2015 Ford Explorer recalls & problems

Recent owner complaints

• Oct 26, 2026Steering
  Out of nowhere the steering assist quit when i turned on the car in question on to go work in the morning. Luckily for everybody it did not happen while on the road like many of the cases i have read about. Now i’m facing a $3,000 bill to repair a very common problem Ford refuses to recall.
• Sep 24, 2025Back over prevention
  The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera display flickered on and off. Additionally, the rear-view camera message was displayed. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure, and the contact was informed that parts were unavailable for the repair. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable.
• Oct 13, 2025 · 101,000 milesBack over prevention
  The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the message “Rear-view Camera Unavailable” was displayed. The lights on the instrument panel failed to automatically illuminate or dim unless the lights were manually activated. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.
• Oct 1, 2026Structure
  The contact's son owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the A-pillar trim had become loose and unsecured. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE).
• Oct 16, 2025 · 85,000 milesBack over prevention
  The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a distorted image. The failure was persistent. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
• Oct 7, 2026Engine
  The water pump failed at 117,000 miles. The water pump is internal in the engine causing a extremely high repair bill and weeks of time without the vehicle. If we had not caught it soon enough we could have been looking at replacing the motor. Unfortunately for us this is a repair we have to make in a vehicle we are still making payments on and need for work.
• May 1, 2026 · 202,000 milesBack over prevention
  The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while in reverse (R), the rearview camera displayed a blank or distorted image, followed by the message "Camera Unavailable - Please Contact Your Dealer." The dealer provided multiple estimated time of availability for the parts; however, the parts remained unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 202,000.
• Oct 9, 2026Unknown or other
  I had no idea there was a fix for the recall on my a-pillar on my 2015 Ford Explorer. I can't get into most certified dealers for a fix and one has appointments for next year. And yet again, Ford has not sent a letter for the fix which means, my priority was pushed to somewhere at ther end of the line. Unacceptable. I've tried to contact them but to no avail. Even the online chat help box just loads. I left it open for over 5 hours and yet no one was there to help. It was a weekday late morning when I clicked the chat box to open it. This is EXTREMELY unacceptable. I have to drive around in this ugly car that looks like it belongs in a junkyard because its falling apart. Its embarrassing.…

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

• PE23001 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Feb 8, 2024 · led to recall 24V031Windshield 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 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 experience this type of road hazard are less likely to accurately identify the subject vehicle the item detached from and report the event to the NHTSA. In its April 17, 2023 response to ODI’s…
• EA17002 · opened Jul 27, 2017 · closed Jan 17, 2023Exhaust 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 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 monoxide (CO) entering the occupant compartment was examined and independent tests to evaluate the effectiveness of the final Field Service Actions (FSA) for both consumer and police vehicles were…
• PE16008 · opened Jul 1, 2016 · closed Sep 12, 2017Ford 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 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 owner complaints, warranty claims, dealer field reports, and legal claims, that involve 2,051 vehicles that may be connected to the exhaust odor issue.NHTSA's Vehicle Test and Research Center tested…
• EA15005 · opened Sep 28, 2015 · closed Nov 2, 2018Front 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) 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 from exposure to extremely high heat at the caliper-side hose crimp. NHTSA?s vehicle testing suggests that the conditions necessary to produce the critical temperatures in the subject components…
• PE15017 · opened Apr 29, 2015 · closed Sep 28, 2015Front 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 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 hose assemblies either leaked at, or pulled completely free from, the caliper-end attachment where the hose is crimped to the steel end fitting. Most of the failures resulted in a sudden loss of…