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
1,791 reports, newest first.
Structure, Jun 26, 2025
The a pillar trim is defective and there is a currently recall. However the last updated said parts will be available in 2024. We are currently halfway through 2025 with no resolution. This is unacceptable and the manufacture needs to address this ASAP.
Other or unspecified, Jun 25, 2025
My backup camera is malfunctioning. 1st incident I was backing out of a parking spot, and the camera screen just blacked out, and 2 pedestrians were walking behind my car, and the 2 seconds later the car started beeping, warning me of the pedestrians, I almost hit them. 2nd time i was backing out of my parking spot at work, and a coworker was walking behind my car, the camera gave me a warning that the camera was malfunctioning, and then started beeping like crazy, but the camera did not turn on. 3rd time i was backing out at a store, and a car just flew by narrowly missing me, and the camera did not turn on, My camera has been malfunctioning off and on now.
Steering, Suspension, Jun 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 40 MPH, there was a clanking sound coming from the steering wheel. The contact stated that the steering wheel shifted to the left and the contact immediately corrected the steering wheel; however, in the process the vehicle became airborne. The contact stated that upon landing, the front driver’s, the front passenger’s, and rear driver’s side tires were deflated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was advised that the control arms, wheel axles, wheel bearings, rims, and tires were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Other or unspecified, Jun 24, 2025
Malfunction of rear view camera, available upon request. When in reverse the camera will go black and read "Camera is Unavailable. Please contact your dealership." It will not attempt to show a live picture until placed back into park and into reverse again. Often it will not function correctly even after that. It now happens almost constantly to the point it is completely unreliable. The fear of endangering someone or something by relying on a rear view camera that I know could malfunction at any moment, is too great. The problem was witnessed by a Ford Dealership mechanic who was repairing the recall on the frame piece to the windshield. The mechanic attempted to resolve the issue by resetting/updating the display, but unfortunately the problem continues. No other representatives, police, insurance, etc have witnesses the issue. There are never any warnings the issue may occur.
Structure, Jun 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the exterior A-pillar trim had detached. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Electrical system, Jun 20, 2025
Own a 2015 explorer having problems with the rear back up system. The display does not always work, which is a real problem when backing up. The safety of persons and vehicles is greatly put at a higher risk. There are other reports of this happing to other year models, only with recalls for the newer models.
Structure, Jun 18, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Electrical system, Jun 17, 2025
Backup camera went black with words to contact dealership for latest software. The dealership is charging me for a repair that is currently a recall for the exact same issue for new models Not 2015 models. There’s been quite a few customers having same issue as I did my research online. I’ve got my elderly parents to care , I can’t afford the repairs.
Structure, Jun 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, after inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that the A-pillar trims were loose and was shaking abnormally. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that three local dealers were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Jun 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the driver's side windshield exterior A-pillar trim had separated and flown off while driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to Safelite Auto Glass, where the driver's side and passenger's side windshield exterior A-pillar trims were replaced; however, the contact stated that the replacement trims were detaching. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Jun 11, 2025
The contact's wife owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact was unaware if a failure was experienced. The VIN was not available.
Steering, Jun 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his mother was driving and stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated an unknown message was displayed on the instrument panel before the steering wheel seized. After several attempts, the vehicle was restarted, and the vehicle returned to normal functionality. The vehicle was taken to Jamie Tires; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while her sister was driving the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired for the most recent failure. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 11, 2025
When vehicle is on and either in park or at a stop, RPMs will idle at about 800-1000 RPM then randomly shoot up between 2000-2500 RPMs then drop to below 500 RPMs before returning to idle. It’ll do this randomly.
Electrical system, Back over prevention, Jun 11, 2025
Backup camera doesn’t come on when in reverse. Works maybe 20% of the time. Other maybe 80%, the screen doesn’t do anything or says error.
Structure, Jun 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim on the driver’s side windshield started to detach. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that several dealers were contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Jun 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the front passenger's side and driver's side windshield exterior A-Pillar trims had detached and were flapping against the vehicle while driving at highway speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was inspected. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. The VIN was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Seats, Other or unspecified, Jun 9, 2025
The first complaint references Recall 24V031. I received a notice dated February 2024 to correct this issue. It is now June 2025 and my dealer still does not have the parts. The trim pieces have come apart and flap while driving. I just don't think 18 months with no remedy is acceptable especially when it could cause a safety hazard. The second complaint with this vehicle is the door trim. It appears to be stitched however has come apart for years now. The dealership said that Ford could be putting a recall on but hasn't happened. A quick search online shows that many explorers has had the same issue.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Jun 9, 2025
Vehicle has parking lights illuminated and not daytime running lights (headlamps). Illegal in most states and ans very dangerous at low light conditions! Ford engineers claim they cannot reconfigure after 6 months of attempting to do so. Major safety issue and legal issue if there is ever an accident involving death.
Seat belts, Jun 6, 2025
my middle row airbag seat belts on both sides are broke. you can not hook them into the bottom piece. One does not stay hooked and the other is completely apart. ( see attached picture) It is a law to wear seatbelts and this is has to be fixed or m family can not ride in my car. I went to dealership and it is very expensive to replace. This should be a recall on this for it is a law to wear seatbelts and several other people have had the same problem.
Suspension, Jun 5, 2025
I had a mechanic take a look at my car for a routine inspection during an oil change. They noticed my alignment was off. They cannot adjust the rear alignment as they are not adjustable. They found a list of older recalls that affect the rear toe link and I checked with Ford to make sure this was done. They confirmed that the recalls were done. Called Ford Customer Service and they advised me to submit a report as a Safety recall was done on this car by the previous owner, but was not properly repaired as suspected by Ford. Rear Toe links on Ford Explorer 2015 are not adjustable so alignment cannot be performed.
Structure, Jun 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the driver’s side inside door panel was detaching around the window and separated from the door frame. The vehicle was taken to a dealer several times, and the contact was informed that the glue on the door panel was loosening. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
Structure, Jun 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the trim on the passenger's side of the windshield had detached. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Jun 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Other or unspecified, Jun 5, 2025
Backup camera either shows black screen, or a warming box appears stating to see dealership. Will work intermittently.
Seat belts, Jun 5, 2025
Second row drivers side seat belt failed to retract and is unusable