2015 Ford Explorer: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle2015 / ford / explorer
known issues5 clusters (reviewed 2026-08-03)
complaints1,782 on file (2014-10-27 → 2026-09-16)
recalls9
investigations5
fars61 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexedyes
licenseCC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Exterior A-pillar trim detachmentSTRUCTURE94 complaints2025-09 → 2026-07ford-explorer-2015-a-pillar-trim-detachment
  • 11728033 Passenger's side A-pillar molding flew off while driving
  • 11733184 my B pillars started coming off on the highway going 60 mph. driver side was hanging by electrical piece for the keypad for door opening. my son looked and passenger side coming off as well. had to pull over and duct tape it on
  • 11726401 The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, one of the windshield exterior A-pillar trims detached and was flapping against the driver's side window before separating from the vehicle
Rear suspension toe link failure and wobbleSUSPENSION6 complaints2025-10 → 2026-04ford-explorer-2015-rear-suspension-failure
  • 11720397 The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for an alignment, the contact was informed that the alignment could not be performed because the rear toe link was rusted and needed to be repaired
  • 11731418 My vehicle has been shaking and clunking for years now, and my dealership has denied me service for two years on account of them not being able to recieve parts
Backup camera malfunction while reversingBACK OVER PREVENTION97 complaints2025-09 → 2026-07ford-explorer-2015-backup-camera-failure
  • 11751495 The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. While the contact's wife was reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a blank screen. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an inoperable rear-view camera
  • 11746225 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
  • 11752238 Recall for faulty rearview camera. Still has no remedy. Mine is giving issues. Glitches, freezes, and displays error message to contact dealership. Has almost caused multiple accidents. Have spoken to dealership
Power steering failure or loss of assistSTEERING12 complaints2025-09 → 2026-07ford-explorer-2015-power-steering-failure
  • 11744178 This 2015 Ford Explorer XLT - The power steering goes out. Multiple times. No recall with many many of these vehicles reporting to have the same problem. I was 200 miles away from home when this happened. The steering becomes extremely stiff and jerks. Making it very dangerous
  • 11746687 Total loss of Power Steering ! Warning light display: "Steering Assist Fault", "Service AdvanceTrac", turn signals unable to lock and release. Hard Fault codes present: U3000 96-C8, C200D, 49-48 C1B00, 64-48
  • 11704766 I am filing an official safety complaint regarding my 2015 Ford Explorer Sport 3.5L due to a dangerous and sudden power-steering failure that occurred while I was driving with my children in the vehicle. There were no warning lights, alerts, or symptoms leading up to the failure
Transmission shudder, stalling, and exhaust fumesPOWER TRAIN11 complaints2025-09 → 2026-07ford-explorer-2015-powertrain-stall-shudder
  • 11723308 I have always maintained the vehicle and drive the vehicle well. The car just started stuttering when driving and the torque converter for the transmission failed. It doesn’t even have many miles
  • 11719301 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

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

countearliest_datelatest_datecrash_flaggedfire_flaggedtop_components
17822014-10-272026-09-16371STRUCTURE:407; UNKNOWN OR OTHER:400; STEERING:345; ENGINE:226; BACK OVER PREVENTION:130

Recalls all years →

campaign_numberreport_received_datecomponentsummaryconsequenceremedy
19V43500010/06/2019SUSPENSION:REARFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.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.
17E04800028/08/2017WHEELS:HUBFord 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.A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.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.
15V46400024/07/2015PARKING BRAKEFord 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."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.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.
16V24500026/04/2016SUSPENSION:REARFord 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.A fracture of the rear suspension toe link may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.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.
20V69200010/11/2020POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFTFord 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.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.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.
21V53700015/07/2021SUSPENSION:REARFord 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.A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.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.
20V67500012/03/2021SUSPENSION:REARFord 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.A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.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.
24V03100019/01/2024STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARSFord 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.A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.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.
25V69500013/10/2025BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERAFord 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.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.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.

Investigations all years →

action_numberstatussubjectcomponentsopenedclosedrecall_campaignsummary
EA15005closedFront Brake Hose FailureSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS2015-09-282018-11-02·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 asses
EA17002closedExhaust Odor in Passenger CabENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE2017-07-272023-01-17·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
PE15017closedFront brake hose failureSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS2015-04-292015-09-28·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 use
PE16008closedFord Explorer Exhaust OdorENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM2016-07-012017-09-12·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
PE23001closedWindshield trim molding Item detachmentSTRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS2023-01-272024-02-0824V031On 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 th

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_yearsoccupant_deathsmatch_typevpic_recovered
2010-202461legacy-code0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2015 Ford Explorer vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2015/ford/explorer
@misc{wrenchpro_2015_ford_explorer_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2015 Ford Explorer},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2015/ford/explorer}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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