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, Feb 19, 2017
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN APRIL OF 2015. A MONTH OR TWO IN I NOTICED WHEN ACCELERATING AND/OR RUNNING AIR CONDITIONING EXHAUST TYPE SMELL/FUMES FILL CABIN. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TWICE TO DEALERSHIP (BATES FORD OF LEBANON TN) BUT THEY SEEMED OBLIVIOUS AND ADVISED NOTHING WAS WRONG. I HAVE EXPERIENCED DIZZINESS AND HEADACHES AND FEARFUL TO DRIVE IT. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICES AND THIS IS VERY WORRISOME! I PAID OVER $30,000 AND AM STILL FINANCING IT AND DO NOT WANT THIS VEHICLE! MY FAMILY IS AT RISK! PLEASE HELP!
Other or unspecified, Feb 18, 2017
STRONG ODER OR EXHAUST WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR ATTEMPTING TO PASS. USUALLY HAVE THE WINDOWS UP AND THE AIR CONDITIONING ON AND AT HIGHER RPMS
Other or unspecified, Feb 18, 2017
ODOR EMANATING FROM A/C VENTS WHILE A/C IS RUNNING AND VEHICLE IS ACCELERATING.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 17, 2017
EVERY TIME I AM GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE AND HAVE TO GIVE IT GAS, I CAN SMELL EXHAUST IN THE CABIN. AND THEN WHILE TRYING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE I CAN ALSO SMELL THE EXHAUST IN THE CABIN. I REPORTED THIS TO THE LOCAL DEALER BACK IN SEPTEMBER OF 2016 AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL OR REPORTED ISSUES WITH MY COMPLAINT.
Other or unspecified, Feb 17, 2017
I HAVE BEEN SMELLING SOMETHING INSIDE MY CAR THAT SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS OTHER TIMES YOU CAN SMELL THE EXHAUST MY TWO CHILDREN AND I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING HEADACHES NAUSEOUS AND STOMACH ISSUES MY CHILDREN HAVE BEEN SICK A LOT SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR
Other or unspecified, Feb 17, 2017
DURING ACCELERATION AND WHILE THE AC IS ON, I GET CO2 IN THE CABIN.
Other or unspecified, Feb 15, 2017
EXHAUST ODOR INSIDE OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. DIAGNOSED ON 2-14-17 TSB 16-0166.
Other or unspecified, Feb 15, 2017
EXHAUST SMELL IN CABIN, ALL THE TIME.
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.
Other or unspecified, Feb 15, 2017
AFTER FORD DEALER COMPLETED THE THIRD TSB 16-0166 REPAIR TO FIX THE EXHAUST FUMES SMELL IN CABIN, I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. TSB 16-0166 REPAIR DID NOT FIX THE EXHAUST GAS FUMES SMELL IN THE CABIN. THE PROBLEM USUALLY OCCURS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON, GOING UP A STEEP HILL, OR GOING OVER THE CREST OF A STEEP HILL, SPEED IS IN THE RANGE OF 45-60 MPH, AND NOT IN FULL OPEN THROTTLE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 15, 2017
EXHAUST SMELL IN THE CABIN WHILE DRIVING. SMELL CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME WHILE DRIVING.
Other or unspecified, Feb 14, 2017
I AM GETTING THE EXHAUST SMELL UPON ACCELERATING. I WANT TO BE PART OF THE COMPLAINTS ALREADY IN EXISTENCE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES.
Other or unspecified, Feb 14, 2017
DURING HARD ACCELERATION WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON, A FOUL ODOR ENTERS THE PASSENGER CABIN. (SUCH AS PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE OR GOING UP A HILL.) THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN WARM WEATHER AND RUN THE AC. SO IT'S AN ON-GOING CONDITION, NOT A ONE TIME EVENT.
Other or unspecified, Feb 14, 2017
STRONG ODOR -- SIMILAR TO THAT OF NATURAL GAS -- WHEN IDLING (STOP LIGHT, TRAFFIC, ETC). IT'S BEEN HAPPENING FOR MONTHS. I'VE READ RECENT NEWS STORIES ABOUT SIMILAR ISSUES AND THOUGHT IT IMPORTANT TO ADD MY OBSERVATION TO THE MONITORING ACTIVITY.
Other or unspecified, Feb 14, 2017
I BOUGHT A 2015 FORD EXPLORER IN MAY OF 2015. I FREQUENTLY SMELL A SULFUR ODOR IN THE CABIN OF MY VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN CLIMBING HILLS. I STTARTED EXPERIENCING SEVERE HEADACHES, NAUSEA, LETHARGY, NUMBNESS, TINGLING, AND CRAMPING IN EXTREMITIES, LIGHTHEADED, LOSS OF BALANCE, VISION PROBLEMS AND MORE DURING THE SUMMER OF 2015. THE SYMPTOMS CONTINUE THROUGH TODAY. I HAVE BEEN UNDER THE CARE OF SEVERAL DOCTORS SINCE THEN INCLUDING A NEUROLOGIST, CARDIOLOGIST, ORTHOPEDIC SPINE SURGEON, AND PODIATRIST. ALL ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING MY SYMPTOMS. I HAVE HAD A MRI OF MY BRAIN, X-RAYS OF MY SPINE, NEUROLOGICAL TESTING AND ADDITIONAL TESTS TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS GOING ON. TWO FRIENDS JUST TOLD ME THAT THEY HEARD OF OTHERS WHO DRIVE 2015 FORD EXPLORERS WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AS ME.
Other or unspecified, Feb 14, 2017
I HAVE A VERY STRONG SULFER OR EGG SMELL COMING FROM INSIDE THE CAR WHILE DRIVING, I ALWAYS THOUGHT IT WAS THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BUT NOW THAT I SEE THE REPORTS I BELIEVE IT MAY BE MY OWN EXHAUST FUMES COMING INSIDE THE CAR, IT IS WORSE IN THE SUMMER TIME WHEN IT'S REALLY HOT WITH THE A/C ON.
