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Service bulletins for the 2021 Ford Explorer

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

326 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.

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By component

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Only bulletins with component: Equipment and accessories are shown. Show all

Bulletins, newest first
TSB 21-21502021-06-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Some 2019-2020 Edge/F-150/Fusion/Continental/MKZ/Nautilus, 2019-2021 Mustang/Ranger/Transit Connect, 2020-2021 EcoSport/Escape/Expedition/Explorer/F-Super Duty/Aviator/Corsair/Navigator and 2021 Bronco Sport vehicles with SYNC 3 may experience various SYNC performance related concerns. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure.
SSM 498202021-06-01. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Some 2017-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicle owners may experience a condition of missing Authorization, Command and Control, Battery Charging Details or Phone-as-a-Key setup buttons/selections in their FordPass or LincolnWay App. This condition is due to an error within the FordPass or LincolnWay App and not due to a concern on the vehicle. Verify that the customers FordPass or LincolnWay App is at the latest version. Replacement or reprogramming of the telematics control unit (TCU)/gateway module (GWM)/remote function actuator (RFA) will not resolve this condition. If the condition persists, Utilize the FordPass Guides or Lincoln Way Concierge teams.
SSM 494842021-02-04. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. Some 2021 F-150/Transit/Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor vehicles may exhibit a flashing powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator while in transport mode with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P112A stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to excessive engine starts while the vehicle is in transport mode. To correct the condition, deactivate transport mode. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 419-10 > General Procedures. Cycle the ignition to RUN. If the concern still exists, perform normal diagnostics in the Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) Manual.
SSM 494372021-02-04. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY:VEHICLE CONTROLS:BRAKING. Some 2020-2021 Explorer/Aviator vehicles built on or before 07-Dec-2020 may falsely store diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) U0415 and/or U3000:42 in the image processing module B (IPMB). These DTCs may be associated with camera display issues or a Reverse Brake Assist Unavailable fault message. To correct the condition, reprogram the IPMB using the latest software level of the appropriate Ford diagnostic scan tool. For claiming, use causal part 19H405 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
SSM 494332021-02-04. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; WHEELS; SERVICE BRAKES. Some 2020-2021 Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit an illuminated anti-lock brake system (ABS) warning lamp with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) C0031, C0034, C0037, and/or C003A. This may be due to metal contamination on the wheel speed sensors or wheel speed sensor rings. Verify that all wheel speed sensors and wheel speed sensor rings are free of metal contamination before replacing them. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 206-09 for diagnostics.
TSB 20-24292021-01-05. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Some 2020-2021 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine and built on or before 21-Oct-2020 may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) U0100 stored in the battery energy control module (BECM). This may be due to the software in the powertrain control module (PCM). To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to reprogram the PCM.
TSB 20-24252021-01-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. Some 2020-2021 Explorer/Aviator vehicle may exhibit a water leak in the rear liftgate area and/or exhibit water in the spare tire area. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to identify the leak path.
SSM 494042021-01-05. Service bulletin. SEATS; EQUIPMENT. Some 2021 Explorer Limited trim vehicles equipped with the 300A convenience package including 2nd row power-fold backrest and 3rd row manual folding seats may exhibit diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B154D:15 and/or B11CE:15 stored in the power fold seat module (SCMJ). If these DTCs are noticed during diagnosis of unrelated concerns, they should be ignored. No repairs should be attempted to address these DTCs.
SSM 493882021-01-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL; POWER TRAIN; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2021 F-150/Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles without a diesel engine and/or without a 10R80 MHT transmission have a new PCM-Transmission Accelerated Main Control Break In routine added to the Diagnosis and Testing Section of the WSM. This new routine uses the Ford diagnostic scan tool to cycle the shift solenoids and clutch control valves to free them from contamination that may be sticking the valves. Refer to WSM, Section 307-01.
SSM 493772021-01-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Some 2020-2021 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost engine and built on or before 01-Dec-2020 may exhibit inoperative air conditioning, an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp, and/or an illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with various diagnostic trouble codes present and a blown fuse F14. This may be due to wiring harness 14290 chaffing on the A/C compressor pulley. If chaffing is present, repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Diagram, Cell 005 for repair procedures. Make sure that the wiring harness retainer is fully seated in the back side of the bracket on the A/C compressor to keep the harness away from the compressor pulley.
SSM 493282020-12-04. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP; EQUIPMENT. Some 2019 MKC, 2019-2020 Edge/Nautilus/Escape/Ranger, 2020 Corsair, 2019-2021 Explorer vehicles equipped with 2.0L and 2.3L EcoBoost engines may exhibit a light to moderate ticking type noise at idle (600-700 RPM). The noise is usually more prominent in the area of the high-pressure fuel pump, located on the top of the engine just behind the number 4 ignition coil. This noise is not detrimental to engine function and has no short or long-term effects on engine durability. This an operating characteristic of these engines and no repairs should be attempted.

The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.