The Lemon IndexAll cars · Ford Explorer · 2015
2015 Ford Explorer. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 4
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Auto 6-spd | FWD | 20 / 27 / 23 | Regular | $2,700 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Auto (S6) | FWD | 17 / 24 / 20 | Regular | $3,100 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Auto (S6) | AWD | 17 / 23 / 19 | Regular | $3,300 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | Auto (S6) | AWD | 16 / 22 / 18 | Regular | $3,450 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 30,000 and 92,100 miles. Median 57,000, from 1,158 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body structure | 90,000 | 58,300–120,000 | 227 |
| Steering | 60,000 | 42,000–90,000 | 240 |
| Engine | 30,200 | 6,000–60,000 | 163 |
| Backup camera | 100,000 | 81,800–140,000 | 86 |
| Electrical | 54,600 | 29,700–83,200 | 46 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 20% |
| Steering | 16% |
| Fuel or ev drive system | 10% |
| Engine | 6% |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 5% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,808 | 37 | 1 | 57 | 0 | 52 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 9
25V695000 Oct 2025 Back Over Prevention / Sensing System / Camera
Defect. 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.
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.
Remedy. 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 years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification le
24V031000 Jan 2024 Structure / Body / Roof And Pillars
Defect. 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.
Risk. A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy. 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 notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
21V537000 Jul 2021 Suspension / Rear
Defect. 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.
Risk. A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy. 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 recall numbers 16V-245, 19V-435, and 20V-675. Certain vehicles previously repaired will need to return for the new remedy. An interim notification letter notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed o
20V675000 Mar 2021 Suspension / Rear
Defect. 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.
Risk. A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy. 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 November 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S62.
20V692000 Nov 2020 Power Train / Axle Assembly / Axle Shaft
Defect. 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.
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.
Remedy. 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, 2020. A second letter will be mailed when parts become available in January 2021. The recall began February 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for t
19V435000 Jun 2019 Suspension / Rear
Defect. 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.
Risk. A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy. 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 recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.
17E048000 Aug 2017 Wheels / Hub
Defect. 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.
Risk. A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy. 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 application. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
16V245000 Apr 2016 Suspension / Rear
Defect. 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.
Risk. A fracture of the rear suspension toe link may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy. 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's number for this recall is 16S18.
15V464000 Jul 2015 Parking Brake
Defect. 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."
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.
Remedy. 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 4, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C07.
NHTSA investigations
| Status | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed | Windshield trim molding item detachment | 2023 | 2024 |
| Closed | Exhaust odor in passenger cab | 2017 | 2023 |
| Closed | Ford explorer exhaust odor | 2016 | 2017 |
| Closed | Front brake hose failure | 2015 | 2018 |
| Closed | Front brake hose failure | 2015 | 2015 |
Manufacturer communications 124
Ford filed 124 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- Some vehicles transmission will experience, after a cold soak or an extended period with…
- Some vehicles and trucks are experiencing a malfunction with the heated steering wheel becoming
- Some 2015-2016 f-150, c-max, edge, mks, taurus, and flex and 2016 expedition, explorer,…
Crash ratings by version
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Optional | Optional |
YouTube repair topics
100 videos about the 2011–2019 Ford Explorer, 25.8M views.
| Topic | Videos | Views |
|---|---|---|
| Cooling system | 1 | 1.2M |
| Windows, doors & mirrors | 6 | 669K |
| Intake, EGR & engine sensors | 5 | 668K |
| Steering & suspension | 4 | 485K |
| Infotainment, battery & electrical | 4 | 416K |
| Heat, A/C & blend door | 1 | 390K |
| Death wobble & steering | 2 | 371K |
| Gauges, lights & wiring | 2 | 361K |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
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