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: structure
409 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Jun 6, 2023
The windshield trim piece on the passenger side flew off while driving and could have hit another vehicle /property or a person causing damage or injury. Online research indicates there is a known issue with these parts. However, I was unable to locate a recall.
Visibility/wiper, Structure, Jun 6, 2023
The A-Pillar Windscreen TRIM on each side of the vehicle are a failed Ford design and require pending replacement to prevent them flying off whilst traveling and endangering other road users or pedestrians.
Structure, Jun 1, 2023
While driving around 45 mph I was startled by something black flapping against the passenger side of the windshield. I thought I must have hit a large bird and it was caught somehow. I immediately pulled off the road to see what happened. I found a large strip of rubber sealer had come loose from around my windshield and was causing the flapping, also the windshield trim was gone. I drove back the way I came and found the missing part in the road. Yes I feel this is a hazard to traffic. I was very startled with the commotion and if there was a car behind me they could have been startled by flying pieces of my car. I haven't had the repairs done yet.
Structure, May 16, 2023
A-Pillar molding suddenly detached and flew off while driving down interstate. The driver's side flew off in October of 2020. Caused me to swerve as I thought I hit something. Thankfully, no one was beside me. I didn't realize what it was until I was able to pull over at rest stop. Passenger side flew off while on highway in April of 2023. This time, the seal/gasket remained attached and was slapping the side of the vehicle until I could get somewhere to top and yank it off. The pillar molding caused several vehicles behind me to swerve, but no accidents were caused. Both times this happened, several of the plastic clips appear to have been broken. Both times this happened, there was no warning. No sounds or minor lifting to indicate that something might be loose. After the driver's side one happened, I took the vehicle in to the dealership and was told by Barton Ford that "this is a common problem with this style of Explorer." I could not afford the amount that I was quoted to replace. Also, after the first incident, I started noticing how many other Explorers are driving around with the same issue. This is ridiculous that Ford is allowing this issue to remain unresolved. I live in the country, where highway speeds are common on back roads and the sound alone that this makes is terrifying. I thought that I blew a tire and there was rubber on my windshield the first time. The second time, I had people slowing down and trying to get away from me probably in fear that more parts were going to suddenly start falling off. Also caused cosmetic damage to my passenger side door and windows due to the "flapping" of the rubber.
Structure, May 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, she heard an abnormal thumping sound coming from the passenger’s side front of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that when she arrived at her destination, she observed that a part of the windshield trim was missing. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer; however, the missing trim panel was not replaced. The contact ordered the part and installed the trim. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that later the driver's side trim panel also detached from the vehicle and was replaced. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE23001 (Structure). The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Structure, Apr 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the driver’s side A pillar windshield trim panel detached and flew off the vehicle. The contact was able to continue driving. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE23001 (Structure). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.
Structure, Apr 25, 2023
Was driving on the freeway going about 60mph when passenger side windshield moulding flew off the vehicle and hit my windshield & mirror. I have no idea where the part landed. My concern is - the part should not just fly off even on an older vehicle. I have no idea if the part hit anyone else’s vehicle. I had no warning that this part could just fly off.
Structure, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 4, 2023
When driving the vehicle, I can smell gas fumes which caused nausea. I didn’t know it was worse in the back of the cabin where my children sit until I sat back there for a 3 hour trip. The smell was stronger there which led to headache, nausea and fatigue. It doesn’t seem to come from the vent, it seems from the entire body of the vehicle. This puts my children’s health at risk. And all of our lives because if we travel far enough breathing this in, it can lead to exhaustion which can cause a crash and put others’ safety at risk. I’m surprised to see there is no recall, yet, it’s been reported that there have been 1.5 million complaints. We are having the issue fixed next Wednesday, but we will be without a car (ford is not providing a loan vehicle) and the bill is extremely expensive. This is clearly something wrong with the way the vehicle was made and is not fair as consumers that we not only have to breathe this in, but pay for the repair that has clearly been an issue for a majority of police vehicles out of 1.5 million complaints. Please help us.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Apr 2, 2023
The driver side windshield trim separated from the vehicle while driving on the freeway. Upon inspection at our destination, it was evident that 4 of the plastic clips had broken causing the failure. The driver behind us was able to avoid the flying debris from this incident. We have not taken it in for repairs yet. There was no warning or early indication of this problem prior to it occurring. Concerned the passenger side will do the same.
Structure, Mar 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 78 MPH, the front passenger’s side window trim detached from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
Structure, Feb 23, 2023
Passenger side front windshield trim flew off the car while driving on the freeway.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 19, 2023
Plastic cover of windshield detached while driving. May pose a hazard to other drivers as it becomes a projectile when detaching. It also startled the driver when it detached, causing swerving.There was no damage done to provoke the problem, it was spontaneous. Have not taken the vehicle to be inspected by dealer.
Structure, Feb 11, 2023
I was driving on the interstate at 60 mph and the passenger side windshield panel flew off. As far as I know, it did not hit any vehicles that were traveling behind me.
Structure, Feb 11, 2023
I was driving on the interstate at 65mph and the driverside windshield panel flew off. As far as I know, it did not hit any vehicles that were traveling behind me.
Structure, Feb 10, 2023
The vertical black plastic trim piece along the side of the windshield on the drivers side of the car detached and flew away while driving on the highway.
Structure, Feb 10, 2023
Right "A pillar" cap broke off while driving on the freeway
Structure, Feb 10, 2023
Windshield Trim: My windshield trim began stripping off of my windshield as I was traveling on highway speeds on I-10 back in August 2022. I managed to "glue" the trim back into place until getting to the dealership. They informed me that it would be cheaper to replace the whole windshield since I had existing chips and a crack (through my insurance) than it would be to replace the trim. Therefore, I filed a claim through my insurance and paid my $500 deductible to have the windshield and trim replaced. Check Engine Light: Throughout the life of my vehicle, I have had multiple episodes of Check Engine Light errors and "running lean codes." More recently in October 2022 at 102,000 miles, I experienced check engine errors with running lean codes. After $8k and 4 separate trips to the Ford Dealership from October 2022 to January 2023 to "fix" the problem by overhauling my engine and replacing sensors etc, the check engine light is gone (for now). There is obviously a widespread problem with Ford Explorers and their check engine lights. Ford Consumer Affairs will not provide financial support since they indicated that even though my vehicle is less than 150,000 miles, it is over their 7 year mark (mine just turned 8 years old). I have copies of all receipts and are available upon request. Rear Backup Camera: My camera has been glitching in and out (while in reverse) for the last year and is a safety concern.
Structure, Feb 8, 2023
Trim moulding right passenger front window. The piece is not available as it flew off while driving down Highway on 25 June 2022. We don't know what happened to the piece and if it struck anything/one traveling behind us. No warning. We replaced piece.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 4, 2023
While driving down the interstate, the driver’s side windshield trim panel flew off my vehicle.
Power train, Structure, Feb 4, 2023
Body: windshield Trim detached last year and flew off at highway speeds. Didn’t cause damage to my own vehicle but could have bounced off someone else’s. Drivetrain: non serviceable (unable to do a fluid change) on my power train unit. Due to this it started leaking at the front seal and others reported failure during driving. The fix would be to add a drain plug and make it a serviceable unit.
Structure, Feb 3, 2023
Window trim pillars have blown off the car multiple times at highway speeds
Visibility, Structure, Feb 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the front windshield was detaching. The contact stated that the windshield seal was peeling away and slowly detaching. The contact stated that the trim had detached. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
Structure, Feb 3, 2023
I was traveling on Rte 25 in Wareham, MA at approximately 65 mph when without warning the passenger side A-pillar trim piece flew off of my vehicle (2015 Ford Explorer). This startled me which caused me to be momentarily distracted. I just thought this was a rare incident so I did not initially report it however I was prompted to report my incident after hearing about other incidents on the news. I have already ordered an aftermarket replacement and would like for Ford to refund me $56.30.
Structure, Feb 2, 2023
windshield trim panels flying off the car while traveling at highway
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Feb 2, 2023
Vehicle window trim, (Front right) detached and flew off vehicle when traveling between 50-60mph. I was unaware that this wasn't an isolated incident until the news reported a potential investigation.