2014 Ford Explorer problems and recalls

Owner complaints on the 2014 Ford Explorer include 2 fatality reports, 32 crashes and 6 fires across 1,674 filings.

1,674
Complaints
7
Recalls
32
Crash reports
6
Fire reports
38
Injuries
34.3
Severity index

Severity index 34.3 Low. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 34.3p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 133 of 139 by severity index among 2014 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 4% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2014 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

SteeringSteering: 496 complaints (29.6%)496 30%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 334 complaints (20.0%)334 20%StructureStructure: 276 complaints (16.5%)276 16%EngineEngine: 196 complaints (11.7%)196 12%SuspensionSuspension: 102 complaints (6.1%)102 6%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 100 complaints (6.0%)100 6%Power TrainPower Train: 79 complaints (4.7%)79 5%Engine And Engine Cooli…Engine And Engine Cooling: 67 complaints (4.0%)67 4%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
STEERING49629.6%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER33420.0%
STRUCTURE27616.5%
ENGINE19611.7%
SUSPENSION1026.1%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1006.0%
POWER TRAIN794.7%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING674.0%

Complaints filed per year

01302602013: 62014: 652015: 422016: 1162017: 2592018: 1182019: 1482020: 1032021: 1022022: 1382023: 1552024: 1702025: 2002026: 52 (partial year)1314151617259181920212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20136
201465
201542
2016116
2017259
2018118
2019148
2020103
2021102
2022138
2023155
2024170
2025200
2026 (year to date)52
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 1.5x those in 2020 to 2022 (525 against 343).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
19V43500010/06/2019SUSPENSION:REARFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
17E04800028/08/2017WHEELS:HUBFord 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. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feat
16V24500026/04/2016SUSPENSION:REARFord 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.
20V69200010/11/2020POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFTFord 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.
21V53700015/07/2021SUSPENSION:REARFord 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, P
20V67500012/03/2021SUSPENSION:REARFord 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,
24V03100019/01/2024STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARSFord 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.

Other Ford Explorer model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 14 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-08-29. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.