NHTSA lists 26 safety recalls and 452 owner complaints for the 2021 Ford Explorer. Most complaints involve power train (127) and engine (51). The EPA rates it 19–27 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Explorer model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1,468 |
| 1997 | 1,789 |
| 1998 | 2,099 |
| 1999 | 1,465 |
| 2000 | 1,078 |
| 2001 | 730 |
| 2002 | 3,613 |
| 2003 | 1,313 |
| 2004 | 1,408 |
| 2005 | 568 |
| 2006 | 635 |
| 2007 | 208 |
| 2008 | 148 |
| 2009 | 33 |
| 2010 | 115 |
| 2011 | 1,197 |
| 2012 | 830 |
| 2013 | 2,237 |
| 2014 | 1,684 |
| 2015 | 1,814 |
| 2016 | 2,464 |
| 2017 | 1,713 |
| 2018 | 733 |
| 2019 | 302 |
| 2020 | 1,247 |
| 2021 | 452 |
| 2022 | 271 |
| 2023 | 113 |
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2025 | 107 |
| 2026 | 44 |
“My vehicle was just diagnosed with trouble code P2888 (Park Lock Actuator Circuit/Open). This prevents the vehicle from shifting safely into Park. SHIFT SYS FAILURE was the error displayed in the dash readout. This matches the exact model, year, and dangerous symptoms outlined in Ford Safety Recall 26S48. My local Ford dealership has recommended the exact repair specified by that recall—a full transmission valve body replacement. Despite having the identical component failure and safety risk as the recalled vehicles, I am being asked to pay out of pocket solely due to my VIN assembly date. Because this is a known, documented manufacturing flaw, I respectfully request that Ford provide goodwill coverage to resolve this repair. They denied it despite acknowledging the matching details.”
“On October 21, 2026, after an approximately one-hour round trip in our 2021 Ford Explorer, we arrived home and noticed smoke coming from under the hood. When we opened the hood, we found oil spread throughout the engine compartment. The smoke and oil leak raised concerns about a possible fire and the safety of continuing to drive the vehicle. The vehicle had recently received its second replacement engine, installed by Stuckey Ford of Bellefonte on September 2, 2026. We brought it back to that dealership on October 23. Service staff told us they believed the oil leak involved the valve cover gasket on the recently installed long block. This is a preliminary diagnosis; we have not received written confirmation of the cause. As of October 26, the vehicle remains at the dealership awaiting repair and is available there for inspection upon arrangement. Whether Ford has independently inspected this new issue is unknown. The vehicle has a history of repeated oil loss and low oil pressure warnings. The original engine was replaced under warranty in June 2024 at approximately 39,574 miles after the dealership documented oil in cylinder 2 and heavy cylinder wall…”
“The passenger window and the driver window will not respond. The windows will not go up on either side, exposing the driver and passengers to the elements of rain. In addition, the car is vulnerable to theft and break-ins. The windows are part of a larger electrical problem that the car has, including key fob delays and screen shut off during driving. The problem has been confirmed by the service center. No warning signs are available for these problems.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer HEV RWD Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 27 | 28 | 27 | $2,400 | 324 |
| Explorer HEV AWD Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 23 | 26 | 25 | $2,550 | 361 |
| Explorer RWD Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,700 | 373 |
| Explorer RWD Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,700 | 373 |
| Explorer AWD Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| Explorer AWD Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| Explorer RWD Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,050 | 431 |
| Explorer Timberline AWD Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 19 | 23 | 21 | $3,050 | 431 |
| Explorer AWD Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,200 | 445 |
| Explorer FFV AWD Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,400 | 471 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
26 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 452 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (127), engine (51), electrical system (48). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2021 Ford Explorer at 19–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (10 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Ford Explorer 5 out of 5 stars overall.