general problems of the 2021 Ford Explorer - part 2

While driving down the interstate, the tires (rear passenger?) suddenly locked/stuck. This caused vehicle to lose control, 360, and slam into the guardrails. Prior to this incident, when the car was turned on, it stalled a bit like it was about to turn off. This lasted for a few seconds, but returned to normal. So may be a component of electrical and/or directly related to the rear tire. There were no warning messages. Driver was thankful injuries did not occur. Could have flipped, or slammed into other cars, trees, etc. This is a serious issue. While the vehicle was being loaded onto the wrecker, in neutral, the rear passenger tire was visibly stuck. This was observed by owner, husband, police officer and tow company. When offloading from the tow truck, the tire made a loud pop and movement returned to normal. Vehicle is currently at the shop (Ford dealership). Will have more information next week from their diagnostic studies. It is available for inspection upon request.

The fabric from the moonroof has come loose on the sides and blocks rear visibility if open. This is apparently an issue with many vehicles.

Center console cup holder base failure causing items to fall through and into the interior of the console. My key fob fell through the bottom and required nearly an hour to be retrieved. The problem is persistent with anything placed into the cup holder. This issue is common and well documented on forums and social media.

There was no incident yet. This concerns the ballistic panels mounted in the two front doors, the mounting tabs break and are broken in this vehicle and there is a TSB but Ford refuses to fix because they claim it's not a "safety" issue which it is and because it has a salvage title. This needs to go to a recall or customer satisfaction "safety issue". "ssm 51945 2020-2023 police interceptor utility - level iii ballistic panel mounting tab service kit now available". "2020-2023 police interceptor utility vehicles may require level iii ballistic panels to be replaced due to broken mounting tabs. Level iii ballistic panel mounting tab service kits are now available (right lb5z-78201b68-f and left lb5z-78201b69-f). Replacement of the level iii ballistic panel assembly is not required for this condition. Level iv ballistic panels do not have removable mounting tabs and still require complete panel replacement. Level iii vs. Level iv ballistic panels can be identified by a large roman numeral label on the panel or by the vehicle window sticker if equipped".

When driving at low speed, every uneven thing in the road surface creates a low resonating frequency sound (deep base) through out the cabin.

The rear windshield shattered as I was driving. I did not hit anything, nor did anything hit the rear window. The temperature is -3. I had the defroster on and think the extreme cold mixed with the defroster caused the window to shatter. Is the glass faulty? or the defroster?.

Felt liner on the bottom of vehicle has come off while driving 3x. In snow and rain with freezing temperatures the felt liner gets wet and heavy and tied up in the tires. The design as well as the bolts continuously fail.

I am writing to provide an update on the status of the recall (23v675) repair for my vehicle. Over a year ago, I was notified of a safety recall that affects my vehicle, making it unsafe by the standards set by the NHTSA. This issue, if not addressed, could cause a loss of the vehicle's forward power and significantly increases the risk of a crash or injury. Since receiving the recall notice, I have made multiple attempts to schedule the repair with the local Ford dealership. Despite my efforts, I am still waiting for the necessary parts to become available, and the dealerships have been unable to provide specific date for when the repair will completed. I am concerned about continuing to drive a vehicle that is currently considered unsafe and poses a heightened risk to myself and others on the road. I am seeking assistance or guidance you may be able to provide to expedite the repair process and ensure that this safety issue is resolved as soon as possible. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response.

A police officer's Ford Explorer interceptor hybrid SUV while driving had a vehicle malfunction where the rear wheels began to wobble/vibrate and while driving in a straight line with front wheels facing straight caused the vehicle to fishtail out of the control (loss of control to the rear wheels) and slam into a tree at approximately 50mph injuring the officer. Officer's injuries were broken left leg and two knee fractures. Upon further research, this incident may have been caused by the "rear bolt" fracture issue Ford is having with these specific Ford Explorers. This specific vehicle is under recall per the VIN. The officer's safety was put at risk because the vehicle was most likely not recalled and fixed per the recall. The vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer or any qualified/certified individual. No other issues or symptoms were present prior to this incident. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request with the bart police department in oakland, CA.

