These are standard specifications for the 2021 Ford Explorer, not necessarily specifications for the vehicle(s) in the photo(s).
Transmission:
10 Automatic SelectShi
Information provided by NHTSA
Data updated June 2024
Features
| Engine Location : | Front |
| Drive Type : | Rear Wheel (standard), AWD |
| Production Years for Series : | 2016 - |
| Weight : | 4345 lbs | 1970.859 kg |
| MPG City : | 17 |
| MPG Highway : | 24 |
| Combined MPG : | 20.00 |
| Introduced At : | 2014 LA Auto Show |
Engine & Transmission
| Turbocharged Inline 4 | |
|---|---|
| Displacement : | 2294 cc | 140.0 cu in. | 2.3 L. |
| Power : | 300 HP (220.8 KW) |
| Torque : | 310 Ft-Lbs (420 NM) |
| Bore : | 87.6 mm | 3.447 in. |
| Stroke : | 94.0 mm | 3.701 in. |
| Compression : | 10.0:1 |
| Valvetrain : | 16 DOHC (4 valves per cylinder) |
| Construction : | Aluminum block and head |
| Direct Fuel Injection | |
| Ignition system : | Distributor-less with coil-on-plug |
| Intake manifold : | Composite shell-welded with runner pack |
| Exhaust manifold : | Three-port integrated into aluminum head |
| Crankshaft : | Forged steel |
| Pistons : | Cast aluminum |
| Connecting rods : | Powered metal |
| V 6 | |
|---|---|
| Displacement : | 3343 cc | 204.0 cu in. | 3.3 L. |
| Power : | 318 HP (234.048 KW) |
| Torque : | 322 Ft-Lbs (437 NM) |
| Bore : | 90.4 mm | 3.559 in. |
| Stroke : | 86.7 mm | 3.413 in. |
| Compression : | 12.0:1 |
| Valvetrain : | 24 DOHC (4 valves per cylinder) |
| Ignition system : | Coil-on-plug |
| Intake manifold : | Composite, common plenum |
| Exhaust manifold : | Bolt On Cast Iron Manifold |
| Crankshaft : | Forged steel |
| Pistons : | High-temperature cast aluminum alloy with low-friction coated skirts |
| Connecting rods : | Forged steel with cracked caps |
| Turbocharged V 6 | |
|---|---|
| Displacement : | 2956 cc | 180.4 cu in. | 3.0 L. |
| Power : | 365 HP (268.64 KW) |
| Torque : | 380 Ft-Lbs (515 NM) |
| Bore : | 85.4 mm | 3.362 in. |
| Stroke : | 86.0 mm | 3.386 in. |
| Compression : | 9.5:1 |
| Valvetrain : | 24 DOHC (4 valves per cylinder) |
| Construction : | Aluminum block and head |
| Direct Fuel Injection | |
| Ignition system : | Distributor-less with coil-on-plug |
| Intake manifold : | Composite shell-welded with runner pack |
| Exhaust manifold : | Integrated into aluminum head |
| Crankshaft : | Forged steel |
| Pistons : | Cast aluminum |
| Connecting rods : | Forged steel |
| Turbocharged V 6 60-degree | |
|---|---|
| Displacement : | 2956 cc | 180.4 cu in. | 3.0 L. |
| Power : | 400 HP (294.4 KW) |
| Torque : | 415 Ft-Lbs (563 NM) |
| Bore : | 85.4 mm | 3.362 in. |
| Stroke : | 86.0 mm | 3.386 in. |
| Compression : | 9.5:1 |
| Valvetrain : | 24 DOHC (4 valves per cylinder) |
| Construction : | Aluminum block and head |
| Direct Fuel Injection | |
| Ignition system : | Distributer-less with coil-on-plug |
| Intake manifold : | Composite Shell welded with runner pack |
| Exhaust manifold : | Integrated into Aluminum Head |
| Crankshaft : | Forged steel |
| Pistons : | Cast Aluminum |
| Connecting rods : | Forged steel |
10 Automatic SelectShi
Gear Ratios
| 1st Gear : | 4.714 |
| 2nd Gear : | 2.997 |
| 3rd Gear : | 2.149 |
| 4th Gear : | 1.769 |
| 5th Gear : | 1.521 |
| 6th Gear : | 1.275 |
| 7th Gear : | 1.000 |
| 8th Gear : | 0.853 |
| 9th Gear : | 0.689 |
| 10th Gear : | 0.636 |
Production Figures
| Total Ford Production for 2021 : | 2,310,494 |
| 2021 Ford Explorer | |
Dimension(s)
SUV
| Cargo Volume : | 88 cu. ft. |
| Passenger Volume : | 152.7 cu. ft. |
| Standard Payload : | 600.0 lbs |
| Fuel Capacity : | 17.9 Gal |
| Seating Capacity : | 7 |
| Doors : | 4 |
| Exterior | |
|---|---|
| Length : | 198.8 in | 5050 mm. |
| Width : | 78.9 in | 2004 mm. |
| Height : | 69.9 in | 1775 mm. |
| Wheelbase : | 119.1 in | 3025 mm. |
| Front Track : | 66.9 in | 1699 mm. |
| Rear Track : | 66.9 in | 1699 mm. |
| Ground Clearance : | 7.9 in | 201 mm. |
| Front Overhang : | 33.7 in | 856 mm. |
| Rear Overhang : | 46.0 in | 1169 mm. |
| Interior | |
| Front Row Headroom : | 40.7 in | 1034 mm. |
| Second Row Headroom : | 40.5 in | 1029 mm. |
| Third Row Headroom : | 38.9 in | 988 mm. |
| Front Row Legroom : | 43.0 in | 1092 mm. |
| Second Row Legroom : | 39.0 in | 991 mm. |
| Third Row Legroom : | 32.2 in | 818 mm. |
| Front Hip Room : | 59.2 in | 1504 mm. |
| Rear Hip Room : | 59.1 in | 1501 mm. |
| Front Shoulder Room : | 61.8 in | 1570 mm. |
| Rear Shoulder Room : | 61.9 in | 1572 mm. |
Handling
| Suspension | |
|---|---|
| MacPherson | |
| Tires / Wheels | |
|---|---|
| Tires : | 255/65R/18 |
| Wheels : | 18-inch painted aluminum |
| Optional Tires | |
|---|---|
| Tires : | 255/55R/20 |
| Tires : | 275/45R/21 |
| Optional Wheels | |
|---|---|
| Tires : | 18-inch five-spoke Sparkle Silver-painted aluminum (standard on XLT) |
| Tires : | 20-inch premium painted aluminum (optional on XLT, standard on Limited) |
