2014 Ford Explorer Problems, Recalls & Reliability
2,042 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2014 Ford Explorer, alongside 7 recall campaigns and 4 defect investigations. It scores 44/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Steering leads the reports, typically around 90,000 miles.
Below average
Where 2014 sits among all Explorer years
What owners report
“Electric power steering failure, cannot drive vehicle steering is hard and stuck. Power steering failure light light on dashboard.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2014 Explorer
“Exhaust fumes entering cabin upon acceleration, such as entering interstate or passing another vehicle.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2014 Explorer
“The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2014 Explorer
“All recommended repairs have been completed on the ford explorer and exhaust fumes are still present in the cabin.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2014 Explorer
“The open door light stays on even after slamming the drive door shut. This only happens with the driver side door.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2014 Explorer
“Nhtsa recall 16v-245 after 6 months parts are still not available to repair what could be a serious suspension issue. Vehicle may be unsafe and it certainly seems like 6 months should be more than enough time to at least start addressing this issue. Wife has been afraid to drive the vehicle.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2014 Explorer
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 1,167 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 68,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 39,000 and 104,200 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (7)
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.
Fix: 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. Owner…
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 Hampshire, New…
Fix: 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…
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, Minnesota,…
Fix: 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…
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.
Fix: 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,…
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.
Fix: 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…
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. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without…
Fix: 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…
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.
Fix: 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.…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 24V031.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2014 Ford Explorer reliable?
The 2014 Ford Explorer drew 2,042 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 44/100, scored against the model's worst year (2002).
What are the most common 2014 Ford Explorer problems?
The top reported problems for the 2014 Ford Explorer are steering (496 complaints), other (355), and body & structure (275).
At what mileage do 2014 Ford Explorer problems show up?
Owners most often report 2014 Ford Explorer problems around 68,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 39,000 and 104,200 miles.
Does the 2014 Ford Explorer have recalls?
7 recall campaigns apply to the 2014 Ford Explorer. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.