2015 Ford Explorer Complaints

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 05/23/2018

My camera failed and I backed into a very pole causing over $5,000 worth of damage and time I didn’t have to have it fixed. I had this fixed at the dealership I purchased the vehicle from. My exhaust always had a nasty smell to it which I addressed when I received the customer satisfaction program 17N03 notice about it and I have had it addressed many times throughout the years when I go to the dealership (where I purchased the vehicle) for maintenance and repairs. My son will not ride in my vehicle because the smell gives him a headache and makes him feel nauseous. I purchased a carbon monoxide detector to test the levels myself after I recently saw a family passed away in the same vehicle I have due to that. I will be doing this soon! It’s frustrating I had to pay for repairs on my vehicle because my camera malfunction and I backed into a pole. To this day it is still malfunctioning so when the parts are in, I will have it repaired. My main concern is the carbon monoxide levels and health risks. My vehicle only has 67,000 miles on it, it shouldn’t have so many recalls and problems that cause major safety risks like it has.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — Filed 01/03/2026

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there were exhaust fumes inside the vehicle, causing the contact headaches and nausea, and the two grandkids were complaining about headaches as well. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was determined to have a catalytic converter failure, which was repaired, but the fumes persisted. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, who determined that the exhaust fumes were coming from the rear liftgate seals. No further information was available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 120,000.

BACK OVER PREVENTION — Filed 05/01/2026

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his son was reversing, the vehicle crashed into a stop sign. The contact stated that the back over prevention camera was inoperable during the crash. There were no warning lights illuminated. There were no reported injuries. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE — Filed 02/20/2025

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the odor of exhaust fumes was present inside the cabin of the vehicle, causing the driver and the passenger to experience nausea and dizziness. No medical assistance was required. The contact was concerned that there was possibly carbon monoxide hazard inside the vehicle while driving. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were contacted regarding ethe failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed of NHTSA Action Number: EA17002 (STRUCTURE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the investigation. The failure mileage was unknown.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — Filed 01/26/2025

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, there was an abnormally strong odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. The contact was experiencing reoccurring headaches from the odor. No medical attention was needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the failure could not be replicated. The contact stated that shortly after a visit to the mechanic, the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 166,000.

SEATS — Filed 03/03/2025

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH while depressing the brake pedal and attempting to come to an abrupt complete stop for a red light, the rear driver seat detached and unhinged. The contact sustained an injury to the back of her head from the detached rear driver seat. The contact stated returned to her residence and called her health provider to make an appointment for the next day where she was informed that she sustained a concussion to the back of the head. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

ENGINE — Filed 10/21/2023

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, there was a strong abnormal odor intermittently coming from the inside of the vehicle. The failure occurred on several different occasions. The contact stated that it became difficult to breathe; there was no medical attention sought. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the place of residence. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE — Filed 06/14/2024

Sudden Unintended Acceleration of the vehicle when slowing to park vehicle. This has happened on 2 occasions- both scenarios the same: slowing and turning left into a parking space, foot on the brake, almost to a complete stop and the vehicle suddenly accelerates out of control. the 1st time into a tree, the 2nd time into a parked/unoccupied vehicle. The brake was applied w/o response, the vehicle would not stop. I am certain my foot was not on the gas. Fortunate no one was injured.

SUSPENSION — Filed 06/22/2022

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that he previously received a recall notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V537000 (Suspension) however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. They stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the contact heard a squealing sound when the rear driver’s side wheel started to wobble. As a result, the vehicle steered to the left then swerved and crashed into a guardrail. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. No police report was filed. The contact stated that he was able to drive the vehicle at approximately 5 MPH to the nearest dealer where it was diagnosed that the toe link had fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact opened a case however, the case was dismissed and no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 127,644. UPDATE 06/05/2023: Consumer contacted NHTSA to inquire whether a federal agency had precedence over sate statutes. Consumer was told that NHTSA doesn't offer legal advice, but may be interested in the file information. Notes to flash drive content and flash drive included.

