2021 Ford Explorer Police Intercept recalls

• Seats And Restraints#2026339July 14, 2026

  26,900 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles the recall repairs completed by a Ford dealer during recall 25S67 (Transport Canada recall no. 2025-328) may not be effective. As a result, a second repair is required. On certain vehicles, the trim for the seat fold switch on the second-row outboard seats could become stuck. If this happens, the seat(s) could fold and/or move unexpectedly. Note: This recall replaces Transport Canada recall no. 2025-328. Vehicles that were repaired under that recall also require this repair. Safety Risk: A seat that folds and/or moves could increase the risk of injury in a crash. Corrective Action: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the seat fold switch trim and housing for one with an improved design.

• Powertrain#2026311June 24, 2026

  33,012 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, a problem in the transmission could cause the parking pawl to become damaged. As a result, when the transmission is shifted to Park, the vehicle could move if the parking brake is not applied. Safety Risk: A parked vehicle that rolls away could create the risk of an injury or a crash. Corrective Actions: To reduce the safety risk, Ford recommends that you should always use the parking brake when you park until the recall repairs are completed. Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the powertrain control module (PCM) software. The dealer will also inspect and, if necessary, replace any damaged transmission components.

• Seats And Restraints#2026124March 17, 2026

  44 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the second-row outboard seat belt anchor bolt(s) may be loose or missing. As a result, the seat belt(s) could detach in a crash. Safety Risk: A seat belt that detaches could increase the risk of injury in a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, install, tighten or replace seat belt anchor bolt(s).

• Visual System#2026100March 5, 2026

  99,375 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image not to display properly when the transmission is shifted into reverse. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the vehicle is reversing. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that doesn't display correctly could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail. The corrective actions for this recall are under development.

• Visual System#2026098March 3, 2026

  54,078 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the windshield wiper motor may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the motor could fail and cause the windshield wipers not to work. Safety Risk: Windshield wipers that don't work could reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the windshield wiper motor.

• Electrical#2026005January 9, 2026

  138,783 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the engine block heater could leak coolant. If this happens, the block heater could short circuit when it's plugged in. Note: This recall replaces Transport Canada recall no. 2025-554. Vehicles that were repaired under that recall don't require this repair. Safety Risk: A short circuit can create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: To reduce the safety risk, Ford advises you not to use the engine block heater until the recall repairs have been completed. Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the block heater. Alternatively, owners can choose to have the dealership permanently disable the engine block heater.

• Electrical#2025554October 10, 2025

  128,886 units affected

  This recall was replaced by Transport Canada recall no. 2026-005. Issue: On certain vehicles, the engine block heater could leak coolant. If this happens, the block heater could short circuit when it's plugged in. Safety Risk: A short circuit can create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: To reduce the safety risk, Ford advises you not to use the engine block heater until the recall repairs have been completed. Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the block heater.

• Fuel System#2025366July 8, 2025

  107,534 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the low-pressure fuel pump could fail. If this happens, the engine may run rough or may not start and the check engine light may turn on. This could also result in a sudden loss of engine power while driving. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the powertrain control module software. For Super Duty models, the dealer will replace the fuel pump.

• Visual System#2025360June 27, 2025

  16,575 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image not to display when the transmission is shifted into reverse. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the vehicle is reversing. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that doesn't display could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the SYNC software.

• Seats And Restraints#2025328June 13, 2025

  20,298 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the trim for the seat fold switch on the second-row seats may not have been installed properly. As a result, the switch could become stuck. If this happens, the seat(s) could fold and/or move unexpectedly. Safety Risk: A seat that folds and/or moves could increase the risk of injury in a crash. Corrective Action: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat fold switch trim.

• Visual System#2025140March 14, 2025

  3,738 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the recall repairs completed by a Ford dealer during recall 23S23 (Transport Canada recall no. 2023-288) may not have been done correctly. As a result, a second repair is required. On certain vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image not to appear on the SYNC display screen. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the vehicle is reversing. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that doesn't display could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the image processing module (IPMB) software.

• Powertrain#2025135March 14, 2025

  122 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the recall repairs completed by a Ford dealer during recalls 22S27 (Transport Canada recall no. 2022-198) and/or 23S16 (Transport Canada recall no. 2023-172) may not have been done correctly. As a result, another repair is required. On certain vehicles, a mounting bolt for the rear axle housing could break. If this happens, the axle housing can move and cause clunking or banging noises and vibrations from the rear of the vehicle. It could also cause the driveshaft and axle shafts to disconnect. This would result in a loss of power to the rear wheels and the vehicle could move when the transmission is in Park, if the parking brake is not used. Note: This recall only affects certain vehicles equipped with a 3.0 L or 3.3 L engine. Safety Risk: A parked vehicle that rolls away could create the risk of an injury or a crash. A loss of power to the wheels could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the engine control module (PCM) software to set the parking brake when the transmission is in the Park position.

