2021 Ford Explorer Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 121 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2021 Ford Explorer, 28% of all complaints for the year. Four related recalls cover park pawl engagement while moving, rear axle bolt fracture, and PCM reset issues. Median mileage at failure is 40,093 miles.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 121
- 28% of 426
- Crashes reported
- 3
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 40,093 mi
- Related recalls
- 4
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Vehicle unexpectedly rolls or lurches forward after being placed in Park, sometimes striking objects nearby.
- Transmission struggles to shift or refuses to shift, producing very high RPMs and rough transitions between Park and Drive.
- Transmission shifts erroneously between gears while driving at various speeds, accompanied by grinding noises and a chemical odor.
- Vehicle hesitates or feels like it is slipping while cruising at highway speed such as 50 MPH.
- Vehicle loses engine power and shuts down while driving, sometimes with sounds suggesting internal engine or transmission component failure.
- Owners report the rear differential bolt issue tied to recall work, with concern that the one-bolt repair is not adequate to prevent rollaway.
When 2021 Ford Explorer transmission complaints were filed
First complaint May 1, 2021, latest Sep 21, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2021 Ford Explorer
- NHTSA 26V402000Jun 24, 2026Transmission & Powertrain741,195 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
Risk: Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.
- NHTSA 25V166000Mar 14, 2025Transmission & Powertrain4,247 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 23V-199 or 22V-255. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
Risk: A disconnected driveshaft can result in vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park without the parking brake applied. A disconnected driveshaft can also result in a loss of drive power. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S22.
- NHTSA 23V675000Oct 6, 2023Transmission & Powertrain238,364 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
Risk: A disconnected driveshaft can result in a loss of drive power or a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the subframe bushing and rear axle bolt. They will also inspect the rear axle cover for damage near the bolt hole location and replace with a new cover if any damage is found. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 19, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S55.
- NHTSA 23V069000Feb 10, 2023Transmission & Powertrain3,674 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission. An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage.
Risk: A park system that is damaged may not shift into "PARK," resulting in a vehicle rollaway and increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the park system for damage and repair as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S05.
Transmission & Powertrain 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 transmission complaints does the 2021 Ford Explorer have?
- NHTSA lists 121 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2021 Explorer, which is 28% of the 426 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2021 Ford Explorer?
- Yes. Four recalls tied to Transmission & Powertrain issues apply, including campaign 26V402000 for a park pawl that may engage while the vehicle is in motion, and 23V675000/23V069000 for a rear axle bolt that may fracture and disconnect the driveshaft.
- At what mileage do 2021 Explorer transmission problems usually appear?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 40,093 miles for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on this model year.
- Did the 2021 Ford Explorer transmission issues cause any crashes?
- NHTSA records 3 crashes and 1 injury linked to Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2021 Explorer, with no fires reported.
- How does the 2021 Explorer compare to other years for transmission complaints?
- The 2021 Explorer's 28% share of complaints tied to Transmission & Powertrain is lower than the 2020 model year's 40% share but higher than most other years, such as 2018 at 7% and 2019 at 12%.