The vehicle was self accelerating and applying forward propulsion. It was behaving as if the cruise control was on, cruise control was verified off. When braking was applied an alert was posted on the dash stating braking applied, power reduced and the engine would rev higher. Upon stopping the vehicle and letting off on the brake the vehicle would accelerate as if the gas pedal was depressed. Upon parking the vehicle the engine would rev up to 6k rpm and if I let go of the brake the vehicle would accelerate. Turing off the vehicle and turning the vehicle on did not reset the issue. I verified no inadvertent pressure was being applied to the gas pedal and have video demonstrating the failure. The videos I have are too large to upload via your limitations on this page.

I have a 2021 Ford Explorer st that I purchased as a new vehicle. On 8/27/23 I was driving my vehicle to work. I noticed a loud humming noise upon acceleration when I was approximately 1 mile from work. I drove my car to work, parked it. I attempted to get a Ford dealership to service my vehicle and was informed that it would be "3-4 weeks before they could even look at the vehicle" (siloam springs superior Ford). I managed to find a repair shop 2 miles from the hospital that I work at. As I was driving the vehicle to the shop for repair- the loud humming noise upon acceleration was still present- something very loud fell out from under my car. The right side catalytic converter (a pipe several feet long) was hanging down under my car. I am thankful I was driving at a speed <15 mph and not on the highway. The car was reppaired (I have attached the receipt for the repair). Upon further research I found that there were other st Explorer and regular Explorer models with a customer "courtesy repair" that was offered. No such repair was offered to me. I called in a report to the Ford dealership (general 1-800- 392-3673 line). I recieved the case # cas-4836296 at the conclusion of that call. I brought my car into the shop (lewis Ford fayetteville), as per Ford's recommendations, to inquire about reimbursement for my issues- since they are the same issues mentioned in the courtesy repair notice. I was not previously notified of a courtesy repair. Lewis Ford informed me that despite my issue being exactly the same issue noted in the courtesy repair- my VIN number was not a part of the repair. This is a dangerous issue. I am certain that if I was at a higher speed level- my car would have been wrecked. According to the repair shop, they have seen and heard of this same issue with Ford Explorer st models.

There is a $7. 00 seal that leaks near my oil filter that has been replaced for the second time and this time I was not under warranty and the labor to repair the broken seal cost $1100. 00 and would like for you to recall this seal so I can be made whole again.

I bought a new Ford Explorer XLT in 2021. I was driving with my kids on highway 101 at 70mph on 08/13/2023, wrench symbol came up and car speed immediately dropped down from 70mph to 30mph. Luckily the driver behind was very attentive and an accident was avoided and we were saved. After that car went into limp mode and had to be towed away. My car just have over 13k miles on it and is under every warranty. This wrench warning lamp came once on 07/31/2023 without impacting vehicle speed. I took the car to Ford dealership for inspection on 08/01/2023. After 3 days of inspection they said some sensor needs to be replaced which they don't have in inventory and will call me back when it is available. They handed over car to me telling it is totally safe to drive as they don't see any issue with driving. Now when I told the dealership about the harrowing experience they turned a deaf ear and said we will look into it without even caring to provide an answer. I insisted on providing a loner vehicle as they dont have a timeline on fixing the issue. I trusted the Ford mechanics and ended up paying towing expenses for over 100 miles and best of all luckily survived. Me and my family are still in this shock.

Camera is not working and was recalled. Cannot be fixed or repaired. I requested to trade my vehicle for another one at a Ford dealership or for the pay off and was told I couldn't do anything due to the recall. I am essentially stuck with a vehicle that is unsafe and I don't feel comfortable driving. The camera turns blue in the middle of backing up and I could hit any object or person in the middle of backing up with my view obstructed. I was advised that I just had to wait or go to a 3rd party dealer who would give me cash.

The camera system keeps going blue and will not work about 80 percent of the time since the repair has been completed. This has gotten progressively worse it seems. At times the whole radio screen will remain blue and can not use it until you turn the whole car off and wait for some time. The radio system also has lost all bluetooth additions have added to it multiple times. There is a second recall for the blue screen but it appears they have put it on hold.

Due to a sync system update the display has been unresponsive, thrown errors, shut off during driving, and been delayed during operation. Most noticeably during reverse. There is a significant delay when the reverse camera is supposed to turn on causing a potential safety hazard. Ford has not responded to the issue in a timely manner and hasn’t given an eta on when the firmware will be updated.

