2021 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails
- 61owner reports
- 34,600median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 3, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
189 of the 430 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 61 of those describe infotainment, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2021 Explorer.
Tick what matches of 61 reports
Infotainment 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, 2023, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Screen complaints read like a list of small betrayals. The display goes black or freezes, the backup camera shows nothing when you shift into reverse, CarPlay or Android Auto keeps dropping, or the radio changes volume on its own. Many owners had a software update that didn't fix it. A narrower sheet covers backup camera failures on their own, and another covers screens that freeze.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the camera (42 reports), the head unit or screen (33 reports) and the software (8 reports).
Recalls and investigations
10 recalls on the electrical system cover the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.
The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
When the Display On/Off Button is used to turn the display to "Off" prior to placing the vehicle in reverse, the backup camera rearview image will not appear on the display.
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
All 26 recalls on the 2021 Ford Explorer, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the electrical system on the Explorer
Rearview camera fmvss 111 noncompliance. Open.
Fleet vehicle recall completion audit. Closed dec 28, 2015.
Engine compartment fires. Closed aug 2, 2006, led to recall 05V-388.
Windshield wiper malfunction. Closed apr 24, 2000, led to recall 00V-072.
Blower assembly fires. Closed apr 18, 2000.
Heater blower assembly fire. Closed sep 11, 1998.
Blower assembly fires. Closed jan 15, 1999.
Electrical fire in center console. Closed sep 4, 1997.
Driver door electrical fire. Closed may 15, 1997, led to recall 97V-083.
None of these investigations covers the 2021 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 30,000 and 55,401 miles, from the 18 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 29 service bulletins or notices for the 2021 Ford Explorer that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Various 2020-2026 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system (BLIS) may experience an inoperative blind spot monitoring with a "Blind Spot System Fault" message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC).
Some 2020-2025 various Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system (BLIS) may experience an inoperative blind spot monitoring with a "Blind Spot System Fault" message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC).
Various 2021-2025 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with the rear camera on demand feature may exhibit "Please Check Surroundings For Safety" or "Full View Not Available" messages when the rear camera button is pressed and the vehicle is not in reverse.
Various 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience a partially or fully black center display screen at start-up using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. This does not affect rear camera operation.
25 more on the 2021 Ford Explorer page.
What owners wrote
“The back up camera fails basically 1 out of 5 times it's engaged between skipping or just straight blue/black screen. The screen is out and causes blind spots while backing up.”
Filed May 19, 2023
“Back-up camera starts turning blue. Verified that there was an issue during manufacturing that they left a hole open and can cause malfunctioning of the back up camera causing the blue screen. Unable to spot blind spots when backing up and can put others safety in danger if behind vehicle especially children and I am not able to see them when reversing.”
Filed Jan 17, 2023
“Backup camera âblue screensâ during critical times it is required. Software updates were updated but no resolution until Ford replaced the backup camera.”
Filed Nov 27, 2022
“Backup and front cameras are not working consistently. Blue screen shows on display screen. Cannot reproduce at the Ford dealer. Blue screen camera issue started on June 13, 2022. Since then I have had 27 instances to date. There currently is a recall for this same problem on other Ford Explorer's.”
Filed Aug 5, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 61 reports involved a crash and 2 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
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 44 reports
- Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems 32 reports