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
1,678 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Jan 10, 2024
Started the car up and all lights and warning lights were going off when I put the car in drive. Shut the car off waited and the same thing occurred. On the 3rd crank the car stated as normal
Steering, Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 27, 2023
Hello, yes my vehicle is available upon inspection request. Bell Ford(recall performed) and another shop has inspected the vehicle for the power steering issue. *I had a toe link recall completed at Bell Ford in May, 2022. Since then my vehicle has not been driving as smoothly. Please add this recall back to my vehicle. *The radio/ climate control screen updates and sometimes just goes black when I start the vehicle. Sometimes can take up to 5 mins to turn back on. Please add this to the recall list for my vehicle. *Forward collision warning never worked. ***The power steering went out while myself and my daughter were driving on a busy state highway. I was not going over 60 mph per speed limit. 3 alarms went off while driving. My SUV instantly became very hard to handle. There is no power steering. I went to an auto shop and they told me it was electrical, they couldn’t fix it and gave me a print out of the diagnosis. I’ve researched the problem and see this is a common issue and usually happens where it’s not safe to just stop as the vehicle suggests. I have pictures was trying to add but it won’t let me select that option. Please add this to the recall list for my vehicle.
Other or unspecified, Lane departure, Dec 17, 2023
The camera doesn’t work and if it does it shows the picture reversed. It has the right side of the vehicle on the left side of the camera. Checked for updates but there aren’t any. It started working correctly just last week, but then it goes back to saying call dealership or reversed.
Electrical system, Structure, Dec 17, 2023
APIM unit and plastic body components 2014 Explorer, Sync2 v3.10 Symptoms: Malfunction of power window controls, radio controls, rear camera and vent controls. The APIM also controls many other safety functions, such as safety lanes, park assist, backup guides, gps, cruise control, trailer/tow information, and other warnings/features. It is notable that Ford has issued recalls for the APIM due to safety issues in different year Explorer, as well as F150, F250, F350, Escape, Expedition, Fusion and Lincoln models Navigator and MK2 models, to name a few. This has been reported once, I spoke with a Ford representative and he setup an appointment at the dealership that was to setup an appoint for diagnosis before they setup a repair/replacement appointment. An appointment to setup an appointment to setup a diagnosis appointment to setup a repair appointment. Seriously, what is up with that? Finally, plastic window components had to be replaced. Ford issued a recall on these items but it was after we had the repairs completed. They refused reimbursement.
Other or unspecified, Dec 15, 2023
I was driving down the interstate and the piece on the side where it covers the windshield blows off, the passenger side now tries to. When it happened i rolled the window down and held onto it until we could pull over.
Back over prevention, Dec 14, 2023
See attached document for complaint
Other or unspecified, Nov 29, 2023
I was going to leave my work parking lot. After I started the car, a warning light came on stating power assist failure and I was in drive and tried to steer to the right ending up in space in front of mine, barely across the parking line with my front wheels. I thought by pressing the "ok" that it would make the car steer and it wouldn't. With my blue tooth, I called my husband stating he'd have to pick me up as I couldn't steer and I asked him to get on the computer to find out what was wrong. As he told me the complaints of other 2014 ford explorers and the recalls for 2011 to 2013, 2015, and 2016, and as he was talking, I turned off the car and turned it back on and it drove. My husband said it happened to my son 2 weeks prior. I drove it straight to the ford dealer, while my husband told me that it could happen while driving. The rack and pinion and the PSCM power steering modules have been the problem from other fords. The ford report for mine says: A customer states multiple warnings came up on dash and power steering became inop. Please advise. 99 Verified concern. Performed self test. U3000. Pinpoint to internal failure of electronic rack and pinion. replaced retest ok 902C 1 E5BZ*3504*AM gear asy-steering, 99 perform 4 wheel alignment 902 C for $2924.90. It scared me that I drove this unknowingly I could have had a bad accident
Power train, Nov 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle was vibrating with an abnormal rattling sound coming from the front and the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vibration and rattling were a constant failure and happened at various speeds. Additionally, the contact stated that when he stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle was making a grinding sound while depressing the accelerator pedal. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V692000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Other or unspecified, Nov 14, 2023
While driving about 55 MPH, the left side windshield trim flew off the windshield. Thankfully no one was close behind that could have been hit by the trim. No warning, no indication that it was loose.
