2021 Ford Explorer seats problems
13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the seats on the 2021 Ford Explorer — 3% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear seat unlocked and flipped forward independently. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V393000 (Seats); however, the VIN was not included…”
filed Jul 1, 2026
“The third-row seat headrest in my 2021 Ford Explorer is stuck in the upright position and will not fold down, preventing the seat from fully collapsing. This affects rear visibility and cargo use, which may create a safety concern while driving. The issue appears to be a mechanical failure and has…”
filed Apr 8, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the…Campaign 26V451000 · Jul 14, 2026
- Switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the…Campaign 25V393000 · Jun 13, 2025
Seats problems in other Explorer years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Explorer | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 Explorer | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 Explorer | 2 | 11% |
| 2023 Explorer | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 Explorer | 4 | 2% |
| 2020 Explorer | 38 | 3% |
| 2019 Explorer | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 Explorer | 7 | 1% |
| 2017 Explorer | 16 | 1% |
| 2016 Explorer | 32 | 1% |
| 2015 Explorer | 16 | 1% |
| 2014 Explorer | 7 | 0% |
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.