2014 Ford Explorer Structure Problems
Owners have filed 276 complaints with NHTSA about structure problems on the 2014 Ford Explorer, 16% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 92,500 miles. The words owners use most often: “pillar trim” (27% of reports).
- 276structure complaints
- 92,500median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $360typical repair cost reported by owners
- 93%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Pillar trim: mentioned in 75 of 276 complaints (27%)
- Structure contacted: mentioned in 55 of 276 complaints (20%)
- Flew off: mentioned in 39 of 276 complaints (14%)
- Side windshield: mentioned in 35 of 276 complaints (13%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical structure repair on the 2014 Ford Explorer at $360, and half of them between $270 and $560.
Based on 10 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2016–2025), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do structure problems happen?
Based on 142 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 276 complaints, 2 an injury.
Ford Explorer structure complaints by model year
| Model year | Structure complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Explorer | 2 | 5% | — |
| 2025 Explorer | 7 | 7% | 1,600 |
| 2023 Explorer | 10 | 9% | 10,000 |
| 2022 Explorer | 11 | 4% | 39,000 |
| 2021 Explorer | 24 | 5% | 61,500 |
| 2020 Explorer | 45 | 4% | 40,302 |
| 2019 Explorer | 150 | 50% | 63,125 |
| 2018 Explorer | 288 | 39% | 60,950 |
| 2017 Explorer | 657 | 39% | 76,000 |
| 2016 Explorer | 591 | 24% | 82,750 |
| 2015 Explorer | 410 | 23% | 90,000 |
| 2014 Explorer | 276 | 16% | 92,500 |
| 2013 Explorer | 439 | 20% | 70,000 |
| 2012 Explorer | 144 | 17% | 96,500 |
| 2011 Explorer | 110 | 9% | 101,000 |
| 2010 Explorer | 1 | 1% | 6,900 |
| 2009 Explorer | 2 | 6% | 105,000 |
| 2008 Explorer | 1 | 1% | 7,000 |
| 2007 Explorer | 11 | 5% | 80,000 |
| 2006 Explorer | 11 | 2% | 19,695 |
| 2005 Explorer | 151 | 30% | 77,300 |
| 2004 Explorer | 426 | 33% | 72,000 |
| 2003 Explorer | 354 | 31% | 70,000 |
| 2002 Explorer | 486 | 15% | 66,400 |
| 2001 Explorer | 29 | 8% | 100,000 |
| 2000 Explorer | 29 | 3% | 93,310 |
| 1999 Explorer | 47 | 3% | 100,000 |
| 1998 Explorer | 48 | 2% | 112,000 |
| 1997 Explorer | 50 | 3% | 84,000 |
| 1996 Explorer | 63 | 4% | 123,743 |
| 1995 Explorer | 39 | 5% | 112,762 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Structure:body:roof and pillars
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Recall issued and notified via mail by Ford for faulty A-pillarsin 2024. A-pillars can fall off vehicle while driving and can cause safety issue. Vehicle was taken to dealer for inspection in March of 2025 to verify issue and was informed that no parts are available. After several visits to service…
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the front driverâs side A-pillar trim had…
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received the notification letter for NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The contact stated that the driverâs side exterior trim was loose. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the contact was informed that the part was on…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2014 Ford Explorers have structure problems?
No. NHTSA has 276 owner complaints about structure for the 2014 Ford Explorer (16% of the 1,679 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2014 Ford Explorer structure?
Yes: 1 safety recall list structure. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do structure problems start?
The median reported mileage is 92,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix structure problems on the 2014 Ford Explorer?
Owners report a typical cost of $360 (half paid between $270 and $560), from 10 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about structure problems on the 2014 Ford Explorer?
The most frequent phrase is “pillar trim”, in 75 of 276 complaints, followed by “structure contacted” (55).
Other 2014 Ford Explorer problems
See all 2014 Ford Explorer problems or structure problems across all Explorer years.