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2021 Ford Explorer fuel system problems

28 complaints (6% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 55,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
28
of this car's complaints
6%
typical mileage
55,000
crashes
1
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Storage: auxillary tank
    1
  • Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
    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 fuel system problems in other years

19901995200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2021 Ford Explorer fuel system

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

Fuel pump 6Fuel smell 5

Related recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported July 7, 2025 · 850,318 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.
Risk
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.

Recall number 25V455000 · Recall details

What 2021 Ford Explorer owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 23, 2026 · Fuel system · 78,209 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle suddenly shut off. The vehicle was pulled over safely and turned off; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with low-pressure fuel pump failure. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,209.

Filed Oct 6, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · AL

I was driving down the road and the vehicle started to cut out like it was running out of fuel. Maybe 1 minute later it died in the middle of heavy traffic and would not re-start. I had to have it towed and I called Ford and they told me to wait until the repair remedy was available to have it fixed. I have been without this vehicle for 6 weeks now and still no remedy.

Filed Sep 21, 2026 · Fuel system, Transmission · KS

While driving with the cruise on at 74 mph the vehicle jerked as if the brakes had been tapped. I shut off the cruise and tried to accelerate but nothing happened. At this point I signaled to change lanes and pulled to the right shoulder. There were no dash lights or warning alarms prior to the engine stalling. Clearly an engine stalling at this rate of speed could have ended bad for all 5 passengers and surrounding vehicles. Vehicle is being towed to Augusta, KS Ford dealer this morning 9/21/26. Vehicle was scanned and is showing a hard code for low pressure to fuel pump. This vehicle is not currently included in the NHSTA Campaign 25V455000.

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 Jul 20, 2026 · Fuel system · CA

When i go to accelerate i lost power and then 2 seconds later car would finally go, this has happened several times getting onto freeway or just trying to pass and have almost been rear ended, i took car to dealer and no remedy available still 1 year later, my specific car has had several recalls which is ridiculos, i am not getting any help with my situation

Filed Jul 18, 2026 · Fuel system · KY

I parked my car and when I returned to it the car would not start. Diagnosed as a faulty fuel pump. Had this problem occurred while I was driving it could have caused serious injury or death. There is an active recall on fuel pumps for the 2021 Ford Explorer that does not apply to my VIN number so Ford will do nothing to remedy the situation and parts are impossible to find as dealers scramble to fix the vehicles included in the recall.

Filed Jul 12, 2026 · Fuel system · WI

I was traveling on an 8 hour drive after just getting a new battery and fresh oil change, I also had a full diagnostic ran the week before travel and no issues were found in my vehicle. When we arrived at our destination we stopped 1 final time and attempted to start our vehicle to go to dinner and the car would not turn over. There were not any warning lamps or messages that appeared. We used roadside assistance to tow it to the [XXX] dealership and they ran another full diagnostic that showed "replace fuel pump and fuel pump driver". When I called my local dealer back home, Evansville Ford ([XXX]) they pulled the previous week diagnostic and confirmed nothing showed up regarding the fuel pump at that time. 1 week later is when we had it in [XXX], and the fuel pump failed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 22, 2026 · Fuel system · VA

While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle experienced a sudden and total loss of engine power and stalled in active traffic. I lost motive power and had to safely coast through traffic to the shoulder. The vehicle would not restart and had to be towed to a repair facility. The failure matches the exact symptoms of Ford Recall 25S75 / the federal safety agency Campaign 25V455000 for low-pressure fuel pump failure, but my VIN is currently excluded from the recall.

Filed Apr 14, 2026 · Fuel system, Visibility · 45,000 miles · IL

The contact 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 26V117000 (Visibility); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH in inclement weather, the windshield wipers were activated, and the driver’s side windshield was not cleared, causing limited visibility. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

Filed Mar 19, 2026 · Fuel system · CA

vehicle stalls when diving . After pulling over ina coast and turning off with start stop button then turning it back on with start stop button vehicle runs fine until it happens again intermediately cold be days could be months apart. about the 6th time over 2 years that it has occurred

Questions about the 2021 Ford Explorer fuel system

Does the 2021 Ford Explorer have fuel system problems?

Owners have filed 28 complaints about the fuel system of the 2021 Ford Explorer, 6% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2021 Ford Explorer fuel system problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 55,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2021 Ford Explorer fuel system?

Yes, 1 recall: 25V455000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Explorer have the most fuel system problems?

The Ford Explorer model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2013 (153 complaints), 2016 (112 complaints) and 2015 (94 complaints).

Other 2021 Ford Explorer problems

Transmission 128Engine 60Driver assistance 56Visibility 51Electrical 48Body 25Brakes 25Seats 18Acceleration 15Suspension 15Lights 8Steering 7Airbags 6Wheels 5Seat belts 3Tires 2Locks 1

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