Other or unspecified, Feb 13, 2017
SAW ON THE NEWS THIS MORNING THAT THERE IS A POSSIBLE ISSUE WITH CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE VEHICLE - BOTH MY WIFE AND I COMPLAIN EVERY TIME WE DRIVE THE CAR SINCE WE GOT IT THAT WE GET HEADACHES-- AND BELIEVE NOW THIS MUST BE THE CAUSE. NEED TO GET THIS FIXED.
Other or unspecified, Feb 13, 2017
I WAS SICK FOR 7 MONTHS DUE TO A SMELL COMING IN THE AC VENTS COME TO FIND OUT IT WAS EXHAUST. PALM BAY FORD IN PALM BAY FL SAID THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. DRIVING THE CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP TO THE HOUSE CAUSED US TO GET SICK. WE HAVE SINCE PARKED THE CAR AND TRYING FOR THE LEMON LAW. THIS HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE PICKING UP SPEED. FORD AND PALM BAY FORD SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND THE PROBLEM IS FIXED. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR FROM 08/15 TO 12/14/2016 WHEN WE TOOK THE CAR TO PALM BAY FORD.
Other or unspecified, Feb 12, 2017
EXHAUST FUMES IN CABIN CAUSING SEVERE HEADACHES, NAUSEA NAD LETHARGY AND PASSENGERS GETTING SICK AS WELL AS DRIVER -THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME A/C/HEAT ON,NOT ON START DATE ONLY
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 7, 2017
THERE IS A GAS/PROPANE SMELL INSIDE OF MY VEHICLE WHICH REQUIRES THE OCCUPANTS TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS BECAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERNS. THE SMELL IS MORE PREVALENT WHEN ACCELERATING AND USING THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. THERE IS A STRONG EXHAUST/GAS SMELL PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE CAUSING SICK CONDITIONS OF ALL PASSENGERS.
Other or unspecified, Jan 19, 2017
I OWN A 2015 FORD EXPLORER AND HAVE COMPLAINED NUMEROUS TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE SMELL OF TOXIC GAS SMELL OR ROTTEN EGG SMELL UPON ACCELERATION. THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAVE NOT FIX FOR IT. I FILED A CLAIM WITH AUTONATION FORD A FEW MONTHS BACK AND LEFT SEVERAL MESSAGES, AS INSTRUCTED, FOR THE SERVICE MANAGER OF THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE GOTTEN NOWHERE. HE DOES NOT RETURN MY CALL. I HAVE CHILDREN THAT SIT IN MY CAR AND I KNOW IT IS NOT SAFE. UPON RESEARCH IT IS THE RELEASE OF CARBON MONOXIDE AND COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. I NEED HELP ON THIS MATTER BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT TO EVEN DRIVE IT. IT STARTED IN 2015 AND CONTINUES
Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 9, 2016
STRONG EXHAUST ODOR IN PASSENGER CABIN WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE WITH FULL THROTTLE APPLICATIONS (E.G., PASSING, CLIMBING STEEP GRADES OR MERGING ONTO FREEWAY RAMPS)
Other or unspecified, Nov 30, 2016
VEHICLE WITH JUST OVER 31000 MILES. SUDDEN BURST OF EXHAUST FUMES, BURN EYES. DIFFICULT TO REFRESH AIR EVEN WITH 4 WINDOWS OPEN. EXHAUST FILLS INTERIOR WHENEVER STOPPING VEHICLE. VERY BAD. I WAITED OVER 20 YEARS TO GET A "NICE" VEHICLE. VERY DISAPPOINTED. DEALER WILLING TO CORRECT FOR $850.00.
Other or unspecified, Nov 9, 2016
I PURCHASED MY FORD EXPLORER 2015 ON 5-26-16 THE VEHICLE STARTED HAVING A STRANGE ODOR COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS WHEN THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING. FORD HAD THE DEALERSHIP START CHECKING DIFFERENT THINGS ON THE CAR REPLACED PTU AND VENT HOSE AND INSTALLED UPDATE MUFFLER THE VEHICLE STILL HAS ODOR. NEXT FORD HAD THEM SEAL ALL SEAMS STILL SAME SMELL THIS WENT ON ALL SUMMER THE DEALERSHIP HAD MY VEHICLE ALL THE TIME THEN ON 8-30-2016 A FORD FIELD TECHNICIAN CAME TO THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED AND CLOSED THE CASE WITH FORD. IT IS 11-9-16 VEHICLE IS STILL SMELLING I HAVE EMAILED THE PERSON I WAS IN CONTACT WITH AND SHE WON'T RESPOND
Other or unspecified, Nov 9, 2016
TAKATA RECALL WHEN ACCELERATING EXHAUST CAN BE SMELLED IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR. IT APPEARS TO BE COMING OUT OF ALL OF THE AIR VENTS. IT GETS SO STRONG THAT THE WINDOWS MUST BE ROLLED DOWN IN ORDER TO CLEAR THE EXHAUST SMELL FROM THE CABIN OF THE CAR. THE CAR ALSO OFTEN HAS A VERY ROUGH IDLE. AT TIMES WHEN ACCELERATING THE AIR CONDITIONER LOSES POWER AS WELL. THIS CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO A CERTIFIED FORD DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES NOW FOR ALL OF THESE ISSUES. NONE OF THE ISSUES HAVE BEEN RESOLVED. IT IS ACTUALLY SCHEDULED TO GO BACK TO A DIFFERENT CERTIFIED FORD DEALERSHIP FOR ITS FOURTH MAINTENANCE REPAIR.