2021 FORD EXPLORER Forward Collision Avoidance Problems

20 complaints about Forward Collision Avoidance

20
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Deaths

High Severity Issue

This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.

This Problem Across All Years

All Forward Collision Avoidance Complaints (20)

Jul 19, 2025

Recall Action Soon Issue Since 06-20-2025 Unrequested second-row seat movement Unrequested second-row seat movement Recall incomplete Recall service not available right now. We have a remedy but parts are not available right now. We will inform you when the service is available. Or, you can contact your dealer. Contact Dealer Issue Date 2025-06-13 Campaign 25S67/25V393 Description On your vehicle, it is possible that the easy entry seat fold switch on the second-row outboard seats may bind or stick if its surrounding trim bezel was installed incorrectly. If the button is stuck in the down position, the seat may unlatch, fold and or slide unexpectedly, potentially while driving. Safety Risk A seat that unexpectedly folds or slides while driving could increase the risk of injury, particularly in a crash. Remedy Ford Motor Company is working to provide parts for this repair. When the remedy becomes available, Ford Motor Company will notify you via mail to schedule a service appointment with your dealer for repairs to be completed free of charge.

Jun 10, 2025

As I am traveling on the freeway or expressway, when I have cruise control active and I am in the far right lane the vehicle suddenly changes to the speed of the frontage road dropping my speed from 65 or 70mph down to 40, even tho I am on the expressway. It almost caused me to be rear ended because of the sudden drop in speed.

Jun 10, 2025

As I am traveling on the freeway or expressway, when I have cruise control active and I am in the far right lane the vehicle suddenly changes to the speed of the frontage road dropping my speed from 65 or 70mph down to 40, even tho I am on the expressway. It almost caused me to be rear ended because of the sudden drop in speed.

Jul 22, 2024

All of the ADAS along with the brakes of my vehicle fail. The dealership failed to inform me of the recalls prior to purchase. The dealership in town shows all of the parts in stock in their parts department but claim not to have any parts available. When I called, I was given the runaround then sent to a voicemail. When I showed up to the dealership they stated they can only order certain amount of parts and I wasn’t on the list yet was told over the phone I was placed on the list on May 22 2024.

Jul 22, 2024

All of the ADAS along with the brakes of my vehicle fail. The dealership failed to inform me of the recalls prior to purchase. The dealership in town shows all of the parts in stock in their parts department but claim not to have any parts available. When I called, I was given the runaround then sent to a voicemail. When I showed up to the dealership they stated they can only order certain amount of parts and I wasn’t on the list yet was told over the phone I was placed on the list on May 22 2024.

Apr 14, 2024

On April 28, 2023, while driving our Forf Explore, we smelled gasoline from our vehicle. We immediately stopped at the next exit, and my husband looked under the vehicle and saw gas dripping from under the engine. We immediately went to the nearest Ford dealership where the vehicle had stayed for a week. We were advised that the leak was one of the metal fuel lines that rubbed onto the frame and caused the leak, also the engine light code was due to the small hole in the fuel line. Which we had taken to a Ford dealership previously due to the engine light on, but they cannot detect the problem. We have contacted Ford Headquarters via phone and mail for further assistance. And up to today, which is April 15, 2024 we have never received a response from Ford Headquarters. This was a very scary situation, which could’ve caused a vehicle fire.

Mar 14, 2024

While driving around 45 miles per hour the vehicle braked on its own without any vehicle in front and dropped to 5 miles per hour, the dash displayed Brake Assistance. While that happened a car behind me came close to rear-ended my car. At this time the vehicle is at the dealer, it was towed. This is the first time this happened, the vehicle showed no warning before the incident. The fact the vehicle behind came so close to rear-ending my car makes this a safety concern, if this happened at a higher rate of speed the consequences could have been more serious.

