2021 Ford Explorer electrical system problems

The 2021 Ford Explorer has 42 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 8% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

Electrical System complaints

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Explorer electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

25V685000Electrical SystemOctober 10, 2025 · 59,006 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Consequence

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

23V626000Electrical SystemSeptember 8, 2023 · 2,954 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 3.0L PHEV engines. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.

Consequence

Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will perform a Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) diagnostic test and replace the high voltage battery pack, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford Motor Company's number for this recall is 23S53.

What owners report

“Got it in the car and pushed the push start button. The cars engine turned over only half way and started to restart and turn over multiple times even though the motor was running halfway. This went on for 15 minutes until i opened up the hood and looked down and after a couple minutes the engine…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 23, 2022 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2021 Ford Explorer have?

NHTSA has 42 complaints about the 2021 Ford Explorer electrical system — 8% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2021 Ford Explorer electrical system?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the electrical system: 23V626000, 25V685000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.