Model Year Problem Record
The complete public record for the 2021 Ford Explorer: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.
Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.
The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.
128 complaints; 4 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 23V069000, 23V675000, 25V166000, 26V402000.
89 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
67 complaints; 7 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 21V735000, 23V022000, 23V305000, 23V342000, 25V159000, 25V442000, 26V123000.
62 complaints; 3 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 20V788000, 24V598000, 24V635000.
50 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 26V117000.
49 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
28 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 25V455000.
26 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
24 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 23V199000.
22 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 25V393000, 26V451000.
15 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 21V870000.
15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
6 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 21V652000.
6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
3 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 25V093000, 26V159000.
2 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 24V852000, 25V685000.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.
Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on December 17, 2020. The campaign covers an estimated 1,405 vehicles across all affected models.
Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on August 23, 2021. The campaign covers an estimated 592 vehicles across all affected models.
Driver Assistance and Stability Systems. Recall covering the driver assistance and stability systems system, reported to NHTSA on September 22, 2021. The campaign covers an estimated 228,297 vehicles across all affected models.
Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on November 10, 2021. The campaign covers an estimated 20 vehicles across all affected models.
Driver Assistance and Stability Systems. Recall covering the driver assistance and stability systems system, reported to NHTSA on January 23, 2023. The campaign covers an estimated 382,759 vehicles across all affected models.
Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on February 10, 2023. The campaign covers an estimated 3,674 vehicles across all affected models.
Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on March 24, 2023. The campaign covers an estimated 674 vehicles across all affected models.
Driver Assistance and Stability Systems. Recall covering the driver assistance and stability systems system, reported to NHTSA on April 28, 2023. The campaign covers an estimated 523 vehicles across all affected models.
Driver Assistance and Stability Systems. Recall covering the driver assistance and stability systems system, reported to NHTSA on May 12, 2023. The campaign covers an estimated 442,973 vehicles across all affected models.
Hybrid and Electric Propulsion. Recall covering the hybrid and electric propulsion system, reported to NHTSA on September 8, 2023. The campaign covers an estimated 2,954 vehicles across all affected models.
Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on October 6, 2023. The campaign covers an estimated 238,364 vehicles across all affected models.
Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on August 9, 2024. The campaign covers an estimated 85,238 vehicles across all affected models.
Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on August 23, 2024. The campaign covers an estimated 90,736 vehicles across all affected models.
Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on November 8, 2024. The campaign covers an estimated 27,678 vehicles across all affected models.
Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on February 14, 2025. The campaign covers an estimated 240,510 vehicles across all affected models.
Driver Assistance and Stability Systems. Recall covering the driver assistance and stability systems system, reported to NHTSA on March 14, 2025. The campaign covers an estimated 49,399 vehicles across all affected models.
Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on March 14, 2025. The campaign covers an estimated 4,247 vehicles across all affected models.
Seats. Recall covering the seats system, reported to NHTSA on June 13, 2025. The campaign covers an estimated 304,662 vehicles across all affected models.
Driver Assistance and Stability Systems. Recall covering the driver assistance and stability systems system, reported to NHTSA on June 27, 2025. The campaign covers an estimated 200,237 vehicles across all affected models.
Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on July 7, 2025. The campaign covers an estimated 850,318 vehicles across all affected models.
Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on October 10, 2025. The campaign covers an estimated 59,006 vehicles across all affected models.
Visibility. Recall covering the visibility system, reported to NHTSA on March 3, 2026. The campaign covers an estimated 604,533 vehicles across all affected models.
Driver Assistance and Stability Systems. Recall covering the driver assistance and stability systems system, reported to NHTSA on March 3, 2026. The campaign covers an estimated 889,950 vehicles across all affected models.
Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on March 17, 2026. The campaign covers an estimated 561 vehicles across all affected models.
Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on June 24, 2026. The campaign covers an estimated 741,195 vehicles across all affected models.
Seats. Recall covering the seats system, reported to NHTSA on July 14, 2026. The campaign covers an estimated 387,911 vehicles across all affected models.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.
Loss of Motive Power. Resulted in recall campaign 24V635.
Rear Axle Bolt Failure. Resulted in recall campaign 23V675.
Rear Axle Bolt Failure. Resulted in recall campaign 23V675.
When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.
Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.