Jan 1, 2024

With the Ford Intelli-Cruise enabled in settings, the vehicle automatically adjust the speed while using the cruise control. The vehicle will randomly, quickly, accellerate to a extreme new speed limit it thinks it has detected. For instance, several times while travelling on I-81, with a 70mph speed limit, the vehicle will think the new speed limit is suddenly 85mph and quickly accelerate to that speed. I have attached a photo of the dash displaying that setting the car set by itself. On the flip side, once on I-81, it thought the speed limit was 35mph and quickly slammed on the brakes to slow to 35mph from 70mph. Both are quickly overridden by the driver tapping the brake and cancelling the cruise control. However, both could lead to hazards to other drivers potentially resulting in a wreck, especially the sudden slow to 35mph on the interestate. The dealership says "Yea, it happens and people complain". I have no idea why the speed changes, there are no road signs or other indications to even cause the system to re-evaluate its settings. Ford says Intelli-Cruise uses road signage and other ways to also determine speed (whatever that means). This is a safety issue that needs to be remedied by Ford. However, without NHTSA enforcement, they don't seem interested in resolution. (This website isn't allowing me to upload the .jpg file, upload button disappears when I click it)

Dec 15, 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle suddenly shifted into park, after which the vehicle went into LIMP mode. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle was unable to shift out of park and displayed the "Automatic Emergency Braking Unavailable" message. The traction control, start-to-stop, and hill start assist warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 30,500.

Mileage: 30,500

Dec 2, 2023

I haven’t been problem with the parking !When I set the packing bottoms it’s turns automatically into rear I already have an issues with that !! almost kill my son an nephew I’m scared this happened again in the parking lot at store almost crash other vehicle! I need my car fixed as soon is possible I hope I hear from your side! Thank you!!!

Dec 2, 2023

I already having problem with the parking !When I set the packing bottoms it's turns automatically into rear I already have an issues with that!! almost kill my son an nephew I'm scared this happened again in the parking lot at store almost crash other vehicle! I need my car fixed as soon is possible I hope I hear from your side! Thank you!!!

Oct 26, 2023

In relation to NHTSA Recall Number: 23V342, Ford has failed to remedy issues around reverse Automatic Emergency Breaking. Whenever the 360° camera screen is blue, the system in place to prevent collisions also fails. There is no pattern of failure. Nearly 60% of the time the vehicle is driven an error related to 23V342 occurs.

Sep 26, 2023

Vehicle loses power while on freeway when 4WD, Pre-Collision Assist, Hill Start Assist, and other warning messages display. Vehicle lost power approximately 5 times while registering message, but messages have displayed approximately 40-50 times in the past week before being services. Vehicle dealership repair facility inspected and diagnosed a bad 4WD module.

Sep 26, 2023

Vehicle loses power while on freeway when 4WD, Pre-Collision Assist, Hill Start Assist, and other warning messages display. Vehicle lost power approximately 5 times while registering message, but messages have displayed approximately 40-50 times in the past week before being services. Vehicle dealership repair facility inspected and diagnosed a bad 4WD module.

Feb 16, 2023

While using Intelligent Adaptive Cruise, the vehicle suddenly thought the speed limit was 85mph and quickly started accelerating. Confused, I hit the brakes to stop the acceleration. I have uploaded a photo of the dash that I took showing that the system read the speed limit sign as 85. I saw no speed limit sign in the area, so, I have no idea what prompted the system to change speed. I was talking on the phone via Android Auto and using Waze, via Android Auto, USB direct connect. The only other problem I've ever had with this system is on interstates that have specific Truck speed limits in West Virginia. There, sometimes trucks have slower speeds and this system picks up those truck speeds and decelerates/brakes to comply. While it can be overridden in the moment, the next time it sees such sign, it slows again. This sudden deceleration poses a hazard to other drivers who do not expect a 'non-truck' vehicle to suddenly slow.

Jun 15, 2022 Crash

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the adaptive cruise control and the collision avoidance systems would malfunction. The vehicle would suddenly deactivate the cruise control and the collision avoidance would detect a non-existing object and stop the vehicle from also turning to avoid the crash. The contact stated that while idled at a stop light when the vehicle suddenly accelerated rear-ending the vehicle in front. The air bags did not deploy however the acceleration did not reach high enough speeds for such a response. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not towed. There were no injuries or medical attention needed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer however the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.

