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: engine
288 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 26, 2015
DRIVING HOME UP A HILL WITH A NEWLY PURCHASED 2015 FORD EXPLORER MY WIFE AND I NOTICED A BAD SMELL LIKE EXHAUST FUMES; WE PUT THIS DOWN TO THE NEW ENGINE/EXHAUST BURNING OFF ANY FACTORY GREASE ETC. SUBSEQUENT TRIPS WITH ALL OF MY FAMILY IN THE SUV WE ALL EXPERIENCED A FOUL EXHAUST AND SULFUR SMELL WHEN GOING UP A HILL OR ACCELERATING ABOVE 3K RPM; THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT OF US TO BLAME FOR THE ODOR. WE HAVE TAKEN THE SUV TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES NOW AND THEY IN CONJUCTION WITH FORD TECHNICAL SUPPORT CANNOT FIND THE ROOT CAUSE. THEY HAVE REPLACED/ INSTALLED: EGR VALVE COVER (TECH BULLETIN), BOTH EXHAUST DOWN PIPES, FRONT TRANSFER CASE. THE DEALER HAS NO TEST EQUIPMENT TO FIND THE PROBLEM OR CONFIRM WE ARE SMELLING ENGINE EXHAUST CONTAINING TOXIC GASES INCLUDING CO.
Engine, Aug 24, 2015
DURING HARDER THAN NORMAL ACCELERATION, THERE IS A VERY POWERFUL SULFUR (ROTTEN EGG SMELL) THAT FILLS THE CABIN. THE SMELL ID SO POWERFUL THAT YOU CANNOT STAY MORE THAN 10 MINS IN THE CAR WITHOUT BEING SICK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 6, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXHAUST FUMES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE REAR AIR FILTERS AND COMPUTER HVAC SYSTEM WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DRIVE IRREGULARLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHAKES IN IDLE, AND GETS PROGRESSIVELY WORSE WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REFUSED TO ASSESS THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,700.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 6, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH OR ABOVE, THE ODOR OF EXHAUST FUMES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN UNKNOWN VALVE RELATED TO THE AIR CONDITIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FUMES CAUSED HEAD ACHES THAT DID NOT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.
Engine, Jul 25, 2015
ON ACCELERATION GETTING EXHAUST FUMES IN CABIN ( BAD FUMES ) TALKED TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD ACCELERATE SLOW GREAT WORDS FOR PROBLEM HAVE FOUND THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM WITH THE EXPLORER IS ANYTHING BEING DONE ON THIS ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 23, 2015
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2015 FORD EXPLORER XLT, 3.5 V6, IN NOVEMBER 2014. AT APPROXIMATELY 7,000 MILES (BEGINNING IN APRIL 2015) I STARTED TO NOTICE A ROTTEN EGG ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE DURING ACCELERATION, WHILE ENTERING THE FREEWAY. THE SMELL WOULD OCCUR ESPECIALLY DURING A HARD ACCELERATION. THE SMELL WAS NOTICEABLE WHILE THE A/C SYSTEM WAS ON "VENT" AND "RECIRCULATE" MODE. ON 7/6/2015 I TOOK THE EXPLORER TO MY FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE COMPLAINT AND STATED THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN 14-130 TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEIR DESCRIPTION ON THE FIX, WAS THAT A SPECIAL AIR-FILTER LOCATED INSIDE THE REAR BUMPER AREA NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. THEY STATED THAT THE SMELL IS COMING FROM MY EVAP-CANISTER. I LEFT THE EXPLORER THERE FOR THE REPAIR AND IT TOOK THEM ALMOST TWO DAYS. THEY SAID, IT WAS AT LEAST A FULL DAYS LABOR TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY HAD TO REMOVE THE WHOLE REAR BUMPER AND OTHER PARTS, ETC. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE, A WEEK LATER, I WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE EXPLORER ON THE FREEWAY AND STILL NOTICED THE ROTTEN EGG ODOR DURING ACCELERATION. THIS TIME THE ODOR IS ONLY NOTICEABLE DURING "VENT" MODE WHEN THE A/C IS TURNED ON. I AM CONTACTING MY DEALER TODAY ABOUT THIS. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH OTHER FORD OWNERS BECAUSE THESE "FUMES" IN THE CABIN AREA MOST LIKELY ARE AFFECTING YOUR HEALTH AND OTHER PASSENGERS. UPDATED 12/06/2017*CN
Equipment adaptive/mobility, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 22, 2015
