The Lemon Index2021 Ford Explorer.
The 2021 Ford Explorer is about average by owner complaints: 239 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 112, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 26 recalls, and it gets 19 to 27 mpg combined. The best Ford Explorer year is 2008.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 453 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ford Explorer year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 25K to 73K miles on the car (109 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 12K–76K miles
Recalls 26
- seats 2026
The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
- transmission & drivetrain 2026
The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
- seat belts 2026
The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.
Show all 26 recalls
- back over prevention 2026
The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
- visibility 2026
The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.
- equipment 2025
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
- fuel system, gasoline 2025
The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.
- back over prevention 2025
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
- seats 2025
The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.
- back over prevention 2025
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
- transmission & drivetrain 2025
The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
- seat belts 2025
The seat belt buckle anchor bolts at one or more seating positions may be improperly secured.
- equipment 2024
The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard.
- engine 2024
The engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive power.
- engine 2024
In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine comp…
- transmission & drivetrain 2023
The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
- electrical 2023
A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
- back over prevention 2023
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
- back over prevention 2023
When the Display On/Off Button is used to turn the display to "Off" prior to placing the vehicle in reverse, the backup camera rearview image will not appear on the display.
- transmission & drivetrain 2023
The previous powertrain control module (PCM) update completed under recall 22V-255 did not include the automatic electronic parking brake feature when the vehicle is shifted to park, as intended.
- transmission & drivetrain 2023
An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage.
- back over prevention 2023
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
- suspension 2021
Incorrect rear suspension module components may have been installed due to a labeling error.
- back over prevention 2021
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
- airbags 2021
The side air bag attachment weld studs could detach during the deployment of the side air bag, resulting in an improper deployment.
- engine 2020
The right hand motor mount fasteners may have been incorrectly tightened, and may loosen over time.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 297 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent no crank, inoperative remote
- Some 2020-2021 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost engine and built
- Some 2021 F-150/Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles, excluding hybrid, with…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of motive power2023–2024
- ClosedRear axle bolt failure2023–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Explorer SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Explorer SUV RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Explorer HEV SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Explorer HEV SUV RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2400–3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Car rolled down driveway while in park three separate times. Could have killed someone.
2021 Ford Explorer owner · NHTSA complaint 11517220
More owner reports
rear axle bolt snapped that holds the rear differential to the subframe. there was already a recall on this before and my explorer had it snap before. this is the second time it snapped in less than two years.
NHTSA complaint 11586955
I had the backup camera parts replaced 4/15/2022 and within 10 days of having the vehicle back the backup camera was turning blue again.
NHTSA complaint 11462906
Quick answers
Is the 2021 Ford Explorer reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew 1.1× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 112; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Explorer year by this measure since 2010 is 2024.
What are the most common 2021 Ford Explorer problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (32%), backup camera (15%) and electrical (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Explorer have?
26 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Ford Explorer get?
19 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 Ford Explorer safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2021 Ford Explorer problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 25,000 and 73,000 miles. The middle report was at 44,000 miles, from 109 complaints.
Does the 2021 Ford Explorer have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 32% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2021 Ford Explorer cost in fuel a year?
About $2400 to $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Ford Explorer have?
2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
What Ford Explorer year is better than the 2021?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2018 and 2010.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works