The second gen-6 year — much calmer than 2020, but the park-rollaway and EcoBoost-engine recalls still need checking.

The 2021 carries the same gen-6 driveline-and-park defects as the 2020: a rear-axle mounting bolt that can fracture and disconnect the driveshaft (23V-675), and control-module resets that can damage the park system so the truck won't hold 'Park' (23V-069, 23V-199). One 2021 owner in the file describes the rear wheels wobbling and the truck fishtailing into a tree, and ties it to the rear-bolt fracture Ford is recalling. Later re-remedies (25V-166) and a park-pawl recall (26V-402, 2020-2021) followed. All free — verify every one by VIN.

The ten-speed automatic behaves as it does across the generation: an independent mechanic cites valve-body and torque-converter glitches roughly between 40,000 and 80,000 miles, handled by Ford software updates. Complaint volume is lower on the 2021 than the 2020, but the tell is the same — a jerk on the downshift or hesitation. Get a diagnostic scan and feel for it on a test drive; a dealer reflash is inexpensive, a rebuild is not.

A 2021-specific safety recall: the side-airbag attachment weld studs could detach during deployment, causing an improper deployment (recall 21V-652, an FMVSS 214 non-compliance). The remedy is a free side-airbag-assembly replacement. It's an invisible defect you can only clear with the paperwork — confirm by VIN that 21V-652 was completed.

The 2021 falls under a multi-model low-pressure-fuel-pump recall (25V-455) where the pump can fail and stall the engine — remedied on Explorers with a PCM software update. It also carries the recurring rearview-camera recall chain (23V-022, 23V-342, and re-remedies) for cameras that blank or distort. Both free. Confirm the fuel-pump software and the latest camera remedy were applied.