Complaint volume
382 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2021 Ford Explorer Complaints
382 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Ford Explorer, grouped by component category.
382 Total complaints
13 Crash reports
5 Fire reports
12 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are power train, unknown or other, back over prevention. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 13 crash reports, 5 fire reports, 12 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 92 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 43,068 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to power train, unknown or other, back over prevention?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2021 Ford Explorer?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2021 Ford Explorer
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2021 Ford Explorer complaints?
13 Crash
5 Fire
12 Injury
0 Fatality
24 Towed
8 Medical attention
What are the most common 2021 Ford Explorer complaint categories?
POWER TRAIN 74
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 52
BACK OVER PREVENTION 23
ENGINE 20
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17
STRUCTURE 14
VISIBILITY/WIPER 14
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9
SEATS 9
VISIBILITY 9
382 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS | Third row seat won't go up or down (it is an electrical seat for folding flat or to lift back up for seating). On Aug 12, 2021 took it to Ford dealership near me for any appointment to have fixed. In morning of Friday 13th dealership said still hadn't figured out the problem. By afternoon of 13th August dealership said it is either module or buttons issue and said they needed keep it over weekend. Dealership said they d call me by noon on Monday 16th August to let me know. Well, since I hadn't heard from then I called them again (as I have been doing since they dont seem to communicate with customers). Callie of Service dept said its the buttons/switches. That must order them; closest place had them is Tennessee she said. We are concerned for we had these exact issues with 2015 Explorer; started with 3rd row seat then all other electrical issues started happening. That explorer suv was in shop for several months. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Adaptive Cruise control reads the overhead electronic posted 65MPH speed limit signs as 85MPH. This only occurs when traveling on I-670 eastbound between Leonard Ave and I-270 on the east side of Columbus Ohio...This section of highway was recently upgraded with "Smart Lane" overhead electronic signs. The dash on this vehicle shows the posted speed limit at all times, but if the cruise control is on the vehicle with automatically go to what it reads and in this case goes to 85MPH! I have driven this vehicle over 5000 miles in 4 different states and this situation only occurs at this particular locatiion. I have contacted State of Ohio, Department of Trtansportation and discussing this issue with Drive Ohio representative Luke Stedke ( Luke.Stedke@drive.ohio.gov) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | POWER TRAIN | The transmission in the Ford Explorer failed on June 28th. This was noticed by observing the vehicle struggle to shift gears, and sometimes failing to shift at all resulting in extremely high RPMs. It also resulted in rough transitions from Park to Drive, combined with lurching forward suddenly. The vehicle is currently awaiting service at the Ford dealership, which was originally scheduled for June 29th. Upon notification to the dealership (where vehicle was purchased) of a transmission issue, the dealership moved the appointment to July 6th, thus encouraging me to drive a dangerous vehicle until then. During the next couple of days, the car intermittently exhibited both check engine and service lights, but neither consistently. It also produced another alert which automatically put the car into park from drive. Once the car turned off and back on, the alert did not repeat. The car was then taken to a separate dealership where it was diagnosed with a defective transmission due to an engine coolant leak. The dealership did not provide any means of transportation in response despite the vehicle being under warranty. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | STEERING,TIRES | The front tires chewed to pieces, one blew, and the dealer initially felt it was an alignment issue from the factory. Up one further inspection, they found an aluminum toe rod with a 45 degree bend. I believe this was a factory issue as we hit nothing on the highway. It seems from an FMEA point of view, it is likely the blown tire and momentum of the car bent the tie rod and that the tire damage was caused by a part failure or some other issue with the car. It is a 3 month old car with 9,400 miles. The car struck Nothing on the highway. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | POWER TRAIN | 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. WEEK 7 WILL BE NEXT WEEK WHEN COMPLETION IS ESTIMATED TO BE . | Crash: No Fire: No | 2,120 |
| May 2021 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 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. ONCE I STARTED EXPERIENCING THOSE PROBLEMS FROM MY CAR I IMMEDIATELY PARKED THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T GET AN ANSWER SO I DROVE TO THEM PERSONALLY AFTER I LET IT COOL DOWN FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM I EXPERIENCED WITH THE CAR TO THEM. THE DEALERSHIP STATED TO ME TO TAKE IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP THE MONDAY AND I DID. THE NEXT DAY (TUESDAY) I PICKED UP THE CAR FROM REPAIR SERVICE CENTER. THE NEXT DAY I STARTED EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE FORD. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON WEDNESDAY (NEXT DAY) AND STATED I WANTED A NEW CAR OR EXCHANGE FOR A DIFFERENT CAR. MANAGER STATED I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR FOR SECOND TIME FOR REPAIR. I THEN TOOK THE CAR FOR THE SECOND TIME FOR REPAIR ON WEDNESDAY. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY STILL IN THE REPAIR SERVICE CENTER AND STILL DISPLAYING MALFUNCTIONS AFTER BEING REPAIRED IN THE REPAIR SERVICE CENTER. I HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED MY CAR BACK AND REPAIR CENTER STATED THEY ARE NOT SURE WHEN WILL THE PROBLEM WILL BE FIXED AND WORKING PROPERLY. | Crash: No Fire: No | 111 |
| Mar 2021 | STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS | THE WHEEL WELLS OF THE VEHICLE COLLECT LARGE AMOUNTS OF SNOW AND ICE. THIS BUILD UP CONSTRICTS THE WHEELS OF THE VEHICLE CONTACTING THE TIRES RESTRICTING ROTATION AND STEERING. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS POTENTIALLY DEADLY SITUATION. WE HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THE DEALERSHIP. NO REMEDY TO THIS SITUATION HAS BEEN OFFERED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND ANY ASSISTANCE IS APPRECIATED. I BELIEVE THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM FORD IS UNWILLING TO DEAL WITH. THIS CONDITION OCCURS IN COLD WEATHER AND SNOWY ICY CONDITIONS. THE BUILD UP HAZARD HAPPENS EVEN DRIVING SHORT HIGHWAY DISTANCES. | Crash: No Fire: No | 20 |