2021 Ford Explorer
Safety Recalls & Notices
We found 72 safety recalls for the 2021 Ford Explorer. Recalls are sourced from both NHTSA (US) and Transport Canada databases. Contact your authorized Ford dealer to schedule free repairs.
Summary
Issue: On certain vehicles, the engine block heater could leak coolant. If this happens, the block heater could short circuit when it's plugged in. Note: This recall replaces Transport Canada recall no. 2025-554. Vehicles that were repaired under that recall don't require this repair. Safety Risk: A short circuit can create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: To reduce the safety risk, Ford advises you not to use the engine block heater until the recall repairs have been completed. Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the block heater.
Summary
This recall was replaced by Transport Canada recall no. 2026-005. Issue: On certain vehicles, the engine block heater could leak coolant. If this happens, the block heater could short circuit when it's plugged in. Safety Risk: A short circuit can create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: To reduce the safety risk, Ford advises you not to use the engine block heater until the recall repairs have been completed. Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the block heater.
Summary
Issue: On certain vehicles, the low-pressure fuel pump could fail. If this happens, the engine may run rough or may not start and the check engine light may turn on. This could also result in a sudden loss of engine power while driving. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail. The corrective actions for this recall are under development.
Summary
Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image not to display when the transmission is shifted into reverse. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the vehicle is reversing. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that doesn't display could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the SYNC software.
Summary
Issue: On certain vehicles, the trim for the seat fold switch on the second-row seats may not have been installed properly. As a result, the switch could become stuck. If this happens, the seat(s) could fold and/or move unexpectedly. Safety Risk: A seat that folds and/or moves could increase the risk of injury in a crash. Corrective Action: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat fold switch trim.
Summary
Issue: On certain vehicles, the recall repairs completed by a Ford dealer during recall 23S23 (Transport Canada recall no. 2023-288) may not have been done correctly. As a result, a second repair is required. On certain vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image not to appear on the SYNC display screen. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the vehicle is reversing. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that doesn't display could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the image processing module (IPMB) software.
Summary
Issue: On certain vehicles, the recall repairs completed by a Ford dealer during recalls 22S27 (Transport Canada recall no. 2022-198) and/or 23S16 (Transport Canada recall no. 2023-172) may not have been done correctly. As a result, another repair is required. On certain vehicles, a mounting bolt for the rear axle housing could break. If this happens, the axle housing can move and cause clunking or banging noises and vibrations from the rear of the vehicle. It could also cause the driveshaft and axle shafts to disconnect. This would result in a loss of power to the rear wheels and the vehicle could move when the transmission is in Park, if the parking brake is not used. Note: This recall only affects certain vehicles equipped with a 3.0 L or 3.3 L engine. Safety Risk: A parked vehicle that rolls away could create the risk of an injury or a crash. A loss of power to the wheels could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the engine control module (PCM) software to set the parking brake when the transmission is in the Park position.
Summary
Issue: On certain vehicles, the intake valves may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the valves could break and cause the engine to fail. Note: This recall only affects certain vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L EcoBoost engine. This problem would cause the engine to run rough and the engine malfunction indicator lamp to turn on. Safety Risk: An engine failure could cause a sudden loss of power to the wheels and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine.
Summary
Issue: On certain vehicles, the recall repairs completed by a Ford dealer during recall 22S27 (Transport Canada recall number 2022-198) may not address all safety risks. As a result, a second repair is required. On certain vehicles, a mounting bolt for the rear axle housing could break. If this happens, the axle housing could move and cause clunking or banging noises and vibrations from the rear of the vehicle. It could also cause the driveshaft and axle shafts to disconnect. This could result in a loss of power to the rear wheels. Also, if the previous recall was not completed, the vehicle could move when the transmission is in Park, if the parking brake is not used. Safety Risk: A parked vehicle that moves suddenly could create the risk of an injury or a crash. A loss of power to the wheels could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the subframe bushing and rear axle bolt. The dealer will also inspect the rear axle cover, and replace it as necessary.
Summary
Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image not to appear on the SYNC display screen. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the vehicle is reversing. Note: This recall replaces recall 23S02 (Transport Canada Recall No. 2023-018). Vehicles that were repaired under that recall also require this second repair. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that doesn't display could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the image processing module (IPMB) software.
72 Active Recalls
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