Mileage: 10,000

Mar 9, 2022 Crash

The contact leases a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife was driving at 25 MPH with Co-pilot 360 assist mode and the evasive steering assist engaged, she lost control of the steering wheel. The contact stated that his wife could not feel the connection between the steering wheel and the front tires of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle made a sharp right turn and crashed into a telephone pole. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags deployed. The contact 's wife sustained bruises and lesions on the ankle, knee cap, arms and on her left breast but did not seek medical assistance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The vehicle was then towed to another tow lot where it was totaled. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.

Mileage: 12,000

Feb 28, 2022

Audio Control Module failed on 2/17/22. No audio for Forward Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Warning, and reverse sensors. Dealer replace ACM, which fixed the issues on 2/22/22. However on 2/27/22, the speakers started making a popping crackling noise and front speakers went out. Then a few minutes later, no audio for about 15 minutes, but the popping noise still continued. After no audio for about 15 minutes the driver side speakers started to work, but the popping noise continued. Vehicle will be going back to the dealership.

Aug 4, 2021

Adaptive Cruise control reads the overhead electronic posted 65MPH speed limit signs as 85MPH. This only occurs when traveling on I-670 eastbound between Leonard Ave and I-270 on the east side of Columbus Ohio...This section of highway was recently upgraded with "Smart Lane" overhead electronic signs. The dash on this vehicle shows the posted speed limit at all times, but if the cruise control is on the vehicle with automatically go to what it reads and in this case goes to 85MPH! I have driven this vehicle over 5000 miles in 4 different states and this situation only occurs at this particular locatiion. I have contacted State of Ohio, Department of Trtansportation and discussing this issue with Drive Ohio representative Luke Stedke ( [email protected])

May 1, 2021

I PURCHASED A FORD EXPLORER ST 2021 IN NEW YORK FROM CITY WORLD FORD ON BOSTON RD IN THE BRONX ON APRIL 22, 2021 AT APPROXIMATELY 9:37PM. I TOOK MY CAR HOME THE SAME SAME DAY. THE FOLLOWING DAY (SECOND DAY) I STARTED EXPERIENCING A PRE-COLLISION ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE AND POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION/REDUCED POWER LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD AT 12:49 PM. THE CAR BEGAN TO JERK AND FELT LIKE IT WAS ON AWD MODE. THE GAS PEDAL WAS HEAVY AND DIFFICULT TO DRIVE WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY CHILDREN. I STARTED TO SMELL FIRE COMING FROM THE INSIDE OF MY CAR. ONCE I STARTED EXPERIENCING THOSE PROBLEMS FROM MY CAR I IMMEDIATELY PARKED THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T GET AN ANSWER SO I DROVE TO THEM PERSONALLY AFTER I LET IT COOL DOWN FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM I EXPERIENCED WITH THE CAR TO THEM. THE DEALERSHIP STATED TO ME TO TAKE IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP THE MONDAY AND I DID. THE NEXT DAY (TUESDAY) I PICKED UP THE CAR FROM REPAIR SERVICE CENTER. THE NEXT DAY I STARTED EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE FORD. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON WEDNESDAY (NEXT DAY) AND STATED I WANTED A NEW CAR OR EXCHANGE FOR A DIFFERENT CAR. MANAGER STATED I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR FOR SECOND TIME FOR REPAIR. I THEN TOOK THE CAR FOR THE SECOND TIME FOR REPAIR ON WEDNESDAY. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY STILL IN THE REPAIR SERVICE CENTER AND STILL DISPLAYING MALFUNCTIONS AFTER BEING REPAIRED IN THE REPAIR SERVICE CENTER. I HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED MY CAR BACK AND REPAIR CENTER STATED THEY ARE NOT SURE WHEN WILL THE PROBLEM WILL BE FIXED AND WORKING PROPERLY.

Mileage: 111