2021 Ford Explorer Police Intercept Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 2021 Ford Explorer Police Intercept, and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 2021 Ford Explorer Police Intercept
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Axle assembly (power train) and driveshaft (power train)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer Police FHEV, Explorer Police 3.3L, and 2020-2022 Explorer 2.3L RWD, 3.0L PHEV, 3.3L FHEV, and 3.0L ST GAS vehicles. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
Remedy: Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the bushing and axle cover, or update the electronic parking brake software. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed…
1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2021 Ford Explorer Police Intercept have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA. Complaints peaked in 2026 with 1 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Catalytic converter and it was confirmed by independent service center my car only has 88k miles There is a catalytic converter recall on year 2020 but Ford refuses to do a recall for the year 2021 an”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 31, 2026 · Engine
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2021 Ford Explorer (Explorer AWD, Explorer FFV AWD, Explorer HEV AWD, Explorer HEV RWD, …). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 19–27 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 16–27 / 23–28 |
| Fuel | Gasoline or E85, Regular |
| EPA class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2.3/3/3.3 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (S10); Automatic 10-spd |
Compare Ford Explorer Police Intercept model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Ford Explorer Police Intercept model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 Ford Explorer Police Intercept | 0 | 6 |
| 2016 Ford Explorer Police Intercept | 0 | 21 |
| 2017 Ford Explorer Police Intercept | 2 | 9 |
| 2018 Ford Explorer Police Intercept | 0 | 3 |
| 2020 Ford Explorer Police Intercept | 2 | 1 |
| 2021 Ford Explorer Police Intercept | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 Ford Explorer Police Intercept | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 2021 Ford Explorer Police Intercept
How do I know if my 2021 Ford Explorer Police Intercept has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 2021 Ford Explorer Police Intercept; your car may already have been repaired under it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Ford dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 22V255000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Ford models
- F-15037,961 complaints
- Explorer34,566 complaints
- Escape27,430 complaints
- Fusion22,405 complaints
- Focus22,096 complaints
- Taurus18,159 complaints
- Windstar14,158 complaints
- Edge14,065 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.