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.
Other or unspecified, Nov 9, 2020
BOTH OF THE FRONT DOOR PANELS ARE BREAKING DOWN OFF AT THE TOP BY THE WINDOWS. DRIVER SIDE IS BAD AND THE PASSENGER SIDE IS STARTING TO BREAK! THIS VEHICLE IS TOO NEW AND WAY TO EXPENSIVE TO BE DOING THIS !!!
Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 7, 2020
RICH FORD SERVICE MANAGER CRYSTAL SWITZER, CONFIRMED THEY HAVE DONE THIS AND ALL NOTICES FROM FORD, TBS16-0165 BECAME FORD RECALL PROGRAM 17N03 AND SUPPLEMENT #1 DATED OCTOBER 26/2017 I FILED COMPLAINTS 08/20/2015 UP UNTIL TODAY WITH, RICH FORD, FORD MOTOR CO, FORD MOTOR CO.COM, ABOUT THE CARBON MONOXIDE COMPLAINT, I HAVE BECOME; SLEEPY, SICK, NAUSEOUS, VOMITING,
Other or unspecified, Nov 6, 2020
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND IT HAS A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD, EXHAUST FUMES ARE HORRIBLE, HAVE TO DRIVE WITH AIR ON RECIRCULATE, AND WINDOWS CRACKED. DEALER VERIFIED IT WAS A CRACKED MANIFOLD BUT WOULDN'T COVER IT SINCE THE CATALYTIC WAS NOT THROWING A CODE.
Other or unspecified, Nov 1, 2020
SUPPOSEDLY THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2017 ON THE SIDE WINDOW UPHOSTERY, I MADE A COMPLAINT TO FORD THAT WE NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION ON THIS BUT THEY INSISTED THAT IT WAS SENT
Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 30, 2020
THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE WIRING AND FAULTY CONNECTORS. AFTER WIGGLING WIRES THE LIGHT GOES OFF. IT EVENTUALLY COMES BACK ON, THEN REPEAT THE PROCESS.. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY WITH THE LIGHT ON.
Steering, Structure, Oct 28, 2020, crash
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55MPH THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAUSED ME TO GO OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INTO A FENCE. VERY DANGEROUS, AS I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER STORIES ONLINE STATING THE SAME THINGS AND SOME AT HIGHER RATES OF SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE. LUCKILY I WAS ALONE AND NO ONE WAS HARMED. IT COULD HAVE BEEN ALOT WORSE.
Power train, Oct 22, 2020
PURCHASED USED CARD MARCH 2019.AFTER A FEW MONTHS STARTED NOTICING WHEN PARKING CAR EVEN AND UNEVEN TERRAIN CANNOT GET PARKING BRAKE TO ENGAGE AND THE GEAR WOULD NOT SET TO THE P OF PARK AND BE ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. IT WAS A SITUATION THAT HAPPENED OCCASIONALLY, BUT NOW IT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT.
Steering, Oct 21, 2020
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH I RECEIVED A TERRAIN MANAGEMENT FAULT ON THE DASH BOARD AND THEN A POWER STEERING FAULT AND THEN I LOST POWER STEERING. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. RESTARTED AND STARTED TO DRIVE HOME HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN. RESTARTED A SECOND TIME AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME.
Structure, Oct 21, 2020
THE WEATHERSTRIPPING ON FRONT DRIVER/PASSENGER DOOR IS ROTTING AWAY, ALSO THE WINDSHIELD RETAINING STRIPS BOTH SIDES, DRY ROTTED.
Other or unspecified, Oct 20, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD RETAINING STRIP ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER IS DISINTEGRATING AND CAN EVENTUALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT
Structure, Oct 19, 2020
VEHICLE WAS PARKED. I RAN INTO STORE WHILE FAMILY SAT IN VEHICLE. I CAME BACK OUT, STARTED TO OPEN DOOR, AND HEARD SOMETHING HIT THE GROUND. I PICKED UP A PART OF MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE OFF OF THE GROUND. I AM NOW UNABLE TO OPEN MY DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE.
Steering, Oct 19, 2020
THE RACK AND PINION STEERING WENT OUT ON OUR 2015 FORD EXPLORER AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A WEIRD RUBBING NOISE AT LOW SPEEDS. WHEN I GOOGLED THE ISSUE, I FOUND OUT THAT FORD HAD A RECALL FOR 2011-2017 FORD EXPLORERS FOR THE RACK AND PINION STEERING, HOWEVER THEY WERE ONLY FOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN CHICAGO AND APPARENTLY MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. I HAVE ATTACHED REPAID INVOICE. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS OVER $2500 (SEE JOBS 1 & 2 ON THE ATTACHED INVOICE.
Other or unspecified, Oct 16, 2020
VEHICLE STOPS SUDDENLY, USUALLY WHILE ACCELERATING BUT NO ALWAYS, WITH A MESSAGE THAT POPS UP ON THE DASH STATING, "VEHICLE SYSTEM MANAGEMENT FAULT." VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE AFTER POP UP APPEARS AND BEGINS TO SHAKE/RUMBLE. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE AGAIN IS TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTART IT. AT THIS POINT, THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO DRIVE NORMALLY AGAIN. I'VE NOTICED THIS POP UP MAINLY ON HIGHWAYS/FREEWAYS WHEN ACCELERATING AROUND 55-60 MPH BUT IT HAS HAPPENED ON SIDE STREETS WHILE GETTING UP TO SPEED WHICH IS USUALLY 30 MPH.
