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, Mar 24, 2017
STRONG SMELL OF EXHAUST IN CABIN OF VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY. I GET LIGHTHEADED AND HAVE HEADACHES AFTER DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Mar 15, 2017
WE HAVE BEEN HAVING EXHAUST SMELLS IN THE CABIN SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND NOW I SEE THERE ARE MANY OTHERS. I WANT TO SUE FORD AND GET MY MONEY BACK FOR THE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Mar 13, 2017
NOTICED A STRONG ODOR THAT SMELLS LIKE NATURAL GAS INSIDE OF THE CAR. THE ODOR BECOMES WORSE WHEN THE HEAT IS RUNNING. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN IN MOTION HOWEVER THE SMELL CAN BE DETECTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT IS TURNED OFF.
Other or unspecified, Mar 10, 2017
WHEN ACCELERATING TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY FROM AN ONRAMP, A DAILY EVENT FOR ME, A STRONG EXHAUST ODOR FILLS THE CABIN. IT LINGERS A LONG TIME AND I HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW TO CLEAR THE AIR. IT'S NOT ONLY ANNOYING, I'M AFRAID THERE ARE HEALTH RISKS INVOLVED.
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.
Other or unspecified, Mar 7, 2017
ABOUT A MONTH AGO I STARTED NOTICING A STRANGE EXHAUST ODOR INSIDE MY VEHICLE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. IT MADE ME FEEL NAUSEATED AND DIZZY WHILE DRIVING.
Other or unspecified, Mar 6, 2017
WHEN DRIVING MY EXPLORER I SMELL VERY STRONG EXHAUST FUME SMELLS THAT GIVE ME HEADACHES. IT HAPPENS ALMOST DAILY WHILE DRIVING IT FOR THE PAST YEAR.
Other or unspecified, Mar 5, 2017
THERE IS A FOUL ODOR COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE VENTS/OUTSIDE VENT JUST ABOVE THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION BOTH ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAY. IT CAN COME AND GO WITHIN THE CABIN AND YOU CAN USUALLY SMELL IT OUTSIDE THE CAR WHEN IT STOPS MOVING. I BROUGHT IT IN TO BE FIXED AND DESPITE THIS HAPPENING TO HUNDREDS OF CARS (I DIDN'T KNOW THAT AT THE TIME), THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT I PROBABLY SUCKED SOMETHING UP. AFTER SAYING IT WAS PROBABLY THE FILTER AND THEN USING A DEVICE TO CLEAN OUT THE AIR BOX, THE SMELL IS STILL THERE.
Other or unspecified, Mar 1, 2017
MY 2014 EXPLORER WHEN SHIFTED INTO PARK AND ENGINE TURNED OFF AN ALERT ON CLUSTER PANEL SAYS "TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK". SOMETIMES I HAVE TO START ENGINE, PUT SHIFTER IN REVERSE THEN BACK INTO PARK, TURN ENGINE OFF AND THE ALERT ON CLUSTER PANEL SAYS "TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK" SOMETIMES I HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS SCENARIO SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE LEVER WILL ACTUALLY BE IN PARK. THE 2014 EXPLORER PURCHASED JULY 26TH 2013 HAS 17,646 MILES. I WOULD LIKE A RESPONSE TO MY PROBLEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU
Other or unspecified, Feb 28, 2017
I PURCHASED MY EXPLORER IN MAY OF 2014. THE FIRST TIME I ACCELERATED AND REACHED 3000-3500 RPMS (A USUAL PASSING SITUATION) I EXPERIENCED A STRONG EXHAUST ORDER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. ALTHOUGH NOT THE USUAL "BURNING OFF" SMELL OF A NEW ENGINE, I INITIALLY DISMISSED THE ODOR AS SOMETHING ASSOCIATED WITH A NEW VEHICLE. AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS AND MANY INSTANCES OF EXHAUST ODOR I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG. I COULD NOT EVEN ACCELERATE UP A HILL JUST TO KEEP PACE WITH TRAFFIC FLOW WITHOUT NEEDING TO OPEN WINDOWS TO ELIMINATE THE TOXIC SMELL. I FIRST COMPLAINED TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP DURING A ROUTINE SERVICE OIL CHANGE. SOME REPAIRS WERE MADE IN MAY OF 2016.. THIS REPAIR DID NOTHING TO SOLVE PROBLEM. SO IN SEPTEMBER 2016 THE DEALERSHIP RE-SEALED THE REAR OF VEHICLE. IT WAS FINE FOR TWO WEEKS. FOR A FEW WEEKS AFTER THAT THERE WAS A SLIGHT EXHAUST SMELL BUT AS TIME HAS PASSED THERE ARE TIMES WHEN SMELL IS STRONGER. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE HAD EXPLORERS SINCE 1992 AND LOVED THEM AND NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS. I HATE THIS 2014 EXPLORER!! PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE DOCUMENTATION (RECEIPT/STATEMENT FROM FORD DEALERSHIP). ALSO NOTE THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM; THEREFORE, I CAN'T NOTE A SPECIFIC DATE. BECAUSE THE DATE FIELD IS REQUIRED INFORMATION I SELECTED JUNE 2014.
Other or unspecified, Feb 22, 2017
STRONG GASEOUS ODOR IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE FROM TIME TO TIME, SIMILAR TO MANY OTHER REPORTS FOUND IN ONLINE ARTICLES. SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING IN THE EMISSIONS IS GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE, AND CAN BE SMELLED WHEN FOLLOWING THE VEHICLE, TOO. ODOR IS NOTICEABLE RANDOMLY, SOMETIMES WHEN IN MOTION, SOMETIMES ONCE THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, AND SOMETIMES WHEN IT IS STATIONARY. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING IN THIS 2014 EXPLORER LIMITED SINCE WE BOUGHT IT PRE-OWNED IN 2015. THIS PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER AND NO KNOWN ACTION WAS TAKEN. IF I RECALL CORRECTLY, THEY SAID SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT OF, "WE HEAR ABOUT THIS, BUT IT'S JUST THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER GETTING BROKEN IN." WE FOUND THAT ODD CONSIDERING THE VEHICLE WAS 1 YR OLD WHEN WE PURCHASED IT AS A PRE-OWNED VEHICLE. WE WILL BE TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE CONSIDERING NEW REPORTS OF PROBLEMS IN THE NEWS. A SERVICE REPORT IS ON FILE FROM MAY OR JUNE 2015. ANOTHER WILL LIKELY BE WITH THE DEALER VERY SOON, AS OF 2/23/17.
Other or unspecified, Feb 21, 2017
FREQUENTLY GET EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE, FOUL SMELLING. GENERALLY OCCURS AFTER DRIVING AND THEN COMING TO A STOP AT A LIGHT, THERE IS A NOTICEABLE FOUL EXHAUST SMELL IN THE CABIN. I'VE SEEN THIS COMPLAINT ON THE NEWS AND WAS HOPING THEY WOULD COME UP WITH A FIX AND A RECALL.
Other or unspecified, Feb 20, 2017
WE BOUGHT OUR 2014 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED IN JULY OF 2015 AND STRAIGHT AWAY THERE WAS A VERY BAD SMELL IN THE VEHICLE WHEN ACCELERATING OVER 3,000 RMP ESPECIALLY WHEN THE AC IS ON. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS FROM BUT THE SMELL IS BAD AND MAKES ME SLEEPY. WE HAVE ASKED FORD ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAY AT THIS POINT THEY ARE NOT SURE WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THIS. SO NOW I HAVE A 30,000 CAR THAT I CAN'T TURN THE AIR ON IN BECAUSE IF I DO ALL I CAN SMELL IS THAT SMELL. IT IS NAUSEATING.
Other or unspecified, Feb 20, 2017
FOR ABOUT SIX TO EIGHT MONTHS, I HAVE BEEN SMELLING A FOUL (ROTTEN EGGS/SULPHUR) ODOR IN MY CAR. I NOTICE IT ON MY COMMUTE ABOUT THE SAME PART OF MY TRIP EACH DAY, WHICH IS THE POINT AT WHICH I AM ABLE TO ACCELERATE GETTING ON TO A TOLL ROAD AND OTHER PARTS OF MY DRIVE. IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME THIS MIGHT BE RELATED TO MY CAR; THEREFORE I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL DOCTORS AND HAD A SINUS CT SCAN TO TRY TO DETERMINE WHY I AM SMELLING THIS ODOR. A FAMILY MEMBER TOLD ME JUST THIS PAST WEEKEND ABOUT A STORY SHE HEARD ON CBS THAT NOW STARTS TO MAKE THE FOUL SMELLS MAKE MORE SENSE TO ME. I HAVE ALSO HAD INCREASED HEADACHES THIS PAST YEAR, AND HAVE ALSO BEEN SEEING A SPECIALIST. I NOW WONDER IF MY INCREASED HEADACHES MAY ALSO BE TIED TO THE POSSIBLE EXHAUST ISSUE WITH MY CAR. PLEASE ADVISE HOW I SHOULD PROCEED. I HAVE ALSO ORDERED A PORTABLE CARBON MONOXIDE SENSOR TO KEEP IN MY CAR TO ENSURE MY SAFETY UNTIL FORD IS ABLE TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER.
Other or unspecified, Feb 20, 2017
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE A LITTLE OVER 1 YEAR AGO AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A FOUL ODOR, ROTTEN EGG, SOMETIMES EXHAUST SMELL IN MY CAR WHEN ACCELERATING AND MY VEHICLE IDOLS VERY HARD. IT DOES IT WHEN DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, OR FREEWAY. I HAVE 2 SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN AND DONT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY VEHICLE. AND NOW THAT I THINK ABOUT IT, THEYVE BEEN SICK MORE SINCE IVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. HMM..
Other or unspecified, Feb 20, 2017
I HAVE SEEN ON THE LOCAL NEWS THAT SOME VEHICLES IN THE MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR OF MY VEHICLE MAY CONTAIN CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING HEADACHES WHILE DRIVING OR RIDING IN MY CAR. AND AT TIMES I HAVE SMELLED THE PRESENCE OF EXHAUST SMELL WHILE RIDING OR DRIVING.
