2021 Ford Explorer: check engine light

Filed Oct 10, 2026 · Engine · MI

Vehicle: 2021 Ford Explorer XLT - 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 VIN: [XXX] Odometer: 127,824 Date of failure: [XXX] Complaint Description: I am reporting a complete engine failure due to coolant intrusion on my 2021 Ford Explorer 2.3L EcoBoost. This is the known defect affecting 2016-2024 Explorer 2.3L engines. Independent shop diagnosis from attached receipt states: "Engine failure due to Head problem, which cylinder 3 + 4 and head in engine known for coolant intrusion. Cylinder Head failure, carbon build up plus Turbocharger also failure." Vehicle stored DTCs P0300, P0302, P0304, P0316 - random misfire and start-up misfire. Symptoms included rough idle on cold start, white smoke from exhaust, loss of power, check engine light. Mechanic confirmed coolant in cylinders 3 and 4 due to cylinder head failure. This matches Ford's own TSB process for coolant intrusion where if coolant is found, the long block must be replaced. Safety Risk: Loss of drive power, stalling, overheating. This occurred at 127k miles with regular maintenance. This is not wear and tear - this is the documented design defect where machining grooves in the head allow coolant to pool and leak into cylinders. I have requested Ford Customer Relationship Center (1‑866‑436‑7332) open a case for goodwill and check VIN for open recalls including 23S05 (PCM/10R60) and the June 2026 2.3L long block recall for roller finger failure. Ford has not yet issued a formal recall for coolant intrusion despite class action litigation. Request: the federal safety agency investigate and expand recall to include 2021 Explorer 2.3L EcoBoost coolant intrusion / cylinder head failures. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 15, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · MO

There was no accident, but very close a few times.when I am stopped at a stop sign or light when I press down on the gas pedal the car hesitates I have to pump the pedal to get the car moving or it would stall in traffic. No check engine light is or has been on. I’ve been to 2 different ford dealerships and after there inspection they claim nothing wrong with my car. It’s already cost me a lot if money. When driving I can feel the car surge likes it’s not getting fuel sufficiently real bad at traveling at or below 50 mph. I’m afraid it will stall and get us t- boned but the mechanics say nothing wrong I disagree there is something wrong. I know another person who had the same problem and he got rid of the car, I can’t afford to do that, please do something to get a recall or something before we’re seriously injured or worse.this started about a year ago and getting worse.

Filed Jun 7, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · CT

While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle displays a "Drive Train Malfunction" warning message and the traction control warning light illuminates. Shortly after the warning appears, the vehicle loses power and may enter a reduced-power mode or stall, creating a serious safety hazard in traffic. This has occurred while traveling on the highway, forcing sudden deceleration and creating the risk of being struck by other vehicles. The check engine light is illuminated, and diagnostic code P0A1E is present. The problem is intermittent and unpredictable, making it difficult to determine when the next failure will occur. The vehicle has been taken to Ford for diagnosis multiple times, and significant money has been spent attempting to repair the issue. Despite these efforts, the root cause has not been identified and the problem continues to occur. This defect affects the drivetrain system and impacts the safe operation of the vehicle. The sudden loss of power on the highway places the driver, passengers, and surrounding motorists at risk. Based on discussions with other owners, this appears to be a common issue affecting Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles and warrants investigation by the federal safety agency.

Filed May 11, 2026 · Engine · CA

2021 Ford Explorer used a work vehicle (house cleaning business) and family vehicle after hours (driving my daughter to soccer practice 4 times a week). Vehicle has been professionally and properly serviced since we first purchased it in 2021( we have been the only owners). Car has worked great not one single problem other then regular things like tires, brakes and battery all purchased and installed by Ford dealership. The day of the incident the car was working perfectly the entire day. As I drove on the freeway taking my daughter to soccer practice in the evening. I noticed the vehicle started to shake and lose all power the vehicle stopped almost completely in a matter of seconds causing cars behind us to almost crash us from behind it was a miracle no one crashed into us as we were traveling at freeway speed 60-65mph. With the little power the car had I cleared 2 lanes and parked on the side of the freeway. A friend of our picked up my daughter as we were both frightened by the incident. The vehicle gave me no alerts that there was something wrong no warnings on the Ford pass app nothing. I had the vehicle towed to Walnut Creek Ford for inspection. Ford did a diagnostic and found that the engine had a hole from the head to the block. They don’t know how this happened and say they have never seen this before. They said the vehicle is in great shape inside and out and even with 160,000 the car is very well maintained (serviced). This needs to be addressed to Ford as lives were in danger and people could have gotten hurt. They want 13,000 to repair engine, but it seems to everyone(ford technicians and second opinion mechanics) it was an engine factory defect. Vehicle suffered catastrophic engine failure while driving on freeway with no warning from the vehicle system, check engine light never came on nothing. It all happened in a matter of seconds. Engine light only came on after the vehicle was no longer drivable.

