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, Electrical system, Jan 4, 2021
MY STEERING FAILED AS I WAS TRAVELING WITH MY GRANDKIDS ON A LOCAL SUBURBAN ROAD. IT TOOK ALL MY EFFORT TO STEER THE TRUCK BACK TO MY HOME. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS AS THE STEERING WOULD ALSO FREEZE AND LOCK IN ONE POSITION. I HAD IT REPAIRED AT MY FORD DEALER. TOTAL COST: $2,107.00! THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD COVER! I HAVE 85,000 MILES ON MY EXPLORER.
Suspension, Electrical system, Jan 4, 2021
WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL SUBURBAN STREET, MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. IT FELT LIKE IT WAS IN A MANUAL MODE AND IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET BACK HOME.. MY TWO GRANDCHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR, AND THIS SITUATION PUT US ALL IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR TO MY FORD DEALERSHIP AND AFTER ASSESSING THE SITUATION, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK FAILED. THIS RESULTED IN, NOT ONLY MY LOSING THE USE OF THE VEHICLE OVER THE WEEKEND, BUT AN EXTREME BILL, OF $2107.00!
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 4, 2021
EXHAUST ODOR SMELL INSIDE THE CABINET
Structure, Seats, Other or unspecified, Dec 27, 2020
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
Air bags, Dec 17, 2020
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON ON THE DISPLAY. TOOK IT IN FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE A WIRE HARNESS THAT NEEDS REPLACING, UNTIL ALMOST 900 DOLLARS IS SPENT TO HAVE THE WIRE HARNESS REPLACED ALL AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE ARE INACTIVE. THIS IS AN ISSUE NUMEROUS FORD EXPLORER ISSUES FACE AND IT IS PRETTY CLOSE TO BEING HELD HOSTAGE BY FORD. SEATS AND CARPETING HAVE TO BE REMOVED FOR THE WIRE HARNESS TO BE ACCESSED, THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AT BEST AS USERS CAN'T REALLY ACCESS IT SO HOW COULD THEY HARM THE SYSTEM? IT IS ABSURD THAT TO HAVE WORKING AIRBAGS IN OUR VEHICLE WE HAVE TO SPEND ANYTHING IF WE DIDN'T COMMIT ANY ERROR, NOR IS THERE ANY REAL PROTECTION IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS IS QUITE A LARGE SAFETY CONCERN, I'VE SEEN COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS ONLINE WITH THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT FORD 'WE HAVE PEOPLE COME IN FOR THIS ALL THE TIME'.
Suspension, Dec 17, 2020
FORD IS TAKING APPOINTMENTS FOR RECALL REPLACEMENT OF ORIGNAL RECALL PART BUT THEN WHEN YOU SHOW UP TO DEALERSHIP BEING TOLD NO IDEA WHEN PARTS WILL BE IN DUE TO COVID , RECALL NOTICE SAID THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE BUT WE ARE TOLD TO KEEP COMING BACK NEXT YEAR; SHOULD NOT THEY TELL US PRIOR TO TAKING OFF WORK AND COMING IN THAT RECALL NOTICE IS JOKE AND PLANS ARE NOT UNTIL NEXT YEAR TO POTENTIALLY FIX? FORD CORP WAS JUST AS USELESS AS FAR AS BEING PROACTIVE AND WHEN THIS CAN BE FIXED. IT SHOULD NOT BE JOB TO POLICE FORD TO SEE WHEN PARTS ARE IN AND NOT SURE WHY YOU DID NOTICE IF CAN NOT BE REPAIRED, RECALL NOTICE 20V-675. I UNDERSTAND COVID DELAYS BUT AS ESSENTIAL WORKER WHO WILL BE DRIVING THIS CAR TO WORK EVERY DAY SEEMS A CRAZY WAY TO RUN RECALL. IF IN CRASH AT LEAST I AM ON RECORD TO ALL OF YOU.
Air bags, Dec 15, 2020
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AROUND 58,000 MILES. GOT IT DIAGNOSED BY MAC HAIK FORD PASADENA. DEALER SAID IT WAS AN ISSUE IN THE AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE REAR SEATS AND FALLS UNDER TSB 16-0001. THE AIR BAGS THROUGHOUT THE CAR WILL NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE OF THIS MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.
Structure, Dec 10, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED NOT DIAGNOSED. THE DOOR PANEL WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM: 17N04 (FRONT DOOR TRIM PANEL REPAIR) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 17N04 HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
Back over prevention, Dec 9, 2020
WHEN THE CAR IS IN REVERSE THE BACK UP CAMERA MALFUNCTIONS. SOMETIMES THE PICTURE IS DISTORTED OR APPEARS BACKWARDS. FOR INSTANCE, THE CURB MAY BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR, BUT APPEARS ON THE LEFT IN THE CAMERA. MORE OFTEN, THE CAMERA DOES NOT WORK AT ALL AND NO WARNING SOUNDS OCCUR FOR OBJECTS THAT MAY BE BEHIND THE CAR. THIS ISSUE IS A SAFETY RECALL IN 2019 AND 2020 MODELS. I'M EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES, BUT MY YEAR HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED THAT I KNOW OF.
Power train, Dec 8, 2020
PTU IS LEAKING. THE FLUID IS BAD AND NEEDS SEALS INSTALLED. I SMELLED GAS AND HOT MOTOR. TYPE SMELL. THIS HAPPENED TO ANOTHER 2015 FORD EXPLORER OWNER BY FRIEND - IT WAS NOT DISCOVERED AS EARLY. THIS IS A HAZARD TO THE DRIVER. SOUNDS LIKE IT'S AN ISSUE FOR MANY EXPLORER OWNERS. SHOULD BE RECALL? WOULD I BE REIMBURSED?
