Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2021 Ford Explorer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 24 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
When i go to accelerate i lost power and then 2 seconds later car would finally go, this has happened several times getting onto freeway or just trying to pass and have almost been rear ended, i took car to dealer and no remedy available still 1 year later, my specific car has had several recalls which is ridiculos, i am not getting any help with my situation
I parked my car and when I returned to it the car would not start. Diagnosed as a faulty fuel pump. Had this problem occurred while I was driving it could have caused serious injury or death. There is an active recall on fuel pumps for the 2021 Ford Explorer that does not apply to my VIN number so Ford will do nothing to remedy the situation and parts are impossible to find as dealers scramble to fix the vehicles included in the recall.
I was traveling on an 8 hour drive after just getting a new battery and fresh oil change, I also had a full diagnostic ran the week before travel and no issues were found in my vehicle. When we arrived at our destination we stopped 1 final time and attempted to start our vehicle to go to dinner and the car would not turn over. There were not any warning lamps or messages that appeared. We used roadside assistance to tow it to the [XXX] dealership and they ran another full diagnostic that showed "replace fuel pump and fuel pump driver". When I called my local dealer back home, Evansville Ford ([XXX]) they pulled the previous week diagnostic and confirmed nothing showed up regarding the fuel pump at that time. 1 week later is when we had it in [XXX], and the fuel pump failed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle experienced a sudden and total loss of engine power and stalled in active traffic. I lost motive power and had to safely coast through traffic to the shoulder. The vehicle would not restart and had to be towed to a repair facility. The failure matches the exact symptoms of Ford Recall 25S75 / NHTSA Campaign 25V455000 for low-pressure fuel pump failure, but my VIN is currently excluded from the recall.
The contact 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 26V117000 (Visibility); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH in inclement weather, the windshield wipers were activated, and the driver’s side windshield was not cleared, causing limited visibility. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
vehicle stalls when diving . After pulling over ina coast and turning off with start stop button then turning it back on with start stop button vehicle runs fine until it happens again intermediately cold be days could be months apart. about the 6th time over 2 years that it has occurred
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's husband, who was an independent mechanic, used a diagnostic machine to diagnose the vehicle and discovered a failure with the emissions system. The contact stated that the failure was like the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Recall Action Soon Issue Since 06-20-2025 Unrequested second-row seat movement Unrequested second-row seat movement Recall incomplete Recall service not available right now. We have a remedy but parts are not available right now. We will inform you when the service is available. Or, you can contact your dealer. Contact Dealer Issue Date 2025-06-13 Campaign 25S67/25V393 Description On your vehicle, it is possible that the easy entry seat fold switch on the second-row outboard seats may bind or stick if its surrounding trim bezel was installed incorrectly. If the button is stuck in the down position, the seat may unlatch, fold and or slide unexpectedly, potentially while driving. Safety Risk A seat that unexpectedly folds or slides while driving could increase the risk of injury, particularly in a crash. Remedy Ford Motor Company is working to provide parts for this repair. When the remedy becomes available, Ford Motor Company will notify you via mail to schedule a service appointment with your dealer for repairs to be completed free of charge.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20-30 MPH, the vehicle stalled, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
my explorer has a 10 speed transmission, and its REALLY heavy on shifting like it is missing shifts or slipping, it will shoot up in rpms to the 7-8k mark and jerk forward, this will happen every few minutes when varying speed, driving through residential areas or normal trafficways not including the highway, however on the highway it has a tendency to feel as if it loses power and regains it, dropping rpms and shooting back up to 4-5k rpm, and dropping back down to around 2k. today i had the incident where the car jerked hard after a shift, gave me prompts on the dash about seeing the manual, and that drive modes are not available. this has happened in the past month before multiple times, however this time i lost all power to acceleration going down the road, ended up just coasting to a stop on a road that speed limit is 55 mph. this made me panic, because i could have possibly been rear ended, or in any other case could have been hit if my car would not have properly been able to accelerate. the car has had similar problems reported from previous owners and they have been taken into a dealership for repairs of which did not fix the problem or the problem is reoccurring. there are no warning lamps prior to the jerkiness of shifting and loss of acceleration because of it. it will jerk a handful of times and eventually give me the "see manual" prompt after the initial problem was noticed, i decided to look online for answers as to what was wrong and it seems like this is a reoccurring problem with vehicles similar to mine. Hopefully it hasnt caused and injuries, but it definitely has the possibility to from what i have experienced.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating and decelerated unintendedly. The contact stated that the failure mostly occurred during the warmer weather months. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 55,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the fuel hoses had ruptured due to the hoses making contact and rubbing together. The contact was informed that the fuel hoses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V859000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 44,000.