Service brakes, Oct 15, 2020
EMERGENCY BRAKE IS NO LONGER ENGAGING. YOU CAN PUSH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOWN, THERE IS TENSION, BUT IT WONT LOCK IN PLACE.
Other or unspecified, Oct 12, 2020
EXHAUST ODOR IN CABIN WHILE EXCELERATING
Engine, Oct 6, 2020
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 60,600 MILES. MECHANIC SAYS IT IS A CRANKSHAFT/CAM SHAFT CORRELATION CODE. TIMING CHAIN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. FORD ACKNOWLEDGES IT IS AN ISSUE AND THEY'VE MADE A LTR SPECIFIC TO THE REPAIR. HOWEVER, THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO FIX IT AND MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR ONE MONTH OR LONGER. CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR AND CAN'T GE5 IT FIXED. VEHICLE IS 5 MONTHS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. FORD WON'T BUDGE.
Structure, Oct 4, 2020
DOOR WEATHER STRIPPING HAS HAS DETERIORATED AND IS HANGING LOOSE ALSO WINDOW FRAME LEATHER IS POPING UP ON BOTH DOORS
Suspension, Oct 2, 2020
WITHOUT HITTING POTHOLES OR BARELY EVEN DRIVING THE CAR DUE TO CORONA. NOW THE AXEL DECIDES TO GIVE UP. DRIVING TO AN APPOINTMENT I WENT TO TURN INTO THE PARKING LOT AND HUGE CRACKLING SOUND CAME FROM THE DRIVER SIDE AXLE. ONLINE IT SAYS IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM.
Engine, Oct 2, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE OCCUPANTS BECAME NAUSEOUS AND ILL AND EXPERIENCED HEADACHES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHO PERFORMED SERVICE TO REPAIR A POSSIBLE CARBON MONOXIDE LEAK UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19N05. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. *DT CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP AND NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT IT. CONSUMER NO LONGER HAS THE VEHICLE. *JB
Back over prevention, Sep 30, 2020
THE BACKUP CAMERA GOES BLACK THEN COMES BACK ON BACKWARDS. ITS VERY UNSAFE WHEN TRYING TO USE IT. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 2020 MODELS, NOT SURE IF MINE CAN BE REMEDIED, AS WELL.
Steering, Suspension, Sep 30, 2020
POPPING/KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEED, GRADUALLY GET GETTING MORE SEVERE OVER TIME. IN ADDITION THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES WHERE THE CAR HAS NOT TURNED AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED. FORD GARAGE HAS DIAGNOSED THIS AS A STEERING RACK AND PINION UNIT PROBLEM. WITH ON 40K UNACCEPTABLE EARLY FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT WITH A $3,000 REPAIR COST.
Steering, Sep 27, 2020
MY STEERING IS VERY DIFFICULT. IT DOES NOT TURN AT TIMES. I NEVER GOT A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL ENDING ON AUGUST 19. 2019. IT IS WHEN TURNING WHEN DRIVING--WITHER PULLING OUT OF AN INTERSECTION, MOVING FROM A PARALLEL PARKING POSITION, AND ALSO DRIVING ON THE ROAD. THER3E IS A RECALL AS FOLLOWS:RECALL REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK REPLACEMENT NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 19V435 NHTSA DATE:JUN 10, 2019 FORD RECALL NUMBER: 19S17 STATUS:11 - RECALL INCOMPLETE I DID NOT RECEIVE THE RECALL NOTICE TO HAVE THIS FIXED. IT CONTINUES TO GET WORSE AND I FEAR THAT IT WILL CAUSE A CRASH.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 26, 2020
GOT IN MY 2015 FORD EXPLORER THIS MORNING STARTED THE CAR BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND IT WOULD NOT STEER NO POWER STEERING AT ALL. APPARENTLY THERE IS A STEERING MODULE WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT GETS LOCKED BECAUSE OF TRACTION CONTROL? APPARENTLY IF THIS MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE ARE SEVERAL INCIDENTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 25, 2020
I GOT IN MY 2015 FORD EXPLORER THIS MORNING STARTED THE CAR BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND IT WOULD NOT STEER NO POWER STEERING AT ALL. APPARENTLY THERE IS A STEERING MODULE WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT GETS LOCKED BECAUSE OF TRACTION CONTROL THERE'S BE SEVERAL ACCOUNTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA WHERE THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN PEOPLE ARE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY.APPARENTLY IF THIS MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $3,000.
Steering, Sep 24, 2020
POPPING/KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEED, GRADUALLY GET GETTING MORE SEVERE OVER TIME. IN ADDITION THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES WHERE THE CAR HAS NOT TURNED AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED. FORD GARAGE HAS DIAGNOSED THIS AS A STEERING RACK AND PINION UNIT PROBLEM. WITH ON 77K THIS SEEMS TO BE AN UNACCEPTABLE EARLY FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT.