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Buying a used 2021 Ford Explorer? Check these 26 recalls first
The 2021 Explorer's recalls lean toward rollaway and driveline risk: three separate campaigns involve a driveshaft that may disconnect or the vehicle not staying in Park, alongside wrong rear suspension parts, side airbags that may fail, EcoBoost engines that can break and lose power, plug-in hybrid battery failure, Police Interceptor engine fire risk, and block heater fires. Owners filed 419 unverified NHTSA complaints, led by power train with 118, alleging 5 fires and 16 injuries.
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 every Park/rollaway and driveshaft bolt recall shows closed on this VIN.
- Ask the seller whether the vehicle has ever rolled or moved while shifted into Park.
- Request engine service records; EcoBoost failure is a listed recall concern for this year.
- Open recalls are repaired free at any Ford dealer, whoever owns the car — an open recall is a to-do item, not a bill.
Recalls covering the 2021 Ford Explorer
What owners have reported to NHTSA
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 |