| Tires : | 20-inch Carbonized Gray-painted 10-spoke wheels (included in XLT Sport Appearance Package) |
| Tires : | 20-inch 10-spoke aluminum (standard on Limited Hybrid, optional on Limited) |
| Tires : | 20-inch machined aluminum with painted pockets (standard on ST) |
| Tires : | 21-inch aluminum wheels (included in ST Street Pack and ST High-Performance Pack) |
| Tires : | 21-inch bright machined-face aluminum with Luster Nickel painted pockets (standard on Platinum) |
Recall
| Component | ENGINE |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| NHTSA Campaign ID | 20V788000 |
| Summary | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The right hand motor mount fasteners may have been incorrectly tightened, and may loosen over time. |
| Consequence | With a loose motor mount, motor vibration may cause the axle to disconnect from the engine and could result in loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Remedy | Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove and replace the right hand motor mount fasteners, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S72. |
| Notes | Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. |
| Component | AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| NHTSA Campaign ID | 21V652000 |
| Summary | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The side air bag attachment weld studs could detach during the deployment of the side air bag, resulting in an improper deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 214, 'Side Impact Protection'. |
| Consequence | Improper deployment of a side air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash. |
| Remedy | Dealers will replace the side air bag assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 10, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C19. |
| Notes | Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov. |
| Component | SUSPENSION:REAR |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| NHTSA Campaign ID | 21V870000 |
| Summary | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. Incorrect rear suspension module components may have been installed due to a labeling error. |
| Consequence | A rear suspension module with incorrect components may affect vehicle handling, ride height, and braking characteristics, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Remedy | Dealers will inspect the rear suspension module, and replace any incorrect parts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S47. |
| Notes | Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov. |
| Component | BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| NHTSA Campaign ID | 21V735000 |
| Summary | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Corsair, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with 360-degree cameras. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying. |
| Consequence | A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Remedy | Dealers will update the Image Processing Module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 16, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S44. |
| Notes | Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov. |
| Component | POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| NHTSA Campaign ID | 23V675000 |
| Summary | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect. |
| Consequence | A disconnected driveshaft can result in a loss of drive power or a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash. |
| Remedy | Dealers will replace the subframe bushing and rear axle bolt. They will also inspect the rear axle cover for damage near the bolt hole location and replace with a new cover if any damage is found. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 19, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S55. |
| Notes | Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov. |
| Component | BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| NHTSA Campaign ID | 23V305000 |
| Summary | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with a 12.1-inch Integrated Computer Screen (ICS). When the Display On/Off Button is used to turn the display to 'Off' prior to placing the vehicle in reverse, the backup camera rearview image will not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, 'Rear Visibility.' |
| Consequence | A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. |
| Remedy | Dealers will update the ICS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2023. The remedy is anticipated to be available by June 30, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C14. |
| Notes | Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov. |
| Component | BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| NHTSA Campaign ID | 23V022000 |
| Summary | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying. |
