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, Oct 3, 2017
EXPERIENCING STRONG EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE CABIN WHEN RUNNING HEAT OR AC. THE SMELL IS MORE PROMINENT WHEN VEHICLE IS SITTING STATIONARY WITH ENGINE RUNNING.
Engine, Oct 3, 2017
I HAVE THIS CAR FROM 2014 AND IS AN EXHAUST FUMES AND CARBON MONOXIDE WAFTING INTO THE CABIN, THE DEALER TRIED TO REPAIR IT SEVERAL TIMES, SEALING THE REAR END, REPLACING THE EXHAUST BUT THE PROBLEM PERSIST, THEY ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON ANOTHER SOLUTION, I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT, THEY ALWAYS TRY TO AVOID THE PROBLEM THANKS RODRIGO DIAZ
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 2, 2017
FORD EXPLORER EXHAUST-LEAK. MY 2014 FORD EXPLORER FIRST EXHIBITED A STRONG EXHAUST LEAK SMELLS IN THE CABIN ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO WITH APPROXIMATELY 18-20,000 MILES. THE SMELL WAS MOST NOTICEABLE AFTER COMING TO A STOP WITH THE CAR AT FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. AROUND TOWN IT NEVER SEEMS TO BE PRESENT. I TOOK IT TO LOVELAND FORD AND THEY INSTALLED A "KIT" WHICH SEEMED TO STOP THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER IT HAS RECENTLY COME BACK STRONGER THAN EVER. YESTERDAY, I DROVE FROM DENVER UP INTO THE ROCKIES AND THE PROBLEM WAS PARTICULARLY BAD ON THE RETURN TRIP IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC TO THE POINT I WAS FEELING SICK BY THE TIME I GOT HOME. I HAVE HAD THIS BEFORE BUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES MADE THIS PARTICULARLY UNPLEASANT. SO THE CIRCUMSTANCE WHEN IT MOST OFTEN EXHIBITS THE STRONG "ROTTEN EGG" SMELL MIXED WITH EXHAUST IS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT FULL TEMPERATURE AND COMES TO A STOP.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 21, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL EXHAUST ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRUCE WALTERS FORD LOCATED AT 302 S MAYO TRAIL, PIKEVILLE, KY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED EXHAUST FUMES INTO THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 19, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ODOR OF EXHAUST FUMES/CARBON MONOXIDE COMING THROUGH THE VENTS IN THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER BECAME DROWSY WHILE DRIVING. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXHAUST ODOR REMAINED PERMANENTLY IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALL STAR FORD (3800 CENTURY WAY, PITTSBURG, CA 94565) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN EXHAUST LEAK IN THE CABIN THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD GET BACK WITH HIM WITHIN TWO BUSINESS DAYS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000.
Engine, Sep 12, 2017
I HAVE A 2014 FORD EXPLORER WITH 89K MILES. I RECENTLY BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER FOR AN THE SMELL OF EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE SMELL COMES AT HIGHER SPEEDS (ABOVE 50 MPH) AND WHEN THE VEHICLE COMES TO A FULL STOP. THE VEHICLE MUST BE AT FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE BEFORE YOU CAN SMELL THE EXHAUST FUMES. CURRENTLY THE SOLUTION I RECEIVED FROM THE DEALER IS TO REPLACE THE MUFFLER AND THE DUAL AIR EXTRACTOR.
Engine, Sep 11, 2017
WHEN I ACCELERATE UP HILL OR TO PASS ANYONE THE EXHAUST SMELL COMES THROUGH MY AIR CONDITIONER. IT SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS. WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS JUST BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NEW AND NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. BUT IT MAKES ME SICK AND DIZZY SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 8, 2017
FUMES IN THE CAR AND EVEN AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IT STILL HAS NOT FIXXED THE ISSUE THEY HAVE PUT NEW REAR VENTS IN AND ADDED MORE UNDER COATING
Engine, Aug 29, 2017
PISTON ROD BROKE AND VEHICLE COMES TO AN ABRUPT STOP AND LOSES POWER. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY.
