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.
Steering, Mar 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the spindle rod, steering gear assembly, fuse, hex nut, and bolt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,745.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Mar 13, 2025
Ford explorer had known issues with connectors under the rear passenger seats which they did a recall for certain VIN numbers. They said it only effected certain VPN which were from a specific factory in Chicago I have the same issue and my VIN is not listed and Ford and the dealership will not do anything to help fix the problem. If I pay out of pocket they want 500 dollars to fix it. The issue is Certain 2014-2016 Model Year Explorer Vehicles 2nd Row Inflatable Seat Belt - In all of the affected vehicles, the air bag light may illuminate as a result of a worn or damaged connection to the rear inflatable seat belt connector and if the light is on that means the air bags will not work.
Structure, Mar 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at highway speed, the driver-side A-pillar trim clip detached from the vehicle. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. In addition, the contact stated that during inclement weather, water leaked into the vehicle from the middle interior light. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Wheels, Engine, Mar 11, 2025
Vehicle has code C0063-64ABS. Also has a problem with the restraint control module and ABS module causing the front tires to lock and make the car slide. I was about to get into a car crash on Oct 24,2024 because the cars front tires locked and just slide from one side to other the steering wheel went loose and I wasn't able to control the car I took it to ford dealership where they told me that it has the code that appears at the beginning of this message
Structure, Back over prevention, Mar 11, 2025
In February of 2024 I received a recall notice for this vehicle with respect to defective A-pillar applique trim clip attachments around the windshield. The recall stated that parts would be available the latter half of 2024 and that we would be notified when we could schedule our SUV to be fixed. We did not hear from Ford for many months. When winter approached, we called to see what the status was of the parts for this recall. We were told the parts were not available until December. Unaware that this flaw could cause severe water leaking, my wife drove the car as usual. The recall notice even states that there is no reason to stop driving the vehicle. When the first rains hit in November, the car leaked A LOT of water around the windshield and came through the top console. So much water leaked into the floor carpet areas had standing water. We had never experienced any leakage issues before and we're not properly notified that this was the potential issue or that it should not be driven in the rain. We STILL do not have any date for the fix on our SUV. We cannot drive it when it is raining, and in fact, have to cover it with a large tarp so water does not leak inside again. The leak having run down through the electrical system at the top of the inside of the windshield has caused problems. The sun roof now does not work and is now stuck in a partially open position. the rearview camera now works intermittently and the main computer console has gone black a number of times. We seem to have been able to air out the wet carpet smell that prevailed for some time. Needless to say, this is ridiculous. It has been a YEAR since the recall notice was sent. My wile and I are incredibly angry about this situation. Your dealership has done nothing to help us and has only said that we have to contact Ford directly ourselves. I would appreciate your passing this email along to Ford Customer Service in Dearborn, Ml and to your Service department. I will also be sending a copy to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which the recall letter references. I expect that when the part ever shows up that Ford will do a full diagnostic review of the electrical system affected by the water leak. I and my family have owned many Ford vehicles throughout our lives. With this type of incompetence, how can I ever trust in buying another one?
Other or unspecified, Mar 6, 2025
I was driving down the interstate at 70 MPh and heard a very loud pop. I was not sure where the noise came from. I drove a little further when I saw the rubber seal around windshield flapping. I pulled over and the A-PILLAR APPLIQUE TRIM had completely detached and ripped the rubber seal around window. I called the dealership and they stated there was a recall and it was safe to drive. While driving on interstate I hear air coming in around window. Then she stated she was not sure when parts would become available and I needed to call back at the beginning of April.
Structure, Mar 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim on the passenger’s side windshield had started to detach. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Mar 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Mar 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the driver's side A Pillar trim was blown off the vehicle. The contact was unable to stop to retrieve the trim piece from the highway. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Mar 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the passenger’s side exterior A-pillar trim detached and flew off into traffic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Feb 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact looked in the rearview mirror and saw the A-pillar trim on the roadway but kept driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was confirmed that the A-pillar trim was missing. The vehicle was not repaired because the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Feb 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Feb 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim on the passenger’s side of the windshield started to detach. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Feb 25, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Structure, Feb 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side front windshield trim detached. The contact stopped at a local store and purchased duct tape which was used to hold the trim in place. In addition, the contact stated that the passenger's side windshield trim was later detached. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,600. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Feb 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH on I-75, the A-pillar trim detached and was banging on the side of the windows. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The dealer removed the trim down to the bolts. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts being on backorder. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Feb 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Feb 20, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Structure, Feb 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Feb 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving on the highway at 50 MPH, a piece of the A-pillar trim detached and separated from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired because parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was 85,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Feb 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the driver's side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the passenger's side A-pillar trim was loose. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Steering, Feb 18, 2025
Power steering assist is constantly going out.
Electrical system, Structure, Feb 18, 2025
Due to a failed seal between the roof and the trunk door, water has leaked and corroded the exterior of the body over time. The corrosion has caused a hole to develop to the point that when it rains water leaks into the back of the car. As a result water entered the tail lights and caused the tail light to short out on one side. Some roofing tar and duck tape has helped with a temporary fix but it has been a hazardous problem because the leaking water can create a build up of moisture and mold growth within the vehicle. Another problem is the power windows and the power locking and unlocking system have become glitchy and have failed to work at times. The key pad, keyless entry has completely stopped working and the lock mechanism for the driver side of the car has completely fallen apart and can no longer be used. The only way to unlock and lock the car is to use the key lock and unlock buttons. Lastly, the door hinges have ripped off on the passenger door which prevents the door from staying open. The extra bar that helps the door stay open broke off during a relatively moderate winds when the door got caught in a moderate level strength wind gust and completely broke off.
Structure, Feb 15, 2025
Safety recall for A pillar not being performed after issue was confirmed by Ford dealership. I have been waiting 5 months for repairs to be made. No update given by dealership as to when repairs will be available. Safety issue
Steering, Feb 15, 2025
Power steering failed during normal operations. This occurance was in 2021. Paid Ford over $2000 to perform repairs. Now January 2025 same issue occurred. This safety hazard needs to be addressed