2014 Ford Explorer
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 1,678 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.
Of the 2014 reports, 32 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 38 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, body, roof and pillarsJan 19, 2024
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
Campaign 24V031000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearJul 15, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 16V-245, 19V-435, and 20V-675. Certain vehicles previously repaired will need to return for the new remedy. An interim notification letter notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2022. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S32.
Campaign 21V537000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearMar 12, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin that were previously repaired under a prior recall numbers 16V-245 or 19V-435. The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fracture.
A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle attached to the rear suspension toe link and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S62.
Campaign 20V675000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, axle assembly, axle shaftNov 10, 2020
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Explorer, 2014-2015 Taurus and 2014 Edge vehicles equipped with 2.0L or 2.3L engines and front wheel drive. The support bracket for the front drive axle halfshaft may fail.
The failed bracket could result in a loss of park function which can cause unintended vehicle movement, and loss of motive power while driving which increases the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the link shaft bracket, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners received an interim notification detailing safety risk December 8, 2020. A second letter will be mailed when parts become available in January 2021. The recall began February 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S63.
Campaign 20V692000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearJun 10, 2019
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.
Campaign 19V435000 on NHTSA.gov
Wheels, hubAug 28, 2017
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.
A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 17E048000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearApr 26, 2016
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured January 17, 2014 to May 31, 2014. The affected vehicles may have improperly welded rear suspension toe links that may fracture.
A fracture of the rear suspension toe link may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. The recall began on November 18, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S18.
Campaign 16V245000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
258 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Sep 15, 2014
EXHAUST SMELL IN VEHICLE WHEN ACCELERATING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 70MPH. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 14, 2014
TEST DROVE BRAND NEW 2014 EXPLORER WITH 3.5L ECOBOOST TURBO ENGINE. UPON HARD ACCELERATION, THE VEHICLE CABIN EXPERIENCES A STRONG EXHAUST SMELL THAT IS IRRITATING TO THE EYES AND LUNGS. I DECIDED AGAINST PURCHASING THE VEHICLE FOR THIS REASON. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Sep 14, 2014
I RENTED A NEARLY NEW FORD EXPLORER LIMITED AWD IN MILWAUKEE, WI. I HAD BEEN CONSIDERING PURCHASING THIS MODEL SO I WAS PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE ONE FOR A FEW DAYS. EVERY TIME I ACCELERATED HARD (WOT) THE CABIN WOULD FILL WITH EXHAUST FUMES. THIS OCCURRED EVEN WITH THE AC IN RECIRCULATE MODE AND WITHOUT ANY OTHER VEHICLES NEARBY THAT WOULD HAVE PRODUCED THE ODOR. IT WAS STRONG ENOUGH THAT WE OPENED THE WINDOWS TO GET FRESH AIR. AFTER THE 2ND TIME OF THIS OCCURRING, I DID NOT ACCELERATE HARD AGAIN AS TO AVOID THE PROBLEM. I ALSO TEST DROVE A BRAND NEW 2014 ECOBOOST AWD MODEL THIS WEEKEND AND IT DID THE SAME THING. I WILL NOT BE PURCHASING THIS MODEL BUT WANTED TO ADD MY EXPERIENCE TO THE DATABASE AS I FEEL THAT FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. IT IS A SHAME, IT WAS A NICE VEHICLE OTHERWISE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Sep 13, 2014
WHEN ACCELERATING OR DOING FREEWAY SPEEDS THE SMELL OF EXHAUST CIRCULATES THROUGHOUT THE CAR. IT IS SO BAD THAT WE HAVE TO ROLL DOWN ALL THE WINDOWS. THIS HAS CAUSED DROWSINESS, HEADACHES AND OUR YOUNG GRANDDAUGHTER TO HAVE AN ASTHMA ATTACK. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY BOTH SAY THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE SMELL IS NOT ABNORMAL. THEY CLAIM THAT THE CAR IS NOT BROKEN IN YET AND THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDS TO BURN OFF. *TR
Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 12, 2014
