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: other or unspecified
402 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Aug 4, 2017
EXHAUST SMELL WHILE DRIVING. EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING INSIDE OF VEHICLE. HAVE TO DRIVE WITH A WINDOW DOWN TO AVOID THE SMELL/FUMES. THIS HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY AND IS WORSE ON LONGER TRIPS.
Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2017
I'M IN MY EXPLORER SOMETIMES FOR ABOUT 10 TO 13 HOURS A DAY FOR MY JOB FOR THE LAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN BATTLING HEALTH PROBLEMS LIGHT HEADEDNESS AND LOW BLOOD PRESSURE THE DOCTORS HAVE BEEN RUNNING TEST EVERYTHING CAME BACK O.K. HAVE ALWAYS SMELLED AN ORDER IN MY CAR SOMETIMES BUT I WASN'T AWARE OF THE ISSUES NOW I TAKE MY EXPLORER IN FOR SERVICE EVERY 8 WEEKS AND I WAS NEVER ASKED IF THERE WAS AN SMELL OR ANYTHING AND NOW I SEE THEY POSSIBLE COULD OF DONE SOME REPAIRS UNDER A SILENT TSB NOTHING WAS NEVER DONE I BROUGHT THIS UP TO MY DOCTOR AND THEY BELIEVE THIS COULD BE THE PROBLEM UNFORTUNATELY TO TEST FOR CO POISONING I HAVE TO GO FOR TEST WHEN I FEEL DIZZY AND WEAK.IM GOING TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO SEE WHAT THEY SAY BUT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD TO THE CAR OWNERS.
Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2017
LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLE RECEIVING HIGH CARBON MONOXIDE LEVEL READINGS (10+ PARTS PER MILLION) IN PASSENGER CABIN UPON HARD ACCELERATION (FROM COMPLETE STOP TO 100+ MPH) WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ON WITH THE RECIRCULATION FUNCTION ACTIVATED. 549
Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2017
THERE IS A RECALL CONCERNING THE CARBON MONOXIDE EXPOSURE
Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2017
LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLE RECEIVING HIGH CARBON MONOXIDE LEVEL READINGS (10+ PARTS PER MILLION) IN PASSENGER CABIN UPON HARD ACCELERATION (FROM COMPLETE STOP TO 100+ MPH) WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ON WITH THE RECIRCULATION FUNCTION ACTIVATED. 322
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 3, 2017
WE WOULD GET EXTREME HEADACHES AND NAUSEA WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. AS SOON AS WE WOULD GET OUT FOR A PERIOD OF TIME ALL SYMPTOMS WOULD GO AWAY. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND IT WAS IN THE SHOP LONGER THEN WE ACTUALLY HAD THE CAR AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP NEVER BELIEVED US ABOUT THE PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2017
LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLE RECEIVING HIGH CARBON MONOXIDE LEVEL READINGS (10+ PARTS PER MILLION) IN PASSENGER CABIN UPON HARD ACCELERATION (FROM COMPLETE STOP TO 100+ MPH) WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ON WITH THE RECIRCULATION FUNCTION ACTIVATED. 686
Other or unspecified, Aug 2, 2017
MY EXPLORER HAS EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING CABIN. I HAVE DEALER "FIX" IT ONCE AND COST ME 750 OUT OF MY POCKET. I STILL HAVE ISSUES AND NOT HAVING LUCK WITH DEALER HELPING. ACT AS IT IS JUST WHAT IT IS.
Other or unspecified, Aug 2, 2017
WHEN WE ACCELERATE TO PASS A CAR OR SPEED UP ON ANY STREET THE ODOR ENVELOPES IN THE CABIN. WE ARE NOT SURE WHERE THE EXHAUST IS COMING IN FROM.
