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.
Steering, Suspension, May 13, 2020
STARTED HEARING POPPING SOUND ON PASSENGERS SIDE WHEN BACKING AND TURNING AND NOW IT HAS ADVANCED TO STEERING FEELS LIKE IT CATCHES OR BINDS FOR A SECOND WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Apr 30, 2020
I BOUGHT THIS VEH. IN 2016 WHEN IT HAD 17,000 MILES ON IT. WITHIN 2 WEEKS I GOT A WARNING LIGHT FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE SENSOR GIVING TROUBLE WAS IN THE SEAT BELT AIRBAG FOR THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT. I WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY FOR TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB-0001 PUBLISHED JANUARY, 2016. I HAVE HAD TROUBLE OFF AND ON EVER SINCE WITH THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT. IT WOULD STAY ON FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND THEN GO OFF. I HAD THE DEALER CHECK IT AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITHOUT THE LIGHT BEING ON. THIS WEEK IT STAYED ON SO I HAD THE DEALER CHECK IT. IT HAD THE CODE B141B WHICH WAS THE SAME CODE REPAIRED IN 2016. SINCE THE REPAIR WAS WARRANTEED FOR 12 MONTHS THE DEALER WANTS $797 TO FIX THE CURRENT ISSUE, WHICH IS THE SAME ONE FROM 2016. I VERY SELDOM USE THE BACK SEAT AS I HAVE NO CHILDREN IN MY HOUSE. I WOULD RATHER NOT SPEND THAT MONEY, SINCE I AM RETIRED, BUT IF I DON'T GET IT FIXED ALL OF THE OTHER AIR BAGS IN THE VEHICLE WILL NOT WORK. I CONFIRMED WITH A SERVICE ADVISOR THAT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE WOULD DEPLOY IF THAT LIGHT IS ON. I ASKED HIM IF THERE WAS A WAY TO BY-PASS IT IN THE SYSTEM SO THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF AND HE SAID IT IS A FMVSS THAT COULD NOT BE MODIFIED AND MUST BE FIXED THE RIGHT WAY. I FEEL LIKE I AM BEING HELD HOSTAGE IN AN UNSAFE VEHICLE UNLESS I PAY THE $797 TO GET IT FIXED (AGAIN).
Steering, Apr 11, 2020
AFTER SITTING FOR 1 MONTH, I WENT TO START AND BATTERY WAS DEAD. AAA GOT CAR RUNNING, AND BATTER WAS RECHARGED. SORT TIME AFTER, POWER STEERING BECAME INOPERABLE AND HAS BEEN FOR 6 WEEKS. STEERING NOW MANUAL AND VERY STIFF. *TR
Power train, Apr 9, 2020
MY WIFE PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY INTO TRAFFIC GOING TO WORK ONE DAY. WHEN SHE PULLED OUT THE CAR SHIFTED HARD THEN WENT INTO NEUTRAL. MY WIFE'S QUICK THINKING TO PULL OF THE SIDE OF THE RD SAVED HER FROM GETTING REAR ENDED. SHE PUT CAR IN PARK THEN SHIFTED TO GO AGAIN. AT THAT MOMENT IS WHEN THE CAR STARTED HOPPING AS SHE DROVE DOWN THE RD. SHE PULLED OVER TO CALL ME. I INSTRUCTED HER TO GO HOME AND NOT TO WORK. I GOT HOME HOURS LATER FROM WORK I THEN DROVE OUR 2015 FORD EXPLORER. IT SHIFTED HARD THEN STARTED TO HOP I TOOK IT HOME AND DID A VISUAL INSPECTION ON THE FLUID LEVEL TIRES AND SHOCKS. I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING ABNORMAL. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO FORD DEALER THEY DROVE IT AT 96000 MILES SAID THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE IT. FAST FORWARD WE HAVE 105000 MILES ON IT PROBLEM PERSISTENTLY GETTING WORSE WE TOOK IT BACK TO VILLAGE FORD. THEY DROVE IT AND SUSPECTED THE TRANSMISSION. THE NEXT DAY THEY CALLED SAYING IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WOULD BE 5500.00 $ TO FIX IT. THEY COULDN'T PUT IT ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE BEFORE WARRANTY WAS OUT BUT THEY COULD WHEN OUT OF WARRANTY. NOW I FIND MYSELF SPENDING 4500.00 DOLLAR AUTO REPAIR THAT COULD'VE BEEN DETECTED IF THEY WOULD'VE DIAGNOSED IT PRIOR TO NOW. REGGIE THE SERVICE MANAGER AND THE SERVICE TEAM AT VILLAGE FORD FAILED ME
Other or unspecified, Apr 9, 2020
AS I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR STARTED TO SWING OPEN AS I WAS TURNING AND WOULD NOT STAY CLOSED. I HAD TO HOLD THE DOOR SHUT UNTIL I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT THE DOOR I NOTICED THAT THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE WAS LOOSE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE DOOR TO REMAIN CLOSED AFTER PUSHING THE HANDLE BACK IN AND LOCKING THE DOOR.