Car rolled down driveway while in park three separate times. Could have killed someone.

I am reporting countless incidences of my backup camera screen going to black or blue when the gear shift is selected to reverse. This has happened multiple times a day, week, month, etc. And is extremely frustrating. I am reporting in hopes to do anything I can to get the software fix expedited because it has been occurring for too long without a fix. T=the only "fix" (if you can even call it that) for this problem is to stop what you are doing, put your car in park, turn the car off, open the driver's door to "reset", and then turn your car back on again in hopes that the backup camera / 360 view is back to functioning within normal limits. That is unacceptable!!! it is not safe and anyone experiencing this issue should not have to stop their car, open a door, and restart it just to get the backup camera to work. I have contacted my dealership, Ford corporate offices, and now you guys in hopes to get this process going and the software to be fixed. Thank you - please contact for any questions or more information.

Recall on rear camera blue or blank screen.

The first window that exploded is the back windshield when my husband and I were sitting in the parking lot at the american legion. I took the Explorer to duval Ford they suggested I call Ford corporate. They said they didn’t know why the window exploded. On Wednesday the right passenger back window exploded as I was traveling on interstate 95. I called corporate Ford and they said take it to duval Ford to be assessed. This is two windows in 8 months that have exploded. It cost me out of pocket a total of $900 to replace both windows.

The vehicle infotainment system regularly displays "emergency" messages theoretically designed to alert drivers to fires or other hazardous conditions. These messages seize the infotainment screen and must be cleared manually. The problem all of these messages are false and/ or nonsensical, . I. E "serious fire at the intersection of main street and main street. " the messages are a distraction to the driver as they often appear when using the navigation system. Ford service tells me this problem is not fixable. I raised the issue with Ford management and they have basically ignored my request for assistance.

Two issues. 1. After the software update that was supposed to fix the rear camera blue screen issue, it randomly shows a blue screen instead of the camera image when reversing. The issue doesn't correct until the vehicle is turned completely off and restarted. 2. The rear hatch randomly closes when getting items out or putting items in the cargo area. It cracks you on the head and does not stop. If you can't get out from under it in time you fall to the ground. More than once it has made me see stars it struck my head so hard. Also sometimes when walking away from the vehicle the hatch will open on its own with no one near it. The dealer tried once to reproduce the issue but didn't happen while they had it.

I had my 2021 in the shop for nhsta recall 22v255 in June of 2022. They reprogrammed my parking break to auto-engage when the car is put in park. The did not replace the rear axle mounting bolt. The Ford letter to dealers describes the dangers of driving with a defective rear axle bolt. Why weren't these bolts replaced? I was told (by craig) that no bolts were available. He agreed with me that the proper repair could not be completed without changing the bolt(s) in question. So does Ford only repair broken rear axle bolts?.

Backup and front cameras are not working consistently. Blue screen shows on display screen. Cannot reproduce at the Ford dealer. Blue screen camera issue started on June 13, 2022. Since then I have had 27 instances to date. There currently is a recall for this same problem on other Ford Explorer's.

While in a driveway at a decline (approximately 5% grade), I placed the vehicle in park and set the emergency brake; when I decompressed the brake to turn the vehicle off it took off sliding down the street. A coworker was with me and was about to get out at the time as well. Fortunately I was able to gain control before I hit the mailbox in front of us and no one or thing was injured this was the second time this happened; however, the first time the emergency brake was not set. Also, starting at 23k miles, I am repeatedly getting a "auto hold system fault" error every few days. This occurs sometimes at startup and sometimes while driving and the auto hold will not work when it comes up. However, if I stop and restart the vehicle, it will go away and work. I am not sure these are related.

The auto rear trunk hands free lift gate likes to start closing on its own when you are moving around under it. For instance and could hit you in the head. It has before. Other manufacturers use a similar system and I've never had this happen. It's to sensitive to movement.

I had the backup camera parts replaced 4/15/2022 and within 10 days of having the vehicle back the backup camera was turning blue again.