Other or unspecified, Aug 2, 2017
CARBON MONOXIDE LEAK/ODOR
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 2, 2017
TAKATA RECALL - I FREQUENTLY COME CLOSE TO BLACKING OUT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, I HAVE ALMOST CRASHED THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I WORK IN A CONGESTED DOWNTOWN AREA AND SIT IN STAND STILL TRAFFIC FOR CLOSE TO 30 MINUTES TWICE A DAY, 5 DAYS A WEEK. I HAVE BEEN TO A SPECIALIST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY I AM HAVING EPISODES OF WHAT I THOUGHT WERE "EXTREME SLEEPINESS". IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME THAT THE SUDDEN ONSET OF TIREDNESS COULD BE LINKED TO THE AIR IN MY VEHICLE, HOWEVER, NOW THAT I AM AWARE OF THE SITUATION, MY SYMPTOMS MAKE PERFECT SENSE. I AM ALSO HAVING FREQUENT HEADACHES AND DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING AND FOCUSING WHILE WORKING. I AM THE CFO OF A REAL ESTATE COMPANY AND I HAVE NOTICED MY ABILITY TO FOCUS HAS CLEARLY DIMINISHED. THE CONCENTRATION LEVEL AND WORK ETHIC THAT BROUGHT ME TO MY POSITION IS BEING COMPROMISED AND DESPITE HEALTHY CHANGES TO MY DIET AND EXERCISE I CANNOT MAINTAIN THE SAME LEVEL OF PRODUCTIVITY I ONCE HAD. I WOULD LIKE THE INTERIOR OF MY VEHICLE TESTED FOR CARBON MONOXIDE BECAUSE I AM CERTAIN THAT IT EXISTS AND I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND THE LEVEL OF POISONOUS GAS THAT I HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO.
Other or unspecified, Aug 2, 2017
HAVE HAD SEVERAL OCCURRENCES OF NAUSEA WHILE DRIVING IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 1, 2017
CARBON MONOXIDE COMING INTO THE VEHICLE CALLED THE DEALER THEY DONT WANT TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM CALLED THE DEALER ABOUT RECALL THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING ON RECALL
Other or unspecified, Aug 1, 2017
WHEN YOU ACCELERATE HARD, EXHAUST FUMES CONSUME THE CABIN AND MAKES YOU SICK.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 1, 2017
WHEN THE THROTTLE IS DEPRESSED FULLY DURING PASSING OR INCREASING SPEED THERE IS A ODOR INSIDE THE CABIN OF VEHICLE. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE THROTTLE IS FULLY DEPRESSED.
Other or unspecified, Aug 1, 2017
FUMES IN CABIN WHEN ACCELERATION OR CLIMBING UPHILL GRADES. SMELL COMES INTO EXPLORER WHEN AC IS ON WITH RECIRCULATE AIR IS ON. THIS FUMES ARE BAD, CAUSING VERY SICK STOMACH, BURNING IN THROAT AND NOSE. I'M 66 YEARS OLD AND THIS SMELL MAKES ME FEEL REAL SICK, BURNS MY THROAT AND EYES. A ALLOVER SICK FEELING, RED FACE HARD TO BREATH, DIZZY FEELING. WE ROLL WINDOWS DOWN AND SOMETIME WE PULL OVER AND EXIT THE CAR TO GET AIR!! THE SMELL IS GETTING WORSE, WE HAD THE EXPLORER FOR A YEAR AND IT IS AWFUL. I'M AFRAID TO BE IN CAR BY MYSELF SO OUR NEW CAR DON'T GET MUCH USE. MAKE BIG PAYMENTS AND CAN'T USE IT. THIS WAS OUR RETIREMENT CAR, NOW ALL WE HAVE IS A CAR WE CAN'T USE BECAUSE IT MIGHT KILL US WITH ALL THESE FUMES!!
Other or unspecified, Aug 1, 2017
MY VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS GETS BAD ODORS FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM. I PLACED A CO DETECTOR IN THE VEHICLE AND IT HAS SHOWN HIGH SIGNS OF CARBON MONOXIDE AT LEAST 20 TIMES. I RETURNED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THEY MADE REPAIRS ACCORDING TO SOME BULLETIN THAT THEY WOULD NOT SHOW ME. THE PROBLEM STILL IS OCCURRING. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO CONTACT FORD CORPORATE AND THEY CANNOT HELP ME ANYMORE. FORD CORPORATE TOLD ME THEY DID EVERYTHING THEY CAN DO. THEY ALSO TOLD ME IF I KEEP BRINGING MY VEHICLE IN AND THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THEY ODOR OR CO PROBLEM THEY WILL HAVE TO CHARGE ME FOR THEIR TIME. BECAUSE IT'S NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE. FORD KNOWS THEIR IS A PROBLEM IF THEY HAVE A BULLETIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE TOTALLY TURNED THEIR BACK ON ME AND ARE WILLING TO RISK MY LIFE AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS. I RARELY DRIVE MY EXPENSIVE CAR ANYMORE AND ABSOLUTELY CAN'T ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAS BEEN ON GOING FOR OVER A YEAR NOW.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 1, 2017
EXHAUST FUMES FILL CABIN UNDER HARD ACCELERATION. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, WE PURCHASED CAR NEW IN ~ MAY 2015. TYPICALLY WE CAN LIMIT BY ACCELERATING SLOWER THAN DESIRED, WHICH CAN BE UNSAFE WHEN ENTERING THE HIGHWAY. AFTER HARD ACCELERATION HAS ENDED AND YOU MAINTAIN STEADY SPEED THE FUMES NO LONGER SEEM TO ENTER THE CABIN. FUMES CAN BE VERY STRONG AND ROLLING DOWN WINDOWS IS THE ONLY WAY TO CLEAR. IT SEEMS TO MOSTLY HAPPEN WITH REAR AIR CONDITIONING IN TURNED ON, BUT NOT SURE. I PUT TODAYS DATE BELOW, BUT THIS HAPPENS OFTEN. I HAVE READ ONLINE AND SPOKEN TO DEALERS IN THE PAST AND NO FIX SEEMS TO BE AVAILABLE SO WE HAVE DONE ARE BEST TO AVOID WITH SLOW ACCELERATION, BUT WE CAN NOT BE CERTAIN THAT NO FUMES ARE ENTERING CAR. BOTH MY WIFE AND I SEEM TO GET MORE HEAD ACHES THAN IN THE PAST AND THIS COULD BE THE CAUSE.