Filed May 7, 2026 · Engine · ID

I own a 2021 Ford Explorer ST (3.0L EcoBoost) with 47,680 miles. The vehicle is exhibiting a severe metallic knocking noise at idle, a flashing Check Engine Light, and a dangerous loss of motive power while driving. A certified Ford dealership technician (Kendall Ford) diagnosed the vehicle with catastrophic engine failure, requiring a full engine replacement estimated at $13,000.My vehicle is exhibiting the exact mechanical failure described in Recall 24S55 (the federal safety agency Campaign 24V635000) regarding brittle engine intake valves. Although my vehicle shares the same build year, engine type, and failure symptoms as the recalled units, Ford states my specific VIN is not currently included in the 'repair' population.The sudden loss of engine power while operating at highway speeds creates an immediate crash hazard. I request that the federal safety agency investigate whether the scope of Recall 24S55 should be expanded to include this production range.Furthermore, Ford offered a 'goodwill' assistance of approximately $3,762, which I believe is an admission of a known manufacturing defect. At the time of this failure, the vehicle was only 17 days past the 5-year warranty period and well under the 60,000-mile limit. Despite this premature failure and the safety risk, Ford refuses to cover the full replacement, leaving me with a $9,000+ bill for a defect already acknowledged in 90,000 other units.

Filed Feb 3, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · 80,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's husband, who was an independent mechanic, used a diagnostic machine to diagnose the vehicle and discovered a failure with the emissions system. The contact stated that the failure was like the failure listed in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Oct 17, 2025 · Engine · MO

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled over and parked and allowed the vehicle to cool down before driving back to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine and the oil main bearings, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact received a notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V635000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jul 17, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · 55,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20-30 MPH, the vehicle stalled, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

Filed Mar 28, 2025 · Transmission · 27,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V675000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Oct 31, 2024 · Engine · 74,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while coming to a stop, the vehicle stalled with an engine misfire. The contact stated there was a knocking sound coming from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that valve springs in the engine cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V635000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact was referred to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance by the manufacturer. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.

Filed Apr 14, 2024 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · SC

On April 28, 2023, while driving our Forf Explore, we smelled gasoline from our vehicle. We immediately stopped at the next exit, and my husband looked under the vehicle and saw gas dripping from under the engine. We immediately went to the nearest Ford dealership where the vehicle had stayed for a week. We were advised that the leak was one of the metal fuel lines that rubbed onto the frame and caused the leak, also the engine light code was due to the small hole in the fuel line. Which we had taken to a Ford dealership previously due to the engine light on, but they cannot detect the problem. We have contacted Ford Headquarters via phone and mail for further assistance. And up to today, which is April 15, 2024 we have never received a response from Ford Headquarters. This was a very scary situation, which could’ve caused a vehicle fire.

Filed Oct 5, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · GA

I was sitting at a stop light and when the light turned green I pushed on the gas pedal and I had NO POWER! However, all of my auxillary power worked. Everything inside the car still had power, from my dashboard to my Apple CarPlay but my engine would not turn on. The check engine light did come on but not until it had been sitting there for 20-30 minutes. The Auto Start/Stop was activated so I don't know if there was an issue with that and it just never turned back on. The alternator belt was still intacted. Had it towed to repair shop (took about an hour) when it got to repair shop it started and shop couldn't find anything wrong. It has started every time since. I am afraid to drive it because I don't know if or when it will happen again.