Ford sold a non sale vehicle to me on 11/05/2021 after Ford critical review team on 8/9/2021 deemed wrong rear axle bolts being put on. Essentially, putting a no transit order on vehicle. I was made aware on this recall only after I updated my app on may 10th,2022. Read on app about the no remedy recall stating 2022-4-14. I have spoken with Ford corporate as the service manager stated for me to do via phone. Ford's buyback department will not consider it. The buyback team is waiting on a recall remedy as of today. I do not feel safe in my vehicle, and have opened a claim with the bbb. I am only requesting Ford to either do a buyback or swap out vehicle for one year newer. No communication with dealership about the problems both now and immediately after purchase of 2021 Ford Explorer st.

In the last 2 months I have had a total of 3 back up cameras and the equipment is still turning blue on random. I have had the wiring replaced to “fix” the bluetooth echo, and it is still doing it. The gas take also shakes enough to move the car when you come to a stop depending on amount of gas in the tank.

I left a facility Friday evening, pulling out of the plaza I was second from front at a red. When the light turned green the car in front of me started going, I started going. I had to give it gas as mph on the road I was on is 45mph. As I am accelerating through the light the car just would not accelerate. The traffic behind me was coming up fast! I was panicked. The car in front of me turned into a gas station which gave me the additional 5 seconds for my vehicle to come back on. I never lost power inside the vehicle. It was almost as if I was running out of gas. I had gotten gas 2 days before and filled the tank. I actually called the gas station and they have not had anyone inquire so I don’t think it’s gas. It was very scary and had I had my children in the vehicle I’m not sure I would or honestly probably will not drive with them in this vehicle anymore.

Approximately 1. 5 months ago, my Ford Explorer started having issues with shifting frm drive to reverse or reverse to drive, stopped to reverse and stop to drive. I had my oil changed and there were 2 updates to the transmission that were done. The problem persists. When going through a car wash in which you put the car in neutral and ride through as it washes, I placed the car in neutral and almost hit the vehicle in front of me due to it taking 3-4 seconds to shift from drive to neutral.

I do realize there is a recall for back-up camera; which I've had issues with since early part of 2022 (we bought vehicle in April 2021). March of 2022 we had our SUV to dealership about screen turning blue; which they supposedly did some deprogramming. Then, in July of 2022 had it back to dealership because the blue screen became worse; in which they said they replaced the whole system ( I have receipts/documents to prove this). Well, now when in reverse we have blue screen or black. Occasionally when in drive while driving or sitting idling the screen either is blue, black or completely freezes to where none of options such as navigation, hands-free calling, or anything can be done/used. I have video footages, I have pictures and the matter is only getting worse! I have called Ford corporation, I have taken the SUV recently to local dealership and just keep being told that all that is connected to back-up camera; that there is nothing they can do!! the Ford Explorer has had many electrical issues ranging from 3rd row seat (have receipt/documentation of this), to at times air/heat not wanting to work. Plus, it has had oil leak coming from front cv axle (have receipt/documentation of this). Anymore the local Ford dealership gives me the run around about repairs it seems to keep me coming back to pay for diagnostic repairs. Ford corporation when I call them puts me on several holds while they "supposedly" call local dealership about the issues (Ford corp acting like they don't know nothing). In addition I ve found out that all services, repairs aren't being reported as required by law to do. I tried to upload my videos/media of the SUV but it wouldn't upload to this website. If there is a specific email I could send the videos/media footage, the receipts/documents I'd do it immediately!! so, "please" let me know if there is an email!!.

Upon starting the vehicle, after it had been parked for about 30 min, I received an error message stop safely now and the vehicle would not start. We attempted to jump start the battery with another vehicle, tested the voltage and it showed full at 12v, and then had a roadside service attempt to jump the vehicle. The accessory power (radio/lights/power windows) work. This has never happened before and the car had no indication of any issues, alerts or messages prior to this.

There is no way to securely lock the vehicle when someone with the key fob is near it. When fueling, someone can unlock the opposite side of the car, by pulling on the door handle, which unlocks it, enter and drive away. Not only does this open the possibility of easily stealing the car, but also abducting passengers, if any have the fob on them, or simply stealing contents, planting contents, etc. This is a serious security issue.

When vehicle is up to temperature, there is an overpowering burning smell coming through the vents into the cab. It only occurs at idle and dissipates when the vehicle is in motion. With the hood open, there is some small noticeable amount of smoke coming from the left side of the engine compartment. The smell is not plastic or rubber.