| 2014 | 28 | 2% |
| 2013 | 20 | 1% |
| 2012 | 14 | 2% |
| 2011 | 14 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 2 | 0% |
| 2004 | 7 | 1% |
| 2003 | 17 | 2% |
| 2002 | 34 | 1% |
| 2001 | 11 | 3% |
| 2000 | 16 | 2% |
| 1999 | 21 | 2% |
| 1998 | 38 | 2% |
| 1997 | 54 | 3% |
| 1996 | 78 | 5% |
| 1995 | 59 | 7% |
| 1994 | 13 | 1% |
| 1993 | 13 | 1% |
| 1992 | 24 | 4% |
| 1991 | 26 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2021 Ford Explorer
127 complaintsOther or unknown
90 complaintsEngine
51 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
49 complaintsElectrical system
48 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
36 complaintsFuel system
28 complaintsBody and structure
25 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsForward collision avoidance
19 complaintsSeats
17 complaintsSuspension
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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