Diagsheet

2021 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet

Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems

  • 31owner reports
  • 77,000median miles
  • 1involved a crash

Newest report Sep 1, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026

116 of the 414 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 31 of those describe drivetrain problems.

Tick what matches of 31 reports

2
4
3
1
7
20

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the CV joint or axle (22 reports), the differential (13 reports) and the driveshaft (5 reports).

Recalls and investigations

5 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

26V-402Jun 24, 2026
Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.

Risk and remedy
Risk: Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.
25V-166Mar 14, 2025
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 23V-199 or 22V-255. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.

Risk and remedy
Risk: A disconnected driveshaft can result in vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park without the parking brake applied. A disconnected driveshaft can also result in a loss of drive power. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S22.
23V-675Oct 6, 2023
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.

Risk and remedy
Risk: A disconnected driveshaft can result in a loss of drive power or a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the subframe bushing and rear axle bolt. They will also inspect the rear axle cover for damage near the bolt hole location and replace with a new cover if any damage is found. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 19, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S55.
23V-199Mar 24, 2023
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L RWD, 3.3L GAS, 3.3L FHEV, or 3.0L ST powertrain. The previous powertrain control module (PCM) update completed under recall 22V-255 did not include the automatic electronic parking brake feature when the vehicle is shifted to park, as intended. In addition, the rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.

Risk and remedy
Risk: Without the electronic parking brake applied, the vehicle could rollaway if the driveshaft disconnects. A disconnected driveshaft can also result in a loss of drive power. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 31, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S16.
23V-069Feb 10, 2023
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission. An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage.

Risk and remedy
Risk: A park system that is damaged may not shift into "PARK," resulting in a vehicle rollaway and increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the park system for damage and repair as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S05.

NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Explorer

RQ23-002opened Jun 20, 2023
Transmission and drivetrain · model years 2020 to 2022

Rear axle bolt failure. Closed feb 15, 2024, led to recall 23V-675.

NHTSA summary
On July 17, 2023, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) opened this Recall Query (RQ) after receiving 2 consumer complaints alleging loss of vehicle forward power and/or loss of transmission torque of the rear wheels in model year (MY) 2020-2022 Ford Explorer vehicles (subject vehicles). The RQ was opened to focus on the effectiveness of the remedies of Recalls 22V-255 and 23V-199 related to the alleged problem. Recall 22V-255 involved replacing the bushing and axle cover in the following subject vehicles: 3.3L FHEV Police built before October 14, 2020, and 3.3L Gas Police vehicle built before January 31, 2021. For 2.3L RWD, 3.0L PHEV, 3.3LFHEV, and 3.0LST retail (non-police) vehicles, the recall provided an PCM software update to engage the Electronic Park Brake (EPB) when Park is commanded. The recall addressed a breakage of the rear axle bolt that can cause the driveshaft/half shafts to disconnect, resulting in a loss of transmission torque to the rear wheels necessary to hold park. If the parking brake is not applied, the loss of the primary park torque will allow the vehicle to roll in park increasing the risk of crash and injury. Recall 23V-199 addressed 674 of the subject vehicles produced from February 2, 2019 to April 4, 2022, which received an incorrect remedy under Recall 22V-255. The affected vehicles had received a previous Powertrain Control Module (PCM) update which did not include an automatic EPB engagement when vehicle is shifted to park. On October 17, 2
EA09-013opened Aug 18, 2009
Transmission and drivetrain · model years 2002 to 2005

Vehicle rollaway allegations. Closed feb 12, 2013.

NHTSA summary
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.
PE99-068opened Nov 1, 1999
Transmission and drivetrain · model years 1995 to 1996

Accelerator pedal. Closed mar 9, 2000.

NHTSA summary
There is no summary currently available
SQ99-017opened Jun 9, 1999
Transmission and drivetrain · model years 1998 to 1999

Vehicle hesitation/stalling. Closed feb 22, 2000.

NHTSA summary
There is no summary currently available
RQ97-015opened Oct 29, 1997
Transmission and drivetrain · model years 1991

Parking pawl. Closed apr 1, 1999, led to recall 91V-189.

NHTSA summary
WHEN THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARKING PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR.THIS CAN LEAD TO THE VEHICLE JUMPING OUT OF GEAR UNINTENTIONALLY AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO START ROLLING INADVERTENTLY
EA93-004opened Jan 29, 1993
Transmission and drivetrain · model years 1992

Auto trans prndl misalign. Closed jul 29, 1994.

NHTSA summary
There is no summary currently available
PE92-078opened Sep 9, 1992
Transmission and drivetrain · model years 1992

Auto trans.prndl misalign. Closed jan 29, 1993.

NHTSA summary
There is no summary currently available
PE91-127opened Sep 16, 1991
Transmission and drivetrain · model years 1991

Park pawl bending. Closed nov 8, 1991, led to recall 91V-189.

NHTSA summary
There is no summary currently available

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 40,093 and 113,000 miles, from the 8 reports that gave a mileage.

121
822
623
424
525
726

What owners wrote

“Repeated failures of the rear axle bolt recall remedy on my 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid. The vehicle has undergone multiple repairs including replacement of the rear axle bolt, axle seals, and transmission alignment. Despite these repairs the vehicle continues to exhibit driveline instability, seal leakage and symptoms similar to transmission slip.”

Filed Mar 23, 2026

“Rear differential/axle bolt broke, destroying other parts and making vehicle unsafe at the moment and then inoperable. Vehicle had previously had the recall work done for this exact issue prior to any issues/damage. Dealership is repairing the vehicle under warranty, but made sure to tell us that this is a known issue and the only true way to “fix” the issue is to install an aftermarket brace (at our cost).”

Filed Jan 7, 2026

“the rear axle bolt fractured while driving causing damage to the differential, axles, and mounting bushing. the problem has been confirmed by Baytown Ford Dealership service dept. located at 4110 I-10, Baytown, TX 77521. it has been inspected by the Service Dept at Baytown Ford. located at 4110 I-10, Baytown, TX 77521 no prior symptoms or warnings.”

Filed Mar 25, 2025

“Ford Explorer 2021 recall stems from a defective rear axle horizontal mounting bolt. Ford Motor Company has promised to cover the cost of replacing the subframe bushing and the rear axle bolt and repairing any resultant damage. The dealer, Payne Ford Weslaco, the Tech broke a tool to fix and Ford has failed to replace said tool.”

Filed Jun 25, 2024

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 31 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.

Other problems on this car