KnownCarProblems2015 Ford Explorer Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,808 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Ford Explorer, most often about the body and structure (23% of complaints, typically around 90,000 miles). It is 4th of 27 Explorer model years by number of complaints and has 8 recalls.
Most common 2015 Ford Explorer problems
Body and structure
410 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, interior panels, critical fasteners.
The frame around the front window flies off. The right side (about 2 foot piece) flew off when driving down the interstate about 2 months ago. The left side flew off last week while again driving down the interstate. This cost several hundred dollars each to replace and is a safety hazard. In looking online there have…
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…
Other or unspecified
404 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 29,000 miles.
Vehicle with just over 31000 miles. Sudden burst of exhaust fumes, burn eyes. Difficult to refresh air even with 4 windows open. Exhaust fills interior whenever stopping vehicle. Very bad. I waited over 20 years to get a "nice" vehicle. Very disappointed. Dealer willing to correct for $850.00.
Our Ford Explorer started to smell of exhaust in the cab. This smell is extremely overwhelming and has caused headaches on several occasions. When you come to a stop, the cab of the vehicle fills with exhaust fumes. This happens after driving on highway, freeway, or city streets. We took it in for repairs and it took…
Steering
347 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: electric power assist system, rack and pinion, gear box (other than rack and pinion), steering control module.
Steering rack assembly needed replacing for the second time within 14 months of each other (07/07/2016 and 09/19/2017). First time was at 37,100 miles, second time was at 59,853 miles. Both times the vehicle was being driven at 70+MPH and without warning, indicator lights came on and I lost power steering.
My tie rod and rod and navigation system which are electric broke while I was driving my vehicle. There was no forwarning of the event. I was on the highway, driving at traffic speed, fast moving cars everywhere, left, right and centre, front and back all going above speed limits, no steering control, no safety ramp…
Engine
289 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine, cooling system.
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…
Upon hard acceleration, such as trying to get on the interstate highway or going up a hill while pulling a trailer, exhaust fumes are getting into the passenger cabin. You can smell an odor similar to sulfur or like someone struck a kitchen match. This is most noticeable when the front and rear AC units are running.…
Backup camera
144 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: sensing system, rearview system braking, warnings, display function.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing, the backup camera image was displayed on the wrong side of the screen creating a visibility hazard for the driver. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the camera unit was faulty and needed to be replaced.…
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA campaign numbers: 24v031000 (structure) and 25v695000 (back over prevention). However, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a distorted image while the vehicle…
Fuel system
94 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 29,000 miles. Parts named most often: fuel injection system.
When the throttle is depressed fully during passing or increasing speed there is a odor inside the cabin of vehicle. It happens every time the throttle is fully depressed.
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…
Electrical
93 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 54,500 miles. Parts named most often: body control module/bcm, instrument cluster/panel.
Water pump started leaking at 54000 miles right out of warranty. Was told needed replacement or else engine would seize. Paid over $2,100 to get it replaced. Stupid design and hard labor to get to it. Car has vibration now ever since we had it repaired but thought it was normal leaving dealer. I don't know why this…
Driving on a two lane highway and the power steering completely failed. We were told by the dealership where we purchased the car to bring it in but it sounded like "steering assist fault" since that was the error message, duh.it was cost $500 for an alignment? Replaced faulty rack and pinion gear and checked…
Transmission
86 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: driveline, automatic transmission.
For the past several weeks when I put the vehicle in park and turn off the engine I get an error message "transmission not in park" with audible warning. I've had start the vehicle up again and sometimes move it and try again to clear the warning. Has been happening more consistently. Happened to my husband as well. I…
Exhaust smell coming through cabin when idling and in motion. With AC/heat on and off. Most significantly when accelerating. It has caused me to have major headaches and nausea. It has went to the dealership to be 'fixed' but problem is still occurring.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2015 Ford Explorer recalls
Backup camera: camera
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 bec
Full defect summary
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.
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.
Brakes: parking brake
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
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
Front brake hose failure
Summary
On april 29, 2015, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe15-017 to investigate reports of low-mileage failures of front brake jounce hoses in model year (my) 2015 ford explorer police interceptor vehicles operated as training vehicles by the city of sacramento, california (odi voq no. 10705832). To date, the sacramento police fleet has reported a total of 7 front hose failures in 5 different explorer police interceptor vehicles used for its emergency vehicle operation course (evoc) training. Most of the failures occurred within the first few miles of service on a closed course used for the evoc program, which includes evasive accident avoidance and pursuit maneuver training. The
Questions about the 2015 Ford Explorer
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Ford Explorer?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (410 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); other or unspecified (404 complaints, typically around 29,000 miles); steering (347 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2015 Ford Explorer have?
- 8 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 13, 2025 (backup camera). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2015 a bad year for the Ford Explorer?
- It is 4th of 27 Explorer model years by number of complaints, with 1,808 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.