UPON HEAVY ACCELERATION (TO ENTER THE FREEWAY, FOR EXAMPLE) A STRONG ODOR OF EXHAUST FUMES ENTERS THE CABIN. IT IS NECESSARY TO OPEN A WINDOW IN ORDER TO BREATH AGAIN! THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME UPON ENTERING THE FREEWAY, AND IF/WHEN PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
Engine, Sep 7, 2014
AFTER PURCHASING A NEW 2014 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED. 3.5L 4WD LESS THAN 2 HOURS PRIOR, MY WIFE AND 2 CHILDREN WERE DRIVING HOME DOWN THE FREEWAY. AFTER A HARD ACCELERATION AN AWFUL SMELL FILLED THE CABIN. MY WIFE STARTED COUGHING AND I INSTANTLY FELT NAUSEOUS. I PULLED OVER THINKING SOMETHING WAS BURNING, MY WIFE THOUGHT IT WAS BURNING WIRES. I CHECKED OF THE VEHICLE BUT FOUND NOTHING BURNING. I DID HOWEVER WALK TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS OVERPOWERED BY THE SAME SMELL. I NARROWED IN DOWN TO THE EXHAUST PIPE. AFTER GETTING HOME I DID A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH AND WAS SHOCKED TO FIND MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND THERE IS EVEN A LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST FORD OVER IT. THE DEALER MUST HAVE KNOWN ABOUT IT... I WANT TO RETURN THIS VEHICLE , FORD HAS TO HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS OR SHOULD HAVE. THEY PUT MY CHILDREN AT RISK AND I AM NOT HAPPY. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN 3 HOURS AT THE TIME OF THIS WRITING. WHAT CAN I DO? *TR
Engine, Aug 30, 2014
EXHAUST FUMES ARE ENTERING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM IS OPERATING. THESE FUMES ARE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE ITSELF AND NOT FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES. THE FUMES ARE WORSE WHEN THE RECIRCULATE OPTION IS OPERATING. HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND/OR MEDIUM ACCELERATION PRODUCE THE STRONGEST FUMES. HEADACHES AND NAUSEA INFLICTED ON VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY FORD, PRESENTED AS REPAIRED AND STATED TO HAVE PASSED A TEST FOR EXHAUST FUMES. VEHICLE STILL PRESENTS EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, IT BECAME APPARENT THAT FORD AND THE NHTSA HAVE KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM: CARBON MONOXIDE EXPOSURE AND HEALTH ISSUES SHOULD NOT BE REGULATED TO SECONDARY STATUS BY FORD NOR THE NHTSA. *TR
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 27, 2014
AT FIRST THE ONLY TIME WE WOULD NOTICE EXHAUST ENTERING THE CABIN WAS AFTER HARD ACCELERATION. NOW IT SEEMS THAT A LOWER SPEEDS EXHAUST IS ENTERING REGARDLESS OF ACCELERATION LEVELS ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. *TR
Engine, Aug 20, 2014
STRONG EXHAUST ODOR ON ACCELERATION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 4, 2014
WHEN I LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR, AN EXHAUST SMELL FILLS THE CABIN. *TR
Engine, Aug 3, 2014
STRONG EXHAUST ODOR ON ACCELERATION. *TR
Engine, Aug 2, 2014
MY FAMILY HAS A 2013 AND 2014 FORD EXPLORER. BOTH OF THEM DELIVER A NOXIOUS ODOR INTO THE CABIN ON MEDIUM TO HARD ACCELERATION. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT WHEN I'VE SEARCHED FOR THE ISSUE ON THE INTERNET. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 30, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, EXHAUST FUMES ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS. THE EXHAUST FUMES WERE THE STRONGEST AT 60 MPH OR HIGHER. THE CONTACT HAD TO REDUCE THE VEHICLE'S SPEED AND OPEN ALL OF THE WINDOWS IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE FUMES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600. UPDATED 10/03/14*LJ UPDATED 3/10/15 *JS
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 30, 2014
BAD ODOR IN VEHICLE DURING ACCELERATION. SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS. THIS IS A BRAND NEW AUTO. VERY DISAPPOINTED. SMELLED IT DURING TEST DRIVE BUT SALESMAN SAID THAT IT WAS CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE SMELL WOULD GO AWAY. IT HAS NOT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Jul 13, 2014
STRONG EXHAUST SMELL ANYTIME ENGINE ACCELERATES, SUCH AS DOWNSHIFTING WHEN GOING OVER AN OVERPASS ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. NOT "HARD" ACCELERATION REALLY. I HAVE RESEARCHED, AND KNOW THIS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND HAS BEEN SINCE THE "5TH GEN" EXPLORERS CAME OUT. I KNOW IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF NHTSA, AND I AM JUST REGISTERING MY COMPLAINT HOPING YOU CAN GET THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. THANK YOU. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 13, 2014
EXHAUST FUMES ENTER THE CABIN THROUGH THE A/C VENTS INTERMITTENTLY. THE A/C CONTROLS MUST BE TURNED ON AND THE VEHICLE MUST BE ACCELERATING OR CLIMBING A HILL. IT LOADS THE CABIN HEAVILY AT TIMES WITH EXHAUST FUMES, BUT APPEARS TO CLEAR QUICKLY WHEN NORMAL OPERATION RESUMES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Jul 7, 2014