Other or unspecified, Aug 1, 2017
HEAVY EXHAUST ODOR NO MATTER IF A/C IS IN RECIRCULATE OR OUTSIDE AIR.OCCURS WHEN CAR IS DRIVING OR STOPPED
Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2017
SMELL EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN WHEN IN MOTION.
Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2017
DURING HEAVY ACCELERATION A HEAVY EXHAUST SMELL TAKES OVER THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL FORD COMPANY 3 TIMES TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE, AND IT STILL HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW--NO PREVIOUS OWNERS. AS I DRIVE AND ACCELERATE NOW, I HAVE TO LET DOWN THE WINDOWS OF THE VEHICLE TO GET FRESH AIR IN THE VECHILE, AS I AM WORRIED CARBON MONOXIDE MAY BE LEAKING IN WITH THE EXHAUST SMELL.
Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2017
I PURCHASED A 2015 FORD EXPLORER AND I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXHAUST SMELL ISSUE IN THE CABIN THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT IS EXPERIENCING. MY DAUGHTER HAS COMPLAINED ABOUT HEAD ACHES ON EVEN SHORT AROUND TOWN TRIPS. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE WINDOWS ARE UP OR DOWN, FUMES STILL ENTER THE CABIN AND CAUSES ILLNESS IF WE ARE IN THE VEHICLE FOR ANY PERIOD OF TIME. DURING THE WINTER TIME OR RAINY PERIODS OBVIOUSLY WE CANNOT HAVE THE WINDOWS DOWN DUE TO RAIN, SNOW OR COLD WEATHER HERE IN THE MIDWEST.. I DO NOT THINK ITS RIGHT FOR FORD TO FIX THE INTERCEPTORS AND NOTE THE CONSUMER MODEL. THE INTERCEPTORS RECALL ARE EVEN PARTIALLY DUE TO A 3 PARTY VENDOR MODIFYING THE VEHICLE. I THINK A TOTAL RECALL NEEDS TO HAPPEN FOR THE EXPLORER. REGULAR CITIZENS ARE ALSO GETTING SICK ESPECIALLY DURING LONGER STOP AND GO TRIPS WHEN THE WINDOWS CANNOT BE DOWN TO VENT THE EXHAUST GASSES. THERE HAS NOT BEEN A SPECIFIC DATE THIS HAPPENS, ISSUE IS ON GOING. HAPPENS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED.
Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2017
WHEN THE CAR IS ACCELERATING THERE IS AN EXHAUST ODER THAT EMITS THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. POSSIBLE CO2 EMISSION BEING PICK UP THROUGH THE VENTS. THIS CAR HAS BEEN SENT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER HAS CONFIRMED THE REAR VENTS ARE PICKING UP THE EXHAUST FUMES.
Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2017
I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW FROM TED BRITT FORD IN FAIRFAX VIRGINIA, IN DEC 2014. SINCE THEN MY VEHICLE HAS A SULFUR ODOR WHEN ACCELERATING HARD. ALSO, I HAVE BEEN HAVING MEDICAL ISSUES SUCH AS HEAD ACHES SINCE MAY 2015. I THINK THEY MAY HAVE SOMETHING DO WITH THE EXHAUST ON THE CAR.
Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2017
WHILE DRIVING UP HILL OR WHEN IT DOWN SHIFTS WE GET A STRONG ORDER OF CARBON MONOXIDE AND IT SEEMS AS IF IS COMING FORM THE VENTS. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE WE PURCHASED IT IN 2015. WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING HEADACHES FROM THIS ISSUE WHILE DRIVING.