About average for the Explorer
Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Explorer year. The main thing to watch is the body, doors and structure, which half of owners reported by about 90,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Explorer years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 1,816 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Ford Explorer. The most reported problem area is the body, doors and structure (412, 23% of complaints), followed by the steering and the engine and cooling. That ranks 3rd of 13 Explorer years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 9 recalls.
11 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2015 Ford Explorer before you buy.
Body, doors and structure
412 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 90,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (132).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact's son owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the A-pillar trim had become loose and unsecured. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE).Owner complaint, filed 2026
Driving down road and A pillar trim started to vibrate. Eventually while driving within 2 hour the lower part of the pillar raised up and flopped in wind. It was inspected and rejected for recall replacement in April 2025. Visual inspection by dealer service writer states the a pillar trims definitely meets the requirement for…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Steering
348 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Out of nowhere the steering assist quit when i turned on the car in question on to go work in the morning. Luckily for everybody it did not happen while on the road like many of the cases i have read about. Now i’m facing a $3,000 bill to repair a very common problem Ford refuses to recall.Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving into a parking lot at approximately 20-25 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering assist functionality. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed after the failure. The contact was able to continue driving and pulled into a parking space, where the…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 99,000 miles
Engine and cooling
289 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 35,000 miles. Parts named most: Exhaust system (35).
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
The water pump failed at 117,000 miles. The water pump is internal in the engine causing a extremely high repair bill and weeks of time without the vehicle. If we had not caught it soon enough we could have been looking at replacing the motor. Unfortunately for us this is a repair we have to make in a vehicle we are still making payments…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there were exhaust fumes inside the vehicle, causing the contact headaches and nausea, and the two grandkids were complaining about headaches as well. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was determined to have a catalytic…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 120,000 miles
Driver assist systems
155 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 100,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rear-view camera intermittently displayed a blank or distorted image. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rear-view camera became inoperable. The contact stated that the image was intermittently displayed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 56,000 miles
Fuel system
94 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 29,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed fuel leaking from near the fuel tank. The contact was unsure which warning light was illuminated, but stated that a yellow warning light was illuminated, and there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 152,000 miles
Throttle Body --- I have ask the dealer to provide the defective part for my inspection. Driving on the 15 Freeway in Southern California. My wife was driving and had just picked up speed and merged into the fast land. There was a sudden pop or clunk and the SUV immediately lost power and would not accelerate. She had to exit to the…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Electrical system
93 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 55,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
My 2015 Ford Explorer is subject to an open rearview camera safety recall (Ford recall 25SA9 / NHTSA recall 25V695), and the recalled rearview camera has now failed. The camera is no longer functioning properly, leaving me without the rearview camera image when backing up. Despite the failure of the recalled component, I have been unable…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Ford has had this recall open since October of last year. My car has a faulty backup camera that is not working. It’s been 9 months since it came out and there still no forward motion except for mustangs for this recall to be fixed.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Transmission and drivetrain
86 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
Vehicle transmission develops shutter overtime, which causes speeds to fluctuate and can be a safety hazard to the driver or other drivers. As you accelerate from a stop or low speeds the vehicle shutters causing it not to get up to speed as normal causing a safety risk along with extra wear and tear on the motor!Owner complaint, filed 2026
I have always maintained the vehicle and drive the vehicle well. The car just started stuttering when driving and the torque converter for the transmission failed. It doesn’t even have many miles. I’m sure this is a common complaint that needs addressed and recalled because there wasn’t anything done to contribute to this problem. It has…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Air bags
84 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 65,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the wiring underneath the second-row seats had failed. The dealer spliced new pigtail connectors underneath the second-row seats…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 80,159 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an auto repair shop where it was diagnosed that the rear driver-side and passenger-side air bag retractors were inoperable and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 61,480 miles
Suspension
83 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 76,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for an alignment, the contact was informed that the alignment could not be performed because the rear toe link was rusted and needed to be repaired. The contact stated that the recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V537000 (Suspension); and the vehicle was repaired under the recall. After the recall repair, the contact noticed that the rear end of the vehicle was wobbling and the rear of the vehicle swayed towards the left or right while driving at…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 85,000 miles
Lights, wipers and visibility
60 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles. Parts named most: Windshield: critical fasteners (7), Sun / moon roof assembly (6).
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights became inoperable. The contact stated that the fuses were in good condition. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact called the local dealer and was…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 166,000 miles
Driving high speed across Alligator Alley FL molding on both sides of front window loosed and began "flapping" loudly. On checking later learned that problem related to recall 24V031, loose A pillar applique trim. Over a year now and repair is unavailable so has not been done. Fear problem will reoccur, perhaps more serious.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Seats and seat belts
53 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 65,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
I have reported this multiple times here and to Ford. The 2015 Ford explorer sport bucket seats in the back seat have defective seat belts. They do not release properly and in fact 1 of the 2 I had a child get STUCK in the seatbelt. I have been told by Ford dealer, and an outside service center, and I've looked it up as well online that…Owner complaint, filed 2026
This weekend the seatbelt on the Driver seat gave out and now I am unable to buckle my seatbelt at all. I called Larry H Miller Ford in Lakewood CO and they informed me that a diagnostic for the seat belt is 230$ which is out of my budget. The women I spoke with then stated that just the other day she had an Explorer (same make and model…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Brakes and stability control
52 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 55,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
ABS module failed. Contacted ford and was told the only thing I could do was purchase the same failed ABS module, even though there is a stop sale on it. The failure is anytime I put the vehicle out of park.Owner complaint, filed 2026
1-emergency brake will no longer engage, alert continues to sound while driving even though it’s not working. Took it to a mechanic and he was unable to diagnose exactly where in the emergency brake system the issue is.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Wheels and tires
18 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 48,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
On 11/7/2025, your team completed the Rear Suspension Toe Link Fracture recall repair. However, on 11/13/2025, while driving, I discovered that the rear passenger-side wheel was extremely loose and nearly detached. This was due to the lug nuts not being properly tightened after your service, a severe safety hazard that could have…Owner complaint, filed 2026
I went to dealer and they are not fixing this issue at the moment and they dont know until when are they going to start fixing it.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Cruise control and acceleration
16 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 80,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that occasionally while at a complete stop or while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle lurched forward or experienced unintended acceleration. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer and was provided an estimate for a diagnostic…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 89,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal, before accelerating as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact called the dealer and was informed that the vehicle was not under recall or covered under warranty; and was referred to the NHTSA…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 37,500 miles
Ford Explorer complaints by year
Compare the 2015 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2015 midsize SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 Ford Explorer | About average | 9 |
| 2015 Toyota Highlander | About average | 2 |
| 2015 Honda Pilot | One of the better years | 4 |
| 2015 Chevrolet Traverse | About average | 5 |
2015 Ford Explorer recalls
Backup camera
- Risk
- A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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 distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Body and structure Roof and pillars
- Risk
- A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Suspension Rear
- Risk
- A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Full recall summary
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 Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
Suspension Rear
- Risk
- A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Full recall summary
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, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin that were previously repaired under a prior recall numbers 16V-245 or 19V-435. The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fracture.
Transmission and drivetrain Axle shaft
- Risk
- The failed bracket could result in a loss of park function which can cause unintended vehicle movement, and loss of motive power while driving which increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the link shaft bracket, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Suspension Rear
- Risk
- A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Wheels Hub
- Risk
- A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles.
Full recall summary
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 a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.
Suspension Rear
- Risk
- A fracture of the rear suspension toe link may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Parking brake
- Risk
- If the parking brake does not fully engage and the transmission is left in a gear other than 'Park' while on a slope, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Full recall summary
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 manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015. The affected vehicles have a parking brake that may not fully engage when applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
2015 Ford Explorer questions
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Ford Explorer?
The most reported problem areas on the 2015 Ford Explorer are the body, doors and structure (412 complaints), the steering (348 complaints) and the engine and cooling (289 complaints). Within the body, doors and structure, owners most often name the body.
Is the 2015 Ford Explorer a good year to buy?
About average for the Explorer. Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Explorer year. The main thing to watch is the body, doors and structure, which half of owners reported by about 90,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Explorer years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2015 Ford Explorer have?
NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2015 Ford Explorer. The most recent, from Oct 2025, covers the backup camera. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2015 Ford Explorer problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the body, doors and structure gave a mileage of about 90,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the steering gave a mileage of about 60,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Ford Explorer years should I avoid?
The Explorer years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2016. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2018, 2019 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2015 Ford Explorer?
We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.
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