I have had this problem ever since we Purchased this automobile on [XXX], When the car gets to a Quarter tank of gas or a little less the dash monitoring system says there's 87 miles left till empty and you park this car on a hill or incline with the front end facing down the car will not start and everything shuts down. The only way to restart it is to put more gas from a can in it or go through a long process to takes two people to do to get the car on a level area then it will restart. I call the Dealer abut it and they said there is no problem. The car had to be towed twice in the first few months we had it for this and as soon as they got it off the truck it would start and they do nothing about it. I call Fords Hot line and they said they know about the Problem but can't do anything about it , I was told that its a fuel pickup Problem. Today [XXX] my wife when to the store this morning and the fuel gage said it had a quarter tank of gas in it and when she came out of the store the car would not start for her. I had to go and get a 5 gal. can of gas and drive to where she was and put the gas in the car and after that the car started, she drove to the nearest gas station to fill it up. All I have been told to do by Ford and the Dealer is to keep the gas tank full and fill it when it gets to half a tank. There is definitely a problem with this car and it needs to be Addressed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Was trying to get gas and the door to the gas lid would not open. Waited for over an hour for someone to help me. Get the door open. Only had 10 miles to empty and the closest town is 20 miles.
On April 28, 2023, while driving our Forf Explore, we smelled gasoline from our vehicle. We immediately stopped at the next exit, and my husband looked under the vehicle and saw gas dripping from under the engine. We immediately went to the nearest Ford dealership where the vehicle had stayed for a week. We were advised that the leak was one of the metal fuel lines that rubbed onto the frame and caused the leak, also the engine light code was due to the small hole in the fuel line. Which we had taken to a Ford dealership previously due to the engine light on, but they cannot detect the problem. We have contacted Ford Headquarters via phone and mail for further assistance. And up to today, which is April 15, 2024 we have never received a response from Ford Headquarters. This was a very scary situation, which could’ve caused a vehicle fire.
The recall to replace the rear axle bolt was completed and new boil installed. They left the automatic emergency brake program engager which results in the vehicle lurching forward or backward when shifted into gear and results in collisions with other vehicles as the collision detection system is not working.
The vehicle looses power occasionally. When the accelerator is pressed it can take a second or 2 to start moving again. It happens when turning, changing lanes or going straight. I could be pulling into traffic and it will stop moving, even if the gas pedal is pressed down all the way. It will happen in every drive mode and when the traction control is off. The only time it hasn't happened yet is when I turn off the AdvaneTrac stability control. I have to hold down the traction control button for 5 seconds every time I start the vehicle. The dealer said they couldn't find the problem. The associate said it's a common issue with the Explorer's. It is very dangerous.
Strong egg odor from exhaust when temperature is below 0 degrees C or 32F. This is especially the case then the car is started and left to warm up for 5-10 min. The smell goes away after 15-20min.
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.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, there was a strong gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated while the vehicle was parked in the garage, there was a strong gasoline odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the gasoline odor was present throughout the entire three-story residence. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel line was leaking from a hole. The fuel line was replaced, and the diagnostic fault codes were cleared. The contact stated that upon reviewing photographs of the fuel line, he noticed that an unknown component had been rubbing against the fuel line, which caused the failure; however, the dealer did not inform him of the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.
Gear(transmission), when put in reverse the car goes forward instead of reverse, and Jerks in reverse after 7-15 sec. And it also jerks while accelerating.
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.
Since purchasing this vehicle I have off and on experienced my bluetooth echoing for the party on the other end of the line. I have also experienced my gas tank shaking my entire car upon stopping depending how much gas is in the tank, usually full to 3/4 full. I have also experienced on multiple occasions my back up camera turning blue. There was a trend going for a while if it was hot outside it would turn blue all the time. However, over the winter months it periodically started changing blue. More recently, when I put my car into reverse it will take a few seconds to switch gears. I also experienced my front driverside window not going up. I had to turn the car off and back on again in order for it to go back up. Altogether, I have had multiple issues with my brand new car since the day of purchase. I immediately took the vehicle back in for the gas tank shaking and their response was because I was not used to driving a "smaller" car. I however find that extremely unsafe in the event I were to break too hard, I feel that my gas tank would come disassembled.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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