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Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2021 Ford Explorer is associated with 416 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 27 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.

The most frequently reported component area is Powertrain, accounting for 79 reports (19% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 10 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3.3L 6-Cyl hybrid, 2.3l 4-cyl, 3l 6-cyl, and 3.3l 6-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 19 to 27 MPG combined.

Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 416 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 27 official campaigns
  • • Primary Defect Domain: Powertrain (79 / 19%)
  • • Field Incident Signals: 16 crash / 5 fire / 16 injury reports
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: 5 / 5 Stars Overall Laboratory Score
  • • EPA Certified Range: 19–27 MPG across 10 powertrain trims
Directly compiled from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA NCAP, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2021 Ford Explorer?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
Explorer HEV RWD Hybrid 3.3L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 27 MPG 28 MPG 27 MPG — $2,300 / yr
Explorer HEV AWD Hybrid 3.3L 6-Cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 23 MPG 26 MPG 25 MPG — $2,450 / yr
Explorer RWD 2.3L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 21 MPG 28 MPG 24 MPG — $2,550 / yr
Explorer RWD 2.3L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 10-spd 21 MPG 28 MPG 24 MPG — $2,550 / yr
Explorer AWD 2.3L 4-Cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 20 MPG 27 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Explorer AWD 2.3L 4-Cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 10-spd 20 MPG 27 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Explorer RWD 3L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 18 MPG 26 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Explorer Timberline AWD 2.3L 4-Cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 19 MPG 23 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Explorer AWD 3L 6-Cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 18 MPG 24 MPG 20 MPG — $3,100 / yr
Explorer FFV AWD 3.3L 6-Cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 16 MPG 23 MPG 19 MPG — $3,250 / yr
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2021 Ford Explorer?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
SUV 4WD 15.1%
SUV RWD 14.7%
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Standard in official NHTSA records for tested 2021 Ford Explorer models.
View complete 2021 Ford Explorer crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2021 Ford Explorer?

Summary of 416 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
416
Crash Reports
16
Fire Reports
5
Complaints w/ Injury
16
Total Injuries
18

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Powertrain 79 complaints (1 crash)
Back Over Prevention / Camera 24 complaints
Engine 21 complaints
Electrical System 18 complaints (1 crash)
Visibility & Wipers 16 complaints

Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.

View all 2021 Ford Explorer problems & component breakdown (102 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2021 Ford Explorer?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #26V451000 Active Recall
Affected Component: SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed August 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Lincoln Aviator owner notification letters were mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S52. This recall expands Recall 25V393. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
NHTSA Campaign #26V402000 Active Recall
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.
NHTSA Campaign #26V159000 Active Recall
Affected Component: SEAT BELTS

Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C18. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.
View all 2021 Ford Explorer recalls & campaign history (27 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2021 Ford Explorer

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2021 Ford Explorer

How many safety recalls does the 2021 Ford Explorer have?

The 2021 Ford Explorer is associated with 27 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns in AutoUtility's current federal records.

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.

View all 27 recall campaigns & remedy details →
Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2021 Ford Explorer?

NHTSA records list 416 consumer defect complaints for the 2021 Ford Explorer. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Powertrain, appearing in 79 filings (19% of submissions).

Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.

Explore full 2021 Ford Explorer defect complaint breakdown →
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2021 Ford Explorer?

Under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2021 Ford Explorer earned an Overall Safety Rating of 5 out of 5 stars across 2 tested configuration(s).

Laboratory evaluations include a 35 mph frontal barrier crash, side barrier and pole impact tests, and static rollover resistance assessments.

View detailed crash test laboratory breakdown →
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2021 Ford Explorer get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2021 Ford Explorer range from 19 to 27 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.

Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.

Compare MPG ratings across all certified trims →
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov Certified Database
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.