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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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Only bulletins with component: Body and frame are shown. Show all

Bulletins, newest first
SSM 550692026-08-11. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY/WIPER; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY. Some 2020-2025 Explorer vehicles equipped with a power roof opening panel may exhibit a sunshield with localized bunching or binding/inoperative. This may be due to a broken or missing sunshield fabric retainer/clip. A revised sunshield clip (LJ6Z-5452118-B) is now available to address this condition. It is not necessary to replace the entire sunshield assembly if the clip(s) are broken or missing. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 501-17 Roof Opening Panel > General Procedures > Inspection and Replacement of the Roof Opening Panel Shield Clip.
SSM 546462026-05-05. Service bulletin. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM; UNKNOWN OR OTHER; STRUCTURE:BODY. Some 2020-2024 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility hybrid vehicles may exhibit a "Refuel Error See Manual" message in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) after installing a replacement fuel filler door assembly (7827936). This may be due to a concern with the replacement fuel filler door assembly. If diagnostics in the Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 501-14 Body > Handles, Locks, Latches and Entry Systems > lead to fuel filler door switch replacement, install a new fuel filler door assembly ordered from depot stock to correct this condition. Suspect parts have been cleared from parts depot inventory.
SSM 546012026-02-27. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY; UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k
SSM 545162026-01-27. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY. 2020-2026 Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may require level III ballistic panels to be replaced due to broken mounting tabs. Individual level III ballistic panel mounting tab service parts are now available: right-hand (78201B68) and left-hand (78201B69). Replacement of the level III ballistic panel assembly is not required for this condition. Level IV ballistic panels do not have removable mounting tabs and still require complete panel replacement. Level III vs level IV ballistic panels can be identified by a large roman numeral label on the panel or by the vehicle window sticker if equipped.
Customer Script-Expl Hood2025-09-29. Other. STRUCTURE:BODY. 2020-2025 MY Explorer hood- customer script
SSM 524352024-04-29. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE: UNDERRIDE; UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Some 2020-2023 Explorer vehicles may exhibit various issues with the roof rack side. If there is an issue with the roof rack side that requires replacement, a lower level service part is now available separately (7855114 and 7855115). It is no longer necessary to replace the entire roof rack assembly.
TSB 24-20442024-03-07. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE; EQUIPMENT. This article supersedes TSB 23-2181 to add 2024 vehicle model year. Some 2020-2024 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may exhibit a lack of audio and/or a water leak in the rear liftgate area and/or water in the spare tire area. The customer may indicate that this concern is more noticeable after a car wash or rainfall. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to identify the leak path.
SSM 518752023-09-02. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. On 2020-2023 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles, customers may desire modifications that require access to the drivers door ajar circuit. In some cases customers may experience an ajar light on when the drivers door is fully closed. When using pin 13 on the factory 14-way connector to access the drivers door ajar circuit, a 70 mA maximum coil current relay with an integrated clamping diode is required to protect against damage to the door latch. Failure to install this correctly will result in repeat warnings that the drivers door latch / door ajar light will remain on until it is compliant with police modifiers bulletin P-032, which can be found on the Police body builders site (https://fordbbas.com/publications).
TSB 23-21812023-06-30. Service bulletin. LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES; STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE. Some 2020-2023 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may exhibit a lack of audio and/or a water leak in the rear liftgate area and/or water in the spare tire area. The customer may indicate that this concern is more noticeable after a car wash or rainfall. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to identify the leak path.
SSM 516122023-05-16. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STEERING. There is a parts and labor time error for Explorer/Aviator 3.0L EcoBoost and Aviator 3.0L plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Ford is in the process of updating TSB 23-2114. Explorer or Aviator with 3.0L EcoBoost or 3.0L PHEV engine require new sub frame bolts and a steering shaft pinch bolt. Aviator will also require suspension nuts and bolts missing from the TSB that are related to halfshaft removal and installation. To complete the repair, follow Workshop Manual (WSM) Section 205-03 > Front Axle Disconnect Actuator (use the 2020 WSM for 2021 Aviator as the procedure for 2021 is currently being updated). Complete the wiring modification per TSB 23-2114. For Explorer 3.0L EcoBoost vehicles, claim operation 232114E 7.2 hours. For Aviator 3.0L EcoBoost and 3.0L PHEV vehicles, claim operation 232114F 7.8 hours. Refer to this article on the repair order.
SSM 515362023-05-04. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE. For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a different vehicle. Most modules on these affected vehicles are VIN/vehicle specific and hardware variations between modules do exist. Swapping a module from a vehicle or ordering a module using a different vehicle/VIN can cause ineffective repairs and additional vehicle down time. Make sure all appropriate Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures are followed when diagnosing the condition prior to all module replacements and only order modules using the correct VIN.
SSM 508102022-06-01. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE. Some 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may exhibit an inoperative power liftgate when using intelligent access (IA) features such as the hands free liftgate or when using the outside control button on the liftgate handle when the doors are locked. This may be due to a poor wiring connection at connector C4332 for the rear keyless entry antenna. If these symptoms are present, inspect C4332 (below the liftgate striker) for a poor connection, loose terminals, or improper pin-fit.
SSM 507052022-04-20. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL. Some 2021 Explorer vehicles may exhibit inoperative side marker turn signals. This may be due to incorrect data in the driver door module (DDM). To correct the condition, run the DDM and passenger door module (PDM) Configuration Application using the latest level of the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). For claiming, use causal part 14B291 and applicable labor times found in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
SSM 505712022-03-15. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR; LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES; EQUIPMENT. Some 2018-2021 Expedition and 2020-2021 Explorer vehicles may intermittently exhibit doors unable to lock/unlock and/or difficult to open in freezing temperatures. This may be due to water entering the interior door latch lock indicator cable assembly. To resolve the condition, replace the affected latch and cable assembly per Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 501-14. Use the latest level service parts only.
SSM 504582022-02-16. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY; UNKNOWN OR OTHER; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:SWITCHES/KNOBS/BUTTONS. Some 2020-2021 Explorer/Aviator/Escape/Corsair, 2021-2022 Bronco Sport, and 2022 Maverick vehicles may exhibit an inoperative driver door window control switch (windows inoperative, mirror control unresponsive, etc.). Diagnostic trouble code (DTC) B1088:87 may be present in the driver door module (DDM). This may be due to the software in the DDM. To correct the condition, reprogram the DDM with the latest software level of the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). After reprogramming the DDM, run the DDM configuration application and perform a window learn routine via FDRS. For claiming, use causal part 14B291 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
TSB 22-20212022-02-16. Service bulletin. UNKNOWN OR OTHER; STRUCTURE:BODY. Some 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may exhibit a wind/whistle type noise at highway speeds originating from the front A-pillar applique (either side or both). This may be due to a small gap between the outboard side of the A-pillar applique and the moulding. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to install thin strips of flock tape on the A-pillar applique.

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