86 of the 568 complaints about the 2021 Ford Explorer are about the other systems — 15% of everything reported for this model year.
86
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The shade on the sunroof as come out of track and when you let the shade back it drops down in the car blocking vision out the back glass
NHTSA complaint #11764207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sunroof shade broke will not retract properly, causing serious visual concerns obstruction view our the rear window of the vehicle . There was no warning lights , or signs this was going to happen ,
NHTSA complaint #11763728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
cupholder broke. This is the first car to have a cupholder broke. Defect. Should issue recall
NHTSA complaint #11762974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While attempting to operate the vehicle, the transmission/gear-selection system malfunctioned. When Drive or Reverse is selected, the vehicle does not remain in the selected gear and instead returns to Park, preventing the vehicle from moving. The condition is repeatable and the vehicle is currently disabled. The exact failed component is unknown. The vehicle has not yet been repaired. An authorized Ford dealer has declined to work on the vehicle after we requested written clarification regarding coverage. Ford Motor Company has been contacted and a corporate case has been opened. This creates a safety concern because the vehicle can become completely immobile and cannot be relied upon to enter or remain in a drive gear when transportation is needed. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred. The vehicle remains available for inspection.
NHTSA complaint #11762803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I previously reported my rear view camera not working despite ford having many recalls for that problem. Now my shade for my sunroof when opened drops into my car & blocks my view from my rear view mirror. So now I have no camera view or physical view of what's behind me. I also have the same peeling metal on my buttons on my driver's door. The same one that was recalled on 2020 model. I cut my arm on it yesterday
NHTSA complaint #11754340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Recently my car has had a series lights come on including 4wd fault, pre-colliosion assist not available, service advance trac, hill start assist warning, and something with the brakes when in reverse. I took it to the dealer and they said it's something electrical that will need parts, and further investigation with removing the seats. That will be another day. Today, while driving with my son in the back, I was taking a u-turn on a busy street. The car acted like it switched into neutral (but didn't), and wouldn't accelerate, leaving me inching into traffic at 1 mph with cars going 40mph coming at me. Luckily I was not hit, but easily could have been. I drive almost 60 miles a day for work and this is a safety hazard not just for me, but my family too.
NHTSA complaint #11752237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The dash near the windshield driver side is coming undone out of the dash.
NHTSA complaint #11748953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Dashboard separation concerned with airbag. Every day driving you run the risk of more damage. Have spoken to Koons Ford who states cannot help due to warranty. No one has looked at it except for pictures. This should not be the owners responsibility since I am not alone with issues of this problem
NHTSA complaint #11744570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Chrome trim around the window power buttons de-laminate and have a sharp edge. I cut my finger on it.
NHTSA complaint #11743979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car has 68,908 miles on it and the sunroof sunshade has drooped down now when I attempt to open it. When it does this it completely blocks the rearview window/3rd row seating which is a safety concern. There are no warning lamps at all for this issue. It sounds like it is operating normally but looks as though the glue has failed that holds the sunshade in the track possibly?
NHTSA complaint #11732529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Interior panoramic roof shade roller broke and is not retracting the liner anymore
NHTSA complaint #11730599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Other/I am not sure
my son is rear facing and puts his arm in the forward facing belt path then can not get his arm back out. he starts screaming and crying and i have to pull the car over to the side of the road to help him get his arm out and even i struggle getting his arm free. no sooner than i start driving again, he puts his arm back through and it’s the same cycle. i have contacted britax and have unfortunately not gotten any solution for this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11727292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Recently purchased a vehicle that had just previously got a recall 23S55 3 weeks prior. Upon receiving the vehicle there was a slight clicking noise when going into gear. i took the vehicle to a ford dealer and they investigated the recall remedy was installed improper from the dealership and the vehicle was unsafe to drive the rear subframe of the car moves and has free play which made is very unsafe to drive . . While calling the dealership back that did the recall work they refused to take responsibility . i then put in a repair order through ford and they denied repairs for the recall mishap . I am being stuck with a $3500 bill for a recall that was installed improper.
NHTSA complaint #11717765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The sunroof shade cover has become unattached to the rollers on the sunroof track. This causes sagging of the sunroof sunshade, and limits visibility while driving.
NHTSA complaint #11716438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The drivers side door latch mechanism malfunctions and causes the door to unlatch or does not allow the door to latch. This is a safety hazard. I know two other ford owners with vehicles after 2021 that is having this same issue. This calls for a recall!
NHTSA complaint #11715019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sun roof fabric/covering came off tracks and is now sagging. Many forums on this issue. When driving if windows are down, the fabric flaps in the wind and sounds like it will fly off. I no longer drive with the windows down. If it continues to sag, could obstruct rear view.
NHTSA complaint #11713863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The fabric from the moonroof has come loose on the sides and blocks rear visibility if open. This is apparently an issue with many vehicles.
NHTSA complaint #11707537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The sliding roof mechanism for the sunroof failed and droops into the backseat impairing vision. This can be triggered accidentally while driving causing zero rear visibility. This is part of the sun roof that is the shade keeping the sun out of the car. With extremely little use on my 2021 ford explorer this mechanism has failed causing this dangerous malfunction. I found may posts in Facebook describing this same issue. [XXX] There’s just one example of many people having this issue. There’s component was taken to the Ford dealership where I was provided a verbal quote of more than $4,000 to fix, which is not feasible. There were no warning signs. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11705249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The sunroof shade is sagging. It broke from one day to the next, and it’s blocking my rear view.
NHTSA complaint #11705156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sunshade is sagging. For the 2nd time.
NHTSA complaint #11703557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Panaromic sunroof blind became lose and is sagging, causing an unsafe driving experience, making it difficult to see out rear view mirrors.
NHTSA complaint #11702880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The sunroof sunshade snapped a clip off and now hangs down blocking the rear view. It is impossible to see out the back window. I have read on multiple sites that this is happening to many of these SUVs and it's an extremely expensive and difficult fix. It's very dangerous and I won't even let my girlfriend drive it anymore.
NHTSA complaint #11702184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SUNROOF SHADE HAS FALLEN OFF TRACKS WHILE DRIVING
NHTSA complaint #11701301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My vehicle is experiencing exhaust fume issue where the exhaust fumes are entering into the cabin for Explorer and Aviator models (Any model with the 3.0L Ecoobost). Upon inspection by 3rd party mechanic, it can be determined that the problematic catalytic converters that are not the one piece cast was installed on my vehicle from the factory. Speaking to other ST and Interceptor owners, the problem seems widespread to every 2021 model that Ford installed the multipiece welded catalytic converters. Apparently the cast part fairs better and is not subject to cracks. The recall originally covered the left side catalytic converter but the flawed design also affects the right side catalytic converter where many owners are experiencing this issue. This has affected all 3.0L Ecoboost engine vehicles. [XXX] I believe the recall should have extended to cover all 2020 and 2021 model year vehicles. There are forum posts where owners outside the recall have experienced the issue in addition to owners having to repeatedly replace the catalytic converters post warrant as Ford continued to reinstall bad catalytic converters as part of the repair process. I have driven this vehicle for several thousand miles with the issue and did not realize exhaust was leaking until notices of headaches and health issues as CO is odorless, causing CO2 levels to reach 3000+ inside the cabin at stop lights and blows in through the vents if A/C is on. I believe NHTSA should investigate this issue further and require Ford to replace both catalytic converters as this issue poses a serious health hazard, especially given the location of the exhaust leak and the commonplace occurrence. I am happy to forward to forums and provide evidence of this occurring. Ford considers lifetime of the vehicle to be ~150K miles and these exhausts do not last close to that, resulting in a massive expense and danger to US consumers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11699971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Roof window cover/headliner has come loose and is impeding full vision to the rear of the car while the headliner is retracted.
NHTSA complaint #11696728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When operating the sunshade a plastic clip sprung from the assembly mechanism that retracts the shade towards my face. Now the shade is obstructing my vision of the road and I am concerned that I am going to run over someone and/or something.
NHTSA complaint #11694115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
LED LIGHT ISSUE. PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM. LIFETIME OF LED SHOULD BE 45,000 HOURS OR 12-15 YEARS. IT IS NOT WORKING. FORD NEEDS TO GENERATE A REPAIR ALSO CURRENT WARRANTEE WORK NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED INCLUDING THE REAR CAMERA.
NHTSA complaint #11692927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I bought the car brand new in 2021. It handled great, no issues, not even on extremely icy roads. The temporary fix for Recall 22S27 was done in July 2023 which was just a computer flash to set the park brake each time the car was put into park. Each time I put it in gear the car would make a loud noise as the park brake released. I immediately felt a difference when driving, it felt like the front end was "floating" and the car wasn't holding to the road. On dry roads it would be unstable if the road wasn't perfectly smooth. Driving in the winter on icy roads was scary, no control, it would fish back and forth. They performed the actual fix recall 23S55 in May 2024. They did not remove the temporary fix that sets the park brake. In January 2025 I was in a flat parking lot, icy and raining, I had NO control. There were 5 mornings with those road conditions that I couldn't make it 1/8 of a mile. Absolutely no control, it pushed me all over the road and when I braked, it continued to push me all over the road. It never showed warning lights on my dash. My local dealership pulled codes, told me it was a park brake module code but they couldn't do anything until they could duplicate it. I have spent the last 9 months arguing with the dealership and winter is almost here with no help, they treat me like I'm crazy and told me that I'm the only person in the world with this problem. I just traded it off yesterday, lost a bunch of money, but I couldn't go through another winter with it. It's way too dangerous!
NHTSA complaint #11692936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I bought my 2021 ford explorer limited brand new. I have never used the sunroof for my personal pleasure. I have opened it less than a handful of times, only to appease my grandson. The other day, I had my grandaon and I closed the sunroof, for maybe like the 4th time ever, and the sunshade liner started to sag. If this falls while I am driving I am afraid it may blind my driving. Should FORD have to pay for this defect? I am seeing forums all over the internet where this is happening to a lot of owners. Thanks for your time and help.
NHTSA complaint #11689808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sunroof shade won't open and bind down covering the rear mirror view
NHTSA complaint #11684230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.