KnownCarProblems2014 Ford Explorer Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,681 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Ford Explorer, most often about the steering (30% of complaints, typically around 90,000 miles). It is 6th of 27 Explorer model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2014 Ford Explorer problems
Steering
499 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion, electric power assist system, linkages, gear box (other than rack and pinion).
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and was able to resume driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v286000 (steering). The…
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact lost control of the steering wheel and the brakes started to squeak and then locked up. The vehicle shifted into oncoming traffic, but no crash occurred. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to frank…
Other or unspecified
337 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles.
After stopping the car and placing the shifter in park and turning engine off I am getting an audible alarm and panel message that vehicle is not in park. Car is verified to be in park as shifter is all the way forward and held in position by the detent as well as the p indictor showing its position. Dealership wants…
Exhaust fumes enter cabin while idling or parked with engine running. The date listed was the last date the incident occurred. This has happened 6-8 times over the past year.
Body and structure
276 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 92,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members, interior panels, exterior trim.
My panoramic sunroof/moon roof shattered for absolutely not reason randomly tonight while sitting stationary in the driveway (not parked under anything!). Thank goodness I had my visor closed or it would have shattered all over my 2 children
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the driver's side front door panel detached from the door frame. The vehicle was taken to the soo motors Ford (391 3 mile rd, sault ste. Marie, mi 49783, ([phone]) who informed the contact that the door panel needed to be replaced. The contact was informed…
Engine
259 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 37,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, cooling system, engine.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle continued to run after the ignition was turned off. The failure recurred and drained the battery. The failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was an abnormal exhaust odor in the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was concerned that the vehicle was unsafe to drive the contact referenced NHTSA action number: pe16008 (engine and engine cooling…
Suspension
103 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 82,500 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact lost control of the steering wheel and the brakes started to squeak and then locked up. The vehicle shifted into oncoming traffic, but no crash occurred. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to frank…
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 65 MPH, the rear toe link split in half which caused the vehicle to lose control and slam into the guardrail on the driver's side. The vehicle bounced and spun 260 degrees and hit the guardrail again and scrapped along the…
Electrical
100 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, wiring, adas, instrument cluster/panel.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated, which was a safety concern. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (autonation Ford arlington, 1400 I-20 w, arlington, tx 76017, ([phone]) where it was diagnosed that the wire harnesses for the rear driver and…
Rear camera goes black intermittently in our 2014 Ford. While we are backing out of a parking place or out of our driveway it may start as expected but then before we are finished reversing it just goes to a black screen. Other times when we put the car in reverse, the rear camera does not engage at all.
Transmission
80 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive).
My Ford Explorer has a constant exhaust smell in the cabin. The dealership completed a recall when I first purchased the vehicle and now the dealer is telling me they do not know of any exhaust in the cabin issues. Strange now the dealership knows nothing about a problem they tried to fix. The front suspension has…
Sudden onset of grinding noise. Upon examination and confirmation of engine oil, coolant and transmission fluid levels, determined that transfer case/ptu was failing. Caused loud clanking and grinding noises while in forward gears which was worsened when turning. Gearbox locked up while in turn and stopped vehicle in…
Fuel system
72 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 26,500 miles.
My grandson went off the road at 70mph into some pine trees and completle severed the passagens wheel off and windshield completle destroyes roof damage and body damage and no air bags deployed. I talke to a customer who also had a 2014 Explorer that was involved in a collision and their air bags didn't deploy either…
Strong and fairly constant (daily) exhaust odor entering inside of car, making me and my kids nauseous/sick. I just purchased this car from girard Ford in norwich, ct less than 2 weeks ago and complained to them less then 5 days after purchase. I brought into their service garage and they said they couldn't smell…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2014 Ford Explorer recalls
Body and structure: roof and pillars
Risk: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: rear
Risk: A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: rear
Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: axle shaft
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: rear
Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: rear
Risk: A fracture of the rear suspension toe link may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Windshield trim molding item detachment
Summary
On january 27, 2023, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe23-001 to investigate allegations of a-pillar trim panel detachment on model year (my) 2011-2019 ford explorer vehicles. At the time of opening, the office had received 164 vehicle owner questionnaires (voqs) reporting this failure. Odi has received 671 voqs regarding this failure, including 1 alleged crash and 2 alleged injuries. Some consumers have reported that the failure occurred while they were driving at highway speeds, with the detached trim panel entering the path of travel of the vehicle behind them, requiring the driver of the following vehicle to take evasive action. It is noteworthy that motorists who experi
Exhaust odor in passenger cab
Summary
During the ea17-002 investigation, the agency reviewed and analyzed reports of exhaust odors in the passenger cabins of model year 2011 to 2017 ford explorers. This investigation required an approach that incorporated knowledge and expertise from the automotive, medical, environmental health, and occupational safety fields. The agency conducted an in-depth investigation that encompassed the review of over 6,500 consumer complaints, conducting field inspections, and testing the relevant vehicles, both independently and in coordination with ford and other entities. During the investigation, the evolution of ford service bulletins intended to reduce the level of exhaust odors and carbon monoxid
Ford explorer exhaust odor
Summary
During the national highway traffic safety administration?s (NHTSA?s) investigation into the ford carbon monoxide allegations, the office of defects investigation (odi) identified additional vehicle owner questionnaire (voq) reports with similar exhaust odor claims.presently, odi has identified 791 voqs for model year 2011-2017 ford explorers pertaining to exhaust odor claims.odi has identified three crashes and 41 injuries potentially linked this issue.the reported injuries range from unspecified to loss of consciousness, with the majority being nausea, headaches, or dizziness ? All of which can be symptomatic of carbon monoxide exposure.additionally, ford provided 2,400 reports including o
Front brake hose failure
Summary
On april 29, 2015, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe15-017 to investigate a report alleging incidents of front brake hose failure in model year (my) 2015 ford explorer police interceptor vehicles used by the sacramento police department in its pursuit driving training program (voq 10705832).on september 28, 2015, odi upgraded the investigation to an engineering analysis (ea15-005) to assess maximum front caliper crimp temperatures under various test conditions, test hose assemblies removed from police interceptor service for any signs of thermal degradation, and further assess field data for evidence of a defect trend related to the alleged defect.the alleged defect results
Questions about the 2014 Ford Explorer
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 Ford Explorer?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (499 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); other or unspecified (337 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles); body and structure (276 complaints, typically around 92,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2014 Ford Explorer have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 19, 2024 (body and structure). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2014 a bad year for the Ford Explorer?
- It is 6th of 27 Explorer model years by number of complaints, with 1,681 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.