| Consequence | Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Remedy | Dealers will update the image processing module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 25, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S02. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 21V-735. Vehicles previously repaired under 21V-735 will need to have the new remedy performed. |
| Notes | Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov. |
| Component | POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| NHTSA Campaign ID | 23V069000 |
| Summary | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission. An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage. |
| Consequence | A park system that is damaged may not shift into 'PARK,' resulting in a vehicle rollaway and increasing the risk of injury or crash. |
| Remedy | Dealers will inspect the park system for damage and repair as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S05. |
| Notes | Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov. |
| Component | BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| NHTSA Campaign ID | 23V342000 |
| Summary | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying. |
| Consequence | Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Remedy | Dealers will replace the 360-degree camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S23. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 23V-022. Vehicles previously repaired under 23V-022 will need to have the new remedy performed. |
| Notes | Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov. |
| Component | POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| NHTSA Campaign ID | 23V199000 |
| Summary | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L RWD, 3.3L GAS, 3.3L FHEV, or 3.0L ST powertrain. The previous powertrain control module (PCM) update completed under recall 22V-255 did not include the automatic electronic parking brake feature when the vehicle is shifted to park, as intended. In addition, the rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect. |
| Consequence | Without the electronic parking brake applied, the vehicle could rollaway if the driveshaft disconnects. A disconnected driveshaft can also result in a loss of drive power. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash. |
| Remedy | Dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 31, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S16. |
| Notes | Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov. |
| Component | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| NHTSA Campaign ID | 23V626000 |
| Summary | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 3.0L PHEV engines. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure. |
| Consequence | Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire. |
| Remedy | Dealers will perform a Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) diagnostic test and replace the high voltage battery pack, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford Motor Company's number for this recall is 23S53. |
| Notes | Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov. |
Data updated June 2024
2021 Ford Explorer FAQs (show)
Popular frequently asked questions include:
What are the dimension and mechanical specifications of the 2021 Ford Explorer?
Q: What is the wheelbase size of the 2021 Ford Explorer? A: The 2021 Ford Explorer has a wheelbase size of 119.10 inches.Q: What is the length of the 2021 Ford Explorer? A: The 2021 Ford Explorer has a length of 198.80 inches.Q: What is the width of the 2021 Ford Explorer? A: The 2021 Ford Explorer has a width of 78.90 inches.Q: How much headroom does the 2021 Ford Explorer have?A: The 2021 Ford Explorer has 40.70 inches of headroom.Q: How much legroom does the 2021 Ford Explorer have?A: The 2021 Ford Explorer has legroom of 43.00 inches.Q: What is the bodystyle of the 2021 Ford Explorer? A: The 2021 Ford Explorer was a SUV.Q: What tires did the 2021 Ford Explorer have? A: The 2021 Ford Explorer had 255/65R/18 tires.Q: What type of wheels did the 2021 Ford Explorer have? A: The 2021 Ford Explorer had 18-inch painted aluminum wheels.Q: How many vehicles did Ford produce in 2021? A: Ford produced 2,310,494 automobiles in 2021.Q: What engines did the 2021 Ford Explorer have? A: The 2021 Ford Explorer had the following engine options: Turbocharged Inline 4 (2294 cc | 140.0 cu in. | 2.3 L.) with 300 HP (220.8 KW) and 310 Ft-Lbs (420 NM) V 6 (3343 cc | 204.0 cu in. | 3.3 L.) with 318 HP (234.048 KW) and 322 Ft-Lbs (437 NM) Turbocharged V 6 (2956 cc | 180.4 cu in. | 3.0 L.) with 365 HP (268.64 KW) and 380 Ft-Lbs (515 NM) Turbocharged V 6 (2956 cc | 180.4 cu in. | 3.0 L.) with 400 HP (294.4 KW) and 415 Ft-Lbs (563 NM) Q: What transmission did the 2021 Ford Explorer have? A: The 2021 Ford Explorer had a 10 speed Automatic SelectShi gearbox.