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, Engine, Aug 4, 2017
CARBON MINOXIDE ENTERING THE CABIN. EXHAUST FUMES ARE ENTERING THE CABIN.
Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2017
THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW BY ME IN 2014. IN (ROUGHLY) EARLY 2017, MY WIFE--THE PRIMARY DRIVER--COMPLAINED ABOUT EXHAUST ODOR INSIDE THE CAR, ESPECIALLY AT IDLE. IN MAY SHE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WE PURCHASED IT FROM AND THEY EXPLAINED THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT FORD HAD NOT YET COMMITTED TO DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY ALSO CONFIRMED THEY NOTICED THE SMELL AS WELL. WE ELECTED TO GET THE PRESCRIBED REPAIR DONE FEARING FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR FAMILY. THAT WORK, DONE IN JUNE, COST $594.31.
Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2017
EXHAUST ODOR IN CABIN AFTER HARD ACCELERATION.
Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2017
EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE CABIN. WHEN QUICKLY ACCELERATING THE SMELL OF EXHAUST FUMES FILLS THE CABIN. I'M NOT SURE IF THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR HEADERS BUT I WOULD IMAGINE THE PROBLEM IS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SINCE THE SMELLS COMES THROUGH THE A/C VENTS. THIS HAS ME AND MY FAMILY WORRIED OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.
Other or unspecified, Aug 2, 2017
FREQUENT SMELL OF EXHAUST IN THE CABIN - SOMETIMES WHEN STATIONARY/IDLING AND SOMETIMES AFTER HARD ACCELERATION.
Other or unspecified, Aug 2, 2017
SICKNESS IN CABIN AFTER DRIVING. CO POISONING SYMPTOMS- HEADACHE, NAUSEA, VOMITING
Other or unspecified, Aug 1, 2017
WE PURCHASED A 2014 FORD EXPLORER IN MARCH 2017OF THIS YEAR. WE TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR EXHAUST SMELLS IN APRIL 2017. FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED VEHICLE WAS EMITTING CARBON MONOXIDE SMELLS INTO THE VEHICLE. FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED SOME "SEALING" AND THAT THE EXHAUST WAS BEING CIRCULATED INTO THE VEHICLE. ONCE SEALED THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE ISSUES HAD BEEN FIXED. JULY 2017 WE STARTED SMELLING THE SAME HORRIBLE SMELLS THAT STARTED GIVING US HORRIBLE HEADACHES AND NAUSEA. EVERY TIME WE ENTERED THE VEHICLE WE FELT SICK. WE ARE A FAMILY OF 6 WITH 4 CHILDREN AND WILL NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE WE GET SICK EVERYTIME. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY. SEALING THE VEHICLE OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T FIX THE ISSUE AND NOW WE ARE BACK TO SQUARE ONE.
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.
Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2017
WE NOTICED A STRONG ODOR WHEN ACCELERATING ONTO THE INTERSTATE. WITH THE 2014 FORD EXPLORER STILL UNDER WARRANTY, WE TOOK THE VEHICULAR TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED IT AND WERE TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT SMELL OR NOTICE ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. HOWEVER A FEW MONTHS LATER THESE REPORTS OF CARBON MONOXIDE OR EXHAUST LEAKING INTO THE VEHICULAR WAS REPORTED. WE BROUGHT OUR 2014 FORD EXPLORER BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ARE TOLD THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE BUT NO RECALL. FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY I WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR AN ISSUE THAT FORD DOES NOT THINK IS A PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2017
AFTER HIGHER THROTTLE USE FOR ACCELERATION, THERE IS NOTICABLE EXHAUST ODOR IN THE CABIN. THIS DISSIPATES AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF NORMAL DRIVING AND VENTING WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN. CITY OR HIGHWAY SPEEDS. NOTICED AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE 12/2014. PERSONAL RESEARCH HAS FOUND THAT FORD'S TSB'S HAVE NOT SOLVED THE ISSUE FOR PEOPLE HAVING THE TSB WORK DONE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2017