Other or unspecified, Feb 20, 2017
EXHAUST SMELL IN CABIN WHILE DRIVING
Other or unspecified, Feb 19, 2017
WHEN DRIVING CAR I HAVE NOTICED IT MOST WHEN I HAVE TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY IF THE AC IS RUNNING I GET THIS STRONG SMELL OF EXHAUST INSIDE THE CAR. IN A FEW LONG DISTANCE TRIPS I HAVE HAD HEAD ACHES AND I HAVE TO THINK THAT THE SMELL IS THE CAUSE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 19, 2017
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WILL GET A TERRIBLE SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE AFTER ACCELERATING. SMELLS LIKE AN EXHAUST LEAK COMING BACK IN THE CABIN.
Other or unspecified, Feb 17, 2017
HAVE RECENTLY BEEN MADE AWARE OF COMPLAINTS FROM EXPLORER OWNERS OF A FOUL SMELL COMING OUT OF AC VENTS, SIMILAR TO AN EXHAUST FUME, SULFUR OR ROTTEN EGG. HOWEVER, THE FUME THAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED IS MORE LIKE A RANCID SOUR ODOR EXUDING FROM AC VENTS. THE SMELL IS MOST NOTICIBLE UPON CRANKING ENGINE AND THEN ACCELERATING. UNTIL NOW, NO FORMAL COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED TO FORD OR OUR DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN AUGUST 2014. ODOR BEGAN TO OCCUR APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AGO. WE ARE AWARE OF A REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK POSSIBLE FRACTURE RECALL AT THIS TIME.
Other or unspecified, Feb 16, 2017
THERE IS A HORRIBLE SMELL IN MY CAR WHEN I AM DRIVING IT. SO BAD THAT MY CHILDREN AND I HAVE BEEN GETTING HEADACHES NOT KNOW WHAT THE SMELL IS CAUSED FROM. IT IS HORRIBLE FUMES INSIDE THE CARD.
Other or unspecified, Feb 16, 2017
THE SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS CAN BE SMELT INSIDE THE EXPLORER, ESPECIALLY WHEN STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN. THE EXHAUST CAN BE SMELLED INSIDE THE CAR AND GIVES ME HEADACHES
Other or unspecified, Feb 15, 2017
EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY 2014 EXPLORER I AM HAVING AN ISSUE WITH A HORRIBLE EXHAUST SMELL THAT IS RECIRCULATING BACK INTO THE VEHICLE. I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE WITH MY WINDOWS DOWN AND TYPICALLY HAVING THE AIR ON MAKES IT WORSE. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHERE OUT OF THE BLUE I HAVE GOTTEN VERY NAUTIOUS AND A VERY BAD HEADACHE AND MY EYES FEEL AS IF THEY WANT TO GO OUT ON ME WHILE DRIVING OVER 30 MINUTES LONG. I FEAR THIS SMELL CAN NOT BE HEALTHY FOR MYSELF OR MY SMALL CHILDREN. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT FOR THIS ISSUE AND FOR SOME REASON THE DEALERSHIP IS THE ONLY ONES WHO CAN'T SMELL IT! YET EVERYONE ELSE THAT GETS IN CAN'T. COINCIDENCE I THINK NOT. THE CAR IS IN MOTION WHEN THIS SMELL OCCURS. AND IT IS A VERY DESTINCT SMEL. I HAVE DOCUMENTS FOR MY COMPLAINTS BUT I WOULD NEED TO SCAN AND EMAIL THEM TO AN INDIVIDUAL. AND I ALSO HAVE AN EMAIL BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE OWNERS OF THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE CAR AT STATING MY CONCERNS AND MY ISSUE I AM HAVING. BELIEVE IT OR. IT I NOTICE THE SMELL THE SAME DAY I DRIVE IT OFF THE LOT. TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK THE NEXT DAY FOR THEM TO TELL ME IT WAS NORMAL BECAUSE OF THE CHEMICALS THEY USE IN THE ENGINE. I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT CARS SO I TOOK THEIR WOOD FOR IT.
Other or unspecified, Feb 15, 2017
I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. I'VE BEEN NOTICING AN EXHAUST LEAK/SMELL THAT LEAKS INTO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED THE SMELL WAS AFTER ACCELERATING ON TO THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 3500-4000 RPM. IT SEEMS TO GET WORSE EVERY DAY. AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE STARTS I SMELL IT. THE ONLY TIME IT GOES AWAY IS WHEN I'M CRUISING WITH THE WINDOWS CRACKED AND THE HEAT TURNED DOWN. AS SOON AS I COME TO A STOP OR SLOW DOWN FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS I IMMEDIATELY GET THE SMELL IN THE CAB. WORRIED ABOUT CARBON MONOXIDE OR ANY OTHER TOXIC FUMES ENTERING THE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 15, 2017
CARBON MONOXIDE EXHAUST COMING INTO CAR