Page 37 of 37 · complaints 1,801–1,814 of 1,814

2015 Ford Explorer complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2015 record →

Suspension
Filed May 15, 20154,000 milesCO

RETURNING HOME FROM CHURCH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR. IT WAS VEERING TO THE LEFT AND I COULD NOT STRAIGHTEN IT UP. THERE WAS A THUD AND DIRT AND DUST AND THE CAR STOPPED. GOT OUT AND THE FRONT LEFT SUSPENSION WAS ON THE GROUND. NO TICKET, NO NOTHING BECAUSE I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. FORD HAS MADE A DECISION THAT IS WAS NOT A CAR FAILURE. WE ASK FOR THE FINDINGS OF THERE INSPECTIONS AND WAS TOLD THY DID NOT RELEASE THOSE TO THE CUSTOMER. WE REALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEIR REPORT AS I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING AND WANT TO KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENED.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 19, 2015900 milesNY

I AM GOING INTO THE 5TH MONTH OF LEASING MY 2015 FORD EXPLORER AND I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE. CURRENTLY THE ODOMETER READS 2,100 MILES AND THEY WERE NOT ENJOYABLE MILES. I HAVE TO SAY THAT THIS 2015 EXPLORER HAS THE WORST DESIGN ON THE INSIDE THAT I'VE EVER SEEN. THE OUTWARD VISIBILITY FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT FOR THE FRONT AND REAR OF THIS VEHICLE IS SEVERELY COMPROMISED BY THE HUGE C PILLARS WHICH CREATE BLIND SPOTS WITHIN THE VEHICLE. ALTHOUGH THIS MODEL HAS BLIS, I'VE ALMOST BEEN IN 2 COLLISIONS BECAUSE I CANNOT SEE MY RIGHT SIDE REAR OR LEFT SIDE REAR DUE TO THE FAULTY DESIGN OF THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE BLIS SYSTEM DID NOT WARN ME THAT THERE WAS A TRACTOR TRAILER APPROACHING ME ON THE LEFT SIDE. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT THE DEALER CANNOT REMEDY. THIS IS A FACTORY DESIGN FLAW THAT IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED BECAUSE THE DRIVER CAN'T SEE WHAT'S COMING. THE BLIS IS USELESS. NAVIGATING THROUGH TIGHT SPACES IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE YOU CANNOT SEE THE FRONT END TO JUDGE YOUR DISTANCE BETWEEN VEHICLES/OBJECTS AND THE WIDE FRONT PILLARS ALSO ADD TO THE FRUSTRATION OF TRYING TO SEE WHAT'S ON THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE BLOWER MOTOR FOR THE HEATING/AC SYSTEM JUST TURNS OFF AS WELL AS THE DASHBOARD CLUSTER LIGHTS AND THEN COMES BACK ON AFTER 10 - 15 SECONDS. THIS HAS OCCURRED A FEW TIMES. THERE IS A BURNING SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE UPON START UP. NOT SURE IF IT'S EXHAUST GAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE OR IF IT'S SOMETHING IN THE HEATER/AC SYSTEM. (

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 15, 2015CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Suspension
Filed Mar 26, 20154,000 milesCO

DRIVING HOME THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT SUDDENLY AT APPROX 30 MPH. TRIED STEERING IT TO THE RIGHT BUT IT WOULD NOT. GOT OUT OF VEHICLE TO SEE THAT THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION WAS ON THE GROUND. IT HAD BROKEN AWAY FROM THE CAR WHERE IT HAD BEEN CONNECTED. LUCKILY I WAS NOT HURT JUST SHAKEN UP. IT HAD TO BE PUT ON A TOW TRUCK AND TAKEN TO FORD. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 13, 20153,000 milesWV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND A WARNING ALARM CHIMED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMMUNICATION MODULE NEEDED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 4, 20152,900 milesMN

HORRIBLE ROTTEN EGG, BURNING SMELL WHEN ACCELERATING IN THE CABIN. HAVE TAKEN IT IN 3 TIMES AND THEY TELL ME IT WILL BURN OFF BETWEEN 10-15000 MILES. I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT THE FUMES IN THE CABIN ARE GOOD FOR ME AND MY FAMILY AND THE LACK OF CONCERN FROM FORD IS LAUGHABLE. WE HAVE CONTACTED FORD WITH MINIMAL, UNHELPFUL RESPONSES FROM THEM. ALONG WITH HEALTH CONCERNS, THE SMELL COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST IS AWFUL AND PROBABLY SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO THE EPA. I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE 2 NEW 2015 STRAIGHT OF THE TRAIN AND THEY BOTH WERE JUST AS BAD. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 19, 2015CA

