Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 that the B-pillar trim on the passenger's side rear door had started to detach. The contact informed the manufacturer of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure). The manufacturer advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact observed that the driver's side A-pillar trim had detached. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and trim taped down. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the A-pillar trim needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not prepared. The contact believed that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.
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.
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.
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.
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.
On October 25, 2021; my wife and I were driving across country when we experienced a blow-out at 75 MPH in New Mexico (about 80 miles west of Amarillo. The blow-out was caused by body cladding, which came off the right rear door of our 2021 Ford Explorer - apparently attributable to 19+ MPH desert cross winds at highway speeds of 75 MPH. The trim lodged in the right rear wheel well; slicing the tire and cutting a gash from the aluminum rim. We had to get to California for a scheduled closing on our new home and were therefore unable to stay in Amarillo or Albuquerque for the three days required to receive a matching rim and tire, so I had a nearby tire store install a wheel of a different size with an offsetting tire size to approximate the circumference of the stock wheels and tires. …
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 with the maintenance manager at Ford, I have been informed that it is not uncommon that the sunroof drains get clogged and this is something that should be checked or cleaned out periodically. With that being said- my 3 year old vehicle has only been maintained at a Ford dealership during its life. I go every 3-4 months and this has never been checked or cleaned out. …
I was driving and hood flew up and hit the windshield and caused it to cave inward despite hood not being popped since April. Dealership confirmed that hood was not popped that day according to censors and codes that were seen. I was unable to see and it could have caused a wreck and serious injury or worse the windshield almost fell on me and into my car with my one year old baby. Dealer confirmed latch was never popped. Therfore resulting in a malfunction with the hood. Vehicle has been inspected by dealership service center. No, there were no signs or indicators prior to the incident. The indicators did not illuminate until test at the dealership although they did not the day of the incident (confirmed by dealership service department)
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 they refused to take responsibility . i then put in a repair order through ford and they denied repairs for the recall mishap . I am being stuck with a $3500 bill for a recall that was installed improper.
Body complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2021 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the body & structure of the 2021 Ford Explorer, 6% of the model year's 447 complaints. The component named most often is body (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2021 Ford Explorer body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2021 Ford Explorer, though it has 26 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2021 Ford Explorer body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.