2015 Ford Explorer
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 1,791 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 37 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 98 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraOct 13, 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
Campaign 25V695000 on NHTSA.gov
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
Parking brakeJul 24, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015, Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 21, 2015, and 2015-2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015. The affected vehicles have a parking brake that may not fully engage when applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
If the parking brake does not fully engage and the transmission is left in a gear other than 'Park' while on a slope, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the operation of the parking brake system, and if necessary, replace the parking brake control assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 4, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C07.
Campaign 15V464000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: back over prevention
133 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Back over prevention, Feb 26, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the A-pillar had detached. The camera image occasionally failed to display, or the screen was distorted or blank. The contact attempted to clean the screen, but the failure persisted. An unknown camera message was displayed. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts to repair the vehicle were on backorder. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.
Structure, Back over prevention, Feb 18, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that whenever it rained or snowed, water was entering the vehicle from the A-pillar trim seal, covering the floorboard. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not available for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issues. The failure mileage was approximately 192,000.
Back over prevention, Feb 17, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); 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. While reversing, the rearview camera displayed a distorted image, or the message "No Picture Available" was displayed. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Structure, Back over prevention, Feb 11, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the front passenger’s side A-pillar trim detached and struck another vehicle. In reverse, the rearview camera failed to display a clear image behind the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted on several occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to parts not being available. The vehicle was taken to a local Auto-Glass shop, where the vehicle was repaired at the owner's expense. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred and was temporarily repaired using tape. 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 contact had not experienced a failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
Structure, Back over prevention, Feb 11, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing into the driveway at approximately 2 MPH, the rear-view camera image went blank. The vehicle had been experiencing intermittent loss of the back over prevention camera function for approximately one year. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part for the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact also received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part for 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 manufacturer was not informed of the failure with the camera. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
Structure, Back over prevention, Feb 10, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the front driver’s side A-pillar trim detached and flew off onto the roadway. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the front passenger’s side A-pillar trim was loose. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera failed to display a clear image. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was trim was temporary replaced with tape. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Structure, Back over prevention, Feb 9, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact stated that while in reverse(R) on several occasions, the rear-view camera failed to activate; however, on other occasions, the screen displayed properly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but informed the contact that parts for the recall repairs were not currently available. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
Structure, Back over prevention, Feb 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Structure, Back over prevention, Jan 30, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention. The contact stated that the A-pillar trims were cracked and loose. The contact stated that the rear-view camera operated as designed; however, there was no audible chime while the camera was operational. The local dealer was contacted for updates on parts availability 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 not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
Back over prevention, Jan 29, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact stated that the rear-view camera display was black while in reverse(R). The contact stated that the message "Camera not Available" and "Contact Dealer” was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the rear-view camera needed to be replaced. The contact was then notified of the recall shortly after the failure. The dealer was contacted, but the contact was informed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Back over prevention, Jan 27, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera display failed to function as intended. The rear-view camera displayed reversed images. The contact stated that the objects that were on the left were displayed on the right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact declined to pay the diagnostic test cost. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Back over prevention, Jan 16, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the rearview camera image was distorted while in reverse(R). The vehicle was taken to Exotic Sound & Tint Inc., where the rearview camera was replaced; however, the failure persisted. 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 failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Structure, Back over prevention, Jan 13, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that intermittently, the back-over prevention camera displayed a distorted image, was black, or displayed a message to contact the dealer. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issues. The failure mileage was 94,000.
Structure, Back over prevention, Jan 12, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the driver’s side A-pillar windshield trim began to detach from the vehicle. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera became inoperable, and the rearview image appeared blurry. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.
Other or unspecified, Back over prevention, Jan 12, 2026
We have received 2 recalls. - the window pillar sheared off while driving - the rear camera stopped working These recalls are have been active for some time & have yet to be resolved. I replaced one of windshield pillars & am seeking reimbursement The rear camera we had replaced thru our vehicle warranty & am seeking reimbursement for our copay
Structure, Back over prevention, Jan 8, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the remedies were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issues. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Back over prevention, Jan 6, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the rearview camera was intermittently inoperable while in reverse(R). The vehicle was not diagnosed or 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 failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
Structure, Back over prevention, Jan 2, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). However, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the passenger's side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the driver's side A-pillar trim was loose. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired after the most recent failure. 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 90,000.
Back over prevention, Dec 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear view camera displayed a distorted image and turned off. The contact received a recall notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the recall remedy parts were not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Structure, Back over prevention, Dec 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a distorted and inverted image while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure had obstructed the road's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. 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 failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Structure, Back over prevention, Dec 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the back over prevention camera was inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that parts were on back order. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was unknown.
Electrical system, Back over prevention, Dec 1, 2025
The backup camera is not working which is already a known defect. The sensors in the back of the vehicle also intermittently sound an alert when nothing is behind the vehicle.
Back over prevention, Dec 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rear-view camera failed to display a clear view image on the screen. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.
Structure, Back over prevention, Nov 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Electrical system, Back over prevention, Nov 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear-view camera had started to flicker and eventually had stopped functioning. The contact called a dealer and was informed that parts were not available to repair the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Additionally, the contact stated that the instrument cluster had started to fail and was intermittently displaying one or two gauges at a time. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.