SUSPENSION,WHEELS — Filed 09/08/2022

The toe-link on the rear-passenger side wheel broke and caused the vehicle to fish-tail uncontrollably before going into the ditch and rolling. My wife was driving with our two sons, 3 & 1 at the time, luckily no one was physically injured apart from some minor bumps and bruises. After the fact, we found out there was a recall on this specific part and it was repaired but, again, there was a recall on the replacement part. We were never notified, we have friends with the same vehicle that were never notified and are still trying to get the part repaired. Since this part failed and subsequently our vehicle totaled we were forced to buy an older, higher mileage vehicle at an inflated cost. Does Ford bear any responsibility to make this right or does it not matter until there are fatalities?

AIR BAGS — Filed 09/20/2022

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, she was crashed into head-on by another vehicle which sent the vehicle backward into a guardrail. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact's right shoulder hit the steering wheel and her head hit the pillar on the driver's side door. The contact sought medical treatment after the accident and received an X-ray on her right shoulder; the results showed no broken bones. The other driver was transported to the hospital by ambulance for leg pain. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and she was given a case number; she was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be destroyed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 03/25/2022

hand free smart trunk on my car doesn’t go up all the way, when I go to put stuff in a trunk I got strucked to my head several times, when I also push the trunk up not to get hit the hydraulic bars gets lose and the trunk falles down and struck my head few times left me with bruises, it’s very dangerous

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — Filed 01/01/2022

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a carbon monoxide odor was detected coming from the cabin air vents, which caused the contact and his passenger to have headaches. The vehicle had previously been serviced by the dealer for the recurring failure. The dealer had diagnosed the vehicle with an unknown failure, and an unknown part was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

ENGINE — Filed 12/15/2021

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving his vehicle at approximately 50 MPH, the check engine light illuminated, and he smelled as if something was burning. The contact stated that he then pulled over and waited until the smoke cleared before driving the vehicle again. The contact stated that he then took his vehicle to get serviced for an oil change as he thought that may be the cause of the failure he was experiencing. The contact stated that while getting his vehicle serviced he was advised that it was liquid of some sort leaking into the engine. The contact stated he then contacted his independent mechanic to get his vehicle diagnosed. The contact stated it was confirmed by his mechanic there was fluid leaking into the engine and that the failure he was experiencing was identical to vehicles of the same year, make, and model vehicle upon doing research. The contact stated he contacted the manufacturer and was advised to contact NHTSA. The failure mileage was 88,000.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 11/12/2021

I was pulling out on busy road and once i entered the road the car started to shutter. The vehicles power train management. System error flashed on the dash and I lost all power to the engine. I put my foot to the floor and nothing happened. Lucky I was nearly able to get over to the side of the road. I then put the vehicle into park and the engine started to shake violently. I then shut the car off to make sure the engine did not get any further damage. Once turned back on everything seemed normal. This was ver scary. Ford needs to address this issue as it seems to be more common after doing research.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 10/21/2021

Vehicle placed in park, driver exited vehicle, vehicle disengaged from park and advanced forward. Vehicle stopped by crash. Ford customer relations was notified and documented concern. Driver injured attempting re-enter vehicle to apply brake. Powertrain assembly or shift linkage possible result of issue.

SEATS — Filed 09/18/2021

I was stopped on the highway behind two other cars that were also stopped at a lane merger. A car hit my vehicle from behind and the impact caused my vehicle to hit the car in front of me, and that car to hit the car in front of them. When I unbuckled my seatbelt and got out of my vehicle, I noticed that my seat (driver's seat) had reclined backwards. I have lower & mid back pain as a result of the crash. My vehicle is currently at a tow lot where it has been labeled a total loss.

BACK OVER PREVENTION — Filed 06/04/2021

Rear backup screen failed to appear on screen. (Rapid flashing on and off)

STEERING,STRUCTURE — Filed 10/05/2020

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 NO ONE WAS HARMED. IT COULD HAVE BEEN ALOT WORSE.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/22/2020

WE WERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WITH NO WARNING. IT CAUSED US TO GO OFF THE HIGHWAY AND ROLLED 3-4 TIMES.IN RESEARCHING THIS, SAW A RECALL THAT AFFECTS THIS VEHICLE AND IT WAS NOT RECEIVED.

