2021 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 44owner reports
- 47,000median miles
- $9,000median quote
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Sep 23, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
218 of the 430 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 44 of those describe stalling. Only infotainment is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 44 reports
Stalling on other Explorer years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2019, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
11 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.
The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.
The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
The engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive power.
In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
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.
An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage.
The right hand motor mount fasteners may have been incorrectly tightened, and may loosen over time.
All 26 recalls on the 2021 Ford Explorer, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Explorer
Loss of motive power. Closed oct 31, 2024, led to recall 24V-635.
Rear axle bolt failure. Closed feb 15, 2024, led to recall 23V-675.
Exhaust odor in passenger cab. Closed jan 17, 2023.
Ford explorer exhaust odor. Closed sep 12, 2017.
Vehicle rollaway allegations. Closed feb 12, 2013.
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head. Closed jan 4, 2006.
Engine compartment fires. Closed aug 2, 2006, led to recall 05V-388.
Accelerator pedal. Closed mar 9, 2000.
Vehicle hesitation/stalling. Closed feb 22, 2000.
Fuel line damage from jump starting. Closed nov 15, 2000, led to recall 98V-060.
Parking pawl. Closed apr 1, 1999, led to recall 91V-189.
Electrical fire in center console. Closed sep 4, 1997.
Driver door electrical fire. Closed may 15, 1997, led to recall 97V-083.
Engine cooling fan cracks. Closed aug 31, 1994.
Auto trans prndl misalign. Closed jul 29, 1994.
Auto trans.prndl misalign. Closed jan 29, 1993.
Park pawl bending. Closed nov 8, 1991, led to recall 91V-189.
What owners paid
5 of the 44 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $3,762 to $11,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 23,000 and 69,000 miles, from the 15 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“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”
Filed Jul 20, 2026
“Driving down road and lost power with grinding gears. Vehicle displayed warning on instrument panel briefly. Had to stop in middle of road and shift to park then drive to resume.”
Filed Jul 15, 2026
“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”
Filed Mar 19, 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 âfixâ the issue is to install an aftermarket brace (at our cost).”
Filed Jan 7, 2026
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 44 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 61 reports
- Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems 32 reports