2015 Ford Explorer Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Explorer years
- Far more complaints than other years 5th of 33 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 8 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 1,806 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Ford Explorer. That ranks 5th out of 33 Explorer model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is structure (410 complaints, 23%), typically at around 90,000 miles. Complaints mention 37 crashes, 1 fire, 98 injuries. There are 8 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 5 defect investigations involving it.
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- 1,806owner complaints
- 8safety recalls
- 5NHTSA investigations
- 37complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2015 Ford Explorer problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure problems | 410 | 23% | 90,000 | “passenger side” (31%) | — |
| Unknown or Other | 404 | 22% | 29,000 | — | — |
| Steering problems | 347 | 19% | 60,000 | “steering assist” (19%) | $2,950 |
| Engine problems | 226 | 13% | 30,156 | “exhaust fumes” (16%) | $3,800 |
| Back Over Prevention problems | 143 | 8% | 100,000 | “rear view camera” (30%) | — |
| Electrical System problems | 93 | 5% | 54,620 | “backup camera” (14%) | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System problems | 86 | 5% | 30,000 | “exhaust fumes” (19%) | — |
| Power Train problems | 86 | 5% | 50,000 | “transmission park” (12%) | — |
| Air Bags problems | 84 | 5% | 65,000 | “air bag” (44%) | $1,150 |
| Suspension problems | 83 | 5% | 76,000 | “toe link” (14%) | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 66 | 4% | 59,220 | “exhaust fumes” (33%) | — |
| Seat Belts | 38 | 2% | 68,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 27 | 1% | 36,560 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 26 | 1% | 43,091 | — | — |
| Visibility | 20 | 1% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 17 | 1% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 17 | 1% | 29,789 | — | — |
| Seats | 16 | 1% | 49,451 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 16 | 1% | 79,600 | — | — |
| Wheels | 15 | 1% | 48,426 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 8 | 0% | 27,100 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 6 | 0% | 114,667 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 0% | 115,000 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 3 | 0% | 46,382 | — | — |
| Tires | 3 | 0% | 500 | — | — |
| Traction Control System | 2 | 0% | 150,000 | — | — |
| Carry Handle, Shell, Base | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 0% | 10,000 | — | — |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 0% | 4,514 | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 0% | 122,000 | — | — |
| Other/i Am Not Sure | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2015 Ford Explorer recalls (8)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Problem: 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 when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
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.
Suspension:rear
Problem: 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 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.
Risk: A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Suspension:rear
Problem: 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 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.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Suspension:rear
Problem: 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.
Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Suspension:rear
Problem: 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.
Risk: A fracture of the rear suspension toe link may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Parking brake
Problem: 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. 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."
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Windshield trim molding Item detachment (PE23001) — opened Jan 27, 2023, closed Feb 8, 2024, led to recall 24V031.
- Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab (EA17002) — opened Jul 27, 2017, closed Jan 17, 2023.
- Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor (PE16008) — opened Jul 1, 2016, closed Sep 12, 2017.
- Front Brake Hose Failure (EA15005) — opened Sep 28, 2015, closed Nov 2, 2018.
- Front brake hose failure (PE15017) — opened Apr 29, 2015, closed Sep 28, 2015.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the rear-view camera was intermittently inverted or inoperative. The contact stated that the message "Rear-view Camera Unavailable" was displayed. The contact received notification of NHTSA…
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in reverse, the rear-view camera displayed a blank or distorted screen. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was…
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…
Nothing has happened yet. Have been waiting 2.5 years for this recall to be fixed and I am afraid to drive my car without it being fixed so basically I am stuck at home and paying car insurance and maintenance on a car I can't drive far.
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…
Other Ford Explorer years
← 2014 Explorer · 2016 Explorer →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Explorer | 0 | 1 |
| 2026 Explorer | 42 | 14 |
| 2025 Explorer | 103 | 20 |
| 2024 Explorer | 21 | 10 |
| 2023 Explorer | 110 | 15 |
| 2022 Explorer | 269 | 24 |
| 2021 Explorer | 442 | 26 |
| 2020 Explorer | 1,232 | 33 |
| 2019 Explorer | 299 | 6 |
| 2018 Explorer | 733 | 7 |
| 2017 Explorer | 1,699 | 13 |
| 2016 Explorer | 2,461 | 14 |
| 2015 | 1,806 | 8 |
| 2014 Explorer | 1,679 | 6 |
| 2013 Explorer | 2,236 | 11 |
| 2012 Explorer | 829 | 5 |
| 2011 Explorer | 1,197 | 6 |
| 2010 Explorer | 115 | 1 |
| 2009 Explorer | 33 | 0 |
| 2008 Explorer | 148 | 1 |
| 2007 Explorer | 208 | 1 |
| 2006 Explorer | 630 | 1 |
| 2005 Explorer | 497 | 0 |
| 2004 Explorer | 1,304 | 0 |
| 2003 Explorer | 1,131 | 2 |
| 2002 Explorer | 3,295 | 4 |
| 2001 Explorer | 375 | 6 |
| 2000 Explorer | 952 | 9 |
| 1999 Explorer | 1,348 | 9 |
| 1998 Explorer | 1,959 | 9 |
| 1997 Explorer | 1,731 | 7 |
| 1996 Explorer | 1,450 | 6 |
| 1995 Explorer | 843 | 5 |
See all Ford Explorer problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.
Similar Ford models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Ford Explorer?
Owners most often report structure, unknown or other, steering problems. The top one, structure, accounts for 410 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2015 Ford Explorer?
Yes, 8 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2015 Ford Explorer a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Explorer model years, the 2015 has far more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.