Engine, Aug 26, 2017
EXHAUST ODOR ENTERS THE CABIN WHEN UNDER HIGH ACCELERATION WHEN MERGING ONTO A FREEWAY OR UNDER SUSTAINED, HIGH RPM (ABOVE APPROXIMATELY 3,000 RPM) WHEN TRAVELING IN MOUNTAINOUS FREEWAYS WITH SUSTAINED, UPHILL GRADE. I HAVE NOTICED THIS OCCURRENCE MORE THAN SIX TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 5 MONTHS AGO (AT THE END OF MARCH 2017 WITH 25,000 MILES). THE ODOR SMELLS LIKE SULFUR AND FILLS THE CABIN TO THE EXTENT THAT PERSONS SITTING IN THE REAR SEATS CAN SMELL THE ODOR. THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS USUALLY ON AND IN RECIRCULATION MODE. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE HAS 30,000 MILES (AUGUST 26, 2017), HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION (EXCEPT FOR THE EXHAUST ODOR!) AND HAS NO MECHANICAL MODIFICATIONS.
Engine, Aug 22, 2017
WE ARE GETTING EXHAUST FUMES COMING THRU AC DUCTS WHILE DRIVING
Engine, Aug 22, 2017
VEHICLE UNDER HARD ACCELERATION AND THE AIR IS ON RECIRCULATE, THE CABIN FILLS UP WITH EXHAUST.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 22, 2017
THERE IS A STRONG EXHAUST ODOR COMING INSIDE THE VEHICLE WITH ALL OF ITS WINDOWS UP EVERY TIME AFTER A HEAVY ACCELERATION, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THE A/C VENTILATION IS ON OR NOT. THE STRONG EXHAUST ODOR IS INESCAPABLE AFTERWARD WHILE STILL IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY OR WHILE STOPPING AFTER THE ACCELERATION. THIS HAS BEEN A CONSISTENTLY REPEATABLE ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASING IT AS BRAND NEW. MY DEALERSHIP DID NOT FIND A TSB AND OFFERED NO RESOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM.
Engine, Aug 21, 2017
EXHAUST FUMES ODOR WHILE DRIVING IS CAUSING NAUSEA AND HEADACHES TO ME AND MY WIFE MAKING IT UNBEARABLE AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT STARTED OUT ONLY WHEN WE WOULD TURN ON A/C BUT NOW ITS ALL THE TIME.
Engine, Aug 7, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, EXHAUST FUMES ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WITH THE RPM'S ABOVE 3500. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 6, 2017
WHEN ACCELERATING, A STRONG ODOR COMES FROM THE AIR VENTS. THE ODOR LINGERS AND SMELLS VERY STRONG, I BELIEVE THIS MAY BE EXHAUST FUMES, AS IT ONLY HAPPENS DURING ACCELERATION.
Engine, Aug 6, 2017
MY FORD EXPLORER HAS SIGNIFICANT EXHAUST SMELL IN THE VEHICLE AT TIMES, USUALLY AFTER I HAVE KICKED IT DOWN INTO PASSING GEAR, SUCH AS IN CLIMBING HILLS. WHEN I HAD IT IN FOR SERVICE, I ASKED THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM TO TRY TO IDENTIFY WHAT IS CAUSING IT AND THEY CLAIMED THEY COULD NOT DISCERN ANY ODOR. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED OF THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS THAT HAVE BEEN PUSHED OUT BY FORD FOR MY VERY PROBLEM AND HAVE ALSO LEARNED THAT THERE IS NO INDICATION ANY OF THEIR EFFORTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM ARE ACTUALLY WORKING. I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FORD FOR EASTER EGG HUNTS, SO I AND MY FAMILY ARE WAITING FOR A RECALL. IN THE MEANWHILE, WE ARE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN. WE HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY ONE LAW FIRM SO FAR THAT IS INVOLVED IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OVER THIS ISSUE. WE WOULD RATHER HAVE FORD FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WAS INITIALLY NOTICED JUST AFTER WE BOUGHT IT, BUT WE THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO SOMETHING ON THE ENGINE THAT WOULD BURN OFF IN TIME. THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED THE ENTIRE TIME WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM DOESN'T SEEM DIRECTLY RELATED TO SPEED OF TRAVEL.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 4, 2017
CARBON MINOXIDE ENTERING THE CABIN. EXHAUST FUMES ARE ENTERING THE CABIN.
