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.
By type
By component
By trouble code
By topic
| TSB 25-2302 | 2025-08-19. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN. This article supersedes TSB 24-2252 to update the Title, Action Statement, Service Procedure and Part List. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: Harsh engagement Delayed engagement Harsh shift Delayed shift Illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC)s P0751, P0752, P0756, P0757, P0761, P0762, P0766, P0767, P0771, P0772, P2700, P2701, P2702, P2703, P2704, P2705, P2707, P2708, P0729, P0731, P0732, P0733, P0734, P0735, P0736, P076F, P07D9, P07F6 and/or P07F7 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) or transmission control module (TCM). This may be due to axial movement of the CDF clutch cylinder sleeve causing hydraulic circuit leaks. NOTE: If internal transmission service is required to address a concern detected with the CDF clutch cylinder following this article, technicians should carefully inspect and replace other transmission components and flush transmission fluid cooler only as necessary as needed to ensure proper function. Add a new line to the repair order to docum |
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| TSB 25-2300 | 2025-08-19. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN. This bulletin supersedes TSB 25-2131 to add reprogram for later level software, new Steps 1-4 in Service Procedure. Updated Part List with 3 superseded part numbers. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh engagement * Delayed engagement * Harsh shift * Delayed shift * Illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0751, P0752, P0756, P0757, P0761, P0762, P0766, P0767, P0771, P0772, P2700, P2701, P2702, P2703, P2704, P2705, P2707, P2708, P0729, P0731, P0732, P0733, P0734, P0735, P0736, P076F, P07D9, P07F6 and/or P07F7 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) or transmission control module (TCM). This may be due to PCM software and/or axial movement of the CDF clutch cylinder (7H351) sleeve causing hydraulic circuit leaks. NOTE: If internal transmission service is required to address a concern detected with the CDF clutch cylinder following this article, technicians should carefully inspect, replace other transmission components and flush transmission fluid cooler only as necessary |
| SSM 54116 | 2025-08-12. Service bulletin. UNKNOWN OR OTHER; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Various 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience a partially or fully black center display screen at start-up using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. This does not affect rear camera operation. This may be due to interference from the phone being connected into the media hub using a universal serial bus (USB) cable during SYNC system boot up. To correct his condition, advise the customer to disconnect the USB cable from the phone. If the center display screen displays normally, reconnect the phone. If the concern persists, disconnect the phone from the USB cable, cycle the ignition off and open the driver's door so the interior lights come on. Close the door, start the vehicle and wait for the center display screen to boot up past the start-up animation and display the home screen, then reconnect the phone using the USB cable. If the concern persists after this procedure, follow normal Workshop Manual diagnostics for a blank screen concern. |
| 24N10 S1 | 2025-08-01. Other. ENGINE. Certain 2020-2022 Model Year Explorer Police Interceptor Utility (PIU) Vehicles Engine Block Breaches This program provides a no-cost, one-time repair (if needed) to the engine long-block for 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. |
| SSM 54083 | 2025-07-30. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. Some 2020-2023 Explorer, 2022-2023 F-150, and 2023-2024 Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with a 2.3L/3.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and/or powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P25B3, P25B4, P25B5, P25B6, P2ABA, P2ABB, P2ABC, P2AB7, P2AB8, and/or P2AB9 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to a concern with the turbocharger wastegate. To correct the condition, follow the applicable diagnostic pinpoint tests (PPT) steps found in Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-04 and repair as necessary. |
| 24N12 | 2025-07-02. Other. ENGINE. Certain 2021 - 2022 Model Year Various Vehicles Engine Valve Inspection Test |
| SSM 53982 | 2025-07-02. Service bulletin. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM. Some 2020-2023 Explorer/Aviator, 2020-2025 Police Interceptor Utility, 2020-2022 Escape/Corsair, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles equipped with a hybrid powertrain may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P2450:00 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to an evaporative emission system concern or may also be caused by the customer overfilling the fuel tank. If this condition occurs, perform normal diagnosis per Workshop Manual (WSM) Section, 303-13 and repair as necessary. Inform the customer that the condition may have been caused by overfilling of the fuel tank and to not top-off the fuel tank when the fuel pump nozzle automatically shuts off for the first time. Refer the customer to the Fuel and Refueling section of their Owner Manual for additional information. |
| SSM 53973 | 2025-07-02. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN; ENGINE. Some 2021-2024 Edge/Nautilus, 2021-2025 Bronco/Bronco Sport/E-Series/Escape/Corsair/Expedition/Navigator/Explorer/Aviator/F-150/F-Super Duty/Mustang/Ranger, and 2022-2025 Maverick vehicles may require an A/C compressor clutch assembly replacement be performed for various concerns. Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 412-00 Removal and Installation has been updated to eliminate the need to remove and install the A/C compressor to change out the A/C Compressor clutch assembly. |