A FOLLOW UP ON A CO PROBLEM, THAT HAPPENED ON 7/7/15. DEALER TOOK THE EXPLORER IN ON THE CO ISSUE ALONG WITH FORD KNOWING OF IT. GAVE US A RENTAL FOR A WEEK, AND CAME UP WITH NO CO LEVELS AFTER A WEEK. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO TAKE A RIDE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER, EXHAUST WAS PRESENT BUT HE SAID IT WAS A HOT ENGINE SMELL. NO LEVELS WHERE FOUND BUT SYMPTOMS IN MY BODY OF CO WHERE INDICATED WHILE THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS IN THE VEHICLE. LEFT THE VEHICLE FOR THE DAY AND WAS TOLD BY FORD THE SERVICE MANAGER FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND TO COME GET THE VEHICLE. UPON THE RIDE HOME MY CO DETECTOR INDICATED LEVELS AT 534PPM. WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN AND THE SUN ROOF OPEN AT 70MPH. ALONG THE WAY I STOPPED IN THE LOCAL HOSPITAL, WAITED AN HOUR IN A HALF FOR BLOOD WORK THEN WALKED OUT. HAD TO GET BACK TO WORK. ONLY 15 MINUTES BACK HOME THE LEVELS WENT UP TO 871PPM. CALLING THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD IN THE AM TO GET THIS PROBLEM SOLVED ASAP BEFORE SOME DIES. 2015 WITH ONLY 4,500 MILES. FORD HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2011. UPDATED 12/05/17*CN
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 20, 2015
EXHAUST SMELL ENTERS CABIN UNDER HARD ACCELERATION
Engine, Jul 7, 2015
WE HAVE ALSO ENCOUNTERED EXHAUST FUMES IN THE VEHICLE. ON LONG TRIPS WE HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED FATIGUE DIZZINESS AND NAUSEA. WHEN WE GO ON THE TRIPS WE HAVE A SHELTIE WHICH COMES WITH US, AND HE HAS NOT LOOKED GOOD AT TIMES ALSO. SO ON A TRIP TODAY 7-7-2015 WE BROUGHT ALONG A CO DETECTOR, ON THE WAY DOWN FOR THE HR TRIP THE LEVEL WAS @ 81. THAT'S WITH THE AC ON WITH TEMPS OUTSIDE @ 82. ON THE WAY BACK FROM ARE HR TRIP WITH TEMPS STILL IN THE 80'S THE CO LEVEL WAS @ 183. IF YOU LOOK AT THE CPSC.GOV WEBSITE YOU CAN SEE THAT @ THE LEVELS OF 150-220 IT WILL CAUSE DISORIENTATION / UNCONSCIOUSNESS & DEATH!!!!!!!!!!!! SO @ THIS POINT IN OUR LIVES IN OUR 50'S WE DO NOT WANT TO DIE. WE WILL BE ASKING FORD TO TAKE OUR EXPLORE XLT LIMITED BACK BEFORE WE DIE. IT ONLY HAS 4200 K ON IT. I'M ONLY HOPING FORD WILL TAKE THIS MATTER SERIOUSLY.WE WILL BE CONTACTING FORD TOMORROW 7-8-2015 TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, SO OTHERS DON' T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE CO.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 24, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, EXHAUST FUMES EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. UPDATED 09/21/15*LJ
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 19, 2015
WHEN I PURCHASED THE 2015 EXPLORER I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT AND UP A HILL TO GO HOME. AS SOON AS WE STARTED UP THE HILL THE CAR FILLED WITH AN ACRID, SMOKY SMELL. THE KIDS AND I PULLED OVER BECAUSE WE THOUGHT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG. MY HUSBAND SAID IT WAS JUST "BREAKING THE CAR IN" SMELL. PLEASE NOTE I HAVE HAD NEW CARS BEFORE AND NEVER SMELLED SOMETHING THIS BAD. SO MY HUSBAND DROVE IT HOME WHILE THE KIDS AND I TOOK THE TRUCK. SINCE THAT TIME THE ACRID, SMOKY SMELL HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS COLD AND THEN I GO UP A HILL. THE ENGINE IS ACCELERATING AND WORKING HARD. I WILL HAVE TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THE RPMS AT THE TIME. AT THE TOP OF THE HILL I SMELL THE "SMOKE SMELL." THIS HAPPENS DAILY ON A HILL I TRAVEL TO GO TO WORK. I THOUGHT THAT OVER TIME THE SMELL WOULD GO AWAY. NOW I HAVE 10,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND IT IS 8 MONTHS LATER AND THE SMELL IS STILL THERE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AT THE 2,000 MILE MARK AND THEY CLAIMED THEY DID NOT SMELL THE ACRID SMELL. I AM NOW TAKING IT IN AGAIN. VERY DISAPPOINTED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 28, 2015
UPON ACCELERATION MY 2015 FORD EXPLORER XLT HAS EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING INTO THE VEHICLE. IT HAPPENS WHEN I ACCELERATE WITH THE AC/HEATER IN THE OFF MODE. YOU CAN ALSO SMELL FUMES WITH THE AC/HEATER ON BOTH IN THE RECIRCULATE AND NON REC MODES. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE FORD SHOP TWICE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND A TSB WAS PERFORMED WITH NO IMPROVEMENTS. FORD CRC STATED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE HEAT/AC ALWAYS ON TO PRESSURIZE THE CABIN TO KEEP FUMES FROM COMING IN. THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES IF YOU SMELL EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN, DO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE. FORD HAS NO ANSWER TO THIS ISSUE. *TR
Engine, Jan 9, 2015
PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2015 FORD EXPLORER. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY BEGAN SMELLING EXHAUST FUMES. CONCERNED THAT THIS WASN'T "NEW CAR BREAK-IN", I PURCHASED A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR WITH MEMORY. OVER A COUPLE OF WEEKS OF DRIVING THE DETECTOR REGISTERED 97 PPM AT PEAK. AFTER CHECKING ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM. *TR