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: power train
86 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Other or unspecified, Feb 15, 2017
I BOUGHT THE CAR IN SEPTEMBER OF 2015 AND NOTICED UPON HARD ACCELERATION SUCH AS ENTERING THE INTERSTATE OR PASSING A CAR THERE IS A SMELL OF EXHAUST THAT COMES INTO THE CABIN AREA AND IN ORDER TO RELIEVE THE SMELL THE WINDOWS NEED TO BE CRACKED A LITTLE BIT AND THIS ONLY HAPPENS UPON HARD ACCELERATION.I HAVE NOT HAD THIS EXPERIENCE WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION BUT THEY CANNOT SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 20 AND 40 MILES PER HOUR YOU FEEL A SHIFT IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH FOR A NEW VEHICLE IS A BIT ODD. AT 10,000 MILES I HAD TO HAVE A STABILIZER BAR IN THE FRONT AND REPLACED I NOTICE A LOT OF HEAVY CLUNKING AS I DROVE MY CAR AROUND AND THIS SEEMS TO BE THE PROBLEM. I I HAVE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE HEADLINER COMING OUT ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR THIS IS BEEN PUSHED IN AND REPLACED 3 TIMES AND IT'S WORKING ON ITS FOURTH TIME. THE ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CAB AND HAVE YET TO BE RESOLVED. BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND HAVE HAD IT IN FOR REPAIRS MORE THAN 15 TIMES, THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE EXHAUST IS FIXED BUT FUMES STILL EMIT INTO CABIN.
Power train, Engine, Feb 15, 2017
I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING MY VEHICLE UPON A HARD ACCELERATION. I'V TAKEN MY 2015 EXPLORER TO THE DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES TO GET THIS CORRECT, WITH NO POSITIVE RESOLUTION. I'M ALSO EXPERIENCING A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN MAKING A HARD LEFT HAND TURN. I'VE BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE TO FIX IT, WITH NO RESOLUTION.
Power train, Engine, Jan 13, 2017
2015 EXPLORER SPORT 3.5L V6 ECOBOOST, CAR SHUDDERS WHILE TRYING TO MAINTAIN HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHILE BARELY TOUCH THE GAS. ENGINE MISFIRES, HESITATES WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY. FORD NOR DEALER WILL DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT SAYING ITS "NORMAL". PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT STILL NO RESOLUTION. HAS BEEN ON GOING FOR ABOUT A YEAR. AT ONE POINT THE CAR WENT INTO "LIMP MODE" AND WOULD ONLY ALLOW ME TO DRIVE 20 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE THE RPMS' WHERE MAXED OUT. THANKFULLY I WAS CLOSE TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. SAID "PIPE HOSE CLAMP CAME LOSE". SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS ECOBOOST ENGINE. THERE HAVE BEEN LAWSUITES OVER IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, HAD SEVERAL TECHS, SUPERVISORS DRIVE IT AND NOTHING.
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Nov 23, 2016
SPORT MODEL FRONT END HAS HAD A LOUD POPPING/ CREAK NOISE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AT A ANGLE AND ALSO SHARP LOW SPEED MANUEVERS ( PULLING INTO TIGHT PARKING SPACE) SINCE IT WAS BASICLY BRAND NEW. LOUD TICKING NOISE FROM FRONT HUBS AT LOW SPEEDS FIRST VISIT TO FORD WAS AT 9,000 MILES THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT. VEHICLE NOW HAS 32,000 MILES ROUGHLY, THE POPPING AND CREAKING HAS GOTTEN WORSE MY WIFE WAS LEAVING WORK AND WAS BACKING OUT OF HER PARKING SPOT AND THE RACK AND PINION LOCKED UP ON HER. MULLTIPLE WANRING LIGHTS CAME ON AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. SHE CALLED ME AND I TOLD HER TO CYCLE THE KEY MULTIPLE TIMES AND SEE IF IT WILL RESET TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE TO MY WORK SO I COULD SCAN IT AND SEE WHAT CODES IT HAS. SHE TOOK SURFACE STREETS TO MY WORK. IT HAD CODES P0022: CAM TIMING OVER RETARTED P052D: COLD START CAM TIMING OVER RETARTED P193E: A/C CLUTCH REQUEST SIGNAL U0121: LOST COMMUNICATION WITH ABS CONTROL MODULE C1B00: STEERING ANGLE SENSOR THIS IS THE SECOND TIME CAM PHASER CODES CAME UP. THEY REPLACED CAM PHASER THIS LAST VISIT AND VEHICLE STILL STUMBLES/MISFIRE FEEL AT IDLE. THEY WERE "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE" RACK AND PINION/ SUSPENSION NOISE. MY WIFE DOES NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN GETTING RANDOM HARD SPOTS WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME FOR DIAGNOSTIC IF THEY CANT "DUPLICATE" I JUST GOT DONE PAYING FOR 3 WEEKS OF RENTAL AND CANT RISK SEVERAL HUNDRED MORE DOLLARS TO HAVE THEM, SAY THEY CANT DUPLICATE IT. SO I WILL BE PICKING UP THE EXPLORER AND I AM NOW STUCK WITH A UNSAFE VEHICLE AS THE STEERING COULD "LOCK UP" AGAIN AT ANY POINT. THERE ARE MULTIPLE CASES JUST LIKE MINE THAT I FOUND AND I AM NOT WILLING TO RISK HAVING MY WIFE AND CHILD HAVE THE RACK AND PINION FAIL WHILE SHE IS GOING DOWN THE FREEWAY WE GOT LUCKY WITH IT LOCKING UP WHILE AT LOW SPEED THE FIRST TIME.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 27, 2016
OUR EXPLORER LIMITED UNIT HAS LESS THAN 21,000 MILES ON IT. WHILE ACCELERATING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, CLIMBING A HILL / MOUNTAIN OR SIMILAR SITUATION EXHAUST FUMES ENTER THE CABIN. THE A/C UNIT IS ON AND IN THE RECIRCULATION MODE WITH THE REAR A/C UNIT OPERATING. THE NOXIOUS FUMES SMELL LIKE ROTTEN EGGS / SULFURIC ACID. THE ONLY WAY TO CLEAR THE DANGEROUS EXHAUST GASES IS TO OPEN WINDOWS ALLOWING FOR A CHANGE IN THE CABIN'S ATMOSPHERE. THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE THAT CAN BE REPLICATED. WORKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP WE PURCHASED FROM AS WELL AS FORD CORPORATE TO RESOLVE THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. MANY UNITS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE. NO PROVEN REPAIR / FIX TO DATE. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FORD'S ENGINEERING TEAM TO ISOLATE THE REASON THIS OCCURS AND PROVIDE A PROVEN REPAIR / RECALL? COULD IT BE THE UNITS EXPERIENCING THIS RECURRING PROBLEM COULD BE COMING OUT OF THE SAME MANUFACTURING FACILITY?
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 15, 2016
3.5L ECOBOOST, 24K MILES. UPON ATTEMPTED ACCELERATION, ENGINE DOES NOT PRODUCE FULL POWER. ENGINE LAGS SIGNIFICANTLY THEN SURGES IN BOTH RPM AND ACCELERATION. ISSUES HAS PERSISTED FOR APPROXIMATELY 3K MILES. ISSUE OCCURS DURING ALL ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS NOT COME ON. NO CODES HAVE BEEN FOUND. VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXAMINED BY HUDSON FORD IN WISCONSIN. NO RESOLUTION PROVIDED, ISSUE CONTINUES TO EXHIBIT ITSELF.
Power train, Structure, Service brakes, Aug 8, 2016, crash
MY WIFE AND I PARK OUR 2015 FORD EXPLORER XLT IN THE PARKING AREA IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE. IN ORDER TO GO ANYWHERE, WE NEED TO BACK IT OUT OF ITS PARKING SPOT, REVERSE-TURN TO THE RIGHT, APPLY THE BRAKES, PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE, AND FINALLY DRIVE FORWARD ON THE DRIVEWAY UNTIL REACHING THE STREET. THIS MORNING, MY WIFE PLANNED TO GO TO THE STORE. SHE ENTERED THE VEHICLE, STARTED IT, PUT IT IN REVERSE, AND PROCEEDED TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT. AS USUAL, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR AND PUT IT IN DRIVE, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THIS MORNING THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES A FEW MORE TIMES TO NO AVAIL. AFTER THAT DID NOT WORK, SHE APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, WHICH DID NOT DO ANYTHING EITHER. FINALLY, SHE TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK, WHICH DIDN'T DO ANYTHING EITHER. SHE ENDED UP DOING A U-TURN IN REVERSE. MY OTHER TRUCK WAS PARKED TO THE RIGHT OF WHERE THE FORD EXPLORER WAS PARKED, SO ONCE THE FORD EXPLORER REACHED MY PARKED TRUCK AND COLLIDED WITH IT, THE FORD EXPLORER FINALLY STOPPED. IN ADDITION TO MY WIFE, OUR TWO SONS AGED 6 AND 8, WERE INSIDE THE VEHICLE WITH HER WHEN THIS HAPPENED. WE HAVE ATTACHED A PHOTO OF THE FORD EXPLORER COLLIDED ONTO MY PARKED TRUCK (A FORD F150), WHICH IT HAD TO DO IN ORDER TO STOP AND NOT COLLIDE INTO ANYTHING OR ANYONE ELSE. THE MAIN REASON WE GOT A FORD EXPLORER IS BECAUSE WE BELIEVED IT WOULD BE A STURDY SUV THAT WOULD KEEP MY WIFE AND KIDS SAFE, SO THIS INCIDENT IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING. THE CAR IS ALMOST NEW WITH APPROXIMATELY 12,000 MILES AND WE HAVE HAD ALREADY HAD TO TAKE IT INTO THE REPAIR SHOP APPROXIMATELY EIGHT TIMES. WE HAVE ASKED FORD TO REPLACE IT, BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN WILLING TO DO SO, WHICH IS WHY WE ARE ESCALATING THIS MATTER TO REGULATING AGENCIES FOR RESOLUTION AS WELL AS OUT OF CONCERN FOR OTHER FAMILIES WHO MAY HAVE HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE.
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 5, 2016
WHEN MY 2015 FORD EXPLORER IS UNDER HEAVY ACCELERATION SUCH AS TOWING OR PASSSING, I CAN SMELL A VERY STRONG ODOR OF SULPHER OR CONVERTOR FUMES IN THE CABIN. IT IS WORSE WITH THE FRESH AIR VENT AND IS LESS WITH THE RECIRCULATION. THE REAR A/C IS OFF AND I HAVE 4400 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY HAVE NO PAST COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT MAY BE. I ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WHEN I WAS MAKING THE HIGH ACCELERATION TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL JERKING UNDER TORQUE. I DRIVE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE POLICE VEHICLES FOR A LIVING AND NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN WHERE YOU BETTER BE HANGING ON WITH BOTH HANDS.
Suspension, Power train, Engine, Jul 2, 2016
I BOUGHT THE CAR IN SEPTEMBER OF 2015 AND NOTICED UPON HARD ACCELERATION SUCH AS ENTERING THE INTERSTATE OR PASSING A CAR THERE IS A SMELL OF EXHAUST THAT COMES INTO THE CABIN AREA AND IN ORDER TO RELIEVE THE SMELL THE WINDOWS NEED TO BE CRACKED A LITTLE BIT AND THIS ONLY HAPPENS UPON HARD ACCELERATION.I HAVE NOT HAD THIS EXPERIENCE WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION BUT THEY CANNOT SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 20 AND 40 MILES PER HOUR YOU FEEL A SHIFT IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH FOR A NEW VEHICLE IS A BIT ODD. AT 10,000 MILES I HAD TO HAVE A STABILIZER BAR IN THE FRONT AND REPLACED I NOTICE A LOT OF HEAVY CLUNKING AS I DROVE MY CAR AROUND AND THIS SEEMS TO BE THE PROBLEM. I I HAVE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE HEADLINER COMING OUT ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR THIS IS BEEN PUSHED IN AND REPLACED 3 TIMES AND IT'S WORKING ON ITS FOURTH TIME. THE ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CAB AND HAVE YET TO BE RESOLVED.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 30, 2015
EXHAUST SMELL IN CAR EVERY TIME YOU ENTER A FREEWAY OR PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. IN OTHER WORDS; ACCELERATION. ALSO, HAS A "DRONE" TYPE SOUND AT SPEEDS OVER 71 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES WITH THE LATEST TIME BEING TWO WEEKS SO FAR (IT'S STILL THERE ON 9-30-15) FOR THE TWO ISSUES NOTED ABOVE..
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.