Air bags, Dec 5, 2020
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF..WENT TO DEALER ... IT WAS DEFECTIVE WIRING PLUG UNDER 2ND ROW SEAT...$1059.00 TO REPAIR. THE AIR BAG WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT IT. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY YEARS OF FORD EXPLORER. THEY SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM !!!! LIGHT STAYS ON WHETHER THE CAR IS MOVING OR NOT
Steering, Nov 30, 2020
VEHICLE STARTED MAKE GRINDING AND KNOCKING NOISE IN SLOW SPEED TURNS. 77,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS ADVISED STEERING RACK NEEDED REPLACEMENT. COST WOULD BE OVER $2,000, AND NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY OR RECALL. AFTER SEEING ALL THE POSTS ON THIS SITE, AND OTHERS, IT IS OBVIOUS A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED. NOT ONLY HAS THIS BEEN ONGOING IN EXPLORERS, BUT IS ALSO A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.
Wheels, Nov 28, 2020
RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 23, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND TOWING A TRAILER THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND DRAMATICALLY SLOWED DOWN. IT WAS ALMOST LIKE SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES. THE INFORMATION WINDOW SHOWED "TERRAIN MANAGEMENT FAULT". THE ENGINE WAS BARELY RUNNING AND WAS RUNNING ERRATICALLY. I WAS ABLE TO GET PULLED OVER AND STOPPED THE ENGINE. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART IT THE "TERRAIN MANAGEMENT FAULT". APPEARED AGAIN AND THE ENGINE WAS AGAIN BARELY RUNNING. AFTER A FEW STOPS AND STARTS THE MESSAGE CLEARED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN NORMALLY. THE FORD DEALER FOUND A BAD THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY. THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.
Back over prevention, Nov 21, 2020
BACK UP CAMERA GOING OUT. WORKS FOR A FEW SECONDS AND J.G THE GOES BLACK.
Steering, Nov 21, 2020
STEERING FAILS WHEN MOVING AND REFUSES TO TURN ON ANY STREET. WE HAVE TO STOP, TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE TO RESUME DRIVING!
Structure, Nov 20, 2020
THE PAINT ON THE HOOD OF MY CAR APPEARS TO BE 'BUBBLING' IN MULTIPLE SPOTS.
Structure, Nov 20, 2020
THE DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL HAS DETACHED FROM THE DOOR FRAME AT THE TOP NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Nov 17, 2020
LOUD ROAD NOISE AROUND DRIVER DOOR, RUBBER SEAL DOES NOT STOP AIR AND ROAD NOISE TO INTERIOR OF VEHICLE.
Steering, Nov 17, 2020
I HAVE HAD REPLACE THE STEERING RACK IN THIS CAR TWICE. ONCE AT 50K MILES AND THEN AGAIN AT 92K MILES. I HAVE OWNED A LOT OF VEHICLES AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A STEERING COLUMN, LET ALONE 2. RESEARCHING IT ON THE WEB IT SEEMS TO BE COMMON IN THE CAR AND VERY DANGEROUS. IT'S SO COMMON THAT THE DEALER I BROUGHT IT TO STOCKS THE PART. THAT'S SCARY! I HAVE ATTACHED MY 2 INVOICES FOR THE SAME STEERING REPLACEMENT. I'M HOPING TO AT LEAST GET REFUNDED FOR THE SECOND ONE. OR BETTER YEAT BOTH IF YOUY DECIDE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM.
Steering, Suspension, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 14, 2020
WHILE DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS WITH THE AUTOMATIC CRUISE CONTROL ENABLED THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE SIDES. FORDS RESPONSE IS THAT THE BRAND NEW WINTER TIRES ARE CAUSING THE SLIPPING.
Steering, Power train, Service brakes, Nov 14, 2020
WIFE DROVE TO GROCERY STORE PARKED WENT IN STORE CAME OUT TO TRUCK STARTED IT PUT IN REVERSE IN THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS O ABS LIGHT IS ON AND BRAKE LIGHT IS ALSO ON . VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM ON INTERNET AND LOTS OF SAME PROBLEMS WITH THIS.
Power train, Nov 13, 2020
THE CAR DOES NOT GO IN TO PARK. IT IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANS. YOU HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE SHIFTER FOR THE CAR TO GO INTO PARK AND SECURE THE VEHICLE.
Suspension, Nov 10, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS A CAR DEALER WHO HAD JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND WAS DRIVING AT 35 MPH. THE LEFT REAR TOE LINK SUDDENLY SNAPPED. THE VEHICLE SLIDE SIDEWAYS UNTIL THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE STEERING WHEEL AND SAFELY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS POINTED OUTWARD. THE RIGHT REAR TOE LINK HAD ALMOST SPLIT AS WELL. THE MANUFACTURER SAID A RECALL REPAIR WAS DONE ON THE TOE LINKS LAST YEAR BUT THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR IT AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,446.
Steering, Nov 9, 2020
THE STEERING RACK AND PISTON MUST BE FULLY REPLACED. I NOTICED THE STEERING FELT A LITTLE ODD THE DAY BEFORE. I RECEIVED AN EMERGENCY WARNING WHEN I PARKED. WHEN I WAS PARKED I WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO KOONS FORD OF BALTIMORE. NOW KOONS FORD SAYS IT WILL COST ME ROUGHLY $4000+ TO FIX THE VEHICLE, ALIGNMENT AND FEES. I'M UPLOADING AN IMAGE OF THE EMERGENCY ERROR. I'VE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. IF I WERE DRIVING I WOULD HAVE DIED, AND/OR KILLED SOMEBODY.