2015 Ford Explorer Problems, Recalls & Reliability
2,214 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2015 Ford Explorer, alongside 9 recall campaigns and 5 defect investigations. It scores 49/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Other leads the reports, typically around 35,000 miles.
Below average
Where 2015 sits among all Explorer years
What owners report
“Carbon monoxide was detected inside the vehicle passenger compartment as well as fumes/ exhaust odor.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2015 Explorer
“The contact owns a 2015 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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2015 Explorer
“I was in a parking lot when the electric power steering went out. Couldn’t turn wheel at all”— owner report to NHTSA, 2015 Explorer
“Carbon monoxide like leak into the cabin ford did not fix when we went to the dealership”— owner report to NHTSA, 2015 Explorer
“The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2015 Explorer
“My back up camera tends to go blank when I reverse. It’ll take some time for it to come back on or sometimes it says to contact ford.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2015 Explorer
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 1,323 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 60,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 33,400 and 94,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (9)
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. The rearview camera may display a…
Fix: 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…
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.…
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 vehicles…
Fix: 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…
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 2015 Ford Explorer reliable?
The 2015 Ford Explorer drew 2,214 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 49/100, scored against the model's worst year (2002).
What are the most common 2015 Ford Explorer problems?
The top reported problems for the 2015 Ford Explorer are other (420 complaints), body & structure (403), and steering (347).
At what mileage do 2015 Ford Explorer problems show up?
Owners most often report 2015 Ford Explorer problems around 60,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 33,400 and 94,000 miles.
Does the 2015 Ford Explorer have recalls?
9 recall campaigns apply to the 2015 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.