Engine, Mar 20, 2020
PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 4 MARCH, WAS GONE FOR 10 DAYS. IN THE DAYS SINCE THEN, I HAVE EXPERIENCED EXHAUST SMELLS IN THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES, TO THE POINT THAT I HAVE BECOME LIGHT-HEADED. USUALLY, THE SMELLS ONLY HAPPEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RELATIVELY STATIONARY (I.E. STOP SIGN, PARKED BUT ENGINE STILL RUNNING IMMEDIATELY FTER GETTING HOME, DURING ACCELERATION FROM A STOP, REGARDLESS OF THE SETTING ON THE HVAC SYSTEM. I'M ATTEMPTING TO RETURN THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME AFTER RESEARCHING MULTIPLE LAWSUITS AGAINST FOR FOR THE FAULTY DESIGN. DUE TO THE ELUSIVE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM, I CAN'T PROVIDE PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE. ALSO, ON-GOING SHIPPING PROBLEMS IN AMERICA (DUE TO COVID 19 PROBLEMS) HAVE LED ME TO NOT BEING ABLE TO SOURCES PARTS TO PROVE THERE IS ALSO CARBON MONOXIDE IN ADDITION TO THE NORMAL AROMA OF CAR EXHAUST.
Air bags, Mar 9, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE RODEO FORD LOCATED AT (13680 W. TEST DRIVE, GOODYEAR, AZ 85338, (623)298-3900) WHO NOTICED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A PINCHED WIRE UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO FAIL TO DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE HOWEVER, NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Steering, Mar 9, 2020
MY DAUGHTER IN LAW WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT CAME ON THE SCREEN AND STEERING BECAME VERY HARD. SHE WAS DRIVING IN TOWN AROUND 30 MPH AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND STOP THE VEHICLE. WHEN SHE RESTARTED IT THE FAULT WAS GONE AND SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. I FOUND THAT THERE WERE MANY CASES OF THIS HAPPENING ON THE INTERNET AT SPEEDS FROM SLOW TO FAST. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHO TOLD ME THE STEERING GEAR HAD TO BE REPLACED. HE ALSO SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY FORD EVEN THOUGH SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WERE ON THE WEB. THEY ARE ORDERING THE PART FOR IT AND THE PARTS AND LABOR ARE OVER 2000$. WILL FORD WAIT TIL SOMEBODY GETS KILLED BEFORE THEY RECALL THE VEHICLES?
Air bags, Seat belts, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 3, 2020, crash
SLOWLY PULLING OUT OF NARROW PARKING LOT EXIT LANE, THROUGH OPENED GATE. RAPID UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION, SEEMED TO LAUNCH CAR ACROSS ONE WAY CITY STREET INTO RESTAURANT BUILDING. PASSENGER SEAT BELT (FASTENED, LEFT BRUISES) RELEASED UPON IMPACT; PASSENGER DASH BOARD AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY; DRIVERS' AIRBAG WEAK. PASSENGER HOSPITALIZED FROM LOWER AIRBAG, BROKEN LEG, SEVERE LACERATION.
Other or unspecified, Feb 24, 2020
OUR VEHICLE HAS EXHAUST ISSUES, THE CAR IF LEFT IDLING FOR VERY LONG AT ALL WILL MAKE THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SMELL. THIS CAUSES PASSENGERS TO HAVE A HEADACHE AND SOMETIMES BECOME SLEEPY. THE SMELL IN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SO BAD AFTER IDLING FOR A WHILE AND THEN DRIVING WE HAD TO PULL OVER AND OPEN ALL DOORS.
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 20, 2020
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY STOP ACCELERATING. ONCE YOU ARE ABLE TO GET COMPLETELY STOPPED AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT, IT WILL DO OK UNTIL THE SAME THING HAPPENS AGAIN WITH NO WARNING. WHEN IN TRAFFIC OR WITH NO PLACE TO PULL OFF OR COAST TO, THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. HAS HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT 10-20 IN THE PAST 2 -3 YEARS. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, I READ MANY OF THE SAME SITUATIONS. TOOK TO LOCAL DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS THE THROTTLE BODY AND SAID THERE WERE NUMEROUS EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Feb 20, 2020
DRIVER INTERIOR DOOR PANEL HAS SEPARATED
Suspension, Feb 15, 2020, crash
THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY 2015 FORD EXPLORER FOR THE TOE LINK SUSPENSION REPLACEMENT. I HAD OT FIXED ON 1/7/20 AND ON 2/14/20 I WAS DRIVING ON 106 IN SPRINGFIELD VERMONT DOING 50 MILES PER HOUR AND THE TOE LINK SUSPENSION THEY REPLACED BROKE AND I LOST TOTAL CONTROL OF MY SUV. ALL MOST HAD HEAD ON COLLISION I WAS ALMOST KILLED. I HAD IT TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOOK IT APART AGAIN AND STATED THAT THE REASON THE TOE LINK SUSPENSION CONTINUES TO BREAK IS DUE TO THE NUCKLE AND BUSHINGS. AND FORD CORPORATION SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED AND THERE FOR I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS AND TOTAL COST. WHICH IS $2,411 I DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. MY SUV IS STILL AT FORD DEALERSHIP. NEED HELP RESOLVING THIS ISSUE AND GET MY SUV FIXED AS IT IS THERE CAUSE OF THE BREAKAGE. PLEASE TELL PEOPLE NOT TO DRIVE THERE VEHICLE IF THERE TOE LINK SUSPENSION IS BAD CAUSE WHEN IT GOES YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OF YOUR STEERING. AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS GONA HAPPEN. IT'S LIKE SLIDING ON ICE SIDE WAYS. VERY SCARY. NEVER WANT TO GO THOUGH THIS EVER AGAIN. THIS HAPPEN ON A BUSY STREET WITH ON COMING VEHICLES THAT SOME HOW I DIDNT HAVE HEAD ON COLLISION. I DO NOT HAVE PICS AS MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP. HIDE TIRE ON PASSENGER SIDE POINTED OUT AND WOULD DRIVE SIDE WAYS AND THAT'S WHAT I WAS DOING AT 50 MILES AN HOUR. NOT A GOOD FEELING
Air bags, Feb 10, 2020
THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TURNS ON FOR NO REASON
Steering, Feb 5, 2020
I HAVE RECENTLY HEARD A POPPING SOUND WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAPPENS WHEN STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. I HAVE HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT MY VEHICLE AND STATE THAT THE RACK SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THERE IS A CHANCE THE STEERING CAN LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. I DID RESEARCH AND FOUND THERE ARE RECALLS ON FORD EXPLORERS FOR 2011 TO 20014 BUT NOT 2015. WHY? IT IS THE SAME ISSUE JUST A DIFFERENT YEAR.
Air bags, Feb 4, 2020
AIRBAG LIGHT STAYING ON. DEALER DIAGNOSED REAR SEAT ISSUE AND $911.00 TO REPAIR. FORD ISSUED TSB 16-0001 DUE TO IT BEING A COMMON PROBLEM. DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF REPAIR SOME CUSTOMERS DO NOT HAVE THE REPAIR COMPLETED RESULTING IN AN UNSAFE SITUATION. SINCE THIS INVOLVES AN IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL SHOULD BE REQUIRED SO THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT CAN BE RESOLVED.
Structure, Jan 28, 2020
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ARM RESTS ARE COMING APART AT THE SEAMS AS IS THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE INTERIOR OF MY 2015 EXPLORER WITH 45K MILES LOOKS TERRIBLE. LOOKS LIKE IT'S 20 YEARS OLD. I AM SHOCKED.
Steering, Jan 28, 2020
STEERING STARTED MAKING A "KNOCKING" NOISE WHEN MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS OCCURS WHILE IN PART OR IN MOTION. I WAS TOLD BY THE REPAIR SHOT AND MY 2015 EXPLORER WITH 45K MILES ON IT NEEDS TO HAVE THE RACK AND PINION REPLACED AT A COST OF $2100. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND APPARENTLY NO RECALL FOR THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION.
Other or unspecified, Jan 17, 2020
SINCE OCTOBER 2019 I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN 4 AUTO SHOPS FOR A PROPANE SMELL,, SO STRONG IT WOULD MAKE YOU FEEL SICK DRIVING. THE 4TH AUTO SHOP SAID IT WAS THE TURBOS LEAKING. WE CHANGED THOSE. NOW THE SMELL IS LESS BUT YOU CAN NOT SIT IN IDLE BECAUSE IT GETS VERY STRONG. MIND YOU THIS CAR WAS A 1 OWNER BEFORE ME, AND I BOUGHT IT USED FROM A DEALER JUNE 2019. DROVE ONLY 4 MONTHS AND NOW 4 MONTHS OF NOT BEING ABLE TO DRIVE IT BUT HAVE TO MAKE PAYMENTS ANYWAY. IM AT A LOSS! HOW CAN FORD NOT HANDLE THIS? REALLY, COPS HAVE EVEN GOTTEN IN ACCIDENTS. I CAN'T JUST DRIVE IT RISKING OUR HEALTH OR LIVES. I REALLY HOPE THEY RECALL THE WHOLE VEHICLE, IT'S NOT RIGHT TO RISK EVERYONE'S LIVES.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 15, 2020
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WITHOUT WARNING OR INCIDENT (NO ACCIDENT OR IMPACT, JUST STARTED MY CAR ONE DAY AND THE LIGHT STAYED ON). PER RESEARCH DONE ONLINE WITH SAME WARNING LIGHT, MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE, ISSUE APPEARED TO BE WITH THE REAR/2ND ROW SEAT BELT AIRBAGS DISENGAGING AND THIS CAUSES NONE OF THE AIRBAGS TO WORK IN THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. AT THE TIME THE LIGHT INITIALLY CAME ON I HAD ABOUT 72K MILES ON MY CAR, AND IT APPEARS THIS IS ABOUT THE SAME MILEAGE OF ALL OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS WITH THIS ISSUE. I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE FOR THE LIGHT AND INCURRED REPAIRS TOTALING JUST UNDER $1,000 TO HAVE THE PARTS REPLACED AND THE AIRBAGS FUNCTION AGAIN. THE FACT THAT I DID NOTHING (OTHER THAN TURN ON MY CAR WHEN IT WAS APPROACHING THE 70-75K MILEAGE MARK) TO CAUSE MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRBAGS BUT HAD TO PAY $1,000 TO FIX IT AND HAVE AIRBAGS WORK IN MY CAR IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT IS DISAPPOINTING. FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS, IT'S UNACCEPTABLE TO HAVE OWNER AND PASSENGER SAFETY COMPROMISED THROUGH NO FAULT OF THE OWNER, AND HAVE TO INCUR COSTLY REPAIRS TO MAKE THIS RIGHT. I KEPT MY RECEIPTS AVAILABLE TO PROVE CAUSE AND COST OF AIRBAG LIGHT ISSUE.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 15, 2020
THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS READING THAT THE FUEL TANK IS ALMOST FULL, HOWEVER WHILE DRIVING THE LOW FUEL WARNING SENSOR CAME ON AND WE NEARLY RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE GAUGE WAS STILL READING ALMOST FULL. WE BARELY MADE IT TO A GAS STATION. AFTER PUTTING IN A FULL TANK OF GAS, THE FUEL GAUGE WAS SHOWING A COMPLETELY FULL TANK. SINCE THEN, THE GAUGE IS ALWAYS SHOWING ALMOST COMPLETELY FULL AND WILL GO DOWN ONLY TO ALMOST FULL, NOT QUITE AS LOW AS 3/4 FULL TANK, EVEN IF YOU HAVE DRIVEN OVER 300 MILES. NOW WE HAVE TO RE-SET THE TRIP ODOMETER EVERY TIME WE GET GAS, SO WE CAN CALCULATE APPROXIMATELY HOW MANY MILES WE HAVE DRIVEN SINCE THE FUEL GAUGE ONLY GOES DOWN SLIGHTLY BELOW FULL. THIS OCCURRED AROUND 50,000 MILES.
Structure, Jan 15, 2020
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD MOLDING BECAME LOOSE AND BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. THE WINDSHIELD SEAL ALSO FLEW UP AND APPROXIMATELY 3 FEET OF THE THE SEAL CAME OFF AND WAS FLAPPING AGAINST PASSENGER WINDOW BEFORE COMING COMPLETELY DETACHED. IT LOOKS LIKE SOME OF THE WHITE CLIPS ARE BROKEN ON THAT SIDE WINDSHIELD PANEL SO WE ARE UNSURE HOW TO FIX THIS. SO NOW WE ARE MISSING THE ENTIRE SIDE WINDSHIELD MOLDING, AND ABOUT 2 TO 3 FEET OF WINDSHIELD STRIPPING. NOW WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THERE IS ALSO A VIBRATION AND SOUND LIKE AIR IS COMING IN FROM AROUND THE WINDSHIELD. THIS ALL HAPPENED IN THE UPPER 30,000 MILE RANGE WHEN I HAD THE VEHICLE FOR ONLY 3 MONTHS.
Engine, Jan 8, 2020
IN DECEMBER 2019 WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 70 MPH UPHILL ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT NIGHTIME, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDEL HAD NO EFFECT AND THE TRANSMISSION ACTED AS IF IT WAS SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL EVEN THOUGH IT WAS STILL IN DRIVE. THE ENGINE RPM SEEMED TO DROPP TO IDLE SPEED. I LOST FORWARD MOTION RAPIDLY. I HAD TO CROSS TWO LANES OF HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC TO PULL ONTO SHOULDER. IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS MANUEVER AS THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE TRAFFIC AND I HAD TO REACT QUICKLY. I HAD TO CUT IN FRONT OF CARS MOVING MUCH FASTER THAN I WAS, CAUSING THEM TO HAVE TO BRAKE HEAVILY. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN FOR A WHILE AT ABOUT IDLE SPEED ONCE I REACHED THE SHOULDER, BUT WOULD THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. ALL LIGHTS ON VEHICLE, INCLUDING EMERGENCY FLASHERS, WORKED FINE. WITHIN ABOUT A MINUTE OF GETTING TO THE SHOULDER, THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH AND THEN SHUT DOWN ENTIRELY AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I LIFTED THE HOOD AND SAW NOTHING OBVIOUSLY WRONG. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, I ATTEMPTEDD TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY AND RAN WITH NO PROBLEMS AND I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE WITH MY TRIP.
Other or unspecified, Jan 6, 2020
EXHAUST ODOR COMING FROM CLIMATE CONTROL VENTS. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE HEATER ON, NOTICED THAT WHEN WE'D COME TO A STOP A MILD EXHAUST ODOR WAS COMING FROM THE HEATER VENTS. PASSENGERS CONSISTED OF MYSELF, TWO TODDLERS AND PREGNANT WIFE. AFTER AN 8 HOUR DRIVE MY WIFE AND I HAD HEADACHES. NOT SURE THE SOURCE OF THE HEADACHE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 5, 2020
DOOR PANEL IS LIFTING. THIS SHOULD BE DEFECTIVE