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 9, 2023
1.Failed Electric Power Assist System 2.Safety risk wild backing up from parking slot at Lowel's 3.Problem confirm at Truck City Ford service department technician 4.Failed components inspected and confirmed at actual road test by Ford Service Technician 5.Warning lite message on dash at time of Failure Only, no advance warning notification Truck City Ford :512-312-0800 15301 South IH35 Buda, TX 78610
Engine, Engine and engine cooling, Nov 6, 2023
I own a 2014 Ford Explorer. When driving home on November 4th the engine coolant light came on and there was white smoke coming from under the hood and the coolant was leaking under the vehicle. I had the vehicle towed to my local mechanic who said that the water pump needs to be replaced. He does not do this type of work so I'm unsure if there is additional damage since he stopped his inspection there. I have to have it towed to another place. I'm seeing this same issue with many vehicles with the same make/model and felt it should be reported. I did contact Ford and made a complaint.
Other or unspecified, Structure, Oct 25, 2023
On the freeway, the Windshield rubber trim came loose from its cover started flapping on the window and top of car and then torn off by wind shear. It flew in the air behind the car and could cause the vehicles behind us to swerve or it could actually hit one of the others cars. Our car was recently inspected. This had no warning.
Suspension, Oct 25, 2023
See attached document from complainant
Power train, Oct 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle hesitated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring for approximately six months. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. There was no warning light illuminated and the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The manufacturer informed the contact that the warranty on the vehicle had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Seat belts, Oct 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the second-row passenger’s side inflatable seat belt and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness needed to be repositioned. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the second-row driver’s and passenger’s side inflatable seat belt and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the second-row seat belt connector failed and produced codes: B141B, B140D, B141C. The contact was informed that the second-row seat belt wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced Customer Satisfaction Program: 21B11. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number and advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.
Steering, Oct 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and making a right turn, the steering wheel seemed to seize. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the rack and pinion and electric power steering assist needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
Steering, Oct 16, 2023
Loss of steering going down the road. Just like previous models of the explorer. Wheel locks up and steering is almost impossible.
Steering, Oct 12, 2023
Electric power steering failure, cannot drive vehicle steering is hard and stuck. Power steering failure light light on dashboard.
Back over prevention, Oct 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the back over prevention camera was malfunctioning. The contact stated that the camera was displaying an upside-down image. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the back-over prevention camera had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
Structure, Oct 6, 2023
The driver side windshield bar is slowly detaching. The plastic frame between the door and windshield. Also the rubber is coming off. At some point this will completely detach possibly while in movement and could cause a severe wreck if on highway. I've notice this defect on many Ford Explorers. This safety issue needs immediate attention before an accident occurs due to Ford's improper engineering. Even though this is a 2014 I've only put 48,000 miles on the vehicle.
Steering, Oct 4, 2023
My steering went out like the 2011,2012,2013, 2015, 2016 so why does the recall not cover 2014. Went out in May of 2022, and I have heard nothing since then and I reported this in June of 2022. Its been over a year so why haven't I heard anything. The electric racket pinon steering had to be replace and the scary thing is the warning light did not go off till I had no control of the steering.
Steering, Oct 4, 2023
When turning the wheel grinding noise and it jerks steering wheel at time was told it was probably the rack and pinion but have to wait to weeks to take it where I bought it from to look at and not until the end of Oct for Ford to look at it several people have this problem too what can I do why hasn't part be recalled
Engine, Oct 3, 2023
Repeated catalytic converter failure. Issue was repaired at least twice. Converter failure caused both turbos to need replacement and has now caused engine damage. This appears to be a common issue with this engine model.
Steering, Oct 1, 2023
The rack and pinion steering gear is failing, it will loose power steering which makes it hard to steer. This part has been replaced five times in a year, they are defected coming from the factory. The dealer is aware of the problem. I have been in contact with Ford about this ongoing issue asking for the manufacturer information but no one knows who makes this part.
Steering, Sep 26, 2023
While driving my wife’s vehicle it lost power steering and started hearing loud grinding noise coming from passenger side front. Was going at low speed so was able to get the vehicle off the road. Since losing power steering vehicle wants to pull to the right.