2021 Ford Explorer body & structure problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 7, 202675,000 miGABody & Structure

   The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the fabric inside the cabin of the vehicle covering the sunroof was detaching from the frame and lowering down to obstruct the view of the rear-view mirror and rear glass. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the fabric needed to be replaced. The contact decided not to repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11769595 · source
2. Filed Jun 16, 2026MDAirbagsBody & StructureOther / Unknown

   Dashboard separation concerned with airbag. Every day driving you run the risk of more damage. Have spoken to Koons Ford who states cannot help due to warranty. No one has looked at it except for pictures. This should not be the owners responsibility since I am not alone with issues of this problem

   NHTSA complaint #11744570 · source
3. Filed Apr 25, 2026AR1 injuredBody & StructureVisibility & Wipers

   I am reporting a safety incident involving a 2021 Ford Explorer. While driving at normal speed, the hood unexpectedly flew open and struck the windshield, completely obstructing visibility and causing damage. I did not open the hood prior to driving, and there were no prior warnings or indications of failure. The incident suggests a possible hood latch or secondary safety latch malfunction. I am submitting this report due to a serious safety concern involving sudden loss of…

   NHTSA complaint #11733749 · source
4. Filed Feb 13, 2026MDBody & StructureOther / Unknown

   Recently purchased a vehicle that had just previously got a recall 23S55 3 weeks prior. Upon receiving the vehicle there was a slight clicking noise when going into gear. i took the vehicle to a ford dealer and they investigated the recall remedy was installed improper from the dealership and the vehicle was unsafe to drive the rear subframe of the car moves and has free play which made is very unsafe to drive . . While calling the dealership back that did the recall work…

   NHTSA complaint #11717765 · source
5. Filed Nov 19, 2025FLAirbagsBody & Structure

   Dashboard not attached to frame. Clips intended to attach dashboard to frame are defective (cracked in half). Air bags may be affected (either won't deploy or will deploy on their own). Service Dept. at Ford dealership says this is the first case they've seen and repairing it would cost $$$. This vehicle has been regularly maintained and has 0 history of accidents. It is unknown if this defect has existed from the date the car was purchase(or earlier).

   NHTSA complaint #11700341 · source
6. Filed Oct 31, 2025NCBody & StructureOther / Unknown

   Roof window cover/headliner has come loose and is impeding full vision to the rear of the car while the headliner is retracted.

   NHTSA complaint #11696728 · source
7. Filed Aug 27, 202565,000 miOHBody & Structure

   The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a 15x3/4-inch strip on the B-pillar trim of the driver's side rear door that was detaching from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who attempted to use adhesive to secure the trim piece; however, the temporary repair failed to fix the vehicle. The dealer determined that the entire B-pillar trim needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact became aware…

   NHTSA complaint #11683487 · source
8. Filed Jun 27, 202574,000 miFLBody & Structure

   The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that there was a gap between the body and the frame on the passenger's side of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 74,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11669715 · source
9. Filed Feb 4, 2025ILBody & Structure

   I was backing out of my driveway and a whoosh of water came pouring into my trunk from my roof of my car. When I took it to the Ford dealership they took the headliner down and found that the drains for my sunroof were clogged and caused the leak. They found that the headliner had mold growing on it. This is currently not a recall issue yet but I believe it should be or should be considered a default from Ford, (my warranty expired a couple months earlier). After speaking…

   NHTSA complaint #11640614 · source
10. Filed Nov 4, 202455,401 miNC1 injuredTowedBody & StructureVisibility & Wipers

    The contact's son owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH down a hill and making a left turn, the hood was unintentionally released, swung open, and hit the front windshield causing it to shatter. There was an abnormal snapping or popping sound detected. The driver pulled over immediately since their view was obstructed. No warning lights were illuminated before the failure however after the hood shattered the windshield the "hood open…

    NHTSA complaint #11623430 · source
11. Filed Sep 25, 202458,000 miGABody & Structure

    The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the power liftgate failed to close as needed. The contact was able to manually close the liftgate. Additionally, the roof was leaking near the sunroof and roof rails. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

    NHTSA complaint #11616418 · source
12. Filed Aug 5, 202433,000 miINBody & Structure

    The contact's spouse owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 68 MPH, the L-trim retaining strip detached from the driver's side door. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the L-trim molding and the retaining strip needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.

    NHTSA complaint #11606407 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology