2021 Ford Explorer

Safety Recalls & Notices

We found 71 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.

Total
71
safety notices
Units
731
vehicles affected
Recent
Oct 14, 2025
last notice date

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. 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.

Campaign ID:2025554
Units Affected:128
Contact authorized dealer for service

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.

Campaign ID:2025366
Units Affected:107
Contact authorized dealer for service

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.

Campaign ID:2025360
Units Affected:16
Contact authorized dealer for service

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.

Campaign ID:2025328
Units Affected:20
Contact authorized dealer for service

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.

Campaign ID:2025140
Units Affected:3
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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.

Campaign ID:2025135
Units Affected:122
Contact authorized dealer for service

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.

Campaign ID:2024492
Units Affected:11
Contact authorized dealer for service

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.

Campaign ID:2023543
Units Affected:9
Contact authorized dealer for service

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.

Campaign ID:2023288
Units Affected:43
Contact authorized dealer for service

Summary

Issue: On certain vehicles, the software update that was installed by a Ford dealer during recall 22S27 (Transport Canada recall number 2022-198) prior to July 2022 may not be effective. 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 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 instruct 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.

Campaign ID:2023172
Units Affected:68
Contact authorized dealer for service

71 Active Recalls

Requires attention

Recent Activity
2025
23 recalls
2024
7 recalls
2023
20 recalls
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Important Notice
Contact your dealer to verify recalls for your specific VIN and schedule service.

2021 Ford Explorer Recall FAQs

Common questions about recalls for this vehicle

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