2015 Ford Explorer complaints

I currently have a 2015 Ford Explorer. This is the 2nd time that I am having to replace the windshield trim on the passenger side due to it flying off while driving.

Upon driving, my vehicle just started randomly cutting out. I was told that it had to do with the throttle body. I did further research, and I noticed that I haven't been the only Explorer owner that has had this issue, so I'm not sure why there isn't a recall already established. Not only does it put me and my kids at risk, but it also puts drivers around me at risk. My car shuts down, which could cause the drivers behind me to rear end my vehicle. There has been some sort of warning light that comes on, that looks like a wrench, but only after my car shuts off, which is followed by the check engine light coming on. There were no warning signs prior to this happening.

The components that hold the windshield in started coming out going down the highway at 55 miles per hour terrifying me that the windshield was coming out. I understand that this is happening a lot in the ford explorers. I am having components replaced next week.

Sudden back up camera failure without a warning light or message. There has not been an accident/incident but it is difficult to see behind the vehicle at certain angles when turning my head to the rear to back up. I have not yet had it checked by a mechanic because upon further research found that it may be too costly for me to have repaired. I had no obvious issues before it stopped working.

Backup camera - the backup camera stopped working at approximately 86k miles.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear passenger's side seat belt buckle retractor was stuck and failed to release as needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

Throttle body not working properly. The vehicle has left me stranded, mid driving- just loses power & I have to coast to the nearest location and re start vehicle. It is an incredibly dangerous situation. Signals to me "terrain management system failure".

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal banging sound against the passenger’s side window. The contact thought that road debris had been kicked up and struck the vehicle. The contact stated that she heard an abnormal wind rushing noise coming from the top of the passenger’s side door. The contact stopped the vehicle and realized that a part of the door trim panel had detached from the vehicle and struck the vehicle. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer and the vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE23001 (Structure). The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

The passenger side window trim flew off on the expressway. Barely missing the vehicle behind. The drivers side trim looks as if it's becoming detached also.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. Additionally, the contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle was shuddering. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the crankshaft pulley needed to be replaced; however, the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 65,417.

I have a recall on rear suspension I have called to have the repairs done several times I was given response of they didn't have the parts needed and would take several weeks . Rear suspension is very unsafe and now the engine cooling component is causing issues with over heating and not giving any warning lights on dash and am afraid found cause fire or some unsafe issue

The air bag system light came on. Dealer says repair requires splicing into passive restraint system wiring to repair. To me seems unacceptable as a method of repair as the passive restraint system saves lives. As a former highway patrolman for California I see what airbags do to save lives and the fact that ford refuses to help with a passive restraint system on a vehicle I just purchased seems as if they want my family endanger. And they want me to pay for a splice wire job which puts my family at a higher risk of injury or death. Ford has had vehicle for two weeks and their rectification to the issue is splice the wires se attached email from dealership

The A-Pillar Windscreen TRIM on each side of the vehicle are a failed Ford design and require pending replacement to prevent them flying off whilst traveling and endangering other road users or pedestrians.

The Gear Shift Selector would not register when the Gear Shift was in Park. This condition prevented turning the engine off. A costly repair was paid for and it has since been noted this is a common complaint on Ford Explorers. Another failed Ford design for which they should be held accountable. The complete Gear Shift Assembly was replaced May 12, 2017 53,86 miles

The windshield trim piece on the passenger side flew off while driving and could have hit another vehicle /property or a person causing damage or injury. Online research indicates there is a known issue with these parts. However, I was unable to locate a recall.

While driving the temp started to fluctuate, causing the car the shut down in traffic. I had no clue what was happening. The only warning I got from the vehicle was a check engine light. This should not be possible. I understand the design is meant to protect the engine, but what about the driver. This was horrible and I've seen hundreds of others with this same issue. This needs to be recalled. In addition, it will cost me 4000 to fix this...while the pump itself only costs 200. The labor is the other 3800. This is a horrible thing to do to drivers.

Driver's side windshield molding flew off while traveling on the PA turnpike at approximately 70mph. This not only startled myself (the driver) but caused the vehicle behind me to swerve. No accident was caused as there were no vehicles in the left lane of traffic at that time.

While driving around 45 mph I was startled by something black flapping against the passenger side of the windshield. I thought I must have hit a large bird and it was caught somehow. I immediately pulled off the road to see what happened. I found a large strip of rubber sealer had come loose from around my windshield and was causing the flapping, also the windshield trim was gone. I drove back the way I came and found the missing part in the road. Yes I feel this is a hazard to traffic. I was very startled with the commotion and if there was a car behind me they could have been startled by flying pieces of my car. I haven't had the repairs done yet.

Air bag light comes on intermittently. Current mileage 62,094. Noted 21 prior complaints on your site. Brought to dealer who told me the problem was with a wire harness failure. None of the safety air bags will operate/deploy when this light is on. A faulty harness that had failed will put me and my passengers in serious jeopardy of injury or death in the event of an accident. This diagnosis cost me $149 only to find out it would cost hundreds of dollars more to have the problem fixed. Internet research reveals this problem was addressed in a 2016 technical bulletin 16-0001; Code B141B. We purchased this vehicle as a certified pre-owned vehicle after Ford issued the technical bulletin. No mention of Ford's internal bulletin was made by the dealer at the time of my purchase. Ford has been aware of this problem for years. According to the dealership technician there is no formal recall to have this manufacturing defect corrected by Ford at no cost to the purchaser of the vehicle. Didn't fully functional air bags come as part of my certified pre-owned purchase? I expect the manufacturer's safety equipment to be fully functional. Please review 2015 Explorer Owner's Manual as follows: Child Safety (pages 18-37), Safety Belts (pages 38-48) Personal Safety System (page 49) and Supplementary Restraints System (pages 50-61) with particular attention to page 49 bearing in mind that NONE of these safety features work when the air bag light is on. What good are safety features that are d

Last year I had to have the electric power steering pump replaced as it completely locked up almost causing an accident while trying to turn, this year now the steering shaft froze up while driving in traffic. Totaling $3,100.00 to fix when I was told this is something that should never need to be replaced and I drive my vehicle very carefully with my children in it .

Front Window Trim fell off while traveling on highway, the noise startled me and I was going 70 mph, did not see the part fall off and this is the second incident. The shop I took vehicle to the first time said it was a poor design and this happens often. Trim replacement part is 67.00. I bought a used vehicle, had 126,000 miles on it at purchase. I feel the poor design needs to be remedied at the manufacturers expense. please make a decisive recommendation for consumers. this is unacceptable.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that rainwater was entering the vehicle. There is water on the front floorboard. The contact stated that the sunroof motor became inoperable, and the sunroof could no longer be opened. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided the contact with a claim number, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 127,021.

Waterpump

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and turning the vehicle to the left, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the steering wheel was also jerking while attempting to steer through the turn. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but recurring. The contact stated that the failure occurred mostly at slower speeds while turning. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the intermediate shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

A-Pillar molding suddenly detached and flew off while driving down interstate. The driver's side flew off in October of 2020. Caused me to swerve as I thought I hit something. Thankfully, no one was beside me. I didn't realize what it was until I was able to pull over at rest stop. Passenger side flew off while on highway in April of 2023. This time, the seal/gasket remained attached and was slapping the side of the vehicle until I could get somewhere to top and yank it off. The pillar molding caused several vehicles behind me to swerve, but no accidents were caused. Both times this happened, several of the plastic clips appear to have been broken. Both times this happened, there was no warning. No sounds or minor lifting to indicate that something might be loose. After the driver's side one happened, I took the vehicle in to the dealership and was told by Barton Ford that "this is a common problem with this style of Explorer." I could not afford the amount that I was quoted to replace. Also, after the first incident, I started noticing how many other Explorers are driving around with the same issue. This is ridiculous that Ford is allowing this issue to remain unresolved. I live in the country, where highway speeds are common on back roads and the sound alone that this makes is terrifying. I thought that I blew a tire and there was rubber on my windshield the first time. The second time, I had people slowing down and trying to get away from me probably in fear that more part

Airbag light on. Caused by fraying wires/bad connector under 2nd row passenger seat. Ford is aware of the incident and has made a solution at the owner’s expense.

Water pump died at 80,000 miles. Seems in my research this is a common probably with class action lawsuits

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with a thumping sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that when the ignition was turned to the on position, the vehicle failed to start with the lights illuminated inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,000.

The steering wheel was no longer operable(loss control of vehicle) We were turning into a gas station to purchase gas and the steering wheel failed I was able to miss the car at the pump next to the one I was attempting to park at. I purchased this vehicle 3/10/2023 I was not aware of any recalls or anything until tonight. I did not have any lights on indicating an issue but I had been reaching out to the dealer because I sensed something was wrong with the vehicle. My attempts to get it diagnosed went ignored until 4/25/23 when this incident occurred.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, she heard an abnormal thumping sound coming from the passenger’s side front of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that when she arrived at her destination, she observed that a part of the windshield trim was missing. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer; however, the missing trim panel was not replaced. The contact ordered the part and installed the trim. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that later the driver's side trim panel also detached from the vehicle and was replaced. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE23001 (Structure). The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that he previously received a recall notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V537000 (Suspension) however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. They stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the contact heard a squealing sound when the rear driver’s side wheel started to wobble. As a result, the vehicle steered to the left then swerved and crashed into a guardrail. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. No police report was filed. The contact stated that he was able to drive the vehicle at approximately 5 MPH to the nearest dealer where it was diagnosed that the toe link had fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact opened a case however, the case was dismissed and no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 127,644. UPDATE 06/05/2023: Consumer contacted NHTSA to inquire whether a federal agency had precedence over sate statutes. Consumer was told that NHTSA doesn't offer legal advice, but may be interested in the file information. Notes to flash drive content and flash drive included.

