Buying a used 2021 Ford Explorer? Check these 26 recalls first
26 NHTSA recalls · 419 owner complaints on file
The 2021 Explorer has 26 recalls in this group. Battery and block heater fire risks, engine valve and fuel pump failures, rear axle bolts, and parking system defects stand out. Seat attachments, airbags, suspension parts, cameras, and wipers add distinct inspection areas. A Police Interceptor engine fire recall requires VIN applicability verification. The 419 unverified NHTSA owner complaints include power train at 118, unknown or other issues at 84, engine at 47, and electrical systems at 42.
Before you buy
Get the 17-character VIN from the seller and run it at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows which recalls are still unrepaired on that exact car.
Verify applicable fire-risk, engine valve, and fuel pump recall repairs.
Request rear axle bolt and parking system repair records.
Check cameras, wipers, and second-row seat attachment.
Open recalls are repaired free at any Ford dealer, whoever owns the car — an open recall is a to-do item, not a bill.
419 complaints filed for this model year, including 14 mentioning a crash, 5 a fire and 16 injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and popular models collect more of them simply because more are on the road.
Problem area
Complaints
Recall in this area?
Power Train
118
Yes
Engine
47
Yes
Electrical System
42
Yes
Rear Camera
36
Yes
Visibility And Wipers
23
Yes
Brakes
23
None found
When the complaints were filed
182021
492022
862023
822024
1032025
812026
Complaints by the year they reached NHTSA. The current year is incomplete, and counts usually fall as fewer of these cars stay on the road.