STEERING,SUSPENSION — Filed 07/31/2020

REAR TOW LINK SNAPPED WHILE WIFE WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH, LOST CONTROL, FISHTAILED ACROSS TRAFFIC LANES BEFORE REGAINING CONTROL AND PULLING OVER. WIFE WAS SCARED TO DEATH. HAD TOWED TO FORD SERVICE CENTER. TOLD IT WAS A RECALL ISSUE, REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. REPAIRED AND PICKED UP THE CAR. TWO DAYS AFTER REPAIR, 7 YEAR OLD GRANDSON AND I WERE DRIVING 65 MPH ON HWY WHEN REAR TOW LINK SNAPPED AGAIN, LOST CONTROL, FISHTAILED ACROSS TRAFFIC LANES BEFORE REGAINING CONTROL AND PULLING TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY. GRANDSON AND I WERE TERRIFIED. TOWED TO FORD SERVICE CENTER, REPAIRED TOE LINK AND REPLACED REAR TIE RODS. TOLD THE TIE RODS WHERE SO WORE OUT THAT VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. NO MENTION OF TIE ROD ISSUE FROM PREVIOUS SERVICE CENTER. PICKED UP CAR AFTER ALL REPAIRS COMPLETED. FOUR DAYS AFTER PICKING UP VEHICLE, REAR TOE LINK SNAPPED, WHILE SAME 7 YR OLD GRANDSON AND I WERE DRIVING NORTH ON INTERSTATE AT 75 MPH. LOST CONTROL, FISHTAILED ACROSS BUSY TRAFFIC LANES, CROSSED THE MEDIAN AND HIT REFLECTOR POST ON THE EDGE OF THE SOUTHBOUND LANE BEFORE REGAINING CONTROL NARROWLY MISSING ON COMING TRAFFIC. REFLECTOR POST HIT AN ONCOMING CAR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE DRIVERS DOOR AND SIDE MIRROR. GRANDSON AND I ARE IN SHOCK, SCARED TO DEATH AS WE ALMOST HIT A CAR HEAD ON. CAR TOWED TO SAME FORD SERVICE CENTER FOR REPAIR. WHEN WE WENT CHECK ON CAR WAS TOLD BY THE STAFF THAT HE WOULD GIVE ME THE KEYS VERY HESITANTLY BECAUSE HE FELT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DID NOT TAKE CAR BECAUSE WE ARE TERRIFIED TO DRIVE IT AS WE HAVE ALMOST DIED WHILE DRIVING ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. ALL WITHIN 400 MILES OF DRIVING. HAVE YET TO TAKE POSSESSION OF VEHICLE. WE ARE NOW STUCK WITH A VEHICLE, AND A LOAN, THAT WE ARE TOO AFRAID TO DRIVE. I'VE HAD TO SEE MY THERAPIST TO DISCUSS THE LEVEL OF STRESS, ANXIETY AND FEAR. GRANDSON WILL NOT GET IN A CAR ALONE WITH ME AS HE IS TO AFRAID.

STEERING,SUSPENSION — Filed 06/19/2020

DRIVING AT 20MPH OVER A BRIDGE, MY TOE LINK SNAPPED, CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND VEER OFF THE ROAD LOSING CONTROL. I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OVER MY STEERING AND TIRES REMAINED TURNED, LOSING ALL CONTROL AND ABILITY TO DRIVE. THE TOE LINK WAS SERVICED BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL. HOWEVER, THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE TOE LINK WAS FIXED ON THIS VEHICLE. NOW, ONLY MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE, THERE IS ANOTHER ISSUE REGARDING THE TOE LINK AND BUSHINGS. FORD AND DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO COVER THE CHARGES BECAUSE RECALL HAS ALREADY BEEN SERVICED. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE PROBLEM WILL BE FIXED TEMPORARILY FOR A FOURTH TIME AND WILL SNAP AS I AM GOING FASTER SPEEDS THAN THE 20 MPH I INITIALLY LOST CONTROL AT. THERE NEEDS TO BE ANOTHER RECALL ON MY ALREADY RECALLED PART, OTHERWISE THERE WILL NEVER BE ANY SAFE DRIVING DISTANCE IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 02/27/2020

SLOWLY PULLING OUT OF NARROW PARKING LOT EXIT LANE, THROUGH OPENED GATE. RAPID UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION, SEEMED TO LAUNCH CAR ACROSS ONE WAY CITY STREET INTO RESTAURANT BUILDING. PASSENGER SEAT BELT (FASTENED, LEFT BRUISES) RELEASED UPON IMPACT; PASSENGER DASH BOARD AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY; DRIVERS' AIRBAG WEAK. PASSENGER HOSPITALIZED FROM LOWER AIRBAG, BROKEN LEG, SEVERE LACERATION.

SUSPENSION — Filed 02/14/2020

THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY 2015 FORD EXPLORER FOR THE TOE LINK SUSPENSION REPLACEMENT. I HAD OT FIXED ON 1/7/20 AND ON 2/14/20 I WAS DRIVING ON 106 IN SPRINGFIELD VERMONT DOING 50 MILES PER HOUR AND THE TOE LINK SUSPENSION THEY REPLACED BROKE AND I LOST TOTAL CONTROL OF MY SUV. ALL MOST HAD HEAD ON COLLISION I WAS ALMOST KILLED. I HAD IT TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOOK IT APART AGAIN AND STATED THAT THE REASON THE TOE LINK SUSPENSION CONTINUES TO BREAK IS DUE TO THE NUCKLE AND BUSHINGS. AND FORD CORPORATION SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED AND THERE FOR I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS AND TOTAL COST. WHICH IS $2,411 I DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. MY SUV IS STILL AT FORD DEALERSHIP. NEED HELP RESOLVING THIS ISSUE AND GET MY SUV FIXED AS IT IS THERE CAUSE OF THE BREAKAGE. PLEASE TELL PEOPLE NOT TO DRIVE THERE VEHICLE IF THERE TOE LINK SUSPENSION IS BAD CAUSE WHEN IT GOES YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OF YOUR STEERING. AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS GONA HAPPEN. IT'S LIKE SLIDING ON ICE SIDE WAYS. VERY SCARY. NEVER WANT TO GO THOUGH THIS EVER AGAIN. THIS HAPPEN ON A BUSY STREET WITH ON COMING VEHICLES THAT SOME HOW I DIDNT HAVE HEAD ON COLLISION. I DO NOT HAVE PICS AS MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP. HIDE TIRE ON PASSENGER SIDE POINTED OUT AND WOULD DRIVE SIDE WAYS AND THAT'S WHAT I WAS DOING AT 50 MILES AN HOUR. NOT A GOOD FEELING

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 12/04/2019

I WAS DRIVING ON A 4 LANE ROAD WITH A MEDIAN (NOT HIGHWAY). I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE PASSING 2 OTHER VEHICLES WHEN MY EXPLORER BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND WOULD NOT STOP. THE ROAD WAS WET AND AS I BEGAN STOMPING ON AND OFF THE GAS PEDAL TO TRY AND RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HYDRO PLANE. I WENT ACROSS THE RIGHT LANE AND HIT THE CURB, WHICH PRETTY MUCH RIPPED OUT THE FRONT UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. ONCE I LEFT THE ROADWAY AND COULD NOT REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE I PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL UNTIL I COULD GET THE CAR STOPPED. ONCE THE VEHICLE CAME TO THE REST I TRIED AGAIN TO STOMP ON THE ACCELERATOR TO GET IT TO STOP ACCELERATING BUT HAD NO RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP ACCELERATING UNTIL I TURNED OFF THE KEY.