IN DEC 2016, MY CAR BEGAN EXPERIENCING EXHAUST FUMES IN THE INTERIOR. IT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE I EXPERIENCED HEADACHES DRIVING IT. I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE AT SANTA MARGARITA FORD IN RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA. INITIALLY THEY COULD NOT FIND AN ISSUE, SAID IT MIGHT BE EXHAUST FUMES COMING THRU THE WINDOWS. A SECOND VISIT PROVED THERE WAS AN ODOR WHILE DRIVING AND THEY ATTEMPTED A FIX BUT THE ODOR PERSISTED. THE SERVICE MANAGER CLAIMED IT WAS NOT A COVERED DEFECT AND WAS A RESULT OF BODY DAMAGE OR DEFECTS. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OF ANY KIND. I ASKED THEM TO REVIEW AGAIN AND SPEAK TO SOMEONE AT FORD. THEY PROCEEDED TO "FIX" BODY SEAL ISSUES WHICH WAS EXTREMELY CONCERNING THAT MY VEHICLE'S SEAL OR WELDS WOULD FAIL. THE ODORS STILL PERSISTED ALTHOUGH NOT AS STRONG. A 4TH VISIT CONCLUDED WITH REPLACING EXHAUST COMPONENTS. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, I ALSO BOUGHT THE EXTENDED MAINTENANCE AND WHOLE CAR WARRANTY. I WAS CHARGED AT LEAST 1 DEDUCTIBLE AND WAS WITHOUT MY CAR FOR 2 WEEKS WHILE THE DEALER CONTINUED TO WORK THRU WARRANTY COVERAGE ISSUES AND REPAIRING THE CAR. I NOW READ THAT THIS IS A VERY PREVALENT ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. AT A MINIMUM HOW DO I RECOVER MY DEDUCTIBLE PAYMENTS FOR REPAIRS?? AND HOW AM I ASSURED THIS REPAIR WAS DONE CORRECTLY NOW THAT THE ISSUE HAS BEEN VERIFIED IN THOUSANDS OF OTHER SIMILAR CARS?
Other or unspecified, Jul 30, 2017
EXPERIENCE EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN WHEN THE A/C IS ON AND YOU ACCELERATE, SPECIFICALLY WHEN ENTERING A FREEWAY ON AN "ON RAMP". WE HAVE HAD THIS LOOKED INTO ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS BY FORD DEALERS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEALED AND TESTED WITH SMOKE AND THE EXHAUST HAS BEEN REPLACED AND WE ARE STILL EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM. THE CABIN FILLS WITH EXHAUST FUMES AND YOU HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW IN ORDER TO GET RID OF IT. IT SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN THE A/C IS ON. WE HAVE RESPONDED TO ALL RECALL PAPERWORK. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET FORD TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM AND COMPLETELY FIX IT. WE DO HAVE DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE SHOULD YOU REQUIRE THEM.
Other or unspecified, Jul 30, 2017
VERY BAD EXHAUST SMELL IN THE CAB OF 2014 FORD EXPLORER XLT DURING ACCELERATION.
Other or unspecified, Jul 30, 2017
VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN JAN 2014....WITHIN A SHORT TIME, I NOTICED A STRONG EXHAUST SMELL WHEN RAPIDLY ACCELERATING (@ 3500+ RPM). I ENSURED THE OUTSIDE AIR VENTS WERE CLOSED, BUT THE ODOR PERSISTED DURING ACCELERATION. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN MOSTLY IN TOWN, I DIDN'T PAY MUCH ATTENTION. IN FEB 2015, I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THROAT & LYMPH NODE CANCER IN THE NECK. TREATMENT CONSISTING OF SURGERY, RADIATION AND CHEMO AFFECTED MY SENSE OF SMELL (& TASTE). I FOCUSED ON IMPROVING MY HEALTH AND DIDN'T WORRY ABOUT THE SMELL.....CHOOSING TO BELIEVE FORD WOULD NOTIFY ME OF A RECALL. SINCE THIS HASN'T HAPPENED, IM FILING A COMPLAINT. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE SMELL CONTINUES. MY OTHER CONCERN IS THAT I'VE NEVER BEEN A TOBACCO USER, AND MY CANCER IS HPG IN ORIGIN (MEANING IT CAME FROM ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS OR SOME NON TOBACCO SOURCE). IT MAKES ME QUESTION HOW THE EXPOSURE TO THE EXHAUST IMPACTED MY HEALTH. (& IF IT IS SETTING ME UP FOR A RELAPSE)
Other or unspecified, Jul 30, 2017
WHILE THE ENGINE IS ON , I SMELL AN EGG TYPE OF SMELL. VISITED A FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID CHANGE THE INSIDE CABIN AIR FILTER. WORKED FOR A WHILE BUT SMELL RETURNED. CAN SMELL AFTER THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF.
Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2017
REPORTED EXHAUST FUMES IN CABIN UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS FEBRUARY 2017. WENT TO LOCAL FORD DEALER AND HAD 'REPAIRS' MADE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT THAT TIME AT A COST OF NEARLY $600. UNFORTUNATELY, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND IT APPEARS TO BE A SIMILAR ISSUE TO THAT BEING REPORTED IN POLICE EQUIPED VEHICLES..
Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2017
DURING ACCELERATION, THERE IS A BURNT/EXHAUST ODOR ENTERING THE PASSENGER CABIN. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO MY FORD DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM EVEN WHEN THEY FOLLOW THE TSB. IT IS MAKES FEEL ME ILL AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2017
STRONG SMELL OF EXHAUST FUMES WHEN EXCELLERATING HARD FROM A STOP OR FROM ANY SPEED AND EXCELLERATION IS CONTINUED FOR AT LEAST 20 TO 30 SEC.
Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2017
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS FOR THREE YEARS WITH CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR EVERY TIME YOU EXCELLERATE. IT CAUSES HEADACHES AND NAUSEA. THEY HAVE MADE ATTEMPTS IN MAY OF THIS YEAR TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY COULD NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID OF HAVING A WRECK AND I AM NOW BECOMING AFRAID OF DRIVING THE CAR ANYWHERE EXCEPT ON STRAIGHT ROADS. IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE THE LAST TWO YEARS, BUT IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I FIRST STARTED DRIVING THE CAR.
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, Jul 28, 2017
WHILE DRIVING INTERMITTENT CARBON MONOXIDE / EXHAUST IN CABIN. HIGHWAY AND CITY DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIME IN THE PAST 3 YEARS. SMELLED LIKE MY AIR CONDITIONER WAS SUCKING UP EXHAUST FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. BUT SOMETIMES NO VEHICLES WERE NEAR.
Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2017
DURING HIGH ACCELERATION, WITH OR WITHOUT AC ON, THERE IS BE A STRONG ORDER OF EXHAUST IN THE CAB. IF THE ACCELERATION IS CONTINUOUS FOR SOME TIME, I ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS...TO BE SAFE. ON A SCALE OF 1 TO 5, 5 BEING REALLY BAD, I WOULD RATE A 2- ANNOYING.
Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2017
HAD BAD SMELL IN EXPLORER WHILE DRIVING TO VACATION DESTINATION. HAD NOT NOTICED THIS PREVIOUSLY BUT SINCE THEN HAVE NOTICED IT SEVERAL TIMES. I NEED TO DRIVE WITH WINDOWS OPEN OR CANNOT STAND THE SMELL. THIS HAPPENS MOSTLY ON DRIVING HIGHWAYS
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.
Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2017
MY 2014 FORD EXPLORER IS EMITTING A SMELL IN THE THE VECHICLE. I DRIVE MY TRUCK ALL DAY 5 DAYS A WEEK WITH MY JOB AND I HAVE BEEN EXPERINCING DIZZINESS AND HEADACHES AND BREATHING PROBLEMS. I BORROWED A FRIENDS CARBON MONOXIDE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND IT DETECTED READINGS OF (CO). I FIND THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY WINDOWS OPEN IN ORDER TO HAVE FRESH AIR WHILE DRIVING SO I DON'T GET SLEEPY. THE SMELL IS PERSISTANT THROUGHOUT MY WORK DAY AND I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CARBON MONIXIDE AND HOW IT IS EFFECTING MY HEALTH. THE ODOR OCCURS WHILE DRIVING, SITTING IN TRAFFIC OF AT RED LIGHTS EVERY DAY.