Is the 2021 Ford Explorer a good car?
An honest AI verdict — reliability, common problems, and real cost to own.
B7.5/10
The 2021 Ford Explorer is a solid choice for families who need space and towing capacity, but consider its competition if you're concerned about fuel economy or interior quality.
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Pros
- Spacious interior with three rows
- Good towing capacity
- Strong turbocharged engine options
Cons
- Fuel economy could be better
- Some interior materials feel cheap
- Can be pricey with options
Ownership at a glance
Fuel economy
21 mpg
Maintenance cost
$1,500/yr
Expected lifespan
200,000 miles
Common problems to watch for
- Transmission shifts are rough
- Infotainment system glitches
- Occasional electrical issues
CarsJudge exclusive data
Active recalls (25)
The 2021 Ford Explorer has 25 NHTSA recalls on record. Most recent: Power Train — Automatic Transmission (campaign 26V402000). All recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
- Visibility — Windshield Wiper/Washer — Motor — Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.…
- Back Over Prevention — Software — Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displaye…
- Seat Belts — Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.…
- 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, resultin…
Recall data: NHTSA. Owner costs & MPG: anonymized aggregates from CarsJudge users who track this vehicle. Updated 2026-07-05.
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This AI-generated assessment is general guidance only, not a substitute for a professional inspection. Always inspect a used vehicle before purchase.