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Model year record

2014 Ford Explorer recalls & problems

The 2014 Ford Explorer has 7 safety recalls and 1,684 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is steering (500 complaints).

Recalls7safety recalls
Complaints1,684filed by owners
Crashes · fires32 · 6reported in complaints
NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars
2014 Ford Explorer in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

StructureJan 19, 2024

Body › Roof and pillars

Recall 24V0310001,889,110 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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.
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.
SuspensionJul 15, 2021

Rear

Recall 21V537000631,176 vehicles

Problem
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.
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.
SuspensionMar 12, 2021

Rear

Recall 20V675000454,941 vehicles

Problem
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.
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.
Power trainNov 10, 2020

Axle assembly › Axle shaft

Recall 20V69200015,587 vehicles

Problem
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.
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.
SuspensionJun 10, 2019

Rear

Recall 19V4350001,194,173 vehicles

Problem
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.
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.
WheelsAug 28, 2017

Hub

Recall 17E048000630 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
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.

Components: Wheels › Hub; Suspension › Rear

SuspensionApr 26, 2016

Rear

Recall 16V24500075,364 vehicles

Problem
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.
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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2014 Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV AWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk17.4%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2014 Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV FWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk16.9%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2014 Ford Explorer NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2014 Ford Explorer NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Explorer FWD

23mpg combined
City / highway20 / 28 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Explorer 2WD FFV FFV

20mpg combined
City / highway17 / 24 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Explorer FWD

20mpg combined
City / highway17 / 24 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Explorer AWD FFV FFV

19mpg combined
City / highway17 / 23 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Explorer AWD

19mpg combined
City / highway17 / 23 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Explorer AWD

18mpg combined
City / highway16 / 22 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
SteeringRack and pinion; Electric power assist system500102690,000 mi
Unknown or other337501140,000 mi
StructureBody; Body › Hood27700292,500 mi
Engine19800538,500 mi
SuspensionRear; Front › Control arm › Lower arm10380382,500 mi
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery; Wiring10113060,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl); Transfer case (4-wheel drive)8011175,207 mi
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system; Cooling system › Pump6702227,950 mi
Fuel/propulsion system6301427,700 mi
Air bags47701165,000 mi
Back over preventionSensing system › Camera; Warnings3220080,000 mi
Vehicle speed controlThrottle2920230,200 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations