The service and repair manual for the 2021 Ford Explorer — 3.3L V6 and 2.3L I4 and 3.0L V6 engines, 9 trims. Matched to this exact model year, so the specifications and sequences are the ones Ford published for your car, not figures carried over from a neighbouring year.
01 / FitmentWhat this manual covers
| Model year | 2021 |
|---|---|
| Engines | 3.3L V6 — 204 cu in, DOHC 2.3L I4 — 140 cu in, DOHC, turbocharged 3.0L V6 — 180 cu in, DOHC, turbocharged |
| Trims | Limited Hybrid Sport Utility 4-Door · Timberline Sport Utility 4-Door · Limited Sport Utility 4-Door · Base Sport Utility 4-Door · ST Sport Utility 4-Door · Platinum Hybrid Sport Utility 4-Door +3 |
| Federal record | 10 recalls · 513 complaints · 286 technical service bulletins (refreshed 2026-08-21) |
02 / InsideSample pages from the 2021 Explorer manual
03 / ContentsSections in the manual
- Quick Lookups 3,372
- General Information 2,467
- Accessories & Equipment 4,152
- Heating, Ventilation & A/C (HVAC) 447
- Body & Frame 917
- Maintenance 73
- Brakes 697
- Restraints 207
- Drivelines & Axles 130
- Steering 91
- Electrical 3,312
- Suspension 181
- Engine Mechanical 423
- Transmission 541
- Engine Performance 4,287
- Hub Nut 221
04 / Known issuesRecalls on federal record for the 2021 Explorer
- Back Over Prevention — display function · 23V305000Ford 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.
- Power Train — automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) · 23V199000Ford 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 mo.
- Air Bags — side/window › curtain · 21V652000Ford 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 ai.
- Back Over Prevention — sensing system › camera · 23V022000Ford 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.
- Back Over Prevention — software · 21V735000Ford 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, preve.
- Seat Belts · 26V159000Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 explorer and lincoln aviator vehicles. the seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improper.
- Back Over Prevention — sensing system › camera · 23V342000Ford 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.
- Suspension — rear · 21V870000Ford 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 er.
- Equipment — electrical › engine block heater · 25V685000Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 lincoln mkc, 2016-2023 explorer, 2019-2020 fusion, 2019-2024 ranger, 2020-2022 lincoln corsair, escape, 2021-2024 bronco, b.
- Power Train — automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) · 23V069000Ford 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.
Owners have filed 513 complaints and Ford has issued 286 technical service bulletins for the 2021 Explorer. The manual carries the manufacturer's diagnostic and repair procedures behind these systems.
FAQQuestions about the 2021 Explorer manual
Is this manual specific to the 2021 Explorer?
Yes. It is the OEM manual matched to the 2021 model year, covering the 3.3L V6 and 2.3L I4 and 3.0L V6 across the Limited Hybrid Sport Utility 4-Door, Timberline Sport Utility 4-Door, Limited Sport Utility 4-Door, Base Sport Utility 4-Door, ST Sport Utility 4-Door, Platinum Hybrid Sport Utility 4-Door, XLT Sport Utility 4-Door, King Ranch Sport Utility 4-Door, Platinum Sport Utility 4-Door trims. Specifications and procedure sequences are the ones Ford published for this year.
What 2021 Explorer problems does it help with?
10 recalls are on federal record for the 2021 Explorer, covering back over prevention, power train, air bags. The manual carries the manufacturer's diagnostic and repair procedures for those systems; the recall repairs themselves are done free by Ford dealers.
Does it include 2021 Explorer wiring diagrams?
Yes — the complete wiring diagrams for the 2021 build, alongside repair procedures, specifications and diagnostics.
Is it a subscription?
No. $55.99 once and the manual is yours. It is a digital manual — nothing ships; access details arrive by email after checkout and it works on any device.
RelatedOther Explorer years and 2021 Ford models
2024 Explorer · 2023 Explorer · 2022 Explorer · 2020 Explorer · 2019 Explorer · 2018 Explorer · 2017 Explorer · 2016 Explorer · 2015 Explorer · all 34 years
2021 Ford Bronco · 2021 Ford Bronco Sport · 2021 Ford E-350 Super Duty · 2021 Ford E-450 Super Duty · 2021 Ford EcoSport · 2021 Ford Edge · 2021 Ford Escape · 2021 Ford Expedition · 2021 Ford F-150 · 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty · 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty · 2021 Ford F-450 Super Duty · every 2021 model