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: other or unspecified
336 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2017
FUME SMELL IN THE CABIN. SMELLS LIKE THE EXHAUST IS COMING INTO THE VEHICLE. HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING OR STATIONARY.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 25, 2017
MY 2014 FORD EXPLORER HAS NOT BEEN MOTIFIED AND HAS HAD STRONG EXHAUST INSIDE THE CAR CONFIRMED BY A FORD DEALER FOR THE SECOND TIME SINCE JUNE. THE FIRST REPAIR MADE BY FORD TO "PLUG" THE PROBLEM MADE IT WORSE. THEY ARE NOT TESTING FOR LEAKS OR CARBON MONOXIDE. THE ARE REFERENCING THIS AS AN ODOR. GIVEN THE RISKS HOW CAN IT BE RULED OUT IF THEY ARE NOT TESTING FOR THEM? I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT FORD'S PRIORITY IS TO PROTECT ITSELF AT THE COST OF OUR FAMILY AND THE PEOPLE ON THE ROAD. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR SOMETIME EVEN WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY COOLING DOWN PRIOR TO ANY MOTION. I DO BELIEVE WE HAVE DIRECTLY BEEN SICKENED BY THIS AND AM INSTALLING A DETECTOR INTO OUR CAR AND WILL BE HAVING BLOOD WORK ANYTIME IT GOES OFF. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED MY DOCTOR TO SEE IF THERE IS ANYTHING ON OUR LABS TO CONFIRM THE CONCERNS. WE WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CONCERN BY FORD OR THE FACT THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS SINCE 2012. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE BACK-UP CAME REVERSE AND EVERYTHING LOCATED IN THE LEFT OF THE CAR APPEARED ON THE RIGHT. THIS WAS CONFIRMED IN JUNE AND THE CAMERA WAS REPLACED. THE OBVIOUS SAFETY WITH THIS SITUATION WAS NOT MADE PUBLIC OR INVESTIGATED TO MY KNOWLEDGE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 24, 2017
WHEN ACCELERATING WHEN TRYING TO PASS, OR JUST SPEEDING UP, CAR IS TAKEN OVER WITH A ROTTEN EGG SMELL, WAS TOLD IT WAS A CARBON MONOXIDE LEAK!!
Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2017
I PURCHASED MY USED 2014 EXPLORER A FEW DAYS AGO. I DROVE IT FROM GAINSVILLE GA TO MY HOME IN FLORIDA AND HAD A HEADACHE UPON ARRIVAL AT MY HOME. WHEN I DRIVE MORE THAN A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING MY CAR I GET HEADACHES. I CAN SMELL EXHAUST IN IT CERTAIN TIMES. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 17, 2017
A HEAVY PROPANE SMELL HAPPENS IN MY CAR WHEN I HAVE THE MAX AC AND REC AIR ON.. I JUST GOT THIE CAR 5 MONTHS AGO.. I CALLED FORD THEY SAID "SORRY " THIS IS NOT A RECALL .. AND WE HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS ISSUE EVEN WHEN I RESEARCHED AND IT IS A ISSUE.. THEY TOLE ME IT WOULD COST ME TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT AND COST FOR ANY PARTS NEEDED..
Other or unspecified, Jul 17, 2017
ON 7 AND 14 JULY I EXPERIENCED A SULFUR ODOR IN MY CABIN AND FELT LIGHT HEADED. FORD HAS STILL NOT FIXED THIS ISSUE AFTER AT LEAST 6 COMPLAINTS. SULFUR ODOR SAYS IT IS AN EXHAUST LEAK PRIOR TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, GETTING INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN. PLEASE HELP BEFORE IT KILLS ME!
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 13, 2017
SOMETIMES MY CAR SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS. I NOTICE THE PROBLEM WHEN I'M ON THE HIGHWAY OR WHEN I'M GOING UP A MOUNTAIN WITH EITHER MY A/C OR HEATER IS ON. SOMETIMES I FEEL NAUSEATED AFTER DRIVING MY CAR.
