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, Nov 20, 2020
THE DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL HAS DETACHED FROM THE DOOR FRAME AT THE TOP NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Nov 17, 2020
LOUD ROAD NOISE AROUND DRIVER DOOR, RUBBER SEAL DOES NOT STOP AIR AND ROAD NOISE TO INTERIOR OF VEHICLE.
Steering, Structure, Oct 28, 2020, crash
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55MPH THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAUSED ME TO GO OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INTO A FENCE. VERY DANGEROUS, AS I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER STORIES ONLINE STATING THE SAME THINGS AND SOME AT HIGHER RATES OF SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE. LUCKILY I WAS ALONE AND NO ONE WAS HARMED. IT COULD HAVE BEEN ALOT WORSE.
Structure, Oct 21, 2020
THE WEATHERSTRIPPING ON FRONT DRIVER/PASSENGER DOOR IS ROTTING AWAY, ALSO THE WINDSHIELD RETAINING STRIPS BOTH SIDES, DRY ROTTED.
Structure, Oct 19, 2020
VEHICLE WAS PARKED. I RAN INTO STORE WHILE FAMILY SAT IN VEHICLE. I CAME BACK OUT, STARTED TO OPEN DOOR, AND HEARD SOMETHING HIT THE GROUND. I PICKED UP A PART OF MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE OFF OF THE GROUND. I AM NOW UNABLE TO OPEN MY DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE.
Structure, Oct 4, 2020
DOOR WEATHER STRIPPING HAS HAS DETERIORATED AND IS HANGING LOOSE ALSO WINDOW FRAME LEATHER IS POPING UP ON BOTH DOORS
Structure, Jul 21, 2020
I GOT IN MY CAR AND HEARD A STRANGE NOISE OUTSIDE. LOOKED AND FOUND THAT THE SMALLER PIECE OF THE DOOR HANDLE HAD FALLEN OFF. I PICKED IT UP AND GOT BACK IN THE CAR, WOULD FIX IT WHEN I GOT HOME, BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE/LATCH. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE PLASTIC PIECE BACK ON THE HANDLE AND WAS THEN ABLE TO SHUT THE DOOR AND DRIVE HOME. LUCKILY, THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, AS I BELIEVE THE DOOR WOULD HAVE FLOWN OPEN.
Structure, Jun 23, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 80 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR KEYPAD DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FORD OF KENDALL (15551 S DIXIE HWY, MIAMI, FL 33157, 305-238-9211) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE OF $512 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Structure, Jun 16, 2020
THE PAINT IS STARTING TO BUBBLE IN SEVERAL SPOTS ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THE HOOD. I SEE NO RUST OF ANY KIND JUST BUBBLING PAINT. I METICULOUSLY CARE FOR THIS CAR REGULAR WASH AND WAXES. *TR
Structure, Jun 12, 2020
DRIVER DOOR: THE DOOR BLACK TRIM PANEL IS COME OUT AND IT WONT LET ME OPEN AND CLOSE MY WINDOW PROPERLY. I HEAR ABOUT THIS ISSUES IN THE DEALER, BUT I DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY RECALL ABOUT IT. PLEASE, I NEED YOU FIX IT, THIS ISSUES, IT IS 2015 FORD EXPLORER, AND I HAVE OTHER VEHICLE OF 2006, IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY ISSUES ABOUT THE INSIDE OF THE BODY. *TR
Structure, Jun 9, 2020
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE'S A SNAP NOISE AND THEN I SEE THIS RUBBER FLAPPING AT THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN IT FIRST STARTED HITTING THE WINDSHIELD IT SCARED US HALF TO DEATH. I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND PULLED OVER TO LOOK AND SEEN THE PASSENGER WINDSHIELD PILLAR HAD COMPLETELY BROKEN IN HALF WHILE I WAS DRIVING, FLEW OFF AND WAS GONE. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON IN THE FORD EXPLORERS, THAT THESE WINDSHIELD PILLARS FLY OFF. IM DISAPPOINTED THAT THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM SEEING IT HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY TO THESE CARS ACCORDING TO LOTS OF PEOPLE ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM AND IM VERY THANKFUL IT DID NOT FLY AND HIT SOMEONE ELSE'S CAR OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. HONESTLY I THINK FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT NOT ME. SAD BECAUSE I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AGO AT CARMAXX. *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, May 23, 2020
THE DOOR, WINDSHIELD, AND EXTERNAL WINDOW SEALS ARE RAPIDLY DETERIORATING, THE PAINT ON THE CAR HOOD IS BLISTERING AND ABOUT TO PEEL OFF LIKE PAINT DID ON CARS SEVERAL AGO, LEAVING BARE METAL VISIBLE UNDERNEATH. *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, May 21, 2020
THIS CAR HAS STARTED SHOWING ALL SIGNS OF CORROSION ON THE FRONT HOOD. I HAVE DONE MY OWN RESEARCH AND FOUND THOUSANDS OF OTHER EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. EVERY OUTCOME HAS BEEN DIFFERENT FROM EACH DEALERSHIP TO ANOTHER. HERE IS A COPY OF THE NHTSA ID NUMBER WITH THE CORRESPONDING TSB AND SUMMARY I AM ALSO ATTACHING SEVERAL PICTURES FOR EVIDENCE. (ALL PICTURES WERE TAKEN BY AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALERSHIP- METRO FORD IN OKLAHOMA CITY, OK) NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10156863 MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION NUMBER: TSB 19-2026 SUMMARY SOME 2000 AND NEWER FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ALUMINUM BODY PANELS MAY EXHIBIT CORROSION CONCERNS APPEARING AS BUBBLED AND/OR PEELING PAINT WITH OR WITHOUT ACCOMPANYING WHITE DUST. PANEL REPLACEMENT IS RECOMMENDED. FOLLOW THE SERVICE PROCEDURE STEPS TO CORRECT THE CONDITION. *TR
Structure, Jan 28, 2020
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ARM RESTS ARE COMING APART AT THE SEAMS AS IS THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE INTERIOR OF MY 2015 EXPLORER WITH 45K MILES LOOKS TERRIBLE. LOOKS LIKE IT'S 20 YEARS OLD. I AM SHOCKED.
Structure, Jan 15, 2020
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD MOLDING BECAME LOOSE AND BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. THE WINDSHIELD SEAL ALSO FLEW UP AND APPROXIMATELY 3 FEET OF THE THE SEAL CAME OFF AND WAS FLAPPING AGAINST PASSENGER WINDOW BEFORE COMING COMPLETELY DETACHED. IT LOOKS LIKE SOME OF THE WHITE CLIPS ARE BROKEN ON THAT SIDE WINDSHIELD PANEL SO WE ARE UNSURE HOW TO FIX THIS. SO NOW WE ARE MISSING THE ENTIRE SIDE WINDSHIELD MOLDING, AND ABOUT 2 TO 3 FEET OF WINDSHIELD STRIPPING. NOW WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THERE IS ALSO A VIBRATION AND SOUND LIKE AIR IS COMING IN FROM AROUND THE WINDSHIELD. THIS ALL HAPPENED IN THE UPPER 30,000 MILE RANGE WHEN I HAD THE VEHICLE FOR ONLY 3 MONTHS.
Structure, Dec 26, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ARMREST ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL HAD FRACTURED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GREENWAY MOTORS (LOCATED AT 310 BEDFORD RD, MORRIS, IL 60450, 815-768-1813) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR WAS COVERED PER A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN. THE DEALER RESTAPLED THE DOOR PANEL, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
Structure, Nov 15, 2019
WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 60 MPH, HEARD WEIRD SOUND AROUND ON MY DRIVER SIDE, PULLED OVER AND THE TRIM AROUND MY WINDSHIELD WAS HANGING. I THOUGHT IT WAS SNAPPED BACK IN, AND WHEN I GOT TO WORK IT WAS COMPLETELY GONE. I WILL TAKE PICS AND ADD THEM TO THIS LATER ON.
