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
Structure, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 31, 2017
THE VEHICLE WAS TESTED AND FOUND TO HAVE 30 PPM OF CO IN THE VEHICLE WHILE IN OPERATION.
Other or unspecified, Jul 30, 2017
CAN SMELL EXHAUST IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE FORD HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR ONCE AND THE TRUCK WILL BE DROPPED OFF FOR THE SECOND TIME
Other or unspecified, Jul 30, 2017
EXHAUST OR FUMES IN CABIN W REAR AC
Other or unspecified, Jul 30, 2017
UPON ACCELERATION, THE CAB FILLS WITH FUMES AND EXHAUST, BLOWING INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE VENTS. THE FUMES DO NOT DISSIPATE FOR 4 MINUTES. THE PROBLEM REOCCURS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS ACCELERATED BEYOND 2000 RMS, WHETHER FROM A COMPLETE STOP, OR IN THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC.
Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2017
STRANGE SMELL IN CABIN OF CAR WHEN FIRST TURN AIR CONDITIONING ON. MY DAUGHTER DESCRIBES IT AS "STINKY FEET".
Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2017
TAKATA RECALL, STRONG ODOR INSIDE CAR. STRONG ODOR WHENEVER AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. STRONG EGG SMELL. BAD SMELLS COMING THROUGH VENTS. EXPERIENCING EXTREMELY BAD HEADACHES AND DIZZINESS.
Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2017
WHEN EXCELERATING ONTO FREEWAY A BURNING SMELL COMING OUT OF VENTS INTO CAR. WHEN IDLING CAR AT STOP LIGHT BURNING SMELL COMING OUT OF VENTS INTO CAR. WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD WHILE IDLING ALONG WITH THE BURNING SMELL. HAVE TAKEN IT TO FORD MANY TIMES AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. WAS DOCUMENTED WHEN I HAD MY 1ST OIL CHANGE ON THE CAR.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 28, 2017
SINCE PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 2015, WE NOTICED WHEN ACCELERATING THAT THERE WAS AN EXHAUST SMELL INSIDE THE CAB WITH THE WINDOWS CLOSED. WE ALSO NOTICED ON LONG TRIPS WE WOULD GET HEADACHES AND FEEL SLEEPY/WEAK. CALLED THE DEALER AND COMPLAINED ABOUT EXHAUST ODOR, AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE 600-700 DOLLARS TO RESEAL THE CAB AND DO SOME OTHER REPAIRS. I FEEL THIS IS NOT FAIR AND THIS IS A DEFECT THE VEHICLE HAD SINCE NEW.
Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2017
EXHAUST SMELL IN CABIN WHEN PASSING OR CLIMBING GRADES
Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2017
SINCE JANUARY 2017, I HAVE OCCASIONS NOTICED A SULFUR TYPE EXHAUST SMELL IN THE VEHICLE CABIN WHEN MODERATELY ACCELERATING. I HAVE HAD IT IN FOR SERVICE FOR THIS PROBLEM 4 TIMES. TSB SOLUTIONS WERE PERFORMED THE FIRST 3 TIMES, AND IN KUNE 2017, I WAS TOLD THERE IS NO PROBLEM FOUND AND I SHOULD TAKE IT TO ANOTHER FORD DEALERSHIP FOR FURTHER SERVICE ON THIS PROBLEM. SINCE THE LAST SERVICE DATE OF 6/20/17, I HAVE DOCUMENTED 4 MORE OCCURRENCES OF NOTING THIS SMELL IN MY VEHICLE CABIN.
Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2017
CARBON MONOXIDE SMELL DURING ACCELERATION. SOMETIME MAKES ME DIZZY. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPT MANAGER THAT IT IS A DESIGN FLAW.
Other or unspecified, Jul 24, 2017
2015 FORD EXPLORER POLICE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING CARBON MONOXIDE INTO CABIN OF VEHICLE. FORD SAID THEIR WAS A BULLETIN BUT NO RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM. THE COST TO GET IT FIXED WAS 691.15. IT IS UNKNOWN IF VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY.
Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2017
SINCE THE MOMENT WE DROVE THE CAR OFF THE LOT IT HAS PUT OFF AN AWFUL EXHAUST SMELL WHEN ACCELERATING OR DRIVING ON AN UPWARD INCLINE. IT IS SO BAD WE HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS MOST OF THE TIME TO KEEP FROM GETTING SICK TO OUR STOMACHS.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 17, 2017
THE EXHAUST OF THE FUMES COMING INTO THE CABIN OCCURS DURING FULL THROTTLE APPLICATIONS, ESPECIALLY WHEN MERGING ONTO HIGHWAYS OR CLIMBING STEEP INCLINES AND SINCE THE START OF THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CAUSING MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY HEALTH PROBLEMS SUCH AS ASTHMA. WE HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD AT LEAST 3 TIMES FOR WHICH THEY HELD THE VEHICLE 3-4 DAYS FOR INSPECTION, BUT FOUND NO DISCREPANCY, WE WONDER WHY THEY CAN'T SMELL IT AS IT HAPPENS WHEN IT IS BEING DRIVEN ON THE FREEWAY AND DURING INSTANCES MENTIONED ABOVE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 16, 2017
EXHAUST/POSSIBLY CARBON MONOXIDE SMELL INSIDE PASSENGER AREA. AFTER HEAVY ACCELERATION EXHAUST ODOR FILLS CABIN. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THERE IS A NEED FOR HEAVY ACCELERATION. THIS HAPPENED SINCE THE AUTO WAS NEW. I NOTICED ON A CNN REPORT THAT THIS ONLY HAPPENED ON POLICE VEHICLES. THAT IS NOT THE CASE. THIS IS NOT A POLICE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2017
ROTTEN SMELL COMING FROM CAR EVERY TIME WE GET ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE A/C IS ON. TRIED TO TALK TO LOCAL FORD AND NATIONAL HOTLINE, ALL I GOT IS IT'S AN ISSUE AND WE ARE WORKING ON IT. THE FUMES ARE TOXIC FROM WHAT I'VE READ SO NOT A GOOD ANSWER TO GET ON A NEW CAR PURCHASE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 3, 2017
WE HAVE EXHAUST PROBLEMS IN OUR VEHICLE. WE DO UNDERSTAND THAT MANY OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS, BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM YET. THE LAST TIME WE WERE AT THE DEALERS FOR REPAIR, MAY 19, 2017, WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY HAVE BACKORDERED PARTS FOR TSB- 16-0166. WE STILL HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THE DEALER. MY WIFE GETS SORE THROATS AND BURNING EYES WHEN IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE GETS THE EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE. THE STRONGEST IS WHEN GOING UPHILL OR A FAST START. ALSO, WHEN STOPPED IN ONE SPOT FOR LONG. WE HAVE TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN TO AIR THE VEHICLE OUT VERY OFTEN. SOMETIMES THE CAR INTERIOR SMELLS AND OUR CLOTHES SMELL. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE VEHICLE THAT IS MAKING US SICK. SOME INVOICES ATTACHED. OTHERS WOULD NOT GO THROUGH CORRECTLY. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
Other or unspecified, Jun 22, 2017
SOMETIMES IT SMELLS LIKE EXHAUST FUMES OR HAIR BURNING FUMES ARE ENTERING THE CAB. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER A YEAR.
Other or unspecified, Jun 19, 2017
EXHAUST SYSTEM LEAKING TO PASSENGER CABIN. SMELL OF FUEL AND EXHAUST. SERVICE X3, PROBLEM REMAINS.
Other or unspecified, Jun 17, 2017
WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATES FUMES ENTER THE CABIN FORCING ME TO OPEN THE WINDOW. IT SMELLS LIKE EXHAUST AND GIVES ME A MIGRAINE. THIS HAPPENS AT EVERY ACCELERATION.
Other or unspecified, Jun 15, 2017
SMELL OF EXHAUST IN PASSENGER CABIN WHEN ACCELERATING WITH FULL THROTTLE.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 15, 2017
STRONG BURNING/EXHAUST SMELL WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATES.
Other or unspecified, Jun 6, 2017
POISONOUS EXHAUST LEAKING INTO CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO BERGE FORD. THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT BUT IT DID NOT GET RID OF THE LEAK SO WE TOOK IT BACK. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AT BERGE AGAIN WHILE THE TECHNICIANS TALK WITH FORD SPECIALISTS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX IT. I HAD TO PAY $100 SO FAR FOR A DEDUCTABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECAL!!!! MY SON AND I GET FREQUENT HEADACHES WHEN DRIVING BECAUSE OF THE NOXIOUS FUMES!!!! I AM STUCK IN A TINY RENTAL CAR UNTIL THIS IS FIXED. FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WE TOOK THE SHOP FORMAN AND SERVICE TECHNICIAN WITH US TO SMELL THE EXHAUST FUMES AND THEY AGREED THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT EXHUAST SMELL IN THE VEHICLE AND IT IS UNEXCEPTABLE!!!!!
Other or unspecified, Jun 5, 2017
GETTING EXHAUST SMELL IN PASSENGER AREA OF VEHICLE WHEN PROCEEDING DOWN HIGHWAYS. WE CAN NOT KEEP WINDOWS DOWN WHEN RUNNING AIR CONDITIONING OR HEATER, EVEN IN THE RAIN.
Other or unspecified, Jun 2, 2017
VEHICLE EXHIBITS AN EXHAUST ODOR IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE AUXILIARY CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM ON. WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATES OR IS DRIVEN FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME WITH THE CLIMATE CONTROL ON, AN EXHAUST ODOR OR SULFUR LIKE SMELL ENTERS THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP. THE SMELL IS SO STRONG AS IT CAUSES SEVERE HEADACHES AND EVEN NAUSEA AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE. FORD HAS RECOMMENDED A SERVICE BULLETIN TO FIX THE ISSUE BUT CAN NOT PIN POINT NOR GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL FIX THE ISSUE. FORD HAS NOT OFFERED TO PAY FOR THIS SINCE IT IS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE WITH 2011-2015 FORD EXPLORERS.