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.
Suspension, Dec 4, 2024
Front halfshaft bracket replacement Campaign/NHTSA# 20S63/20V692 Issue Date 2020-11-10 Description: On your vehicle, the support bracket for your front drive axle halfshaft may fail. This may result in a vibration, grinding, banging or clicking noise from the driveline while moving. Safety Risk: The support bracket may fail without warning and could result in a loss of movement. In some instances, there may be a loss of park function that could result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of an accident. Remedy: Ford Motor Company has authorized your dealer to replace the support bracket free of charge (parts and labor).
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Dec 2, 2024
Recall 24V031 I received a notice in February about the recall. I have since received several notices and emails about it. Every time I call, they still don't have the part(s) to fix my vehicle and they have no estimated time for when they will get the part(s). When I looked up the recall, it was filed January 19, 2024. It is now December 2024 and still no part(s) to fix the recall. This is totally unacceptable. Ford should be held accountable for fixing the recall in a timely manner (10+ months is not timely).
Suspension, Nov 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started swaying violently. The contact slowed down and pulled over to allow other traffic to go by. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The failure reoccurred while driving 30 MPH, and the contact almost lost control of the vehicle. The contact stated that the rear tires were not straight and were leaning into the wheel well. The contact stated that the vehicle had recently been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V537000 (Suspension). The contact asked the dealer if the recall repair had caused the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was completed correctly and there was no additional repair for the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the knuckle bushings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact had then taken the vehicle to a tire dealer for an alignment. The tire dealer informed the contact that the alignment could not properly be performed because the rear toe link was not adjustable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 22, 2024
On [XXX] while driving to work my car just shut off and the brakes locked up. This scenario happened again several other times even after being worked on at a Ford dealership. Please see attachment for specific dates & details. Fuel pump driver module was replaced first time then the fuel pump the last time. Explorer was inspected by the Sandy Sansing Ford Dealership in Daphne, Alabama. Only time warnings/codes appeared was when it shut off. I attached a screen shot of what the dash showed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Structure, Nov 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front windshield trim detached on both sides and the molding was unsealed. The contact stated that due to the failure, rainwater entered the vehicle and caused mold to form inside the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the instrument panel failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the screen was displayed; however, the buttons failed to function as needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. 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 failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Back over prevention, Nov 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the back-up camera was intermittently inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
Structure, Nov 18, 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 55 MPH, the front passenger’s side A-Pillar trim detached. In addition, a week later while driving approximately 55 MPH, the front driver’s side A-Pillar trim detached. The contact was not able to retrieve the detached trim pieces. The local dealer was contacted, but 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 failure mileage was unavailable. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Other or unspecified, Nov 14, 2024
Backup camera does not work
Back over prevention, Nov 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the camera was blank at times. While reversing, the image was transposed and flipped. There were no warning lights illuminated. There was a message to contact the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed her there was no recall coverage. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who referred to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was 69,000.
Structure, Nov 8, 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 local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not 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 stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the front passenger’s side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while out of town. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed ABS module. The contact was informed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the ABS module was on back order. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
Structure, Nov 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the driver' side windshield trim detached and flew off the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the passenger's side windshield trim had also detached. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was made aware of the failure. 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 95,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Other or unspecified, Nov 1, 2024
Shifter (not transmission) intermittently fails to acknowledge when transmission is in Park. This problem is becoming more frequent than before. Attached pictures show error when door is open and transmission is not in Park ONLY when the transmission is also not in Park. The "P" on the instrument panel does not light up when I shift to Park. It takes up to a minute for the shifter to acknowledge that the transmission is in Park. If I shut the engine off before the shifter acknowledges this, I get an error that the transmission is not in Park when it in fact is. I do not remember when this problem started, only that it has been doing this for at least a year. I can tell that the transmission is in Park, even if the shifter (computer) doesn't acknowledge this.
Other or unspecified, Nov 1, 2024
Reverse camera intermittently fails to operate properly, if at all.
Structure, Nov 1, 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Engine, Air bags, Oct 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rubber around the front windshield had disintegrated. There was water entering the vehicle from the front windshield. The contact added a caulk to the vehicle to stop the water leaking in on the dashboard. The engine and air bag warning lights were illuminated. 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 an unknown 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 failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Oct 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 65-70 MPH, the driver's side windshield exterior A-Pillar trim separated and flew off the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the passenger's side windshield exterior A-Pillar trim was detaching. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but 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 made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Oct 26, 2024
One of my window pillar flew off at night on 95. This is so dangerous and the other side is about to come off. The local dealerships do not have the parts available. I have been waiting a long time
Structure, Oct 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) after having the repair completed. The contact stated that since having the recall repair completed, the trim on the front passenger’s side of the windshield detached. The dealer who completed the repair was contacted and notified about the additional failure and it was discovered by a mechanic that the repair had not been performed correctly. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Structure, Oct 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the driver side sun visor fell from the ceiling without incident. In addition, the contact stated that a white smoke began to emit from the sun visor's wiring. Despite the failure, the contact managed to drive the vehicle to their destination. Upon re-entering the vehicle, the contact stated that the engine failed to start after multiple attempts without warning. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Structure, Oct 22, 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 had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Oct 22, 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 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine, Oct 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, there was a strong abnormal odor intermittently coming from the inside of the vehicle. The failure occurred on several different occasions. The contact stated that it became difficult to breathe; there was no medical attention sought. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the place of residence. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.
Structure, Oct 18, 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 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 unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Oct 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 35-40 MPH, the rear turbo failed. There were no warning lights. There was smoke emerging from the rear exhaust. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, while test driving the vehicle determined that the front turbo blew out and an engine replacement was needed. Additionally, the fan was moved by the turbo failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.