Model year

2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid

SUV, hybrid, 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Jan 12, 2023 to Sep 10, 2026.

Recall campaigns covering this model year1253k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints7Below the median 2021 suv
Severity index57.12021 suvs average 6.1
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid peaked in 2023, with 4 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

0123420234202420252026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

29% of complaints about the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid name powertrain

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Powertrain
2
Airbags
1
Electrical system
1
Fuel system
1
Seat belts
1
Steering
1
Structure
1
Wheels
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

One recall campaign covers the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Recall campaigns for the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
22V-255Apr 14, 2022Rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnectPowertrain252,936Software update
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid

The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

7 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Sep 10, 2026Failure Sep 9, 2026Edmond, OKFuel/propulsion system

    I am filing this complaint to report an unreasonable and hazardous delay by the manufacturer regarding NHTSA Campaign 25V455000 (Ford Recall 25S75) for a low-pressure fuel pump defect. As the original owner of a 2021 Ford Explorer Platinum Hybrid, I received notice of this critical safety recall 14 months ago. The defect causes a sudden, unpredictable engine stall while driving, creating an immediate highway collision hazard. Despite the passage of well over a year, Ford has failed to provide a remedy, engineer a fix, or make replacement parts available to dealerships. I am being forced to drive an inherently dangerous vehicle daily without a resolution timeline. Ford has failed to execute this warranty and safety repair within a legally reasonable timeframe to mitigate the ongoing risk to my family.

    NHTSA complaint 11763480
  2. Filed Sep 2, 2026Failure Aug 28, 2026Louisville, KYUnknown or other1 injured

    While taking groceries out of the back of the SUV, the hatchback closed without a sound warning and hit the top of my head causing a concussion and neck injury.

    NHTSA complaint 11761721
  3. Filed Aug 2, 2026Failure Jul 8, 2026Lee's Summit, MOAir bags, Seat beltsCrash1 injured

    On July 8, 2026, I was traveling westbound on Highway 7 when another vehicle pulled right out in front of me from southbound Orchard Road, attempting to cross the highway. We collided and I struck the other vehicle at a 45° angle. My seatbelt was buckled. The impact caused me to be thrown forward into the windshield which I broke with my skull. I suffered a broken neck. The seatbelt did not operate properly to keep me secure in the seat. There's no way I should've struck the windshield if the seatbelt would've worked. Not only did the shoulder belt not work, but the lap belt did not work either because I came up and out of the seat. Also, the airbag did not prevent me from striking the windshield. There is something wrong with the seatbelt operation as well as the airbag. I have contacted Ford to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by the Harrisonville Missouri Police Department.

    NHTSA complaint 11754258
  4. Filed Nov 24, 2023Failure Aug 23, 202396,147 milesSachse, TXElectrical system

    The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, there was a burning odor present. The message "Pull Over Possible Powertrain Damage" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who determined that the high voltage junction box had overheated and was burned. The high voltage junction box and high voltage junction box wiring harness were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and indicated that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V626000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 96,147.

    NHTSA complaint 11556636
  5. Filed Nov 20, 2023Failure Nov 4, 2023Antioch, CAPower train, Unknown or other, WheelsCrash1 injured

    A Police Officer's Ford Explorer Interceptor Hybrid SUV while driving had a vehicle malfunction where the rear wheels began to wobble/vibrate and while driving in a straight line with front wheels facing straight caused the vehicle to fishtail out of the control (loss of control to the rear wheels) and slam into a tree at approximately 50mph injuring the officer. Officer's injuries were broken left leg and two knee fractures. Upon further research, this incident may have been caused by the "rear bolt" fracture issue Ford is having with these specific Ford Explorers. This specific vehicle is under recall per the VIN. The Officer's safety was put at risk because the vehicle was most likely not recalled and fixed per the recall. The vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer or any qualified/certified individual. No other issues or symptoms were present prior to this incident. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request with the BART Police Department in Oakland, CA.

    NHTSA complaint 11556088
  6. Filed Mar 24, 2023Failure Feb 11, 2023Davis, CASteeringCrash

    I was making a slow speed u-turn to stop a speeding motorist. As I came out of the u-turn, the wheel did not come back to center and I continued the turn going up a curb and striking a chain link fence. When I realized what was occurring, I manually began to turn the steering wheel to the right to get back on the roadway. There is patrol car dash cam footage of this collision. Police report# 23-688.

    NHTSA complaint 11513540
  7. Filed Jan 12, 2023Failure Jan 12, 202322,000 milesLathrop, CAAutomatic transmission, Hatchback/liftgate

    The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the electronic "lift gate ajar" warning was activated; however, the liftgate was not open. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who adjusted the liftgate striker, and the failure was remedied; however, the failure reoccurred. Additionally, while driving at speeds between 5 - 20 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and vibrating with the RPM’s extremely elevated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the cause of the failure was not identified. The dealer indicated that the jerking and vibration were normal for a hybrid vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 22,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11501484
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

1 NHTSA investigation on file

  • DP22005 Defect petition, Electrical system
    Pedestrian alert sounds
    Opened Jan 27, 2023, closed Aug 7, 2023 · led to a recall
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins

13 manufacturer communications cover this model year

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.

  • SSM 54646 Apr 29, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2020-2024 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility hybrid vehicles may exhibit a "Refuel Error See Manual" message in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) after installing a replacement fuel filler door assembly (7827936). This may be due to a concern with th…
  • SSM 54783 Apr 27, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine may exhibit an illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0A1E stored in t…
  • SSM 54425 Dec 4, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2020-2026 Police Interceptor Utility hybrid vehicles may exhibit multiple warning messages, various drivability concerns and/or an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P061B stored in the powertrain control mo…
  • SSM 52244 Feb 9, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid engine, 2020-2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine and 2020-2023 Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L hybrid engine may exhibit a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with…
  • SSM 52229 Feb 1, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    2020-2023 Escape/Explorer, 2021-2023 F-150 and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles equipped with a full hybrid electric vehicle (FHEV) powertrain may exhibit a cable connection error screen from the Midtronics xRC-3363 High Voltage Battery Rescue Charger. The xRC-3…
  • TSB 24-2019 Jan 19, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2020-2023 Explorer 3.3L full hybrid electric (FHEV) vehicles built on or before 12-Nov-2023 may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and/or powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P084B stored in …
  • TSB 23-2347 Nov 10, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This article supersedes TSB 23-2279 to update the Service Procedure. Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid engine, 2020-2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine and 2020-2023 Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3…
  • SAN-Vol1 I1 Jun 8, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    The Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be presently available in a TSB, SSM, GSB, or other electronic communication. This article includes information on warranty, technical service tips and othe…
  • SSM 51650 May 22, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    2020-2023 Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a charging system warning in the message center and/or illuminated battery lamp with DTC B11D9 present in the body control module (BCM). Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Sectio…
  • SSM 51169 Nov 1, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2020-2022 Aviator/Explorer Hybrid vehicles may experience a concern where the EV power flow does not display in the center display screen. This may be due to accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software. To correct the condition, run the APIM-SY…
  • TSB 22-2342 Sep 12, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with a hybrid powertrain may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P2D40. This may be due to the chiller not interpreting the correct cooling value of the h…
  • SSM 50800 May 23, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2020-2022 Aviator/Explorer Hybrid vehicles may experience a low battery warning message displayed in the message center with diagnostic trouble code B11D9 present in the body control module (BCM). Refer to Workshop Manual, Section 414-01, Pinpoint Test…
  • TSB 22-2177 May 18, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator Hybrid vehicles built on or before 11-Apr-2022 may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with only diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P1A0C stored in the PCM. This may be due to the software in the battery energy…
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.