WHEN DRIVING MY 2014 FORD EXPLORER AT ANY SPEED AND ON ANY TERRAIN, THE EXHAUST FUMES ENTER INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR IS EXTREME, CAUSES HEADACHES, NAUSEA, AND TENDS TO BURN MY EYES AS WELL AS MY GRANDDAUGHTER, WHO IS WITH ME MOST OF THE TIME. BECAUSE THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ENOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAIN OF THIS PROBLEM, AND BECAUSE FORD HAS NOT RECOGNIZED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM, MY DEALER WAS NOT GOING TO ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. FINALLY THEY HAVE AGREED TO SPRAY THE UNDER PART OF THE EXHAUST WITH A RUBBERIZED SEALANT THAT WAS USED ON THE 2013 MODELS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. IF THIS DOES NOT WORK, WHICH I HAVE READ WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL ON THE 2013 , I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THE EXHAUST ORDER IS HORRID AND I FEAR THE HEALTH IMPLICATIONS THAT MAY ARISE. *JS
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 7, 2014
ON A RECENT VACATION TO THE NORTHWOODS OF WISCONSIN, OUR 2014 EXPLORER XLT (4X4 V6) WAS RELEASING A NAUSEATING SMELL INTO THE CABIN UNDER HEAVY LOADS, HIGH RPMS, OR RAPID ACCELERATIONS. THE TRIP WAS ABOUT 6 HOURS OF SOLID DRIVING, AND BY THE 3RD HOUR MY WIFE AND I HAD POUNDING HEADACHES AND FELT UNWELL. WE IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE AC AND OPENED THE WINDOWS AS I WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE SMELL ON THE OPEN HIGHWAY. WE SPENT THE REMAINDER OF THE VACATION WITH LIMITED AC, OPEN WINDOWS, AND ?CAUTIOUS? DRIVING TO ENSURE THE SMELL WOULD NOT OCCUR AGAIN. WE WERE TRAVELING WITH OUR 8 MONTH OLD SON AND OLD ENGLISH BULLDOG AT THE TIME AND WANTED TO ENSURE THEY DID NOT FALL ILL. I WILL BE CONTACTING MY FORD DEALER TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. *JS
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 3, 2014
MY TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. AS SOON AS I PUT IN DRIVE THE VEHICLE DID RUN BUT WOULD NOT SHIFT...I WAS STUCK ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD UNABLE TO PULL OVER AND MY RPM'S WERE PEGGING WITHOUT MY TRANSMISSION SHIFTING INTO 2ND GEAR. I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO GO LIKE 15 MILES PER HOUR, MY CAR STARTED SMELLING LIKE IT WAS BURNING AND THE ENGINE WAS STRESSED. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO FINALLY PULL OVER I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK TURN IT OFF, TURN IT BACK ON AND THEN IT WORKED FINE. AGAIN THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I CALLED THE FORD DEALER, FOR THE FOURTH TIME AND THEY SAID I COULD BRING IT IN BUT IF IT DIDN'T ACT THE SAME WAY WITH THEM THERE ISN'T MUCH THEY CAN DO. NOT THE ANSWER I WANTED. I HAVE A NEIGHBOR WHO HAS THE SAME VEHICLE AND IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED TO HER. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM HERE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 26, 2014
UNDER HARD ACCELERATION, WHEN TRYING TO MERGE WITH INTERSTATE TRAFFIC FOR EXAMPLE, THE CABIN IS FILLED WITH A SMELL OF BURNING OIL AND/OR EXHAUST. THIS HAS BEEN NOTICEABLE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW (PICKED UP WITH < 50 MILES ON THE ODOMETER) AND HAS NOT GOTTEN BETTER AFTER 4900 MILES. *TR
Engine, Jun 25, 2014
THE CAR REPEATEDLY FILLS WITH EXHAUST FUMES FOLLOWING HIGHER RPM'S JUST RETURNED FROM COLORADO MOUNTAINS. CLIMBING MOUNTAINS CAUSES HIGHER RPM'S AND IN THE PROCESS CAUSED THE CABIN TO FILL WITH EXHAUST FUMES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 23, 2014
WAS ACCELERATING ON THE INTERSTATE AND A VERY FOUL ODOR, LIKE EXHAUST ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MANY OCCASIONS, WITH THE WINDOWS UP AND DOWN, AC OFF AND ON, HEAT OFF AND ON, GOING 10MPH AND GOING 60MPH, DURING HARD ACCELERATION AND DURING MODERATE ACCELERATION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 23, 2014
UPON CONSISTENT MODERATE TO HEAVY THROTTLE, THE CABIN FILLS WITH FUMES/ODOR WHICH SMELLS LIKE A MIX OF EXHAUST AND BURNING/SMOLDERING PLASTIC OR EPOXY. IT IS STRONG, EASILY REPEATABLE AND HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WHILE TRAVELING UP LONG CONSISTENT GRADES ETC. DOES NOT HAPPEN IN EASY CITY DRIVING, MERGING ONTO AN EXPRESS WAY, IT HAPPENS NEARLY 100% OF THE TIME. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 23, 2014
EXHAUST FUMES ENTER THE CABIN AREA REGULARLY WHEN THE SIR CONDITIONER IS IN RE-CIRCULATION MODE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR OUR BABY WHO WAS BORN PREMATURELY BUT HAS HAD TO BREATHE IN EXHAUST FUMES WHEN RIDING WITH US IN OUR BRAND NEW FORD EXPLORER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Jun 23, 2014
WHEN ACCELERATING THE CABIN OF MY FORD EXPLORER FILLS UP WITH EXHAUST. *TR