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Body and structurePart report

2021 Ford Explorer Body and structure Problems

Complaints
25about this part
Share
6%of 448 total for the year
Median mileage
61,500miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the body and structure of the 2021 Ford Explorer, 6% of the 448 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 61,500 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was backing out of my driveway and a whoosh of water came pouring into my trunk from my roof of my car. When I took it to the Ford dealership they took the headliner down and found that the drains for my sunroof were clogged and caused the leak. They found that the headliner had mold growing on it. This is currently not a recall issue yet but I believe it should be or should be considered a default from Ford, (my warranty expired a couple months earlier). …”

NHTSA complaint #11640614, filed 2025-02

“I am reporting a safety incident involving a 2021 Ford Explorer. While driving at normal speed, the hood unexpectedly flew open and struck the windshield, completely obstructing visibility and causing damage. I did not open the hood prior to driving, and there were no prior warnings or indications of failure. The incident suggests a possible hood latch or secondary safety latch malfunction. I am submitting this report due to a serious safety concern involving sudden loss of driver visibility.”

NHTSA complaint #11733749, filed 2026-04

“On October 25, 2021; my wife and I were driving across country when we experienced a blow-out at 75 MPH in New Mexico (about 80 miles west of Amarillo. The blow-out was caused by body cladding, which came off the right rear door of our 2021 Ford Explorer - apparently attributable to 19+ MPH desert cross winds at highway speeds of 75 MPH. The trim lodged in the right rear wheel well; slicing the tire and cutting a gash from the aluminum rim. …”

NHTSA complaint #11443304, filed 2021-12

“The right rear passenger door of my 2021 Ford Explorer ST repeatedly becomes unlatched and physically opens while the vehicle is in motion, including at highway speeds of approximately 72 mph. This occurs almost every time the vehicle is driven and creates a serious safety hazard. The door visibly separates from the vehicle’s body, which I can see in the passenger-side mirror. When this occurs, the dashboard displays a door-ajar warning, the interior lights illuminate, and wind can be heard entering through the opening. This is not simply a faulty warning indicator. …”

NHTSA complaint #11771352, filed 2026-10

“I was driving and hood flew up and hit the windshield and caused it to cave inward despite hood not being popped since April. Dealership confirmed that hood was not popped that day according to censors and codes that were seen. I was unable to see and it could have caused a wreck and serious injury or worse the windshield almost fell on me and into my car with my one year old baby. Dealer confirmed latch was never popped. Therfore resulting in a malfunction with the hood. Vehicle has been inspected by dealership service center. No, there were no signs or indicators prior to the incident. …”

NHTSA complaint #11597317, filed 2024-06

Related service bulletins

Body and structure: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202625%
202577%
2023109%
2022114%
2021256%
2020454%
201915050%
201828839%
201765939%
201659124%
201541123%
201427616%
201343920%
201214417%
20111109%
201011%
200926%
200811%
2007115%
2006112%
200515130%
200442633%
200335431%
200248615%
2001298%
2000293%
1999473%
1998482%
1997503%
1996634%
1995395%
199415813%
1993869%
19926210%
1991315%

Other parts of the 2021 Ford Explorer

Transmission and drivetrain
127 complaints
Other or unknown
90 complaints
Engine
50 complaints
Electrical system
48 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
48 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
36 complaints
Fuel system
27 complaints
Brakes
24 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
19 complaints
Seats
17 complaints
Suspension
15 complaints
Vehicle 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