2021 Ford Explorer Structure & Body Problems
NHTSA lists 38 Structure & Body complaints for the 2021 Ford Explorer, 9% of its 426 total complaints for the year. One crash and 4 injuries are linked to this area, with a median failure mileage of 59,000 miles. Two related recalls cover second-row seat switches.
- Structure & Body complaints
- 38
- 9% of 426
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 4
- Median mileage
- 59,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical body and structure symptoms owners report
- Front seats have unexpectedly dropped into a fully reclined position, including during a rear-end collision.
- Second- and third-row power seats become stuck in a folded or semi-folded position and stop responding to the electronic switch.
- Rear passenger seats have inadvertently slid forward while children were seated in them.
- Exterior body cladding and trim, including windshield trim and roof rack rails, have loosened or detached, in one case causing a tire blow-out at highway speed.
- Windshields have developed cracks that spread without any apparent impact.
- The hood has flown open while driving and struck the windshield despite the hood not being manually released.
When 2021 Ford Explorer body and structure complaints were filed
First complaint Aug 16, 2021, latest Sep 15, 2026.
Structure & Body recalls for the 2021 Ford Explorer
- NHTSA 26V451000Jul 14, 2026Structure & Body387,911 vehicles
Seats:mid/rear assembly
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
Risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed August 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Lincoln Aviator owner notification letters were mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S52. This recall expands Recall 25V393. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
- NHTSA 25V393000Jun 13, 2025Structure & Body304,662 vehicles
Seats:mid/rear assembly
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.
Risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S67.
Structure & Body complaints by Explorer model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many Structure & Body complaints does NHTSA have for the 2021 Ford Explorer?
- NHTSA lists 38 Structure & Body complaints for the 2021 Explorer, which is 9% of the 426 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2021 Ford Explorer related to seats or body structure?
- Yes. Two recalls, campaigns 26V451000 and 25V393000, cover the easy-entry second-row outer seat switch, which may bind or stick and cause the seat to unlatch, tip, or slide.
- At what mileage do 2021 Explorer structure and body problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for Structure & Body complaints on the 2021 Explorer is 59,000 miles.
- Were there any crashes or injuries linked to Structure & Body issues in the 2021 Explorer?
- NHTSA data shows 1 crash and 4 injuries associated with Structure & Body complaints for the 2021 Explorer, with no fires reported.