Total Complaints
2103 filings
FORD EXPLORER · model year
2103 NHTSA complaints, 52 crash reports, and 9 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2015FORDEXPLORER carries 2103 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 52 crashes, 1 fire, 136 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2015 EXPLORER is unknown or other with 390 filings, followed by steering (328) and structure (231). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 9 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 13 investigation files overlapping the 2015 EXPLORER, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
2103 filings
Crashes Reported
52 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 390 |
| STEERING | 328 |
| STRUCTURE | 231 |
| ENGINE | 224 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 124 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 86 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 85 |
| AIR BAGS | 83 |
| POWER TRAIN | 79 |
| SUSPENSION | 78 |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 60 |
| SEAT BELTS | 37 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 33 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 24 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 24 |
WHEELS:HUB
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 result
SUSPENSION:REAR
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.
PARKING BRAKE
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. T
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
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.
SUSPENSION:REAR
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 I
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
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 wh
SUSPENSION:REAR
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 Yor
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
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.
SUSPENSION:REAR
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.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that whenever it rained or snowed, water was entering the vehicle from the A-pillar trim seal, covering the floorboard. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not available for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issues. The failure mileage was approximately 192,000.
Mileage: 192,000
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that whenever it rained or snowed, water was entering the vehicle from the A-pillar trim seal, covering the floorboard. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not available for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issues. The failure mileage was approximately 192,000.
Mileage: 192,000
There is a recall out for Ford vehicles for the pillars outside of the windshield, mine flew off the windshield while driving in the interstate. I called ford trying to schedule an appointment because the same thing happened to my boyfriendâs grandma and she told me there was a recall. I was informed that my vin was not apart of the safety recall for whatever reason. The car is available for inspection upon request. I feel as if my car repair should be covered because it clearly is not a safe model of the 2015 ford explorer and the same thing is happening with other vehicles that are covered under the recall.
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 not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. While reversing, the rearview camera displayed a distorted image, or the message "No Picture Available" was displayed. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Mileage: 75,000
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing into the driveway at approximately 2 MPH, the rear-view camera image went blank. The vehicle had been experiencing intermittent loss of the back over prevention camera function for approximately one year. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part for the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact also received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure with the camera. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
Mileage: 87,000
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing into the driveway at approximately 2 MPH, the rear-view camera image went blank. The vehicle had been experiencing intermittent loss of the back over prevention camera function for approximately one year. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part for the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact also received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure with the camera. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
Mileage: 87,000
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the front passengerâs side A-pillar trim detached and struck another vehicle. In reverse, the rearview camera failed to display a clear image behind the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted on several occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to parts not being available. The vehicle was taken to a local Auto-Glass shop, where the vehicle was repaired at the owner's expense. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred and was temporarily repaired using tape. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,
Mileage: 95,000
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the front passengerâs side A-pillar trim detached and struck another vehicle. In reverse, the rearview camera failed to display a clear image behind the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted on several occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to parts not being available. The vehicle was taken to a local Auto-Glass shop, where the vehicle was repaired at the owner's expense. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred and was temporarily repaired using tape. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,
Mileage: 95,000
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the front driverâs side A-pillar trim detached and flew off onto the roadway. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the front passengerâs side A-pillar trim was loose. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera failed to display a clear image. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was trim was temporary replaced with tape. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Mileage: 100,000
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the front driverâs side A-pillar trim detached and flew off onto the roadway. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the front passengerâs side A-pillar trim was loose. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera failed to display a clear image. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was trim was temporary replaced with tape. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Mileage: 100,000
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact stated that while in reverse(R) on several occasions, the rear-view camera failed to activate; however, on other occasions, the screen displayed properly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but informed the contact that parts for the recall repairs were not currently available. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
Mileage: 95,000
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact stated that while in reverse(R) on several occasions, the rear-view camera failed to activate; however, on other occasions, the screen displayed properly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but informed the contact that parts for the recall repairs were not currently available. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
Mileage: 95,000
Power lift gate working sporadically
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud, windy sound coming from the windshield. The contact stated that the A-pillar trim and attachments had detached from the vehicle. The technician at the dealer went to the residence and inspected the vehicle twice. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact was informed that parts would be available within two weeks. The parts had not been available for two years. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but was unsure if a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was unknown.
RECALL ID 25V695 rear camera. Camera does not work. Please issue a remedy!
RECALL ID 25V695 rear camera. Camera does not work. Please issue a remedy!
A recall was issued in Jan 2024 - notice 24S02/NHTSA Recall 24V031. In the fall, maybe September 2024, we had still been unable to schedule an inspection by the dealership. We were driving on the interstate, and part of the exterior A-pillar trim detached and flew off of the car into traffic, where it could have potentially caused an accident, had there been more traffic at the time. We finally got the vehicle inspected in Spring 2025, and were told we did need the trim replaced on both sides, and it should be available by the fall of 2025. During the first week in January 2026, I asked again about the replacement, and was informed that the new projected date for the part to be available was a year out (i.e. end of 2026 or beginning of 2027). In Aug 2025, we had the windscreen replaced, and were told by Safelite Auto Glass that they had the A-Pillars and Trim available in their warehouse, but since we were expecting the dealership to replace these parts, we declined the additional exp
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The contact stated that while driving at 80 MPH, the driverâs side exterior A-pillar trim detached and separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.