NHTSA lists 1,803 complaints for the 2015 Ford Explorer, 37 of them mention a crash and 1 mention a fire. 57 complaints mention an injury, with 98 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-08.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as FORD EXPLORER.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
8 recalls.
Date: 2025-10-13. Systems: BACK OVER PREVENTION.
Defect: 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. (excerpt)
Consequence: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the drivera s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)
Remedy: 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 le (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2024-01-19. Systems: STRUCTURE.
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2021-07-15. Systems: SUSPENSION.
Defect: 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 (excerpt)
Consequence: A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)
Remedy: 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 o (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2021-03-12. Systems: SUSPENSION.
Defect: 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 previ (excerpt)
Consequence: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)
Remedy: 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. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2020-11-10. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Defect: 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. (excerpt)
Consequence: 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. (excerpt)
Remedy: 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 t (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2019-06-10. Systems: SUSPENSION.
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2016-04-26. Systems: SUSPENSION.
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A fracture of the rear suspension toe link may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2015-07-24. Systems: PARKING BRAKE.
Defect: 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 ve (excerpt)
Consequence: 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. (excerpt)
Remedy: 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. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Investigations
5 investigations; 0 open.
PE23001
Opened: 2023-01-27. Closed: 2024-02-08.
Windshield trim molding Item detachment
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 injur
Systems: STRUCTURE.
Linked campaign numbers: 24V031.
EA17002
Opened: 2017-07-27. Closed: 2023-01-17.
Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab
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
Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, STRUCTURE.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
PE16008
Opened: 2016-07-01. Closed: 2017-09-12.
Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor
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 th
Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, STRUCTURE.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
EA15005
Opened: 2015-09-28. Closed: 2018-11-02.
Front Brake Hose Failure
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
Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
PE15017
Opened: 2015-04-29. Closed: 2015-09-28.
Front brake hose failure
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 di
Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
Manufacturer communications
132 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 27 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 26 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 20 |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 19 |
|---|
| ENGINE | 14 |
|---|
| STRUCTURE | 11 |
|---|
| SUSPENSION | 10 |
|---|
| VISIBILITY | 7 |
|---|
11029052
Date: 2026-02-24. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the
11025611
Date: 2025-11-12. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN.
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of th
11008948
Date: 2024-10-10. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.
10254138
Date: 2024-04-24. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.
All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicle s owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad,
10251952
Date: 2024-03-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and testing methods. Ford has evaluated turbochargers replaced for oil leak symptoms and although oil may coll
10251934
Date: 2024-03-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper, achieving proper torque of the crankshaft pulley bolt is critical. Incorrect torque may allow the bolt to loosen resulting in the timing gear breaking and engine damage. Replacement of the bolt
10251252
Date: 2024-02-19. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SEAT BELTS.
Certain 2013-2019 Model Year Explorer Police Interceptor Vehicles - Owner Guide Update
10235153
Date: 2023-04-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a different vehicle. Most modules on these affe
10232579
Date: 2023-02-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SUSPENSION.
Certain 2011-2017 Model Year Explorer Vehicles Rear Wheel Knuckle Replacement REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT Program Terms: added 21R01 and 21R02 REASON FOR PROVIDING A NO-COST, ONE-TIME REPAIR: added 21R01 and 21R02 OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING SCHEDULE: added mailing schedule for 21R01 and 21R02 OA
10230788
Date: 2023-01-10. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: VISIBILITY.
Some 2013-2019 Police Interceptor Utility vehicles, equipped with spotlights, require left and/or right windshield applique/moulding modification if these parts are replaced. Spotlight mounting holes are not present on new replacement windshield appliques/moldings and must be cut using a rotary tool