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: power train
79 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Jun 18, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,600.
Power train, Engine, Apr 2, 2014
I AM PASTING FROM A PARTS OF A POST THAT I MADE ON 4/2/2014 @ 11:06AM AT WWW.BLUEOVALFORUMS.COM WITH THE TOPIC BEING: "MAJOR CONCERN/ISSUE WITH 2014 FORD EXPLORER SPORT": THIS FOR THE 2014 FORD EXPLORER SPORT WITH V6 3.5L ECOBOOST (TWIN TURBO) MOTOR. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER OWNING IT, I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY....I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH ....I SIGNALED TO GET OVER AND GAVE IT GAS TO SPEED UP MODERATELY TO ABOUT 75MPH OR SO. WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS THE CAR BASICALLY ALMOST STALLED ON ME...IT WASN'T A TRANSMISSION TRYING TO THINK WHICH GEAR TO SHIFT INTO ISSUE, IT WAS A STRAIGHT CHOKING OF THE GAS AND STUTTERING/HESITATING UNTIL I LET OFF THE GAS 2 TIMES OR SO AND THEN PRESS DOWN ON THE GAS AGAIN AND IT TAKES OFF, BUT IT A NOTICEABLE LOSE OF POWER.THIS HAS HAPPENED NOW 4 TIMES WITH THIS PAST WEEKEND 3/30/2014 BEING THE MOST RECENT. HOWEVER THE HIGHWAY SPEED WAS THE ONLY HIGH SPEED INCIDENT. THE OTHER 3 TIMES THAT IT OCCURRED WERE ALL IN TOWN, ON ONE OF THEM I WAS MAKING A SIMPLE U-TURN FROM A STOP AND WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS (NOT HEAVILY) TO GET UP AND OUT OF THE TURN IT STALLED. THE OTHER TIME WAS PASSING TO ANOTHER LANE AND GIVING IT SOME GAS TO SPEED UP. THIS PAST SUNDAY I WAS TRAVELING ON A 2 LANE ROAD THEN CHANGES TO A 1 LANE ROAD APPROX. 100 YARDS AFTER THE STOP LIGHTS. I WAS STOPPED BEHIND A VEHICLE AND WHEN WE STARTED MOVING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 20-25MPH IN A 45MPH ZONE. SO I SIGNALED AND SAW A VAN IN THE LANE ABOUT 100 YARDS BACK SO I PRESSED ON THE GAS TO GET SOME SPEED TO PASS HIM BEFORE THE LANE ENDED AND AGAIN NOTHING CRAZY JUST TO GET UP TO 45-50MPH OR SO AND THE DARN THING STALLED ON ME AGAIN! THE BIG CONCERN I HAVE NOW IS THAT THE FAMILY AND I ARE PLANNING ON A CROSS-COUNTRY ROAD TRIP THIS SUMMER FROM MAY 24-JUNE 10, 2014. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Engine, Nov 11, 2013
WITHIN 24 HRS. OF PURCHASE, DRIVING ON EVEN ROAD DRY CONDITIONS APPROX. 40 MPH ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION NO HESITATION NO BUCKING JUST SHUT OFF. PULLED OFF SIDE OF ROAD RESTARTED OK TOOK TO DEALER (JACK BYRNE FORD) NO CODE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED IT, COULD NOT GET TO REPEAT . THIS VEHICLE IS PRIMARILY DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY WE ARE DEATHLY AFRAID THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AT A HIGHER SPEED AND WILL RESULT IN A REAR END COLLISION. SPOKE TO THE SR. REGIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER FOR NY/NJ. SHE STATES THAT THE DEALER LOOKED VEHICLE OVER AND COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM NOR COULD THEY REPEAT IT NO CODE SHE COULD NOT STATE THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE JUST THAT THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING AND ITS READY TO BE PICKED UP AT DEALERSHIP. *TR
Power train, Engine, Aug 2, 2013
I BOUGHT MY FORD EXPLORER 2014 ON JULY 1ST 2013. ON AUGUST 1ST, 2013, MY CAR DID NOT MOVE FORWARD WHILE I STARTED THE CAR AND PUT IT TO 'D' (DRIVE) IN A PARKING LOT. INSTEAD, THE CAR WENT BACKWARDS WHILE I STEPPED ON GAS. I WAS VERY CONFUSED, AND THOUGHT IT WAS MY ILLUSION. SO I STEPPED ON BRAKE AND CHECKED THE DRIVE PANEL, THE LIGHT FOR 'D' IS ON. THEN I SWITCH TO 'P' AND AFTER A FEW SECONDS PUT TO 'D' AGAIN. HOWEVER, MY CAR STILL WENT BACKWARD AND MY REAR BUMP HIT THE FRONT BUMPER OF ANOTHER CAR WHICH PARK BEHIND MINE. THEN I GOT CONFIRMED THAT MY CAR WAS MALFUNCTIONING. I WAS 100% SURE THAT THE GEAR OF MY CAR WAS IN 'D', SINCE I DID NOT SEE THE BACK UP MIRROR ON FROM THE LCD DISPLAY, AND THE INDICATING LIGHT OF THE GEAR WAS 'D'. AND MY CORPORATE PARKING LOT IS VERY FLAT. AFTER THAT, I TURNED OFF MY EXPLORER, AND WENT OUT TO CHECK IF THERE IS DAMAGE TO THE CAR THAT I HIT. THEN I RESTART MY EXPLORER, PUT GEAR SHIFT IN 'D' AND IT WENT BACK TO NORMAL. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT HAPPENED TO MY NEW CAR PURCHASED ONLY ABOUT A MONTH. THIS PROBLEM MADE ME PANIC. WHAT IF THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN IN A BUSY STREET? WHAT IF THERE ARE PEDESTRIANS IN THE PARKING LOT WHEN MY CAR WAS MOVING BACKWARD BUT IT SUPPOSES TO GO FORWARD? I HOPE SOME AUTHORITIES COULD HELP INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM, AND ALERT THE MANUFACTURE AND OTHER OWNERS FOR SIMILAR QUESTIONS. *TR