Structure, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 10, 2019
THERE IS A TERRIBLE EXHAUST SMELL THAT COMES INTO THE INTERIOR CABIN. THE SMELL IS EVEN WORSE UPON EXTENDED HARD ACCELERATION. IN ADDITION, THERE IS BUBBLING IN MY HOOD DUE TO FAULTY HOODS BEING PRODUCED ON FORD EXPLORERS. FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED BOTH ISSUES - AS THERE IS A TSB. FORD'S "FIX" TSB-16016 IS NOT A FIX AT ALL. IT MERELY IS A BANDAGE FOR THE PROBLEM AS MY FAMILY STILL SMELLS EXHAUST IN THE VEHICLE. MY 3 YEAR OLD SON IS INHALING THIS TOXIC SMELL.
Structure, Sep 6, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STRIP BEHIND THE HOOD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS SURPRISED, LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, SWERVED, AND ALMOST CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE PART THAT DETACHED STRUCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TRI COUNTY FORD (4032 COMMERCE PKWY, BUCKNER, KY 40010, (866) 417-0262) AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,200.
Structure, Aug 14, 2019
WHEN HAVING THE RECALLS FIXED ON MY EXPLORER THE BACK LIFTGATE IS NOT CENTER EVEN THE DEALERSHIP FIXING IT SAID IT WAS NOT ALSO. THEY INFORMED ME I WOULD NEED TO BRING IT TO A BODY SHOP TO HAVE IT FIXED. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR HIT ANYTHING SO THERE IS NO REASON FOR IT NOT TO BE CENTERED.
Structure, Jul 3, 2019
ONE INSTANCE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY LEFT SIDE WINDSHIELD RUBBER SEAL STARTS FLAPPING AGAINST SIDE WINDOW THEN EVENTUALLY FLIES OFF. NEXT WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY THE WINDSHIELD SIDE TRIM BREAKS OFF. NOW THE RIGHT SIDE TRIM HAS RIPPED & FLOWN OFF ON FREEWAY. WHICH WILL MEAN THE TRIM WILL PROBABLY BREAK AS WELL.
Structure, Engine, May 31, 2019
THE SIDE PANEL POPPED OUT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE FORD DEALERSHIP I TOOK IT TO WAS AWARE OF IT. THE SECOND ISSUE WE HAD AT 66,000 MILES WAS AN ERROR CALLED 'TERRAIN MANAGEMENT FAULT'. BOTH TIMES THIS ERROR OCCURRED, WE WERE MOVING. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IT FIXED ITSELF. THE SECOND TIME, WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT OR KILLED. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. PLEASE GET FORD TO A DRESS THESE SAFETY ISSUES.
Structure, May 30, 2019
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH AND HEARD A HUGE POP ON THE PASSENGER WINDOW AND SOMETHING BLACK FLY BY. WE PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT THE PLASTIC BLACK TRIM ON THE SIDES OF THE WINDSHIELD BROKE IN HALF AND THE RUBBER WAS HANGING OFF. I HAD TO CUT IT OFF. AFTER TAKING A CLOSER LOOK, IT APPEARS THERE ARE SEVERAL PIECES OF THE PLASTIC TRIM THAT ARE WARPING AND EVEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE PANEL WAS LOSE SO I'M SURE IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS SIDE BREAKS OFF ALSO. I SEE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM ALSO AND IT WOULD BE NICE IF FORD WOULD DO A RECALL ON THE PANELS, AS THEY ARE NOT CHEAP. EVEN THE BOARD THAT THE TRIM ATTACHES ITSELF TO IS COMING LOSE.
Structure, Service brakes, Apr 24, 2019
HOOD HAVE DETAIL RETAINING DENTS. WHEN I BACK UP SWELLING SOUNDS
Structure, Apr 24, 2019
AT THE EDGE OF THE HOOD THE PAINT IS BUBBLING, MY CLAIM AT FORD HAS BEEN DENIED AT UNDER 4 YEARS OLD.