Other or unspecified, Jul 12, 2017
EXHAUST FUMES LEAKING INTO THE PASSAGE CABIN OF THE CAR WHEN DRIVING
Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2017
THE FORD EXPLORER 2014 HAS A DEFECT IN WHICH THE "TERRAIN MANAGEMENT " SIGNAL/MESSAGE WOULD RANDOMLY APPEAR AND PRACTICALLY IMMOBILIZE THE CAR. ONCE THE SIGNAL WAS PRESENT, THE VEHICLE WOULD SLOW DOWN TO A 5-10 MPH MODE. IT WOULD EVENTUALLY RESET ITSELF AFTER 24 HOURS OR SO. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS DUE TO THE FACT THAT IF THIS WERE TO TAKE PLACE IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION OR A HIGHWAY, AN ACCIDENT WOULD CERTAINLY ENSUE. I EXPERIENCED THIS MALFUNCTION TWICE; ONCE IN FEBRUARY OF 2017 AND THEN AGAIN ON JULY 3, 2017. IN BOTH INSTANCES, I WAS IN MOTION. THANKFULLY, I WAS NOT TOO FAR FROM MY RESIDENCE AND THAT I WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY TURN ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS SO THAT OTHERS IN TRAFFIC WOULD BE ABLE TO AVOID HITTING ME BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN DECLINE IN SPEED.
Steering, Suspension, Other or unspecified, Jun 22, 2017
SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN JULY 2014, I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SULPHUR LIKE SMELL IN THE CABIN AREA OF THE VEHICLE WHEN I ACCELERATE. THE ODOR IS STRONG ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU FEEL NAUSEOUS AND LIGHT HEADED. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. ON ONE VISIT THEY CLAIMED THEY HAD INSTALLED ADDITIONAL VENTS TO ELIMINATE THE FUMES. THE SECOND TIME, THE EXHAUST WAS REPORTEDLY REPLACED. NEITHER REPAIR CREATED ANY IMPROVEMENT IN REGARD TO THE SMELL. ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION/STEERING AREA. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE(S). THE VEHICLE HAS A LOUD POPPING SOUND THAT EMANATES FROM THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE AREA WHEN MAKING A LOW SPEED TURN. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS REPORTEDLY A LOOSE "BOOT COVER". THE SECOND REPAIR CONSISTED OF THE INSTALLATION OF A "SHIM" TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. NEITHER FIX TOOK CARE OF THE ISSUE LONG TERM.
Other or unspecified, Jun 16, 2017
EXHAUST EMISSIONS LEAKING INTO CABIN IN MOTION
Other or unspecified, Jun 15, 2017
EXHAUST FUMES ENTER THE CABINS FROM VENTS WHILE THE EXPLORER IS OPERATING AT FULL THROTTLE, SUCH AS WHEN GOING UPHILL OR MERGING ONTO FREEWAYS.
Other or unspecified, May 30, 2017
HAVE A 2014 FORD EXPLORER AND IT SMELLS BAD FROM EXHAUST AND SOMETIMES EVEN IN THE CABIN. IF I AM DRIVING IT FOR LONGER THAN AN HOUR OR SO, IT EVEN MAKE ME DIZZY. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NOT A RECALL AND I HAVE TO PAY $650.00 TO FIX IT. I HAVE 37,000 MILES ON IT SO THEY DON'T COVER IT IN 36000 MILE WARRANTY EITHER.
Other or unspecified, May 24, 2017
BAD OR BURNT EXHAUST SMELL IN CABIN DURING ACCELERATION WITH THE RECYCLE AIR ON.
Other or unspecified, May 4, 2017
MY CAR SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS WHEN AC TURNED ON OR WHEN WINDOWS DOWN AND AIR ON LOW. THIS HAPPENS TYPICALLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO SERRAMONTE FORD IN COLMA ON DECEMBER 7, 2015. THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I ALSO HAD A BLACK GREESE LEAK. HAD TO HAVE MY TRANSFER CASE REPLACED AT 64K MILES???
Other or unspecified, May 4, 2017
THIS CAR CANNOT EXCEED 3000-3500 RPM. IF I EXCEED IT, A STRONG EXHAUST STINKING SMELL COMES THROUGH THE A/C-VENTILATION SYSTEM. IT SEEMS LIKE THE EXHAUST FUMES GO DIRECTLY TO THE A/C SYSTEM.
Other or unspecified, May 1, 2017
WHILE ACCELERATING, A SMELL OF EXHAUST ENTERS THE CABIN. TYPICALLY HAPPENS DURING HEAVY ACCELERATION, FOR EXAMPLE, WHILE ENTERING A HIGHWAY. OTHER REPORTS HAVE INDICATED HIGH LEVELS OF CARBON MONOXIDE PRESENT WHEN ODOR IS DETECTABLE.
