Is the 2021 Ford Explorer a bad year?
455 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 128, 3× a quiet Explorer year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
The transmission draws 3× the complaints of a quiet Explorer year, spread over 13k–76k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2021 Explorer owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 46,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 128 (28%) | 13k–76k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 51 (11%) | 7k–62k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 56 (12%) | 7k–82k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel system | 28 (6%) | 7k–58k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 25 (5%) | 25k–67k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seats | 18 (4%) | 15k–85k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 48 (11%) | 5k–42k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Backup camera | 36 (8%) | 9k–42k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 24 (5%) | 3k–28k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Collision avoidance | 19 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 15 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 15 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 46,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 455 complaints: 15 mention a crash · 6 mention a fire · 16 report an injury · 28 say the car was towed.
135 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
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.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 46,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2021 Ford Explorer: 26
The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly. A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage. Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured. A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly. Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in. An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended. A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver.
The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving. A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect. A disconnected driveshaft can result in vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park without the parking brake applied. A disconnected driveshaft can also result in a loss of drive power.
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying. Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The seat belt buckle anchor bolts at one or more seating positions may be improperly secured. Additionally, vehicles may have an improperly secured seat belt retractor anchor bolt and/or seat belt anchor bolt at the second-row center seating position, if equipped. A loose seat belt or seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive power. A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire. An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect. A disconnected driveshaft can result in a loss of drive power or a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure. Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying. Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
When the Display On/Off Button is used to turn the display to "Off" prior to placing the vehicle in reverse, the backup camera rearview image will not appear on the display. A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
In addition, the rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect. Without the electronic parking brake applied, the vehicle could rollaway if the driveshaft disconnects. A disconnected driveshaft can also result in a loss of drive power. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage. A park system that is damaged may not shift into "PARK," resulting in a vehicle rollaway and increasing the risk of injury or crash.
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying. Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Incorrect rear suspension module components may have been installed due to a labeling error. A rear suspension module with incorrect components may affect vehicle handling, ride height, and braking characteristics, increasing the risk of a crash.
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying. A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The side air bag attachment weld studs could detach during the deployment of the side air bag, resulting in an improper deployment. Improper deployment of a side air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The right hand motor mount fasteners may have been incorrectly tightened, and may loosen over time. With a loose motor mount, motor vibration may cause the axle to disconnect from the engine and could result in loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 292
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2021 Ford Explorer. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Detected with the CDF clutch cylinder following this article, technicians should carefully inspect and replace other transmission c
Some 2020-2026 Aviator/Explorer/F-150/Bronco/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L…
Some 2020-2024 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with 3.0L EcoBoost/hybrid engine may exhibit blue or black exhaust smoke on startup for the first 5 minutes…
Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine, 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine…
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Burn Injuries From Side Airbag Deployment
Loss of Motive Power
Rear Axle Bolt Failure
Neighbouring years
2020 Explorer: 1,251 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2022 Explorer: 274 complaints, keep it.
Every Ford Explorer year
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Questions
Is the 2021 Ford Explorer a bad year?
455 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 128, 3× a quiet Explorer year. At 46,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. The transmission draws 3× the complaints of a quiet Explorer year, spread over 13k–76k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Explorer?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (128), visibility and wipers (51), engine (56), fuel system (28), body structure (25). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 13k–76k miles.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Explorer have?
26 recall campaigns list this model year: Seats (NHTSA 26V-451), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 26V-402), Seat belts (NHTSA 26V-159), Backup camera (NHTSA 26V-123) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.