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9.6

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
844 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2021 Ford Explorer engine problems

engine problem

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2021 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #9

Mar 212024

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Ford Explorer 2021 recall stems from a defective rear axle horizontal mounting bolt. Ford Motor Company has promised to cover the cost of replacing the subframe bushing and the rear axle bolt and repairing any resultant damage. The dealer, Payne Ford Weslaco, the Tech broke a tool to fix and Ford has failed to replace said tool.

- Donna, TX, USA

problem #8

Mar 202024

Explorer

  • miles
The vehicle looses power occasionally. When the accelerator is pressed it can take a second or 2 to start moving again. It happens when turning, changing lanes or going straight. I could be pulling into traffic and it will stop moving, even if the gas pedal is pressed down all the way. It will happen in every drive mode and when the traction control is off. The only time it hasn't happened yet is when I turn off the AdvaneTrac stability control. I have to hold down the traction control button for 5 seconds every time I start the vehicle. The dealer said they couldn't find the problem. The associate said it's a common issue with the Explorer's. It is very dangerous.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #7

Dec 222023

Explorer

  • miles
With the Ford Intelli-Cruise enabled in settings, the vehicle automatically adjust the speed while using the cruise control. The vehicle will randomly, quickly, accellerate to a extreme new speed limit it thinks it has detected. For instance, several times while travelling on I-81, with a 70mph speed limit, the vehicle will think the new speed limit is suddenly 85mph and quickly accelerate to that speed. I have attached a photo of the dash displaying that setting the car set by itself. On the flip side, once on I-81, it thought the speed limit was 35mph and quickly slammed on the brakes to slow to 35mph from 70mph. Both are quickly overridden by the driver tapping the brake and cancelling the cruise control. However, both could lead to hazards to other drivers potentially resulting in a wreck, especially the sudden slow to 35mph on the interestate. The dealership says "Yea, it happens and people complain". I have no idea why the speed changes, there are no road signs or other indications to even cause the system to re-evaluate its settings. Ford says Intelli-Cruise uses road signage and other ways to also determine speed (whatever that means). This is a safety issue that needs to be remedied by Ford. However, without NHTSA enforcement, they don't seem interested in resolution. (This website isn't allowing me to upload the.jpg file, upload button disappears when I click it)

- Keene, VA, USA

problem #6

Sep 152023

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving on a freeway on Sep 15th 2023, wrench light showed up and immediately vehicle speed dropped from 65 to 30mph. This is second time this issue has happened and luckily my family survived accidents. First incident occured on Aug 13th 2023, after which i towed my vehicle to dealership. They repaired and said its safe to drive now. But issue is recurring. Please help me on this as I am reporting this issue second time on NHTSA. I reported first incident also which happened on Aug 13,2023

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #5

Mar 162022

Explorer

  • miles
I have filled claims with Ford Motor Company as well as the BBB regarding my vehicle and not shifting and lunging into gear. Ford has replaced my transmission 3 times and denied my claim for a buy back under the Lemon Law and Magnuson Moss Warranty claim. Now I am reading Ford is recalling many 2021 Ford Explorers for the same issue that I had reported struggled and continue to struggle with for over a year now. Is there anything NHTSA can do to require Ford to purchase my vehicle back for at least what I paid for? I can provide claim numbers, if needed.

- Midlothian, VA, USA

problem #4

Feb 042023

Explorer

  • miles
While using Intelligent Adaptive Cruise, the vehicle suddenly thought the speed limit was 85mph and quickly started accelerating. Confused, I hit the brakes to stop the acceleration. I have uploaded a photo of the dash that I took showing that the system read the speed limit sign as 85. I saw no speed limit sign in the area, so, I have no idea what prompted the system to change speed. I was talking on the phone via Android Auto and using Waze, via Android Auto, USB direct connect. The only other problem I've ever had with this system is on interstates that have specific Truck speed limits in West Virginia. There, sometimes trucks have slower speeds and this system picks up those truck speeds and decelerates/brakes to comply. While it can be overridden in the moment, the next time it sees such sign, it slows again. This sudden deceleration poses a hazard to other drivers who do not expect a 'non-truck' vehicle to suddenly slow.

- Keene, VA, USA

problem #3

Jan 102023

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On or about 9 am on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, I entered a parking garage facility and drove up the ramp and continued on a level parking area and begin to turn into a parking space beside a large cement column. Just as I entered the parking space at a low rate of speed without my foot on the accelerator, I experienced sudden unintended acceleration which caused the vehicle to narrowly miss the cement column and the front cement wall of the parking space. Fortunately, I quickly braked to avoid a collision and then put the vehicle in park and shut off the vehicle. There were no warning lights on the vehicle dash, and I have not yet taken the vehicle to an authorized Ford Dealer to have it checked. Vehicle is still under factory order and has approx. 26,700 miles.

- Towson, MD, USA

problem #2

Dec 062021

Explorer

  • 7,600 miles
The contact leased a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact stated that five minutes later the vehicle went into safety mode and the vehicle failed to move. The low battery message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact called the local dealer but, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 7,600.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #1

Jul 142021

Explorer

  • miles
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)

- Gahanna, OH, USA

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