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
Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 18, 2019
WHEN YOU ACCELERATE AT HIGHER SPEEDS IE ON THE FREEWAY THE CAR IS FILLED WITH EXHAUST SMELL.
Engine, Dec 10, 2019
2014 EXPLORER CONTINUOUSLY LEAKING COOLANT NEAR FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. DEALERSHIP REFILLED COOLANT AND PERFORMED A PRESSURE TEST AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ONE YEAR LATER, THE VEHICLE IS STILL LEAKING COOLANT AND I HAVE TO KEEP ADDING ADDITIONAL COOLANT. I AM CONCERNED THIS IS A WATER PUMP FAILURE AND COST TO REPAIR CAR WOULD BE UPWARD OF 8K
Seats, Engine, Nov 21, 2019
I'M GETTING CEL ERROR CODE P0016. THERE IS A RATTLING NOISE ON STARTUP AND SOMETIMES DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING EVERYDAY. MY EXPLORER SPORT HAS 65,340 MILES ON IT, W AY TO SOON FOR A TIMING CHAIN. THE DEALER STATED I PROBABLY HAVE TIMING CHAIN STRETCH AND THERE NO TSB TO RESOLVED THE ISSUE IN MY TRUCK EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE SAME ECOBOOST ENGINE AS THE F150 THAT THE TSB 17-0026 DOES APPLY TO. WHY NOT THE FORD EXPLORER THAT HAS SAME EXACT ENGINE AS F150 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM? WHY WAS THE FORD EXPLORER ECOBOOST LEFT OUT OF THE TSB? THERE'S AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE NOT MODEL OF TRUCK. I'M HOPEFULLY LOOKING FOR FORD TO HONER THE TSB FOR MY VEHICLE THAT HAS THE SAME ENGINE DEFECT
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Oct 29, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ROWE FORD AUBURN (699 CENTER ST, AUBURN, ME 04210) FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. CONSUMER ALSO STATED EXHAUST WAS LEAKING FUMES INTO CARGO AREA, WHICH CAUSED HEADACHES AND LIGHT HEADINESS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000. *CW*JB
Engine, Oct 7, 2019
THERE IS AN ODOR LEAKING INTO THE CAR FROM EITHER THE ENGINE OR THE EXHAUST . I'VE NOTICED IT MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS AND WE HAVE TO PUT THE WINDOWS DOWN TO NOT FEEL SICK WHEN WE BREATHE. IT HAPPENS WHETHER I AM DRIVING OR STOPPED AT A LIGHT. I ALSO STARTED FEELING TIRED WHILE DRIVING AND ALMOST FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY. I HAVE NOW STOPPED USING THE VEHICLE. SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG.
Engine, Sep 16, 2019
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A PARKED POSITION, THE ENGINE APPEARS TO SKIP, AND OR BUCK. IT IS NOTICEABLE, BUT THE DEALER CANNOT REMEDY IT.
Engine, Sep 10, 2019
THE ENGINE BEGAN LEAKING COOLANT CAUSED BY THE WATER PUMP SEAL FAILING. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHERS THAT ALSO HAVE HAD WATER PUMP FAILURES.
Engine, Sep 9, 2019
BELIEVE THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH CARBON MONOXIDE IN MY VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING FOR ABOUT 4 HOURS THE CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR IN MY BAG BEGAN TO SOUND INDICATING THE PRESENCE OF CARBON MONOXIDE. IT DID NOT STOP UNTIL I REMOVED IT FROM THE VEHICLE. I WAS LIGHT HEADED AND EXPERIENCING NAUSEA AT THE TIME.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 4, 2019
ON SUNDAY SEPTERMBER 1ST WHILE I WAS DRIVING BACK HOME A LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD CAME ON, IT SAID "ENGINE COOLANT OVER TEMPERATURE" IN RED LIGHT. I WAS SCARE BECAUSE I WAS STUCK IN THE FREEWAY AND I WAS STILL FAR AWAY FROM HIM AND MY KIDS WERE IN THE BACK. I DROVE VERY SLOW AND MANAGED TO GET HOME. ON TUESDAY I TOOK MY CAR TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE MY WATER PUMP, AND IT WAS A HARD AND LONG SERVICE AND THAT IT WAS GOING TO COST ME $3,300. I AM SURPRISE OF HOW MUCH THAT COSTS, ESPECIALLY THAT IT HAPPENED ON MY 2014 FORD EXPLORER. I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW AND I'VE BEEN TAKING IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP EVERY 7,000 MILES TO GET THE MAINTENANCE. PLUS, THE LAST TIME THAT I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ITS OIL CHANGE, THEY SAID THAT EVERYTHING WAS WORKING WELL. SO FOR MY SURPRISE TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN ESPECIALLY WHEN MY CAR ONLY HAS 82,316 MILES. THE LIGHT TURNS ON WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. I CAN HEAR THE ENGINE WORKING EXTRA HARD TO COMPENSATE WHATEVER ELSE IS GOING ON.