Engine, Aug 2, 2017
SMELL OF EXHAUST FUMES PRESENT IN THE CABIN. ALL PASSENGERS COMPLAIN OF HEADACHES, DIZZYNESS, NAUSEA, AND LETHARGY. THIS OCCURS AFTER DRIVING WITH THE WINDOWS UP. SECOND OWNER OF VEHICLE. PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE AT LEAST JUNE 7TH.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 1, 2017
EXHAUST FUMES CAN BE SMELLED WHEN WE START VEH. AND WHEN WE HAVE RAPID ACCELERATION. MENTIONED TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, WAS TOLD VERY FEW OTHERS HAVE HAD ISSUES AND NO RECALL FOR ITEM AS OF YET... THAT WAS LAST YEAR IN 2016. DATE BELOW ON WHEN IT HAPPENED WAS WHEN WE PURCHASED FROM DEALERSHIP NEW.
Engine, Aug 1, 2017
THERE IS AN EXHAUST SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS, BURNT RUBBER, AND SULFUR THAT PROTRUDES FROM THE AIR VENTS INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE UPON ACCELERATION AND A SMALLER AMOUNT OF EXHAUST PROTRUSION UPON IDLE. BOTH CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING ARE AFFECTED. THE EXHAUST SMELL HAS CAUSED SOME PASSENGER NAUSEA.
Engine, Aug 1, 2017
EXHAUST FUMES ENTER THE VEHICLE WHEN CAR ACCELERATES. HAPPENS MORE WITH HARDER ACCELERATION. IT HAPPENS REGULARLY AND
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 31, 2017
EXHAUST SMELL IN CABIN. WE EXPERIENCE A STRONG ODOR IN THE CABIN WHEN ACCELERATING, TYPICALLY WHILE GETTING ONTO A HIGHWAY OR PASSING. IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE IF THE WINDOWS ARE OPEN OR THE AC IS ON. WE DON'T DRIVE THIS VEHICLE VERY MUCH TO DATE WE HAVE 28000 MILES ON IT.
Engine, Jul 31, 2017
PURCHASED A 2014 FORD EXPLORER IN FEBRUARY 2014, AND WITHIN WEEKS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE I STARTED TO NOTICE A FOUL SMELL ENTERING THE CABIN IMMEDIATELY AFTER ACCELERATION. IF ACCELERATION OCCURS QUICKLY, WITH A HIGHER THEN NORMAL RPM OCCURRING, THE SMELL BECOMES WORSE. ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MAC HAIK FORD IN HOUSTON FOR REPAIR. THE FIRST TWO VISITS WERE WERE NON-PRODUCTIVE, AS THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. ON THE THIRD VISIT, I ASKED THAT THEY TECHNICIAN GO ON A TEST DRIVE WITH ME IN THE CAR. THIS VISIT FINALLY RESULTED IN AN ADMISSION FROM THE TECHNICIAN THAT HE COULD ALSO SMELL THE ODOR, AND THEY AGREED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE AND IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE ISSUE. AFTER A FEW DAYS, I WAS TOLD THAT THE ISSUE HAD BEEN CORRECTED BY ADDING AN ADDITIONAL VENT LINE TOWARDS THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WITHIN HOURS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE BACK, IT HAD BECOME OBVIOUS THAT A PERMANENT FIX WAS NOT INSTALLED, AND THE ODOR INSIDE THE CABIN HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR REGULARLY OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS.
Tires, Engine, Jul 29, 2017
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING THE EXHAUST CAN BE SMELLED INSIDE THE CABIN. THIS HAPPENS TO A NOTICEABLE LEVEL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS EXCELERATED AT A FASTER PACE BY PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL QUICKLY TO EXCELERATE QUICKLY. THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND CAN BE REPRODUCED BY FAST EXCELERATION. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR LEFT TIRE BLEW OUT. THE PASSENGER WAS INJURED.*JS