2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Wheels (1) · Structure:body:hatchback/Liftgate (1) · Steering (1)
Safety recalls (1)
Power Train:axle Assembly 2022-04-14 · campaign 22V255000 · 252,936 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer Police FHEV, Explorer Police 3.3L, and 2020-2022 Explorer 2.3L RWD, 3.0L PHEV, 3.3L FHEV, and 3.0L ST GAS vehicles. 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, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the bushing and axle cover, or update the electronic parking brake software. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2022, and March 10, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S27.
Service bulletins (13)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-29 · SSM 54646 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2020-2024 explorer/police interceptor utility hybrid vehicles may exhibit a "refuel error see manual" message in the instrument panel cluster (ipc) after installing a replacement fuel filler door assembly (7827936). this may be due to a concern with the replacement fuel filler door assembly. if
Power Train 2026-04-27 · SSM 54783 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2021-2023 f-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5l powerboost engine and 2020-2026 explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3l hybrid engine may exhibit an illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0a1e stored in the powertrain control module (pcm). the veh
Power Train 2025-12-04 · SSM 54425 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2020-2026 police interceptor utility hybrid vehicles may exhibit multiple warning messages, various drivability concerns and/or an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (mil) with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p061b stored in the powertrain control module (pcm). this may be due to the incorrec
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 2024-02-09 · SSM 52244 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2021-2023 f-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5l powerboost hybrid engine, 2020-2023 explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3l hybrid engine and 2020-2023 aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0l hybrid engine may exhibit a malfunction indicator lamp (mil) with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0a1e stored
Electrical System 2024-02-01 · SSM 52229 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
2020-2023 escape/explorer, 2021-2023 f-150 and 2022-2023 maverick vehicles equipped with a full hybrid electric vehicle (fhev) powertrain may exhibit a cable connection error screen from the midtronics xrc-3363 high voltage battery rescue charger. the xrc-3363 will prompt the technician to verify th
Electrical System 2024-01-19 · TSB 24-2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2020-2023 explorer 3.3l full hybrid electric (fhev) vehicles built on or before 12-nov-2023 may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (mil) and/or powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p084b stored in the powertrain control module (pcm). this m
Showing the 6 most recent of 13 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-10 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i am filing this complaint to report an unreasonable and hazardous delay by the manufacturer regarding nhtsa campaign 25v455000 (ford recall 25s75) for a low-pressure fuel pump defect. as the original owner of a 2021 ford explorer platinum hybrid, i received notice of this critical safety recall 14 months ago. the defect causes a sudden, unpredicta…”
2026-09-02 · Unknown Or Other“while taking groceries out of the back of the suv, the hatchback closed without a sound warning and hit the top of my head causing a concussion and neck injury. …”
2026-08-02 · Seat Belts · 💥 crash“on july 8, 2026, i was traveling westbound on highway 7 when another vehicle pulled right out in front of me from southbound orchard road, attempting to cross the highway. we collided and i struck the other vehicle at a 45° angle. my seatbelt was buckled. the impact caused me to be thrown forward into the windshield which i broke with my skull. i s…”
2023-11-24 · Electrical System · 96,147 mi“the contact owns a 2021 ford explorer hybrid. the contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, there was a burning odor present. the message "pull over possible powertrain damage" was displayed. the vehicle was towed to the local dealer who determined that the high voltage junction box had overheated and was burned. the high voltage junction b…”
2023-11-20 · Wheels · 💥 crash“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 injuri…”
2023-03-24 · Steering · 💥 crash“i was making a slow speed u-turn to stop a speeding motorist. as i came out of the u-turn, the wheel did not come back to center and i continued the turn going up a curb and striking a chain link fence. when i realized what was occurring, i manually began to turn the steering wheel to the right to get back on the roadway. there is patrol car dash c…”
2023-01-12 · Structure:body:hatchback/Liftgate · 22,000 mi“the contact owns a 2021 ford explorer hybrid. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the electronic "lift gate ajar" warning was activated; however, the liftgate was not open. the vehicle was taken to the local dealer who adjusted the liftgate striker, and the failure was remedied; however, the failure reoccurred. additionally, wh…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.