Engine, Aug 8, 2019
I WAS GETTING HEADACHES WHILE DRIVING SO I PURCHASED A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR FOR MY EXPLORER FOR $149.00. IT REGISTERED AROUND 18-20PPM WHEN DRIVING. JULY 2019 I HAD THE 'REPAIR' DONE AT MY LOCAL DEALER. AUGUST 2019, MORE HEADACHES AND MY VEHICLE STILL REGISTERS 18-20 PPM WHILE DRIVING. THE APPARENT FIX DID NOTHING TO CORRECT THE CARBON MONOXIDE FROM LEAKING INTO MY CABIN AREA. DRIVING WITH AIR CONDITIONER ON AND IN RECIRCULATING MODE.
Engine, Aug 1, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BACKFIRED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT AND CAM SHAFT SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED SUNRISE FORD OF FONTANA (LOCATED AT 16005 VALLEY BLVD, FONTANA, CA 92335, (888) 629-1239) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 12, 2019
WHEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATING TO SPEED OVER 65 MPH , EXHAUST GAS/FUMES ENTER THE MAIN CABIN, AND LINGER FOR SOMETIME, UNTIL I OPEN ALL WINDOWS TO DISSIPATE THE FUMES. THIS ISSUE ALWAYS OCCUR DURING SUDDEN ACCELERATION. I HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY INSTALLED EXTERNAL SEALS BUT ISSUE CONTINUES, EVEN AFTER THE FIXES.
Steering, Engine, May 21, 2019
TIMING CHAIN AND CAM PHASERS CAUSING VEHICLE TO EXCEL ERASE AND STOP WITH NO CONTROL. POWER STEERING GOING IN AND OUT WHILE DRIVING.
Engine, Apr 17, 2019
IDLER PULLY WENT BAD THREW BELT..ONLY HAD 32,000 MILES ON IT...IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET.HAPPEND ON A SUNDAY WILE ON VACATION IN FLORIDA..TOOK TO FIRESTONE DEALER TO FIX..COST ME $372.00 TO FIX...
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 11, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE ODOR OF EXHAUST FUMES WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 19, 2019
FUEL SMELL/FUMES ENTERING PASSENGER CABIN WHEN AC/HEAT IS ON. SOMETIMES AT A STOP OR SLOW PACE AND WINDOWS ARE OPEN FUMES OR SMELL IS APPARENT. ONCE PARKED YOU CAN SMELL FROM THE FRONT PART OF THE VEHICLE IN THE HOOD NEAR THE WIPER BLADES.
Engine, Mar 18, 2019
WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A CLICKING NOISE ON OUR CAR OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS AND MY WIFE HAS BEEN COMPLAINING OF HEADACHES AND FATIGUE DURING THE SAME TIME AS WELL. WE TOOK THE CAR INTO THE SHOP AND IT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A CRACK EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH WOULD COST US $1,100 TO FIX. I RESEARCHED AND SAW THIS 1.3MILLION REPORTS OF THE SAMETHING. I CALLED FORD AND THEY REFUSED TO HELP WITH THE REPAIRS AS THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I AM NOT SURE HOW YOU DON'T RECALL A VERY KNOWN ISSUE THAT I NOW SEE PERSONALLY CAUSES HEALTH ISSUES THAT COULD BE FATAL - PLUS YOU GET WITH A COST THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF. NOT GOOD BUSINESS AND VERY DANGEROUS - IT IS SAD IT MAY TAKE A FATAL ACCIDENT BEFORE FORD RECALLS THIS.
Engine, Feb 27, 2019
CHAIN DRIVEN WATER PUMP FAILURE AT 85,000 MILES
Engine, Feb 7, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN OPEN THROTTLE FAILURE THAT CAUSED FUMES TO ENTER THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO THAT LISTED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA17002 (STRUCTURE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Nov 6, 2018
2014 FORD EXPLORER 3.5 LITER ECO-BOOST >>OIL LINES LEAK AT TURBO , CAUSING OIL TO LEAK DOWN ONTO EXHAUST. VERY BAD SMELL !! THERE IS ALREADY RECALLS FOR NEWER MODELS BUT NOT THE 2014. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET HURT. FORD ONLY STATED TO KEEP MY RECEIPTS FOR REIMBURSEMENT IF THERE IS EVER A RE-CALL?
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 30, 2018
WON'T TURN OFF WHEN TURN OFF BUTTON IS PUSHED TO TURN VEHICLE OFF, WE HAVE TO KEEP PRESSING BUTTON ON GEAR SHIFT AND IT HAS TAKEN 35 MINUTES TO TURN IT OFF WHICH JUST HAPPEND TODAY OCT. 30, 2018 IT HAS RAISED THE DRIVER SEAT TWICE ALL BY ITESELF WHILE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND NO ONE IS IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED. IT MAKES ODD NOISES INSIDE THE DASH WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF
Engine, Sep 17, 2018
HEADACHES BY MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF WHILE DRIVING OR RIDING. CARBON MONOXIDE READINGS FIRST TIME READ AT 11PPM ON A 10 MINUTE TRIP. CONTINUAL MONITERING READS AT 6-9 ON NORMAL DRIVING. READINGS AT 14 ON ACCELERATION. I FEEL IT'S UNHEALTHY AND SAFETO DRIVE THIS CAR DAILY.
Engine, Sep 14, 2018
ALL RECOMMENDED REPAIRS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED ON THE FORD EXPLORER AND EXHAUST FUMES ARE STILL PRESENT IN THE CABIN.
Engine, Sep 14, 2018
EXHAUST STARTED COMING INTO REAR OF VEHICLE. WE WERE ABLE TO SMELL IT WHEN THE CAR WAS STOPPED OR MOVING SLOWLY. PEOPLE IN THE BACKSEAT COULD SMELL IT BEFORE THOSE IN THE FRONT COULD.
Engine, Aug 31, 2018
WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AROUND WITH ABOUT 10,000 MILES ON MAY 2018 STATING WE SMELLED EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THEY PUT SOME TYPE OF RUBBER PLUGS IN THE LIFT GATE REAR HATCH. THIS DIDN'T CURE THE PROBLEM. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK ON AUGUST 21, 2018 WITH 13,800 MILES AND TOLD THEM WHEN WE TRIED TO ENTER A FREEWAY WHILE ACCELERATING INTO TRAFFIC WITH THE A/C ON THERE IS A VERY PROFOUND ODOR OF EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THEY STATED THERE WAS A TSB ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE BACK IN 2016 FOR THIS ISSUE. BUT UNFORTUNATELY EVEN THOUGH THE CAR ONLY HAS 13,800 MILES ON IT NOW, IT IS OVER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WE PURCHASED FROM THEM FOR 50,000 OR FIVE YEARS WON'T COVER IT EITHER. DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE US 1,100 FOR THE REPAIRS. WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED EARLIER IF WE WERE TOLD BACK IN 2016 THERE WAS A TSB FOR THIS PROBLEM WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THIS CAR MAY BE FIVE YEARS OLD BUT IT ONLY HAD 10,000 MILES WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT IN THE FIRST TIME. CAR IS JUST ABOUT BRAND NEW AND THEY WANT US TO PAY FOR REPAIRS ON A NEW VEHICLE THAT HAS A DEFECTIVE EXHAUST SYSTEM.