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.
Engine, Mar 20, 2017
VEHICLE CABIN IS FILLED WITH A ROTTEN EGG/SULFUR SMELL UPON ACCELERATION WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING RUNNING. THE HEATING/AC SYSTEM IS NORMALLY IN THE "AUTO" MODE. NOT NOTICED MUCH IN THE WINTER BECAUSE I LIVE IN MICHIGAN, BUT THE REST OF THE YEAR IT IS NOTICED EVERY TIME I PASS A VEHICLE OR ENTER THE FREEWAY. HAD IT TO THE DEALER AND MY CONCERN WAS VERIFIED, BUT I WAS TOLD THERE IS NO FIX YET. SEEMS THEY ARE WAITING FOR A RECALL. I HAVE REAL CONCERNS ABOUT MY HEALTH AND THE HEALTH OF THOSE THAT RIDE WITH ME. I SENT A COMPLAINT TO FORD AND RECEIVED A "THANK YOU", THATS ALL. I HOPE YOU CAN MOVE THEM INTO SOME TYPE OF ACTION FOR A FIX TO THIS SITUATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 19, 2017
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK (DOING ABOUT 45MPH WITH THE HEAT ON) AND INSTANTLY NOTICED WHAT SMELLED LIKE NATURAL GAS. I ROLLED MY WINDOWS DOWN TO SEE IF IT WAS OUTSIDE AND IT WASN'T. I THEN TURNED MY HEAT OFF AND THE SMELL LIGHTENED. WHEN I GOT HOME I JUST THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS A FLUKE. THE NEXT DAY ME AND MY DAUGHTER 12YRS OLD GOT IN THE EXPLORER TO GO SHOPPING. NOT 10 MINUTES INTO OUR DRIVE (DOING 25 MPH WITH THE HEAT ON) MY DAUGHTER FRANTICALLY SAYS "I SMELL GAS." I TURNED AROUND WENT HOME. I SAT IN THE VEHICLE TO RUN A DIAGNOSTICS REPORT AND STARTED FEELING SLIGHTLY LIGHT HEADED. SO I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND TOLD MY HUSBAND. THEN I BEGAN TO HAVE A HEADACHE OUT OF NOWHERE. I THEN CONTACTED A FORD DEALER (BECAUSE OUR VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY WITH FORD) AND AS I EXPLAINED WHAT WAS GOING ON AND I MENTIONED THE ARTICLES I READ ABOUT THESE VEHICLES THE PERSON ON THE PHONE HAD NO RESPONSE OTHER THAN WHEN THEY HAD THEIR NEXT OPEN APPOINTMENT. SO I AM TAKING MY VEHICLE IN NEXT WEEK. THE NEXT DAY I STARTED MY VEHICLE WITHOUT THE HEAT ON AND THE SMELL WAS MINIMAL IN THE VEHICLE BUT WHEN I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND GOT OUT I SMELLED A VERY STRONG GAS LIKE SMELL COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE!
Steering, Mar 18, 2017
THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING TURNS ITSELF OFF WITHOUT WARNING. IN 30000 MILES, THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. WE GET AN ERROR SCREEN ON THE DASH TELLING US TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. TWO TIMES I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY IN A PARKING LOT, AND THE THIRD TIME MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OVER THE SKYLINE BRIDGE IN FLORIDA. EACH TIME WE SAFELY PULLED OVER, SHUT THE CAR OFF, AND WHEN RESTARTED THE POWER STEERING RECYCLED ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER EACH TIME, AND WAS TOLD THAT NO ERROR CODES WERE IN THE COMPUTER, SO THE CAR WAS FINE. OF COURSE IT IS NOT FINE, OR IT WOULD NOT SHUT OFF THE POWER STEERING. THE CAR WAS UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER FACTORY WARRANTY. BEING CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY, I TRADED THE CAR IN FOR A 2017 EXPLORER HOPING THE ISSUE HAS BEEN RESOLVED.
Steering, Mar 17, 2017
I WAS DRIVING STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AS I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN, LOCKED IT AS I WAS HALF WAY ON THE TURN. THIS HAPPENED ON THE 10TH OF MARCH. TODAY 3/17/17 AS I WAS REVERSING IT LOCKED AGAIN GOOD THING I WASN'T ON FREEWAY OR IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREA. I PURCHASE VEHICLE FROM HYUNDAI GILROY IN GILROY CA WHICH THEY WERENT HELP AT ALL. I JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE END OF DECEMBER 16'. THEY JUST BLEW ME OFF AND I WAS TOLD I WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY NOR ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. I DID SOME RESEARCH LOOKS LIKE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 17, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ODOR OF EXHAUST FUMES WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE OCCUPANTS TO EXPERIENCE HEADACHES AND NAUSEA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Engine, Mar 1, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER AN EXHAUSTIVE INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DEDUCED THAT THE ODOR STEMMED FROM AN EXHAUST LEAK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOR EMITTED FROM THE HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS NOT GIVEN A PROGNOSIS FOR THE ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.
Other or unspecified, Feb 26, 2017
SULPHUR LIKE SMELL COMES THROUGH THE VENTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE ..I'VE BEEN PUTTING AIR FRESHENERS ON THE VENTS FOR 1+ YEARS , IM NOW GETTING MIGRAINE HEADACHES WHICH MY DR. SAID WAS CAUSED BY THE FUMES INSIDE MY CAR . I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. I SPOKE TO FORD AND THEY TOLD ME TO GO BACK TO THE DEALER SO THEY CAN FIND A REMEDY. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 23, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT CARBON MONOXIDE PENETRATED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PERFORMED AN INSPECTION, WHICH DETECTED CARBON MONOXIDE AT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER AREAS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,700.
Other or unspecified, Feb 22, 2017
EXHAUST COMING INTO THE CABIN OF VEHICLE WHILE IN RECIRCULATING AIR MODE. FEEL LIGHT HEADED, FAINT AND ABOUT TO PASS OUT. I AM PREGNANT AND THESE FUMES CAN POTENTIALLY HARM ME AND MY CHILD AND THE MY 3 YEAR OLD AS WELL.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 22, 2017
EXHAUST ODOR, CARBON MONOXIDE PRESENT IN CABIN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.
Other or unspecified, Feb 21, 2017
BAD SMELL IN THE CAR AND HEADACHES WHILE DRIVING AND PARKED WITH ENGINE RUNNING.
Structure, Engine, Feb 21, 2017
EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING INSIDE CAR WHEN AIR CONDITION IS ON. HAD CAR SERVICED TOLD FORD DEALER OF PROBLEM, THEY CHANGED AIR FILTER STILL HAVE PROBLEM.NOW IT IS ALL OVER NEWS THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. DOSNT MATTER WHETHER CAR IS IN MOTION OR NOT.
Other or unspecified, Feb 20, 2017
GAS SMELL THE CAR HAS A GASSY ODOR WHEN YOU ACCELERATE. WE BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW, AND AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT HAD TO DO WITH IT BREAKING IN. HERE WE ARE OVER TWO YEARS LATER AND YOU CAN STILL SMELL IT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 20, 2017
WE HAVE TAKEN THE EXPLORER INTO DEALERSHIP A FEW TIMES FOR THE SULPHUR SMELL AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING TO FIX THIS. NOW ACCORDING TO THE NEWS REPORTS THERE IS A LEGITIMATE PROBLEM ON FORD BEHALF. YES WE SMELL THE SULPHUR WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE ANY DISTANCE ON THE ROAD. WE WANT FORD TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH ASTHMA WHICH I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY HEALTH AS WELL.
Other or unspecified, Feb 20, 2017
MY 2015 FORD EXPLORER HAS HAD A FOUL SMELL WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEAT TURNED ON BUT MAINLY THE AIR CONDITIONER.WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR LONGER THEN 20 MINUTES ANYONE WHO IS IN THE VEHICLE EITHER GETS A HEADACHE OR BECOMES NAUSEOUS. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MY 2 YOUNG CHILDREN HAVE EVEN VOMITTED IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER READING ABOUT THIS CARBON MONOXIDE ISSUE I AM APPALLED THAT I EVEN HAVE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE LONGER. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR FORD TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.
Other or unspecified, Feb 20, 2017
I'VE BEEN FEELING REALLY SICK AFTER I FINISH DRIVING AND THERE IS A DISTINCT ODER THAT FILLS THE CABIN. IT'S A SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS OR SOME KIND OF PERM SMELL. I FEEL VERY NAUSEOUS AND DIZZY AFTER DRIVING! THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AT LEAST A YEAR! ESPECIALLY WHEN I ACCELERATE THE SMELL IS PREVALENT.
Other or unspecified, Feb 19, 2017
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN APRIL OF 2015. A MONTH OR TWO IN I NOTICED WHEN ACCELERATING AND/OR RUNNING AIR CONDITIONING EXHAUST TYPE SMELL/FUMES FILL CABIN. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TWICE TO DEALERSHIP (BATES FORD OF LEBANON TN) BUT THEY SEEMED OBLIVIOUS AND ADVISED NOTHING WAS WRONG. I HAVE EXPERIENCED DIZZINESS AND HEADACHES AND FEARFUL TO DRIVE IT. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICES AND THIS IS VERY WORRISOME! I PAID OVER $30,000 AND AM STILL FINANCING IT AND DO NOT WANT THIS VEHICLE! MY FAMILY IS AT RISK! PLEASE HELP!
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 19, 2017
BOUGHT VEHICLE BRAND NEW AT THE END OF MARCH 2015 AND IT SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS WHEN ACCELERATING OR CLIMBING A HILL AND HAS SINCE I BOUGHT IT.
Other or unspecified, Feb 18, 2017
STRONG ODER OR EXHAUST WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR ATTEMPTING TO PASS. USUALLY HAVE THE WINDOWS UP AND THE AIR CONDITIONING ON AND AT HIGHER RPMS
Other or unspecified, Feb 18, 2017
ODOR EMANATING FROM A/C VENTS WHILE A/C IS RUNNING AND VEHICLE IS ACCELERATING.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 17, 2017
EVERY TIME I AM GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE AND HAVE TO GIVE IT GAS, I CAN SMELL EXHAUST IN THE CABIN. AND THEN WHILE TRYING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE I CAN ALSO SMELL THE EXHAUST IN THE CABIN. I REPORTED THIS TO THE LOCAL DEALER BACK IN SEPTEMBER OF 2016 AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL OR REPORTED ISSUES WITH MY COMPLAINT.
Other or unspecified, Feb 17, 2017
I HAVE BEEN SMELLING SOMETHING INSIDE MY CAR THAT SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS OTHER TIMES YOU CAN SMELL THE EXHAUST MY TWO CHILDREN AND I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING HEADACHES NAUSEOUS AND STOMACH ISSUES MY CHILDREN HAVE BEEN SICK A LOT SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR
Other or unspecified, Feb 17, 2017
DURING ACCELERATION AND WHILE THE AC IS ON, I GET CO2 IN THE CABIN.
Other or unspecified, Feb 15, 2017
EXHAUST ODOR INSIDE OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. DIAGNOSED ON 2-14-17 TSB 16-0166.
Other or unspecified, Feb 15, 2017
EXHAUST SMELL IN CABIN, ALL THE TIME.