Ford · model year 2021
2021 Ford Explorer
Specifications and certified data for the 2021 model year. All Ford Explorer model years →
2021 UK builds, engines & trims
| Build | Engine | Fuel | Gearbox | Power hp | CO₂ g/km | MPG | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | — | Electric | Automatic | 240 | 0 | — | Dossier |
| Hybrid | — | Hybrid | Automatic | 195 | 105 | — | Dossier |
| Petrol | — | Petrol | Automatic | 170 | 155 | — | Dossier |
UK Vehicle Certification Agency fuel & emissions data and ACS catalogue records, Open Government Licence v3.0, VCA ↗.
2021 US EPA fuel-economy records
| Year | Engine | Drive | Transmission | Fuel | MPG (US) comb. | CO₂ g/mi | EV range mi | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2.3 L 4-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | Regular | 24 | 373 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2021 | 2.3 L 4-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | Regular | 24 | 373 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2021 | 2.3 L 4-cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | Regular | 23 | 386 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2021 | 2.3 L 4-cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | Regular | 23 | 386 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2021 | 2.3 L 4-cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | Regular | 21 | 431 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2021 | 3.0 L 6-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | Regular | 21 | 431 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2021 | 3.0 L 6-cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | Regular | 20 | 445 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2021 | 3.3 L 6-cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | Gasoline or E85 | 19 | 471 | 283 | EPA ↗ |
| 2021 | 3.3 L 6-cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | Regular | 25 | 361 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2021 | 3.3 L 6-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | Regular | 27 | 324 | — | EPA ↗ |
US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle), fueleconomy.gov ↗, US government public domain.
US NHTSA safety ratings
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Ford Explorer HEV SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
| 2021 Ford Explorer HEV SUV RWD | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
| 2021 Ford Explorer SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
| 2021 Ford Explorer SUV RWD | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (US government, public domain). US-market versions; not the same tests as Euro NCAP.
US safety recalls
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26V451000 2026-07-14 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim…
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26V402000 2026-06-24 · model years 2020, 2021
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.
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…
NHTSA recalls database (US government, public domain). Recalls apply to US-market vehicles; check the manufacturer for your country.
Generation in 2021
Sources
- UK VCA fuel & emissions data — https://carfueldata.vehicle-certification-agency.gov.uk/Open Government Licence v3.0
- US EPA / DOE FuelEconomy.gov — https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/ws/index.shtmlUS Government public domain
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API — https://api.nhtsa.gov/SafetyRatingsUS Government public domain
- NHTSA recalls database — https://www.nhtsa.gov/recallsUS Government public domain
- Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.