Other or unspecified, Apr 30, 2017
10 YEAR OLD SON IN HOSPITAL WITH ELEVATED LEVELS OF CARBON MONOXIDE. BLOOD WORK SHOWED A LEVEL OF 2. THIS WAS AFTER TRAVELING FOR 1 HOUR IN THE THIRD ROW SEAT OF THE CAR.
Other or unspecified, Apr 5, 2017
FUMES OR GAS SMELL COMING OUT OF CAR. STRONG ODOR COMING OUT FROM CAR AFTER DRIVING.
Air bags, Seat belts, Other or unspecified, Apr 5, 2017, crash
WE WERE DRIVING DOWN A RURAL ROAD BEGINNING TO SLOW DOWN, WHEN THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN, IT.WENT AT FULLSPEED WHILE HITTING THE BRAKES. THEN HITTING A TREE HEAD ON, CAUSING A FATALITY. I DID NOT.WANT THE CAR DESTROYED, BECAUSE I WANTED A FULL INVESTIGATION PERFORMED ON THE CAUSE AND THE TPS . I ONLY RECEIVED A BLACKBOX INFO WITH LIMITED INFO SHOWING VEHICLE SPEED AT CRASH. THE ONLY THING SLOWING VEHICLE WAS A DITCH AND THE TREE. ALSO DRIVER SIDE BELT CAME UNATTATCHED AS WELL AS MIDDLE PASSENGER. ONLY DRIVER AIR BAG AND ONE.PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 3, 2017
DRIVING AT HYWAY SPEED OR GOING UP HILL TH ECO BOOST STALLS CAUSING TRAFFIC HAZARD. UNABLE TO EXCELLERATE PARTIALLY STALLS. TOOK IT INTO GET REPAIRED AND THE PART IS BACK ORDER INDEFINTELEY . I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR SIX WEEKS NOW. NO IDEA WHEN IT CAN BE FIXED.
Other or unspecified, Mar 31, 2017
EXHAUST LEAK INTO CABIN. EXHAUST ENTERS THE VEHICLE CABIN DURING HIGH RPM ENGINE CONDITIONS. THIS CONDITION OCCURS MOST FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND WHILE ACCELERATING TO PASS SLOWER VEHICLES. THIS SITUATION OCCURS ESSENTIALLY EVERY TIME THIS DRIVING CONDITION IS EMPLOYED, AND THE LONGER THE ACCELERATION PERIOD AND THE LONGER THE DURATION OF HIGH RPM ENGINE SPEED, THE MORE DRAMATIC THE EXHAUST LEAK RESULTS.
Other or unspecified, Mar 28, 2017
PERIODIC SMELL OF FUMES OR BURNING SMELL INSIDE THE CAR WHEN RUNNING. PRONOUNCED SMELL UPON HARD ACCELERATION AS FROM A STOP OR UPON MERGING ONTO HIGHWAY. HAS HAPPENED SINCE SHORTLY AFTER BUYING THIS AS A USED CAR LATE LAST YEAR. MY BOYFRIEND DRIVES THE VEHICLE A LOT AND THOUGHT IT WAS JUST OUTSIDE TRAFFIC SMELLS ENTERING THE CAR BUT AFTER USING THE A/C ON RECIRCULATION MODE, WE REALIZED IT IS COMING FROM OUR EXPLORER AND ESPECIALLY UPON HARD ACCELERATION.
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.
Other or unspecified, Mar 25, 2017
THERE IS AN EXHAUST / PROPANE SMELL ENTERING THE CAR. AT TIMES THE SMELL IS OVERPOWERING AND HAS CAUSED A NAUSEOUS FEELING. HAVING TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD THE 2012 AND 2014 BULLETIN WORK COMPLETED, THERE HAS BEEN NO DIFFERENCE. HAVING PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 10 WEEKS AGO FROM THE DEALERSHIP, I FEEL I OWN WHAT MAY BE THE LEAST FAMILY-FRIENDLY VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. I HAVE 4 AND 8 YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS THAT I CAN'T HAVE RIDE IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY WILL GET SICK. AS A 6'3" MAN, I HAVE BECOME SICK MYSELF AT TIMES AFTER DRIVING FOR LESS THAN 5 MINUTES IN RESIDENTIAL STREETS.