2015 Ford EXPLORER: complaints, problems and recalls

MY 2015 FORD EXPLORER (VIN #[XXX]), WHICH HAS LESS THAN 3,000 MILES ON IT, JERKED VIOLENTLY AND STALLED AT 70 MPH ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014 WHEN MY PARTNER [XXX] WAS DRIVING IT. AFTER THE SUDDEN JERK EVERY LIGHT ON THE DASH LIT UP WITH WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS. THE CAR STARTED ROUGHLY THREE MINUTES LATER LIKE NOTHING HAD HAPPENED. WE'RE LUCKY [XXX] WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE ON I-75 AND WASN'T KILLED. I TOOK THE CAR LATER THAT DAY FOR IN-TOWN DRIVING ONLY AND IT HAPPENED 3 ADDITIONAL TIMES WITHIN 2 MILES FROM MY HOME (WITH THE SAME VERY STRONG…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10650450 at NHTSA ↗

THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS DON'T WORK THAT GREAT IT LOOKS LIKE SOME PAINTED A BLACK LINE IN THE WINDSHIELD AND WE CAN'T SEE ABOVE THAT LINE. VERY DANGEROUS. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE LIGHTS. I HAD AN EDGE BEFORE AND WE COULD SEE SO MUCH BETTER. *JS

Owner-reported narrative. 125 miles reported. Look up ODI 10661856 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY AND A MESSAGE POPPED UP "TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT" AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, A CHECK BRAKES MESSAGE SHOWED, LEAVING THE BRAKE INDICATOR, ABS MESSAGE SAYING IT IS OFF AND AN "AWD OFF" MESSAGE. THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY EVEN AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF FOR HOURS AND RESTARTING. PICTURES WERE TAKEN OF THE MESSAGES AND IT WAS DROPPED AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY ORIGINALLY THOUGHT IT WAS A BAD ABS SENSOR, BUT UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, SOMETHING IS REALLY WRONG IN THE COMPUTER AND SOME OT…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10664314 at NHTSA ↗

PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2015 FORD EXPLORER. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY BEGAN SMELLING EXHAUST FUMES. CONCERNED THAT THIS WASN'T "NEW CAR BREAK-IN", I PURCHASED A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR WITH MEMORY. OVER A COUPLE OF WEEKS OF DRIVING THE DETECTOR REGISTERED 97 PPM AT PEAK. AFTER CHECKING ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 30 miles reported. Look up ODI 10671421 at NHTSA ↗

BOUGHT VEHICLE, LEFT DEALERSHIP, DROVE APPROX 13 MILES, PARKED TRUCK WHILE RUNNING, AS MY SON AND I WAITED FOR MY WIFE OUTSIDE OF A STORE... WE NOTICED A BAD FUME SMELL. MY WIFE GOT IN THE CAR AND ASK WHAT'S THAT SMELL? I PASSED OFF AS MAYBE PROTECTIVE OILS BURNING OFF NEW PARTS. NEXT DAY I CAME HOME FROM WORK 12 MILES AWAY. AGAIN VEHICLE IN PARK WAITING FOR MY WIFE TO MEET ME OUTSIDE AS WE WERE GOING STRAIGHT TO THE STORE.... THE SMELL RETURNED! WE DROVE TO GET LUNCH MEAT 2 MILES. IT GOT WORSE AS I DROVE. I NOTICE AS SOON AS I TURNED THE HEAT…

Owner-reported narrative. 30 miles reported. Look up ODI 10678149 at NHTSA ↗

UPON ACCELERATION MY 2015 FORD EXPLORER XLT HAS EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING INTO THE VEHICLE. IT HAPPENS WHEN I ACCELERATE WITH THE AC/HEATER IN THE OFF MODE. YOU CAN ALSO SMELL FUMES WITH THE AC/HEATER ON BOTH IN THE RECIRCULATE AND NON REC MODES. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE FORD SHOP TWICE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND A TSB WAS PERFORMED WITH NO IMPROVEMENTS. FORD CRC STATED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE HEAT/AC ALWAYS ON TO PRESSURIZE THE CABIN TO KEEP FUMES FROM COMING IN. THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES IF YOU SMELL EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN, DO…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10679373 at NHTSA ↗

FORD MOTOR CO. AND WORTHINGTON FORD OF LONG BEACH, CA ARE SELLING VEHICLES WITH DAMAGED/DEFECTIVE STEERING AND REFUSING TO FIX THE DEFECT(S). 1/25/2015 PURCHASED FORD EXPLORER (8 MILES ON VEHICLE); DAY AFTER PURCHASE, 1/26/2015, NOTICED PROBLEM WITH STEERING, PARKED VEHICLE, WOULD NOT DRIVE OR LET WIFE DRIVE. RETURNED VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY TO DEALER VIA ARMSTRONG TOWING (FLATBED) FOR REPAIRS/EVALUATION. WORTHINGTON FORD OF LONG BEACH: [XXX] ALL ACCUSED ME OF CAUSING THE DAMAGE; SAID IT ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY SERVICE AND WANTED TO CHARGE ME $600.00…

Owner-reported narrative. 25 miles reported. Look up ODI 10680739 at NHTSA ↗

WHEN I PURCHASED THE 2015 EXPLORER I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT AND UP A HILL TO GO HOME. AS SOON AS WE STARTED UP THE HILL THE CAR FILLED WITH AN ACRID, SMOKY SMELL. THE KIDS AND I PULLED OVER BECAUSE WE THOUGHT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG. MY HUSBAND SAID IT WAS JUST "BREAKING THE CAR IN" SMELL. PLEASE NOTE I HAVE HAD NEW CARS BEFORE AND NEVER SMELLED SOMETHING THIS BAD. SO MY HUSBAND DROVE IT HOME WHILE THE KIDS AND I TOOK THE TRUCK. SINCE THAT TIME THE ACRID, SMOKY SMELL HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS COLD AND THEN I GO UP A HILL. THE ENGINE …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10689417 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2015-07-24 (July 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."

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.

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.

Reported: 2016-04-26 (April 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.

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.

Reported: 2019-06-10 (June 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.

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.

Reported: 2021-03-12 (March 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.

Consequence: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Reported: 2020-11-10 (November 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.

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.

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 this recall is 20S63.

Reported: 2021-07-15 (July 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.

Consequence: A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

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 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.

Reported: 2024-01-19 (January 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.

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.

Reported: 2025-10-13 (October 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.

Consequence: 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.

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 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.