MYRModel Year Report

2014 Ford Explorer

◆ Worse than typical
2014 Ford Explorer
BUILT 2026-09-02

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

Complaints per year, Ford Explorer Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2014 highlighted. 1984: 1 complaints 1984 1985: 1 complaints 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 4 complaints 1989: 1 complaints 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 616 complaints 1992: 640 complaints 1993: 944 complaints 1994: 1231 complaints 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1450 complaints 1996 1997: 1731 complaints 1998: 1959 complaints 1999: 1348 complaints 2000: 952 complaints 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3294 complaints 2002 2003: 1131 complaints 2004: 1304 complaints 2005: 497 complaints 2006: 630 complaints 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 148 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2011: 1196 complaints 2012: 824 complaints 2013: 2229 complaints 2014: 1674 complaints 2014 2015: 1771 complaints 2016: 2443 complaints 2017: 1677 complaints 2018: 720 complaints 2019: 291 complaints 2020: 1198 complaints 2020 2021: 412 complaints 2022: 257 complaints 2023: 106 complaints 2024: 19 complaints 2025: 95 complaints 2026: 29 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints 2027
2014: 1674 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19841
19851
19863
19873
19884
19891
199012
1991616
1992640
1993944
19941231
1995843
19961450
19971731
19981959
19991348
2000952
2001375
20023294
20031131
20041304
2005497
2006630
2007208
2008148
200933
2010115
20111196
2012824
20132229
20141674
20151771
20162443
20171677
2018720
2019291
20201198
2021412
2022257
2023106
202419
202595
202629
20270

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

STEERING 30%

30% of complaints: steering — 496 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rack and pinion and electric power assist system.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Sudden and complete loss of power steering assist while vehicle was in operation. Vehicle became extremely difficult to steer, creating safety hazard for driver and child passenger.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260710

Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

Also filed under SUSPENSION

STRUCTURE 17%

17% of complaints: structure — 277 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and hood.

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

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE REAR CUP HOLDER BUT FOUR OF HIS FINGERS BECAME STUCK INSIDE OF THE PLASTIC HOLDER.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140205

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260826

ENGINE 12%

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

INJURY
SUSPENSION 6%

6% of complaints: suspension — 102 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rear and wheel bearing.

CRASH INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6%

6% of complaints: electrical system — 101 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing wiring and speedometer/odometer.

CRASH FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2014 — complaint volume: 1674
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

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2014 Ford Explorer — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for steering issues (496 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (277 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (196 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 16V245000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17E048000 (suspension, wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V435000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V675000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V692000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V537000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V031000 (structure) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2009 ▲ 2025 ▲ 2023

WORST YEARS

■ 2002 ■ 2016 ■ 2013

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2014 Ford Explorer reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2014 Ford Explorer is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Ford Explorer?

The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2014 Ford Explorer have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.