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: fuel/propulsion system
86 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 13, 2015
WHEN ACCELERATE QUICKLY EXHAUST FUMES ENTER INTO CABIN OF VEHICLE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 4, 2015
EXHAUST FUMES ARE ENTERING THE PASSENGER CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE EXHAUST IS MOST NOTICEABLE DURING ACCELERATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAVE TAKEN THE EXPLORER TO THE DEALER TWICE WHERE IT IS STILL AT SINCE OCT 5TH, TODAY IS NOV 4TH. THE FORD DEALER HAS PERFORMED A TSB TO CORRECT THE KNOWN ISSUE OF EXHAUST ENTERING THE PASSENGER CABIN. THIS FIX DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM OR LESSEN IT TO ANY DEGREE. USING AN ALTAIR 4X GAS MONITOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE I OBSERVED CARBON MONOXIDE LEVELS UP TO 13PPM WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 22, 2015
ON AUGUST 22, 2015 I STOPPED AT A SHELL STATION NEAR BONHAM, TEXAS. AFTER REFUELING I WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE FUEL NOZZLE FROM MY VEHICLE. I MOVED IT AROUND, PUSHED, AND PULLED ON THE NOZZLE TO NO AVAIL.THE VEHICLE WAS OBVIOUSLY STATIONARY AT THIS TIME. AFTER ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES AND WITH THE HELP OF OTHER PEOPLE I WAS UNABLE TO GET THE NOZZLE OUT OF MY VEHICLE. I TOLD THE GAS STATION ATTENDANT WHO WAS ABLE TO PUSH AND PULL THE NOZZLE ENOUGH TO GET IT DISLODGED FROM MY VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM AUTO NATION FRISCO, TEXAS. MY VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN FIVE THOUSAND MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE CAPLESS FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENT SAYING IT WAS NOT BROKE IT WAS A GAS STATION ISSUE- FAULTY FUEL NOZZLE?? I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO REFUSED TO REPLACE THE COMPONENT. I WROTE A LETTER TO THE GM OF THE DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS THE VP OF CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR AUTO NATION EXPLAINING THE PROBLEM AND ASKING TO BE CONTACTED. AS OF THIS WRITING I HAVE HAD NO RESPONSE. I FILLED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD MOTOR CO. CASE# 7943196. ON 10-8-2015 I WAS ADVISED THAT THE CASE WAS CLOSED. I WAS NEVER ABLE TO TALK TO THEM SO I LEFT A VOICE MAIL AND SENT A E-MAIL ASKING TO BE CONTACTED. AS OF THIS WRITING I HAVE HAD NO RESPONSE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER AFTER THE INCIDENT THAT THERE WAS A BULLETIN EXPLAINING WHAT NOZZLES TO AVOID. SEEMS LIKE GOOD INFORMATION TO HAVE PRIOR TO AN INCIDENT NOT AFTER!! I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A REAL PROBLEM AND DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE USING MY VEHICLE UNTIL THE COMPONENT IS REPLACED. HAVING TO PULL, PUSH, AND PRY TO GET A FUEL NOZZLE OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE SURE SEEMS LIKE A OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE CAR DEALER AND FORD MOTOR CO. SAYS ITS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. THE GAS STATION ATTENDANT SAID IT WAS A FORD PROBLEM. CONSUMER STUCK IN THE MIDDLE!!
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 1, 2015
DURING ACCELERATION (GETTING ON HIGHWAY, PASSING, ETC.) THE CAB FILLS WITH EXHAUST SMELL. WE IMMEDIATELY HAVE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN TO GET THE SMELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. FREQUENT PASSENGERS AND DRIVER WITH ASTHMA. WE HAVE TAKEN EXPLORER TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT ONLY LEFT IT TWICE AS THEY SAID THEY ONLY HAD 2 TECHNICAL BULLETIN'S FROM FORD ON SUGGESTED FIXES. STILL SMELLS. DURING A GOOGLE SEARCH WE FOUND THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 2011. HAD WE HAVE KNOWN WE WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT THIS FORD EXPLORER.
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 1, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING EXHAUST FUMES FROM THE CABIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A DESIGN ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 850. MA 10/19/2015 *CN
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
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 8, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A CHEMICAL SMELL EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE SMELL WAS NORMAL. DUE TO THE SMELL, THE CONTACT SUFFERED SERIOUS HEADACHES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 15, 2015
DURING AND AFTER ACCELERATION AT ANY SPEED THERE IS A VERY STRONG SULPHUR SMELL IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. IT APPEARS TO ENTER FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND IT MUST BE EXHAUSTED BY OPENING THE WINDOWS EVERY SINGLE TIME. THE FUMES CONTAIN CO2 AND ARE VERY DANGEROUS TO ALL WITHIN THE VEHICLE. ALL PASSENGERS COMPLAIN OF A LIGHT HEADACHE AND NAUSEA.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 4, 2015
HORRIBLE ROTTEN EGG, BURNING SMELL WHEN ACCELERATING IN THE CABIN. HAVE TAKEN IT IN 3 TIMES AND THEY TELL ME IT WILL BURN OFF BETWEEN 10-15000 MILES. I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT THE FUMES IN THE CABIN ARE GOOD FOR ME AND MY FAMILY AND THE LACK OF CONCERN FROM FORD IS LAUGHABLE. WE HAVE CONTACTED FORD WITH MINIMAL, UNHELPFUL RESPONSES FROM THEM. ALONG WITH HEALTH CONCERNS, THE SMELL COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST IS AWFUL AND PROBABLY SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO THE EPA. I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE 2 NEW 2015 STRAIGHT OF THE TRAIN AND THEY BOTH WERE JUST AS BAD. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 21, 2015
BOUGHT VEHICLE, LEFT DEALERSHIP, DROVE APPROX 13 MILES, PARKED TRUCK WHILE RUNNING, AS MY SON AND I WAITED FOR MY WIFE OUTSIDE OF A STORE... WE NOTICED A BAD FUME SMELL. MY WIFE GOT IN THE CAR AND ASK WHAT'S THAT SMELL? I PASSED OFF AS MAYBE PROTECTIVE OILS BURNING OFF NEW PARTS. NEXT DAY I CAME HOME FROM WORK 12 MILES AWAY. AGAIN VEHICLE IN PARK WAITING FOR MY WIFE TO MEET ME OUTSIDE AS WE WERE GOING STRAIGHT TO THE STORE.... THE SMELL RETURNED! WE DROVE TO GET LUNCH MEAT 2 MILES. IT GOT WORSE AS I DROVE. I NOTICE AS SOON AS I TURNED THE HEAT DOWN A BIT... THE SMELL GOT WORSE. MAYBE BECAUSE THIS ALLOWS MORE OUTSIDE AIR TO BLEND? AFTER THIS I WAS SURE THIS WAS A BIG PROBLEM. I SEARCHED THE WEB FOR FORD EXPLORER FUMES AND WAS SHOCKED TO SEE ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS LAWSUITS AND MEDIA THIS HAS GOTTEN! HOW COULD I NOT HAVE HEARD ABOUT THIS? I'M QUITE SURE THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T COMPLAINED ! I DON'T WANT TO BELIEVE THE TRUCK I FELL IN LOVE WITH HAS THIS HUGE PROBLEM! I'M RETURNING IT! NO REPAIRS! DON'T WANT IT! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE! I FELT SICK AND DIZZY AFTER A SHORT DRIVE! PLEASE BELIEVE ME! THIS IS BAD! *TR