2021 Ford Explorer Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 127about this part
- Share
- 28%of 448 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 46,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 127 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2021 Ford Explorer, 28% of the 448 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 5 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I noticed transmission fluid on the garage floor. March 27,2021. Dropped the car of at the dealership where I bought the car. 2021 Ford Explorer st with 2120 miles I purchased on january 30, 2021. Problem was diagnosed as leaks at the transfer case seals on the transmission output drive train. The boots were leaking transmission fluid. The transfer case needed to be removed and the seals replaced. This resulted in waiting 6 weeks for the parts to be delivered and 1 week more to repair and install. Today I still do not have my car back. …”
NHTSA complaint #11415587, filed 2021-05, 2,120 miles“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“I had my car parked in a driveway that has a slight incline. I was buckling my child in their car seat in the back when the car started to roll backwards. The car had been parked prior and was off when the rolling occurred. Now my car is in for service requiring an entirely new transmission (under 80,000 miles) after un-smooth driving led me to bring it in.”
NHTSA complaint #11748526, filed 2026-07“I was driving down the road and the vehicle started to cut out like it was running out of fuel. Maybe 1 minute later it died in the middle of heavy traffic and would not re-start. I had to have it towed and I called Ford and they told me to wait until the repair remedy was available to have it fixed. I have been without this vehicle for 6 weeks now and still no remedy.”
NHTSA complaint #11769389, filed 2026-10“There was no lights on the dash but the transmission was shifting very hard when slowing down. I took it to the dealer for service, but the dealer says the transmission is full of debris and needs a full replacement. When slowing down it was causing the vehicle to buck forward very hard advancing it forward and causing me the driver to feel forward force from the harsh bucking of the transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #11690850, filed 2025-10Related recalls
- 26V402000Jun 24, 2026Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission…Covers: Ford Explorer 2020–2021, Expedition 2018–2021, Lincoln Navigator 2018–2021 +2 more
- 25V166000Mar 14, 2025Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 23V-199 or 22V-255. The rear…Covers: Ford Explorer 2020–2022
- 23V675000Oct 6, 2023Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to…Covers: Ford Explorer 2020–2022
- 23V069000Feb 10, 2023Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission. An unintentional…Covers: Ford Explorer 2020–2022
- 22V255000Apr 14, 2022Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer Police FHEV, Explorer Police 3.3L, and 2020-2022 Explorer 2.3L RWD, 3.0L PHEV, 3.3L FHEV…Covers: Ford Explorer 2020–2022, Explorer Hybrid 2020–2022, Explorer Intercept Hybrid 2020–2021 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 11036595Aug 26, 2026This article supersedes 26-2287. Reason for update: update the labor operation numbers to add MT to operations C, F, G, H, J, K, L and M, and correct the part number LIMZ-4A015-B…
- 11035556Aug 3, 2026Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine, 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine, and 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles…
- 11034011Jun 18, 2026This article supersedes 25-2302. Reason for update: update the labor time allowance for F-150 vehicles, update the Parts list to replace the part number W716979-S439 with…
- 11033775Jun 5, 2026For 20202026 vehicles equipped with the 10R60 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS)…
- 11032760May 15, 2026Some 2020-2026 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility/Aviator vehicles may require replacement of the front drive halfshaft inner/outer CV joint boot for various reasons.
- 11032697May 8, 2026This bulletin supersedes 26-2046. Reason For Update: update the parts list to change the claim quantity of the C clutch friction plates (HL3Z-7B164-A), C clutch steel plates…
- 11032565May 4, 2026Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine may exhibit an illuminated powertrain…
- 11031640Apr 27, 2026Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine may exhibit an illuminated powertrain…
- 11031262Apr 2, 2026For 20212026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS)…
- 11030791Mar 19, 2026For 2021-2026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS)…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 7% |
| 2025 | 16 | 15% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 12 | 11% |
| 2022 | 61 | 23% |
| 2021 | 127 | 28% |
| 2020 | 502 | 40% |
| 2019 | 35 | 12% |
| 2018 | 50 | 7% |
| 2017 | 125 | 7% |
| 2016 | 215 | 9% |
| 2015 | 86 | 5% |
| 2014 | 80 | 5% |
| 2013 | 119 | 5% |
| 2012 | 55 | 7% |
| 2011 | 64 | 5% |
| 2010 | 28 | 24% |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% |
| 2008 | 36 | 24% |
| 2007 | 57 | 27% |
| 2006 | 296 | 47% |
| 2005 | 99 | 20% |
| 2004 | 460 | 35% |
| 2003 | 335 | 30% |
| 2002 | 1,502 | 46% |
| 2001 | 42 | 11% |
| 2000 | 133 | 14% |
| 1999 | 115 | 9% |
| 1998 | 103 | 5% |
| 1997 | 104 | 6% |
| 1996 | 120 | 8% |
| 1995 | 119 | 14% |
| 1994 | 86 | 7% |
| 1993 | 72 | 8% |
| 1992 | 77 | 12% |
| 1991 | 69 | 11% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2021 Ford Explorer
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 complaintsForward collision avoidance
19 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