| SSM 53966 | 2025-06-24. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Some 2021-2025 Ford/ Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC4 may not be able to perform an update to the accessory protocol interface module (APIM). This may be due to the software in the APIM. Ford Engineering has de-activated the ability to update these SYNC4 APIM modules as applicable, and the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) will not present an update for the APIM module. Some existing directed repairs may be impacted, check Professional Technician System (PTS) before attempting any specific technical service bulletin (TSB)/special service message (SSM) and check field service action (FSA) landing pages before attempting any FSA repairs. For any vehicle repairs requiring a software update that includes an APIM update in the programming sequence, if the 5-digit product code for the APIM software is equal to or lower than 23187, do not attempt to update affected modules at this time. To determine the 5-digit product code for the APIM software on the vehicle, while the vehicle center display screen is powered up with ignition in run or accessory, go to Settings > General > About SYNC. |
| SSM 53876 | 2025-06-11. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. Some 2020-2023 Aviator/Explorer and 2021-2023 Bronco vehicles equipped with a 10R60 transmission may exhibit harsh or delayed engagement/shift concerns. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 307-01 > Diagnosis and Testing for normal diagnostics. The WSM has been updated with information from previously published articles related to this concern. |
| 24B47 S1 | 2025-06-05. Other. UNKNOWN OR OTHER. CERTAIN 2018-2024 MODEL YEAR VARIOUS VEHICLES — UPDATE SYNC SOFTWARE |
| TSB 25-2228 | 2025-06-02. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit delayed reverse engagement. This may be due to the software in the powertrain control module (PCM). |
| TSB 25-2213 | 2025-05-28. Service bulletin. STEERING. This article supersedes TSB 25-2121 to update the affected production build dates. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit a click/pop noise while turning the steering wheel from straight ahead to full lock during low speed turning events. This noise may be due to front upper strut mount washer movement under steering loads. |
| SSM 53764 | 2025-05-21. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN; ENGINE. Some 2020 Continental, 2020-2024 Edge/Nautilus, 2020-2025 Explorer/Aviator/Escape/Corsair/F-150/F-Super Duty/Ranger/Transit/E-Series, 2021-2025 Bronco, and 2022-2025 Maverick vehicles may require an engine cooling system flush to be performed for various concerns. Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-03 has been updated to eliminate the need to remove and install the radiator assembly to perform a radiator flush. |
| TSB 25-2131 | 2025-04-22. Service bulletin. UNKNOWN OR OTHER. This bulletin supersedes TSB 24-2436. Reason for update: update the Part List and Service Procedure Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh engagement * Delayed engagement * Harsh shift * Delayed shift * Illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0751, P0752, P0756, P0757, P0761, P0762, P0766, P0767, P0771, P0772, P2700, P2701, P2702, P2703, P2704, P2705, P2707, P2708, P0729, P0731, P0732, P0733, P0734, P0735, P0736, P076F, P07D9, P07F6 and/or P07F7 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) or transmission control module (TCM). This may be due to axial movement of the CDF clutch cylinder (7H351) sleeve causing hydraulic circuit leaks. NOTE: If internal transmission service is required to address a concern detected with the CDF clutch cylinder following this article, technicians should carefully inspect and replace other transmission components and flush transmission fluid cooler only as necessary to confirm proper function. Add a new line to the repair order to document any additional |
| SSM 53601 | 2025-04-16. Service bulletin. UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Some 2020-2023 Explorer/Aviator, 2020-2025 Police Interceptor Utility, 2020-2025 Escape/Corsair, 2022-2025 Maverick, and 2024-2025 Nautilus vehicles equipped with a hybrid powertrain may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P2450:00 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to an evaporative emission system concern or may also be caused by the customer overfilling the fuel tank. If this condition occurs, perform normal diagnosis per Workshop Manual (WSM) Section, 303-13 and repair as necessary. Inform the customer that the condition may have been caused by overfilling of the fuel tank and to not top-off the fuel tank when the fuel pump nozzle automatically shuts off for the first time. Refer the customer to the Fuel and Refueling section of their Owner Manual for additional information. |
| TSB 25-2121 | 2025-03-31. Service bulletin. UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit a click/pop noise while turning the steering wheel from straight ahead to full lock during low speed turning events. This noise may be due to front upper strut mount washer movement under steering loads. |
| SSM 53519 | 2025-03-28. Service bulletin. UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Some 2020-2025 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost engine may require removal of the left turbocharger oil supply tube due to various concerns. |
| SSM 53305 | 2025-01-27. Service bulletin. UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Some 2017-2025 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with a 10R60/10R80/10R80 MHT/10R100 transmission may exhibit a whine noise at idle and/or while driving. |
| TSB 24-2436 | 2025-01-15. Service bulletin. UNKNOWN OR OTHER. "Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: • Harsh engagement • Delayed engagement • Harsh shift • Delayed shift" |
| SSM 53292 | 2025-01-15. Service bulletin. UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Some 2018-2024 F-150/Edge, 2018 MKX, 2019-2023 Nautilus, 2020-2025 Explorer/Aviator, 2021-2024 Bronco, and 2024 Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or a 3.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an engine oil leak from the crankshaft rear seal with retaining plate. |
| SSM 53288 | 2025-01-15. Service bulletin. UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Some 2020-2022 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.). |
| SSM 53278 | 2025-01-09. Service bulletin. UNKNOWN OR OTHER. On 2020-2025 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles, customers may desire modifications that require access to the driver's door ajar circuit. |
| 24N10 | 2025-01-03. Other. UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Certain 2020-2022 Model Year Explorer Police Interceptor Utility (PIU) Vehicles Engine Block Breaches |
| 24B47 S1 | 2025-01-03. Other. UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Certain 2018 - 2024 Model Year Various Vehicles Update SYNC Software |
The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.