2021 Ford Explorer power train problems
120 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2021 Ford Explorer — 28% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 26V117000 (Visibility) and 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the parts to perform the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time…”
filed Sep 15, 2026
“The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the messages “Service Vehicle Soon” and "Shift Service Fault" were displayed…”
filed Sep 14, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park…Campaign 26V402000 · Jun 24, 2026
- Rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnectCampaign 25V166000 · Mar 14, 2025
- Rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnectCampaign 23V675000 · Oct 6, 2023
- An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in…Campaign 23V069000 · Feb 10, 2023
Related service bulletins
Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine, 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine, and 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost hybrid engine…
SSM55059 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 3, 2026This article supersedes 25-2302. Reason for update: update the labor time allowance for F-150 vehicles, update the Parts list to replace the part number W716979-S439 with W721084-S439, and add a note for LV fluids…
TSB 26-2287 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 18, 2026For 2020 2026 vehicles equipped with the 10R60 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). This test utilizes the pressure and vacuum…
SSM 54902 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 5, 2026
Power Train problems in other Explorer years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Explorer | 3 | 9% |
| 2025 Explorer | 15 | 15% |
| 2024 Explorer | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 Explorer | 12 | 11% |
| 2022 Explorer | 60 | 23% |
| 2020 Explorer | 484 | 40% |
| 2019 Explorer | 35 | 12% |
| 2018 Explorer | 49 | 7% |
| 2017 Explorer | 123 | 7% |
| 2016 Explorer | 214 | 9% |
| 2015 Explorer | 84 | 5% |
| 2014 Explorer | 79 | 5% |
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.