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2021 Ford Explorer Reliability & Recall Report

Based on 26 NHTSA recalls and 0 owner complaints. All data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — free, no signup required.

C
65/100

Use Caution — 2021 Ford Explorer

The 2021 Ford Explorer has elevated complaints or recalls that warrant careful consideration. Have any open recalls resolved before purchase and inspect the vehicle thoroughly.

26
NHTSA Recalls
26 recalls on record
0
Owner Complaints
No complaints filed
0
Crashes + Injuries
In NHTSA complaints

Own or buying a 2021 Ford Explorer?

Check your specific VIN for open recalls, market value, full specs, and a free AI buyer summary.

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NHTSA Recalls — 2021 Ford Explorer (26)

All recalls listed below must be repaired by an authorized Ford dealer at no charge to the owner.

🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #21V870000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #20V788000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #21V735000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #21V652000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #23V022000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #23V069000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #23V199000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #23V305000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #23V342000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #23V626000

Showing 10 of 26 recalls. View all on NHTSA.gov →

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Ford Explorer — Complaints by Year

Spike in a year = known problem year. The 2021 model year is highlighted.

2015 0 complaints 2016 2,439 complaints 2017 1,685 complaints 2018 0 complaints 2019 290 complaints 2020 0 complaints 2021 0 complaints 2022 256 complaints 2023 104 complaints 2024 19 complaints 2025 94 complaints

⚠ Years to avoid: 2016, 2017 — These model years show significantly elevated complaint activity.

✅ Best model years: 2015, 2018, 2020 — Lowest complaint rates for this model.

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Frequently Asked Questions — 2021 Ford Explorer

Is the 2021 Ford Explorer reliable?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 Ford Explorer has 26 recalls and no complaints on file. This model year shows elevated issues — consider alternatives or a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Explorer have?
The 2021 Ford Explorer has 26 NHTSA recalls. Affected systems include: see recall details above. All recalls are repaired free at authorized dealers.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Explorer?
No significant complaint patterns were found for the 2021 Ford Explorer in NHTSA data.
Is the 2021 Ford Explorer safe to buy?
The 2021 Ford Explorer has some safety and reliability items to review before buying. Ensure all 26 recalls are completed at a dealer. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is strongly recommended.
What year Ford Explorer should I buy?
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the best years for the Ford Explorer are: 2015, 2018, 2020. These show the lowest complaint rates. Years to avoid: 2016, 2017.
Data source: All recall and complaint data is sourced directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public API. Data is cached and refreshed every 7 days. Recall and complaint counts reflect data available at the time of last cache update. For the most current recall status on a specific vehicle, enter the VIN above or visit NHTSA.gov/recalls.