2021 Ford Explorer electrical system problems
40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the electrical system on the 2021 Ford Explorer — 10% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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…”
filed Jul 22, 2026
“While I drive my vehicle down the road the car all of a sudden sounds like you throw it in park, it screeches and grinds in the front and will not let you push the gas pedal down even when on the highway. This causes sever risk to the people around me as well as my children who drive in this car……”
filed Apr 16, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an…Campaign 23V626000 · Sep 8, 2023
Related service bulletins
NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 26E04 Certain 2021-2025 Model Year F-150, Maverick, Mustang, Ranger, Expedition, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Bronco, Navigator, and Aviator Vehicles Powertrain Control Module…
26E04 · Emissions · issued Jul 9, 2026
Electrical System problems in other Explorer years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Explorer | 6 | 27% |
| 2025 Explorer | 18 | 20% |
| 2024 Explorer | 2 | 11% |
| 2023 Explorer | 13 | 13% |
| 2022 Explorer | 36 | 14% |
| 2020 Explorer | 182 | 15% |
| 2019 Explorer | 19 | 7% |
| 2018 Explorer | 57 | 8% |
| 2017 Explorer | 93 | 6% |
| 2016 Explorer | 126 | 5% |
| 2015 Explorer | 89 | 5% |
| 2014 Explorer | 100 | 6% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2021 Ford Explorer
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.