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, Jan 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of a recall related to the A-pillar trim; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the driver’s side A-pillar trim had detached and almost struck another vehicle. The contact was able to retrieve the A-pillar trims and had her husband temporarily repair the vehicle. 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 made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Structure, Jan 24, 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 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 had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Air bags, Jan 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the wiring underneath the second-row seats had failed. The dealer spliced new pigtail connectors underneath the second-row seats and rerouted the harness underneath the seats, as per TSB Number: 16-0001. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 80,159.
Structure, Jan 22, 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 local dealer was contacted. 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 part not available.
Structure, Jan 17, 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 driver's side windshield exterior A-Pillar trim had started to detach. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the driver's side windshield exterior A-Pillar trim separated from the vehicle and flew off. Additionally, the contact stated that the passenger's side windshield exterior A-Pillar trim had started to detach. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was inspected. The dealer informed the contact that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. A second dealer, Allan Vigil Ford (678) 364-3673); was contacted and confirmed that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. 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 made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Jan 13, 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Jan 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s side A-pilar trim partially detached and was flapping against the windshield. The contact stated that there was a buzzing sound coming from the passenger’s side of the windshield. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the exterior A-pillar trim had detached and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,000.
Structure, Jan 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURER); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The vehicle had experienced the failure on both the driver's and passenger side of the vehicle causing the trim pieces to separate from the vehicle while driving. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Jan 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. 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.
Steering, Jan 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving into a parking lot, the electric power steering became inoperable. The steering wheel was difficult to turn. The message that the “Electric Power Assist Off” was displayed. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but there was no response. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.
Structure, Jan 6, 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 while driving approximately 45 MPH, the driver’s side front windshield A-pillar trim detached. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Jan 6, 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 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 had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Steering, Jan 3, 2025
Power steering has failed on the vehicle which causes serious safety risks when driving. During cold temperatures the power steering freezes completely and drivers are unable to turn the wheels at all leaving us stranded. We have had the rack & pinion replaced and the power steering re-programed by Ford 3 separate times with a professional repair/alignment shop and continue to experience the problem. Power Steering issues are a well known problem and many similar year/models have been recalled previously. I firmly believe this is a manufacturing defect on Ford's part and all models of the ford explorer from this year should have been recalled instead of only select models/VIN numbers.
Other or unspecified, Jan 3, 2025
CAR SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. THEN GOT IT FIXED @FORD DEALER. DROVE FOR A WHILE THEN CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AGAIN A FEW WEEKS LATER. BACK IN THE SHOP. SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THEN THE ISSUE WAS IT NOT STARTING AT ALL WHEN I GO TO GET IN THE CAR. THESE TYPES OF SITUATIONS HAPPENED 4 TIMES SINCE JULY AND THEY KEEP REPLACING PARTS BUT NOT RESOLVING THE ISSUE! I AM TIRED OF SPENDING MY MONEY FOR NO RESOLUTION. THEY ARE DOING NOTHING BUT TAKING MY MONEY AND CHANGING PARTS THAT WERE POTENTIALLY FINE! I AM A REPEAT FORD BUYER AND ONLY HAVE 107,235 MILES THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. BUT THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND MY FAMILY ARE MAKING ME RETHINK A 3RD PURCHASE EVER GOING FORWARD! THIS IS MY 2ND TIME FILING A REPORT I HAVE HEARD NOTHING ON THE PREVIOUS ONE FILED ON 11/22/24. THE 2015 EXPLORERS' NEED TO BE INC IN THE RECALL!
Other or unspecified, Jan 1, 2025
Rear Backup Camera malfunctioning for the second. Backup camera goes black and the following message appears: Camera is unavailable. Please contact your dealership. Rear backup camera was replaced at my expense of $513.16 on 1/3/2022 by Ford dealership. This is presenting a safety issue and I don't feel that I should be responsible for a second replacement when recalls have been issued on other model years but not the 2015.
Structure, Dec 30, 2024
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 while driving in rainy weather conditions, water was leaking into the interior through the front driver’s side and front passenger’s side window. The contact stated upon further inspection, the front driver’s side and passenger’s side A-pillar trim were loosened. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had worsened. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Dec 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim on the passenger side of the 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 dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or 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 approximate failure mileage was 235,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Dec 20, 2024
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 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 had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Wheels, Traction control system, Dec 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving around a curb and while making a turn, the wheels locked up. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the sensor needed to be cleaned. There was no failure with the wheels. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Back over prevention, Dec 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing, the backup camera image was displayed on the wrong side of the screen creating a visibility hazard for the driver. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the camera unit was faulty and needed to be replaced. The backup camera was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Structure, Dec 16, 2024
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 passenger's side windshield exterior A-pillar trim had fractured, and the driver's side windshield exterior A-pillar trim had partially detached. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was inspected, and the dealer determined that the failure was related to the recall. 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 140,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Dec 11, 2024
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 manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, there was an abnormal whistling sound coming from the passenger’s side trim on the A Pillar. The contact stated that the trim was loose and was taped the trim against the A Pillar. The contact stated that later the driver's side trim was loose. The failure mileage was 69,076. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Dec 9, 2024
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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Dec 9, 2024
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 previously been replaced three times by Safelite and an independent mechanic, but the failure persisted. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the exterior A-pillar trim 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 not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Dec 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim on both sides of the 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 vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the A-pillar trim retention clips had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the same diagnostic result was provided to the contact. The dealer stated that parts were not yet available. The contact was charged for the vehicle to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 51,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.