• Engine#2024492August 23, 2024

  11,821 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the intake valves may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the valves could break and cause the engine to fail. Note: This recall only affects certain vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L EcoBoost engine. This problem would cause the engine to run rough and the engine malfunction indicator lamp to turn on. Safety Risk: An engine failure could cause a sudden loss of power to the wheels and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine.

• Powertrain#2023543October 6, 2023

  9,343 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the recall repairs completed by a Ford dealer during recall 22S27 (Transport Canada recall number 2022-198) may not address all safety risks. As a result, a second repair is required. On certain vehicles, a mounting bolt for the rear axle housing could break. If this happens, the axle housing could move and cause clunking or banging noises and vibrations from the rear of the vehicle. It could also cause the driveshaft and axle shafts to disconnect. This could result in a loss of power to the rear wheels. Also, if the previous recall was not completed, the vehicle could move when the transmission is in Park, if the parking brake is not used. Safety Risk: A parked vehicle that moves suddenly could create the risk of an injury or a crash. A loss of power to the wheels could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the subframe bushing and rear axle bolt. The dealer will also inspect the rear axle cover, and replace it as necessary.

• Visual System#2023288May 15, 2023

  43,582 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image not to appear on the SYNC display screen. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the vehicle is reversing. Note: This recall replaces recall 23S02 (Transport Canada Recall No. 2023-018). Vehicles that were repaired under that recall also require this second repair. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that doesn't display could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the image processing module (IPMB) software.

• Powertrain#2023172March 27, 2023

  68 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the software update that was installed by a Ford dealer during recall 22S27 (Transport Canada recall number 2022-198) prior to July 2022 may not be effective. As a result, a second repair is required. On certain vehicles, a mounting bolt for the rear axle housing could break. If this happens, the axle housing can move and cause clunking or banging noises and vibrations from the rear of the vehicle. It could also cause the driveshaft and axle shafts to disconnect. This would result in a loss of power to the rear wheels and the vehicle could move when the transmission is in Park, if the parking brake is not used. Note: This recall only affects certain vehicles equipped with a 3.0 L or 3.3 L engine. Safety Risk: A parked vehicle that rolls away could create the risk of an injury or a crash. A loss of power to the wheels could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the engine control module (PCM) software to set the parking brake when the transmission is in the Park position.

• Powertrain#2023056February 13, 2023

  33 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the powertrain control module (PCM) could reset while driving and cause damage to the transmission park system. If this happens, you may not be able to shift the transmission into Park. If you try to exit the vehicle while the transmission is not in Park, and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle could move unintentionally. Note: This recall only affects vehicles equipped with a 2.3 L engine. Safety Risk: Unexpected movement of the vehicle could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect the transmission park system for damage, and repair it as necessary.

• Visual System#2023018January 24, 2023

  39,978 units affected

  This recall was replaced by Transport Canada Recall No. 2023-288. Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image to not appear on the SYNC display screen. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the transmission is shifted into reverse gear. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to update the image processing module (IPMB) software.

• Powertrain#2022198April 14, 2022

  10,607 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, a mounting bolt for the rear axle housing could break. If this happens, the axle housing can move and cause clunking or banging noises and vibrations from the rear of the vehicle. It could also cause the driveshaft and axle shafts to disconnect. This would result in a loss of power to the rear wheels and the vehicle could move when the transmission is in Park, if the parking brake is not used. Safety Risk: A parked vehicle that rolls away could create the risk of an injury or a crash. A loss of power to the wheels could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail. For Police Interceptor Utility models, you will be instructed to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace a bushing and the rear axle housing cover. For all other models, you will be instructed to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the engine control module (PCM) software to set the parking brake when the transmission is in the Park position.

• Visual System#2021586September 24, 2021

  24,101 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image to not appear on the SYNC display screen. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the transmission is shifted into reverse gear. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to update the image processing module (IPMB) software.

• Airbag#2021525August 23, 2021

  98 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the side airbag in the seat may not be properly attached. As a result, the side airbag may not inflate properly in a crash. Safety Risk: A side airbag that does not inflate properly could create an increased risk of injury in a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the side airbag assembly.

Canadian data updated August 24, 2026

• POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY#22V255000April 14, 2022

  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.

  Risk: A disconnected driveshaft can result in vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in 'Park' without the parking brake applied, increasing the risk of a crash.

  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 June 9, 2022, and March 10, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S27.