2015 Ford Explorer problems and recalls

Owners filed 583 complaints on the 2015 Ford Explorer in the last three full years, out of 1,774 on record. The most cited component is the Structure.

1,774
Complaints
9
Recalls
37
Crash reports
1
Fire reports
95
Injuries
52.0
Severity index

Severity index 52.0 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 52.0p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 103 of 143 by severity index among 2015 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 28% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2015 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

StructureStructure: 407 complaints (22.9%)407 23%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 398 complaints (22.4%)398 22%SteeringSteering: 345 complaints (19.4%)345 19%EngineEngine: 226 complaints (12.7%)226 13%Back Over PreventionBack Over Prevention: 125 complaints (7.0%)125 7%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 90 complaints (5.1%)90 5%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 86 complaints (4.8%)86 5%Power TrainPower Train: 84 complaints (4.7%)84 5%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
STRUCTURE40722.9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER39822.4%
STEERING34519.4%
ENGINE22612.7%
BACK OVER PREVENTION1257.0%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM905.1%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM864.8%
POWER TRAIN844.7%

Complaints filed per year

01352702014: 32015: 512016: 1192017: 2702018: 1392019: 1832020: 1232021: 892022: 912023: 1522024: 1812025: 2502026: 123 (partial year)14151617270181920212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20143
201551
2016119
2017270
2018139
2019183
2020123
202189
202291
2023152
2024181
2025250
2026 (year to date)123
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 1.9x those in 2020 to 2022 (583 against 303).

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
15V46400024/07/2015PARKING BRAKEFord 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
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.
25V69500013/10/2025BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERAFord 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, intermitten

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 2026-09-07. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.