Check a VIN

2021 Ford Explorer driver assistance problems

56 complaints (12% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 32,000. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints
56
of this car's complaints
12%
typical mileage
32,000
crashes
2
recalls
7

Which part fails

  • Warnings
    11
  • Automatic emergency braking
    10
  • Rearview system braking
    8
  • Adaptive cruise control
    7
  • Sensing system: camera
    5
  • Blind spot detection
    4
  • Automatic emergency steering
    1
  • Assist
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Explorer driver assistance problems in other years

199220052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2021 Ford Explorer driver assistance

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Adaptive cruise 8Collision warning 5

Related recalls

Back over prevention: softwareReported March 3, 2026 · 889,950 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk
An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C11. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on March 5, 2026.

Recall number 26V123000 · Recall details

Back over prevention: softwareReported June 27, 2025 · 200,237 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Risk
A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

Recall number 25V442000 · Recall details

Back over prevention: softwareReported March 14, 2025 · 49,399 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V‑342. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Risk
Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the Image Processing Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S27.

Recall number 25V159000 · Recall details

Back over prevention: sensing system: cameraReported May 12, 2023 · 442,973 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Risk
Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the 360-degree camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S23. This recall expands and replaces the federal safety agency recall number 23V‑022. Vehicles previously repaired under 23V‑022 will need to have the new remedy performed.

Recall number 23V342000 · Recall details

Back over prevention: display functionReported April 28, 2023 · 523 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with a 12.1-inch Integrated Computer Screen (ICS). When the Display On/Off Button is used to turn the display to "Off" prior to placing the vehicle in reverse, the backup camera rearview image will not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk
A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Dealers will update the ICS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C14.

Recall number 23V305000 · Recall details

Back over prevention: sensing system: cameraReported January 23, 2023 · 382,759 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Risk
Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the image processing module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 25, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S02. This recall expands and replaces the federal safety agency recall number 21V‑735. Vehicles previously repaired under 21V‑735 will need to have the new remedy performed.

Recall number 23V022000 · Recall details

Back over prevention: softwareReported September 22, 2021 · 228,297 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Corsair, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with 360-degree cameras. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Risk
A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the Image Processing Module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 16, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S44.

Recall number 21V735000 · Recall details

What 2021 Ford Explorer owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 24, 2026 · Driver assistance · OK

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V123000 (Back Over Prevention). The vehicle failed to connect or communicate with the computer and module. The dealer informed the contact about a possible diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact the manufacturer was not responsible to cover the diagnostic test. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jul 22, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · WI

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 investigation with removing the seats. That will be another day. Today, while driving with my son in the back, I was taking a u-turn on a busy street. The car acted like it switched into neutral (but didn't), and wouldn't accelerate, leaving me inching into traffic at 1 mph with cars going 40mph coming at me. Luckily I was not hit, but easily could have been. I drive almost 60 miles a day for work and this is a safety hazard not just for me, but my family too.

Filed Jul 14, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · MI

I am reporting a safety concern involving a delayed transmission gear engagement and delayed rearview camera activation. Intermittently, when shifting the vehicle from Park into Reverse or Drive, there is a noticeable delay before the transmission actually engages the selected gear. During this delay, the rearview camera also fails to activate immediately. Because there is no immediate indication that the requested gear has engaged, I have experienced situations where I believed the vehicle was in Reverse or Drive, but it remained in the previous state for several seconds. In some instances, the transmission engages unexpectedly after the delay, causing the vehicle to move in a direction different from what I anticipated. For example, after selecting Reverse, the vehicle may hesitate before moving, or after changing between Reverse and Drive, the delayed engagement can result in the vehicle moving in the previously engaged direction before finally shifting into the selected gear. This creates a significant safety hazard, particularly when parking, backing out of driveways, or maneuvering in areas with pedestrians or other vehicles. The delayed rearview camera activation further increases the risk because it prevents the driver from immediately seeing behind the vehicle while attempting to reverse. The issue occurs intermittently and without warning, making it difficult to predict. I am concerned that this condition could lead to a crash, property damage, or injury if the vehicle moves unexpectedly due to the delayed gear engagement. I request that the federal safety agency investigate this issue to determine whether it is related to a transmission, electronic shift control, or software defect affecting the safe operation of the vehicle.

Filed Mar 25, 2026 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · MI

Everyday I get alerts saying the power train system, then I can’t use my cruise control, and many other alerts pop up

Filed Feb 17, 2026 · Driver assistance · OH

The parking collision sensors started to act up. Its been replaced 3 or 4 times in the last year over the same problem and no one has tried to tell me how to fix the issue besides keep getting it replaced. People are at risk of getting hit or hitting a object that could be in the way of me reversing.

Filed Aug 14, 2025 · Driver assistance, Seats · 90,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the rearview camera became inoperable. The contact stated that the rearview camera image was blank. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 25V159000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V393000 (Seats). The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Jul 19, 2025 · Driver assistance, Engine · VA

Recall Action Soon Issue Since 06-20-2025 Unrequested second-row seat movement Unrequested second-row seat movement Recall incomplete Recall service not available right now. We have a remedy but parts are not available right now. We will inform you when the service is available. Or, you can contact your dealer. Contact Dealer Issue Date 2025-06-13 Campaign 25S67/25V393 Description On your vehicle, it is possible that the easy entry seat fold switch on the second-row outboard seats may bind or stick if its surrounding trim bezel was installed incorrectly. If the button is stuck in the down position, the seat may unlatch, fold and or slide unexpectedly, potentially while driving. Safety Risk A seat that unexpectedly folds or slides while driving could increase the risk of injury, particularly in a crash. Remedy Ford Motor Company is working to provide parts for this repair. When the remedy becomes available, Ford Motor Company will notify you via mail to schedule a service appointment with your dealer for repairs to be completed free of charge.

Filed Jul 10, 2025 · Driver assistance · PA

2021 Ford Explorer •Problem: Blind Spot Detection / Sensor Malfunction •Description to copLeft-side blind spot sensor fails intermittently. It shows no warning when vehicles are in the blind spot, creating a risk during lane changes. I found Ford TSB 23-2048 confirms the issue. Dealer quoted $1,200 but this is a known factory problem and safety issue.

Filed Jun 10, 2025 · Driver assistance · TX

As I am traveling on the freeway or expressway, when I have cruise control active and I am in the far right lane the vehicle suddenly changes to the speed of the frontage road dropping my speed from 65 or 70mph down to 40, even tho I am on the expressway. It almost caused me to be rear ended because of the sudden drop in speed.

Filed Jun 2, 2025 · Driver assistance · 36,000 miles · DE

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon shifting into reverse, the rearview camera failed to display an image. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V315000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,000.

Questions about the 2021 Ford Explorer driver assistance

Does the 2021 Ford Explorer have driver assistance problems?

Owners have filed 56 complaints about the driver assistance of the 2021 Ford Explorer, 12% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2021 Ford Explorer driver assistance problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 32,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2021 Ford Explorer driver assistance?

Yes, 7 recalls: 26V123000, 25V442000, 25V159000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Explorer have the most driver assistance problems?

The Ford Explorer model years with the most driver assistance complaints are 2020 (180 complaints), 2015 (176 complaints) and 2013 (105 complaints).

Other 2021 Ford Explorer problems

Transmission 128Engine 60Visibility 51Electrical 48Fuel system 28Body 25Brakes 25Seats 18Acceleration 15Suspension 15Lights 8Steering 7Airbags 6Wheels 5Seat belts 3Tires 2Locks 1

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2021 Ford Explorer?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history