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2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid problems

The most common problem on the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid is transmission and drivetrain. It has 3.5 times the complaints of a typical Explorer Hybrid model year.

Typical year3.5x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
7
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
13
Worst area
Transmission

The worst 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Transmission
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Body
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Fuel system
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Transmission
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Body
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 1

Power train: axle assemblyReported April 14, 2022 · 252,936 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer Police FHEV, Explorer Police 3.3L, and 2020-2022 Explorer 2.3L RWD, 3.0L PHEV, 3.3L FHEV, and 3.0L ST GAS vehicles. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
Risk
A disconnected driveshaft can result in vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in 'Park' without the parking brake applied, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the bushing and axle cover, or update the electronic parking brake software. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2022, and March 10, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S27.

Recall number 22V255000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid

Defect investigations

Pedestrian alert soundsOpened January 27, 2023, closed August 7, 2023

the federal safety agency received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, the federal safety agency opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified the federal safety agency he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by the federal safety agency regarding the subject matter of the petition.

DP22005

Technical service bulletins for the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid 13

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 13 bulletins for the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid

What 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 10, 2026 · Fuel system · OK

I am filing this complaint to report an unreasonable and hazardous delay by the manufacturer regarding the federal safety agency Campaign 25V455000 (Ford Recall 25S75) for a low-pressure fuel pump defect. As the original owner of a 2021 Ford Explorer Platinum Hybrid, I received notice of this critical safety recall 14 months ago. The defect causes a sudden, unpredictable engine stall while driving, creating an immediate highway collision hazard. Despite the passage of well over a year, Ford has failed to provide a remedy, engineer a fix, or make replacement parts available to dealerships. I am being forced to drive an inherently dangerous vehicle daily without a resolution timeline. Ford has failed to execute this warranty and safety repair within a legally reasonable timeframe to mitigate the ongoing risk to my family.

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · KY · 1 injury

While taking groceries out of the back of the SUV, the hatchback closed without a sound warning and hit the top of my head causing a concussion and neck injury.

Filed Aug 2, 2026 · Airbags, Seat belts · MO · crash · 1 injury

On July 8, 2026, I was traveling westbound on Highway 7 when another vehicle pulled right out in front of me from southbound Orchard Road, attempting to cross the highway. We collided and I struck the other vehicle at a 45° angle. My seatbelt was buckled. The impact caused me to be thrown forward into the windshield which I broke with my skull. I suffered a broken neck. The seatbelt did not operate properly to keep me secure in the seat. There's no way I should've struck the windshield if the seatbelt would've worked. Not only did the shoulder belt not work, but the lap belt did not work either because I came up and out of the seat. Also, the airbag did not prevent me from striking the windshield. There is something wrong with the seatbelt operation as well as the airbag. I have contacted Ford to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by the Harrisonville Missouri Police Department.

Filed Nov 24, 2023 · Electrical · 96,147 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, there was a burning odor present. The message "Pull Over Possible Powertrain Damage" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who determined that the high voltage junction box had overheated and was burned. The high voltage junction box and high voltage junction box wiring harness were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and indicated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V626000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 96,147.

Filed Nov 20, 2023 · Transmission, Wheels · CA · crash · 1 injury

A Police Officer's Ford Explorer Interceptor Hybrid SUV while driving had a vehicle malfunction where the rear wheels began to wobble/vibrate and while driving in a straight line with front wheels facing straight caused the vehicle to fishtail out of the control (loss of control to the rear wheels) and slam into a tree at approximately 50mph injuring the officer. Officer's injuries were broken left leg and two knee fractures. Upon further research, this incident may have been caused by the "rear bolt" fracture issue Ford is having with these specific Ford Explorers. This specific vehicle is under recall per the VIN. The Officer's safety was put at risk because the vehicle was most likely not recalled and fixed per the recall. The vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer or any qualified/certified individual. No other issues or symptoms were present prior to this incident. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request with the BART Police Department in Oakland, CA.

Filed Mar 24, 2023 · Steering · CA · crash

I was making a slow speed u-turn to stop a speeding motorist. As I came out of the u-turn, the wheel did not come back to center and I continued the turn going up a curb and striking a chain link fence. When I realized what was occurring, I manually began to turn the steering wheel to the right to get back on the roadway. There is patrol car dash cam footage of this collision. Police report# 23-688.

Filed Jan 12, 2023 · Body, Transmission · 22,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the electronic "lift gate ajar" warning was activated; however, the liftgate was not open. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who adjusted the liftgate striker, and the failure was remedied; however, the failure reoccurred. Additionally, while driving at speeds between 5 - 20 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and vibrating with the RPM’s extremely elevated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the cause of the failure was not identified. The dealer indicated that the jerking and vibration were normal for a hybrid vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 22,000.

Compare the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid

Other model years

20202021202220232025

Questions about the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid

Is the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid reliable?

Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid, 3.5 times a typical Explorer Hybrid model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 2 complaints. Next is airbags (1).

How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid have?

1 recall, covering power train.

Was there a recall on the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid transmission?

Yes, 1 recall: 22V255000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

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