10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 6,273 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
Last month out of the blue, my 2021 Ford Explorer ST with 15,500 miles would not start. Attempts to jump it were futile. I then had it towed in to the local Ford dealer. At first, they were thinking the starter. A few days later, I got a call saying they could not hand crank the motor as it seized up. In addition to that, they found pieces of metal from the piston in the oil pan. The dealer took apart the intake manifold and found that the valve keeper failed thus dropping the intake valve into the #5 cylinder. This necessitated replacement of the engine, both turbos and even the flywheel and torque converter. This is a known issue with the 2021 Broncos and is even being investigated by the NHTSA. I just wanted to bring awareness that this can happen to the 2021 Explorer with the 3.0 Ecoboost as it was built in the same factory as the Bronco 2.7 and is a similar engine. I can provide the repair invoice upon request. I couldn't get it to upload.
- Leesburg, VA, USA
At 13,000 miles this New vehicle started smoking blue gray smoke on startup I have videos. Yes the Dealer reproduced the problem. The dealer stated that both turbos were defective and leaking oil into the hot exhaust on both sides of the engine which could have lead to a fire and endangered our lives. The dealer removed the engine and transmission from the vehicle in the process broke numerous bolts and repaired with inferior quality parts.after four attempts to pick up the car hoses were left loose and short on antifreeze and Turbo boost hose fell off, now there is a antifreeze burning smell and a rough idle. There were no warning lights or messages. This car was meticulously maintained since brand new I have all records to back up. Ford Corporate has just denied a buy back request and said I don-€™t qualify for state Lemon law after 2 months at dealer.
- Wallingford, CT, USA
Defective Starter - car will not start, battery, alternator check off ok.
- Palmdale, CA, USA
On or about 9 am on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, I entered a parking garage facility and drove up the ramp and continued on a level parking area and begin to turn into a parking space beside a large cement column. Just as I entered the parking space at a low rate of speed without my foot on the accelerator, I experienced sudden unintended acceleration which caused the vehicle to narrowly miss the cement column and the front cement wall of the parking space. Fortunately, I quickly braked to avoid a collision and then put the vehicle in park and shut off the vehicle. There were no warning lights on the vehicle dash, and I have not yet taken the vehicle to an authorized Ford Dealer to have it checked. Vehicle is still under factory order and has approx. 26,700 miles.
- Towson, MD, USA
When driving at lower speeds, typically under 30 MPH, the vehicle jerks & lurches. Also sometimes lurches, hesitates or doesn-€™t react on rapid acceleration such as highway merging or passing. Have had many near-misses. Parking, Reverse & Drive do not always engage immediately upon shifting. I nearly ran over my husband when the car was supposed to be in park and it was still in drive. Car will become extremely hot after extended driving causing the A/C to automatically turn to hot air in order to cool the engine. It smells bad and is not at all comfortable on long summer road trips.
- Flower Mound , TX, USA
Vehicle began smoking after a cold start at around 9000 miles. Dealer confirmed the issue was happening and the engine was replaced, but the smoking problem remains. No warning lamps, indicators, or DTCs have been thrown to help in diagnostic. Thus far, there has been no safety impact due to the issue.
- Marysville, OH, USA
Gear(transmission), when put in reverse the car goes forward instead of reverse, and Jerks in reverse after 7-15 sec. And it also jerks while accelerating.
- Brooklyn, NY, USA
While driving vehicle, reduced engine power occurred resulting in the vehicle being unable to safely maintain highway speeds. Once safely on side of roadway, vehicle lost all engine power and would start. Vehicle had 11,049 miles on it and had been properly maintained. Attempts to start vehicle were unsuccessfully and engine sounded like internal components had failed (like a bag of rocks inside the engine). Vehicle was towed to Ford dealer in East Peoria, Illinois for examination and repairs. Excessive metal shavings were found in the oil filter and it was discovered internal engine components had failed, causing catastrophic engine failure. Engine block was replaced. Dealer was provided all previous maintenance records to show that the vehicle was properly maintained.
- Springfield, IL, USA
Got it in the car and pushed the push start button. The cars engine turned over only half way and started to restart and turn over multiple times even though the motor was running halfway. This went on for 15 minutes until i opened up the hood and looked down and after a couple minutes the engine seized and turned off and started smoking, shortly after started on fire from the bottom of the engine. The fire went on for 10 minutes until we turned it off.
- Upland, CA, USA
A police officer complained of a strong odor of exhaust coming through the hvac vents. Officer complained of a light dizziness feeling. Suv was grounded from service. Complaint was verified. Upon opening of the hood a odor of exhaust gas was smelled on the right side of the motor. No visible leaks could be heard or seen. Suv was driven to our local Ford dealer for repair.
- Allentown, PA, USA
- Derry, NH, USA