Was driving on the freeway going about 60mph when passenger side windshield moulding flew off the vehicle and hit my windshield & mirror. I have no idea where the part landed. My concern is - the part should not just fly off even on an older vehicle. I have no idea if the part hit anyone else’s vehicle. I had no warning that this part could just fly off.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the driver’s side A pillar windshield trim panel detached and flew off the vehicle. The contact was able to continue driving. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE23001 (Structure). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his daughter was seated in the rear passenger’s side seat, the seat belt failed to latch securely. The contact stated that the seat belt casing had fractured. The contact then stated that the failure reoccurred while his daughter was seated in the driver's side rear seat. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear passenger’s and driver’s side seat belts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was advised to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000.

Rear cross traffic alert stopped working . No warning signs. Out of warranty 2015 Ford Explorer. When backing up and someone walks behind vehicle audible alert does not work. Only 35,000 miles on vehicle, original owner. Dashboard screen still works. First time occurance. Screen menu shows alert is turned on.

The front door trim panels on both driver and passenger side doors are bowing. The problem is noted by Ford under recalls or a service bulletin for my Vin number. The problem was reported to Ford by me in 2022. Ford will not pay to correct the problem, even though the company lists the door problem for my car. I am the original owner of the car and the door panels are original to the car.

When driving the vehicle, I can smell gas fumes which caused nausea. I didn’t know it was worse in the back of the cabin where my children sit until I sat back there for a 3 hour trip. The smell was stronger there which led to headache, nausea and fatigue. It doesn’t seem to come from the vent, it seems from the entire body of the vehicle. This puts my children’s health at risk. And all of our lives because if we travel far enough breathing this in, it can lead to exhaustion which can cause a crash and put others’ safety at risk. I’m surprised to see there is no recall, yet, it’s been reported that there have been 1.5 million complaints. We are having the issue fixed next Wednesday, but we will be without a car (ford is not providing a loan vehicle) and the bill is extremely expensive. This is clearly something wrong with the way the vehicle was made and is not fair as consumers that we not only have to breathe this in, but pay for the repair that has clearly been an issue for a majority of police vehicles out of 1.5 million complaints. Please help us.

The driver side windshield trim separated from the vehicle while driving on the freeway. Upon inspection at our destination, it was evident that 4 of the plastic clips had broken causing the failure. The driver behind us was able to avoid the flying debris from this incident. We have not taken it in for repairs yet. There was no warning or early indication of this problem prior to it occurring. Concerned the passenger side will do the same.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the front windshield trim on the passenger’s side detached from the vehicle. The contact stated he heard an abnormal noise when the trim detached. The contact had taken the vehicle to a body shop to replace the missing trim. The vehicle had been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Ford Customer Satisfaction Program: 17N04 (Trim). The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the front windshield wipers activated independently. The contact removed the fuse to stop the windshield wipers. The vehicle was not diagnosed. On another occasion while starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality with the steering assist fault message displayed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the message disappeared and the power steering functionality returned. The vehicle was not diagnosed. On another occasion while the contact shifted the vehicle into park(P), the vehicle delayed recognizing that the vehicle was in park(P) and failed to turn off as needed. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 170,000.

I am unable to take this matter to the dealer, as they have shut down thier business.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH and making a right turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and had the rack and pinion replaced on two separate occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The contact continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

Windshield panels pulling away from the window.

EPS unit started clunking loudly when turning right in a parking lot. Replaced by a mechanic and clunking no longer present.

Vehicle use an electrical power assist. Vehicle became hard to steer leading to unsafe condition.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 78 MPH, the front passenger’s side window trim detached from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

Component failure- Water Pump , causing extensive repairs. Car shut down while driving . I have estimate from independent service center. No inspection by manufacture on my particular vehicle, but a class action lawsuit was filed in February 2022 for another individual. Warnings didn’t appear until vehicle started to shut down.

The window trim on the passenger side flew off while I was driving on the freeway. Also, my backup camera has been malfunctioning, the camera works off and on. It will work, then black out. At times is does not work at all.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the contact seat belt warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the seat belt sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle had exceeded the warranty extension and was no longer covered. The contact researched online and related the failure to Ford Customer Satisfaction Program: 21B11 (Seat Belts). The failure mileage was 64,710.

Without any warning, the engine and power system failed while on the highway. There was no system warning lights preceding the event, and the vehicle had be well maintained. We were lucky to have been able to get off the road by safely coasting. Once towed to the mechanics, we were told that a rod had failed and entire would need to be replaced.