2021 Ford Explorer electrical system problems
42 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
“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…”
filed Sep 8, 2026
“NHTSA COMPLAINT: VIN [XXX]: Transmission cooler (Part 7869) ruptured, mixing fluid/coolant into corrosive glycol-acid in violation of SSM 52917. Contamination dissolved wiring insulation and delaminated clutch plates, causing systemic short circuits and CAN-bus load-shedding. Boiling fluid released…”
filed Aug 26, 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
This article supersedes 26-2287. Reason for update: update the labor operation numbers to add MT to operations C, F, G, H, J, K, L and M, and correct the part number LIMZ-4A015-B to L1MZ-4A015-B. Some of the vehicles…
TSB 26-2395 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 26, 2026Some 2020-2025 Explorer vehicles equipped with a power roof opening panel may exhibit a sunshield with localized bunching or binding/inoperative. This may be due to a broken or missing sunshield fabric retainer/clip. A…
SSM 55069 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 5, 2026NEW 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 | 9 | 26% |
| 2025 Explorer | 22 | 22% |
| 2024 Explorer | 2 | 10% |
| 2023 Explorer | 13 | 12% |
| 2022 Explorer | 39 | 15% |
| 2020 Explorer | 185 | 15% |
| 2019 Explorer | 19 | 6% |
| 2018 Explorer | 58 | 8% |
| 2017 Explorer | 93 | 5% |
| 2016 Explorer | 126 | 5% |
| 2015 Explorer | 92 | 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.