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
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 29, 2017
NAUSEA, HEADACHE. PROBLEMS MAY BE RELATED TO CARBON MONOXIDE ISSUE'S WITH VEHICLE'S ON-GOING INVESTIGATION.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 28, 2017
FIRST LONG TRIP IN MY SUV. MOST OF MY DRIVING IS CITY DRIVING TO AND FROM WORK. WHILE TRAVELING WITH THE FAMILY ON OUR VACATION, WE ALL NOTICED AFTER ACCELERATION (PASSING CARS OR UP INCLINES) THE CAR SMELLED LIKE SULFUR OR A WASTE TREATMENT PLANT (OTHER CLEVER WORDS USED BY MY DAUGHTERS). THIS WAS ALL HIGHWAY (TWO LANE UP TO FOUR LANE) TRAVEL. APPROXIMATELY 600 MILES EACH WAY. WITH THE FREQUENCY OF THE PROBLEM ON THIS TRIP, I REALIZED I'VE SMELLED IT BEFORE BUT JUST ASSUMED I WAS DRIVING PAST A SEWAGE PROBLEM OR TREATMENT FACILITY. I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT AN ISSUE WITH MY CAR THAT WOULD CAUSE A SMELL LIKE THAT. UPON GOOGLING WHAT MIGHT CAUSE THE PROBLEM, I FOUND A LOT OF INFO ON THE ISSUE, INCLUDING A FORD SERVICE BULLETIN (ATTACHED), LAWSUITS AND YOUR ORGANIZATION'S INVESTIGATION OF THE ISSUE. BASED ON WHAT I READ, I FELT I SHOULD LET YOU KNOW I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I'VE CONTACTED THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP FROM WHOM I BOUGHT THE CAR AND WHO SERVICES THE CAR AND THEY EVENTUALLY FOUND A BULLETIN THAT COVERS THE ISSUE BUT BECAUSE MY CAR IS RECENTLY OUT OF WARRANTY, SAID I NEED TO PAY FOR THE INVESTIGATION AND POSSIBLE FIX(ES). I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THAT EITHER AND AM NOW CONCERNED WHETHER THERE IS ACTUALLY A FIX. GIVEN THE KNOWLEDGE FORD HAS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, I WOULD EXPECT FORD TO FIX THIS AT THEIR COST . . . ASSUMING THERE IS A FIX. I'M GOING TO FOLLOW THIS WITH A CALL TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE THEM AWARE.
Structure, Engine, Jul 28, 2017
OUR '14 EXPLORER HAS CONSISTENTLY ALLOWED EXHAUST GAS TO ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT UPON 1/2 TO FULL THROTTLE ACCELERATION. STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT FOR ABOUT $800! THEY SAID IT WAS COMING FROM EXHAUST ENTERING THE REAR AC. AC ON OR OFF MAKES NO DIFFERENCE.
Engine, Jul 27, 2017
MY WIFE AND SON HAVE HAD FREQUENT HEADACHES AFTER DRIVING IN OUR VEHICLE FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR WELL OVER TWO YEARS. WE INITIALLY THOUGHT THEY WERE GETTING MOTION SICKNESS BUT AFTER FINDING OUT THAT THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT ISSUES WITH EXPLORERS AND EXHAUST FUMES THE PROBLEM IS LIKELY A RESULT OF EXHAUST FUMES IN THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE CONTINUOUSLY HAD A ROTTEN EGG SMELL COMING FROM THE VENT WHICH I ASSUMED THE A/C FILTERS NEEDED CHANGED. THE SMELL IS INSTANT UPON RUNNING THE A/C AND CONTINUOUS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR IS STRONGER AT THE BEGINNING BUT THIS COULD BE DUE TO ACCLIMATING TO THE SMELL WHILE DRIVING. I CHANGED ALL THE FILTERS IN THE VEHICLE AND SPRAYED THE VENT SYSTEM WITH AN ODOR TREATMENT BUT THE SMELL DIDN'T GO AWAY.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 19, 2017
2014 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO PULL EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE TAIL END OF THE EXHAUST APPARATUS WAS REPLACED IN ORDER TO FORCE GAS DOWN AND AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS SEEMED TO SUCCESSFULLY REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE ADVISED ON THE PROGRESS OF THE INVESTIGATION AND IF THE VEHICLE IS SAFE. UPDATED 06/19/2017*JS
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 12, 2017
EXHAUST FUMES IN INTERIOR.
Engine, Jun 7, 2017
ON ACCELERATION LARGE AMOUNT OF EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE.
Engine and engine cooling, May 31, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL EXHAUST ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (AUTO-NATION FORD IN DEL RAY BEACH) ON FOUR OCCASIONS TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A TSB WARRANTY REPAIR TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,999.
Engine, May 19, 2017
EXPERIENCING EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
Engine and engine cooling, May 19, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING THE FUMES TO PENETRATE THROUGH THE VENTS WHILE THE DEFROST SYSTEM OR THE HEATHER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM LINING AND VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
Engine, Apr 17, 2017
WHEN QUICKLY ACCELERATING TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS THERE IS AN BURNING/EXHAUST SMELL IN THE CABIN. DOES NOT MATTER IF THE A/C IS ON OF OFF OR WHETHER ITS ON OUTSIDE AIR OR RECIRCULATION.
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 17, 2017
WHEN THERE IS A HEAVY RAIN THE SERPENTINE BELT SQUEALS AT VARIOUS MOMENTS, FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2014 , BUT DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. THEY SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE BELT GETTING WET AND FORD DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING, AND THAT IT OCCURS ON OTHER FORD TRUCKS TOO. MY OTHER ISSUE HAS STARTED RECENTLY HAPPENING TO WHEN IT RAINS HEAVILY, THE "LOW BATTERY FEATURES TEMPOR. TURNED OFF" NOTIFICATION COMES ON AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP BRIEFLY WHILE DRIVING. I CHECKED MY BATTERY CONNECTS AS THE MANUAL SAYS TO DO AND THEY ARE FINE. THIS ONLY OCCURS DURING HEAVY RAIN AND IT HAPPENS AT VARIOUS TIMES DURING DRIVING. IT NEVER JUST STAYS ON, BUT WILL TURN ON AND GO OFF AT DIFFERENT TIMES DURING THE DRIVE IN THE HEAVY RAIN. SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING IS GETTING WET CAUSING A SHORTAGE, BUT EITHER WAY ITS DANGEROUS WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP.
Engine, Apr 12, 2017
AN EXHAUST SMELL ENTERS THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. I FIRST STARTED TO NOTICE IT WHEN THE CAR WAS IDLING AND I THOUGHT IT WAS COMING FROM THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. THIS CONTINUED ON AND OFF FOR MONTHS UNTIL MORE RECENTLY WHEN THE SMELL WAS PRESENT EVEN AS I DROVE THE CAR. I HAVE HAD HEADACHES, DIZZINESS AND STOMACH UPSETS FOR MONTHS REALIZING THAT MY VEHICLE WAS PERHAPS NO LONGER SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE. I BROUGHT IT IN TO MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY IMMEDIATELY ACKNOWLEDGED THE SMELL AND GAVE ME A LOANER. THEY HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD AND ARE CURRENTLY WAITING FOR THE REPAIR PARTS BUT THEY ARE ON BACKORDER. I WAS TOLD THAT POLICE DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING. I JUST RECEIVED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT NOTICE SO I IMAGINE THIS WILL EVENTUALLY BE A RECALL. IN THE MEANTIME I CANNOT DRIVE MY OWN VEHICLE WITHOUT RISKING MY HEALTH. THE CAUSE TO ME IS UNKNOWN, I HAVE READ THAT IT IS A DEFECT IN THE ENGINEERING OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.
Engine, Apr 12, 2017
STRONG SMELL OF EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT
Engine, Apr 9, 2017
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, I NOTICED A VERY STRONG SMELL OF PROPANE OR NATURAL GAS. WHEN VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND IDLING, THE SAME SMELL WAS DETECTED OUTSIDE THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY, THE VEHICLE SMELLED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING, ONLY THIS TIME IT SMELLED LIKE ROTTEN EGGS.
Engine, Apr 5, 2017
MY FORD EXPLORER HAS A BAD EXHAUST ODOR IN THE CABIN WHEN HARD ACCELERATING AND ON COLD MORNING EVEN AT IDLE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO NOTICE THE SMELL AND IT LINGERS IN THE CABIN IN TELL YOU OPEN A WINDOW. I CAN SMELL IT ANYTIME I GET ON THE HIGH WAY BUT THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I CAN SMELL A CHEMICAL TYPE SMELL WHEN STOPPED A LIGHTS.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 28, 2017
EXHAUST SMELL INSIDE CABIN. I NOTICE A BAD EXHAUST ODOR IN THE CABIN IF I ACCELERATE OVER 3,000 RPM.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 27, 2017
WHENEVER I MAKE A HARD ACCELERATION, THERE IS A FOUL SMELL IN THE CABIN. SMELL IS SIMILAR TO ROTTEN EGG OR BAD CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I NORMALLY ALWAYS HAVE THE A/C ON AND IN RECIRCULATE. I HAVE NOTICED THIS EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. TWO DEALERSHIPS HAD NO ANSWER AND SAID THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF ANY COMPLAINTS.
Power train, Engine, Mar 27, 2017
MY CAR STARTED OFF WITH A PROPANE GAS SMELL WHICH WOULD COME AND GO. THEN IT TURNED INTO THIS SULFUR ODOR. WHICH HAD GOTTEN SO BAD THAT YOU COULD ONLY DRIVE THE CAR IF ALL THE WINDOWS WERE DOWN BECAUSE THE ODOR WOULD MAKE YOU SICK. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AT ALL TIMES. YOU COULD SMELL THE ODOR WITH OR WITHOUT THE HEAT ON. THEN AT WHICH POINT THE ODOR NEVER ACTUALLY LEFT THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. AT WHICH I WOULD JUST LEAVE THE WINDOWS OPEN, IN HOPES THAT THE CAR WOULD EVENTUALLY AIR OUT.
Engine, Mar 27, 2017
2014 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, STRONG SMELL OF ENGINE EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING PASSENGER CABIN. MUST DRIVE WITH WINDOWS OPEN TO VENT OUT PASSENGER CABIN. MY SAFETY AS WELL AS MY FAMILY'S SAFETY IS AT RISK FOR CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING, RESPITORY DISTRESS, ASTHMA AND POSSIBLE UNCONSCIOUSNESS WHILE DRIVING. THE OVERWHELMING ENGINE EXHAUST FUMES WITHIN THE PASSENGER CABIN AT TIMES IS UNBEARABLE.
Engine, Mar 13, 2017
I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2014 FORD EXPLORER AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE EXHAUST FUMES COMING INTO THE VEHICLE DURING ACCELERATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I TOOK THE TRUCK IN TO WHILE IT WAS UNDER THE BUMPER TO BUMPER TO BE FIXED AND WHAT WAS DONE AT THE TIME WAS REPROGRAMMING EXHAUST AND AC INTAKE. THIS DID NOT FIX THE EXHAUST PROBLEM BUT DID IMPROVE THE SMELL AND HOW OFTEN IT OCCURRED . I RECENTLY TOOK MY TRUCK INTO GET THE EXHAUST FIXED AND THEY WILL NOT FIX IT BECAUSE IT IS PASSED THE BUMPER TO BUMPER BUT THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM TOOK IN TO BE FIX PRIOR.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 9, 2017
EXHAUST FUMES LEAKING INTO CABIN CAUSING FAMILY TO BREATHE IN FUMES. IT HAS HAPPENED SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. IF THE VEHICLE AC IS IN RECIRCULATING MODE AND YOU ACCELERATE, FUMES FILL THE CABIN FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. WE ALWAYS HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS TO LET THE FUMES OUT. IT HAPPENS ESSENTIALLY EVERY TIME YOU DRIVE THE CAR . I CALLED FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS THEY HAVE SEEN. CAUSES HEADACHES AND NAUSEA.
Engine, Feb 28, 2017
EXHAUST SMELL IN CABIN WHILE HVAC ON AND WINDOWS UP. THIS IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHILE ACCELERATING AND AFTER COMING TO A STOP.
Engine, Feb 16, 2017
STRONG "NATURAL GAS" SMELL INSIDE CAR WHILE DRIVING AND VERY NOTICEABLE OUTSIDE OF CAR UPON EXITING INTERIOR. CAN SMELL FROM INSIDE MY HOUSE WHEN PARKED IN GARAGE. STARTED 1/26/17 WITH 63,200 MILES ON MY SUV. TOOK TO FORD FOR SERVICE ON 1/30/17 AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO EMISSION PROBLEMS AND THAT IT WAS DUE TO MY PTU WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH PTU VENT VALVE.
Engine, Feb 15, 2017
ANYTIME THE FORD EXPLORER GOES OVER 3000 RPMS THERE'S A STRONG EXHAUST SMELL IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR. PAID TO LOOK AT OUT OF POCKET AT THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED.