2015 Ford Explorer
This year had more than double the complaints of 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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
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
19% of complaints: steering — 333 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY15% of complaints: structure — 254 distinct reports on file.
INJURY13% of complaints: engine — 225 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
Sudden Unintended Acceleration of the vehicle when slowing to park vehicle.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240614
LEASED VEHICLE NEW ON OCTOBER 18, 2014. PROBLEM BEGAN IMMEDIATELY AT APPROXIMATELY 200 MILES. WHEN PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE OR ACCELERATING FROM STOP, EXHAUST FUMES FILL THE CABIN THROUGH THE A/C VENTS.
NHTSA ODI report, 20151020
7% of complaints: structure — 130 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY5% of complaints: back over prevention — 92 distinct reports on file.
CRASHSAFETY TIMELINE
Front brake hose failure
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...
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 15V464000 — check if this car was fixed
Front Brake Hose Failure
Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor
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
Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab
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
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
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
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
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
Windshield trim molding Item detachment
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
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 25V695000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2015 Ford Explorer — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for steering issues (333 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (254 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (225 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 15V464000 (parking brake) has been completed.
- 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.
- Verify recall 25V695000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2015 Ford Explorer reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2015 Ford Explorer is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Ford Explorer?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2015 Ford Explorer have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.