2014 Ford Explorer

◆ Worse than typical

2014 Ford Explorer
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2014: 1669 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1984	1
1985	1
1986	3
1987	3
1988	4
1989	1
1990	12
1991	609
1992	633
1993	939
1994	1207
1995	843
1996	1450
1997	1731
1998	1959
1999	1348
2000	952
2001	375
2002	3293
2003	1131
2004	1304
2005	497
2006	630
2007	208
2008	147
2009	33
2010	115
2011	1192
2012	820
2013	2222
2014	1669
2015	1748
2016	2424
2017	1656
2018	706
2019	281
2020	1155
2021	393
2022	242
2023	99
2024	19
2025	87
2026	16

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STEERING 29%

29% of complaints: steering — 482 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT ILLEGALLY CAME INTO THE LANE I WAS ENTERING (THEY WERE DRIVING ON THE SHOULDER), I HAD TO TAKE EVASIVE ACTION, WHICH CAUSED ME TO TURN MY VEHICLE INTO A CURB. AT THE TIME, I WAS TRAVELING 15 TO MAYBE 20 MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140318

ENGINE 12%

12% of complaints: engine — 196 distinct reports on file.

INJURY

STRUCTURE 11%

11% of complaints: structure — 178 distinct reports on file.

INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the contact noticed that both front door panels were damaged which led to the contact's wife being cut on her arm. The wife was seated in the passenger seat.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230905

SUSPENSION 6%

6% of complaints: suspension — 96 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

NHTSA ODI report, 20140318

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6%

6% of complaints: electrical system — 95 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2014 — complaint volume: 1669

I 20150928 — EA (closed 20181102)

Front Brake Hose Failure

I 20160701 — PE (closed 20170912)

Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor

R 20161118 — suspension

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 16V245000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20170727 — EA (closed 20230117)

Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab

R 20170731 — suspension, wheels

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 17E048000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190626 — suspension

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 19V435000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20201127 — suspension

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,...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 20V675000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210202 — power train

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 20V692000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20220316 — suspension

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...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 21V537000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20230127 — PE (closed 20240208)

Windshield trim molding Item detachment

R 20240718 — structure

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 24V031000 — check if this car was fixed