WHEN I PURCHASED THE 2015 EXPLORER I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT AND UP A HILL TO GO HOME. AS SOON AS WE STARTED UP THE HILL THE CAR FILLED WITH AN ACRID, SMOKY SMELL. THE KIDS AND I PULLED OVER BECAUSE WE THOUGHT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG. MY HUSBAND SAID IT WAS JUST "BREAKING THE CAR IN" SMELL. PLEASE NOTE I HAVE HAD NEW CARS BEFORE AND NEVER SMELLED SOMETHING THIS BAD. SO MY HUSBAND DROVE IT HOME WHILE THE KIDS AND I TOOK THE TRUCK. SINCE THAT TIME THE ACRID, SMOKY SMELL HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS COLD AND THEN I GO UP A HILL. THE ENGINE IS ACCELERATING AND WORKING HARD. I WILL HAVE TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THE RPMS AT THE TIME. AT THE TOP OF THE HILL I SMELL THE "SMOKE SMELL." THIS HAPPENS DAILY ON A HILL I TRAVEL TO GO TO WORK. I THOUGHT THAT OVER TIME THE SMELL WOULD GO AWAY. NOW I HAVE 10,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND IT IS 8 MONTHS LATER AND THE SMELL IS STILL THERE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AT THE 2,000 MILE MARK AND THEY CLAIMED THEY DID NOT SMELL THE ACRID SMELL. I AM NOW TAKING IT IN AGAIN. VERY DISAPPOINTED. *TR

Steering
Filed Feb 2, 201525 milesCA

FORD MOTOR CO. AND WORTHINGTON FORD OF LONG BEACH, CA ARE SELLING VEHICLES WITH DAMAGED/DEFECTIVE STEERING AND REFUSING TO FIX THE DEFECT(S). 1/25/2015 PURCHASED FORD EXPLORER (8 MILES ON VEHICLE); DAY AFTER PURCHASE, 1/26/2015, NOTICED PROBLEM WITH STEERING, PARKED VEHICLE, WOULD NOT DRIVE OR LET WIFE DRIVE. RETURNED VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY TO DEALER VIA ARMSTRONG TOWING (FLATBED) FOR REPAIRS/EVALUATION. WORTHINGTON FORD OF LONG BEACH: [XXX] ALL ACCUSED ME OF CAUSING THE DAMAGE; SAID IT ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY SERVICE AND WANTED TO CHARGE ME $600.00 TO FIX THE DAMAGED STEERING. THEY ALL REFUSED, INCLUDING [XXX], SERVICE MGR., TO GIVE ME A WRITTEN WORK ORDER/INVOICE WHEN VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP 1/30/2015. VEHICLE IS REMAINS IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION. DO NOT KNOW FULL EXTENT OF DAMAGE CAUSED BY FORD MOTOR CO. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 28, 20151,000 milesNJ

UPON ACCELERATION MY 2015 FORD EXPLORER XLT HAS EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING INTO THE VEHICLE. IT HAPPENS WHEN I ACCELERATE WITH THE AC/HEATER IN THE OFF MODE. YOU CAN ALSO SMELL FUMES WITH THE AC/HEATER ON BOTH IN THE RECIRCULATE AND NON REC MODES. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE FORD SHOP TWICE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND A TSB WAS PERFORMED WITH NO IMPROVEMENTS. FORD CRC STATED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE HEAT/AC ALWAYS ON TO PRESSURIZE THE CABIN TO KEEP FUMES FROM COMING IN. THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES IF YOU SMELL EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN, DO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE. FORD HAS NO ANSWER TO THIS ISSUE. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 21, 201530 milesNJ

BOUGHT VEHICLE, LEFT DEALERSHIP, DROVE APPROX 13 MILES, PARKED TRUCK WHILE RUNNING, AS MY SON AND I WAITED FOR MY WIFE OUTSIDE OF A STORE... WE NOTICED A BAD FUME SMELL. MY WIFE GOT IN THE CAR AND ASK WHAT'S THAT SMELL? I PASSED OFF AS MAYBE PROTECTIVE OILS BURNING OFF NEW PARTS. NEXT DAY I CAME HOME FROM WORK 12 MILES AWAY. AGAIN VEHICLE IN PARK WAITING FOR MY WIFE TO MEET ME OUTSIDE AS WE WERE GOING STRAIGHT TO THE STORE.... THE SMELL RETURNED! WE DROVE TO GET LUNCH MEAT 2 MILES. IT GOT WORSE AS I DROVE. I NOTICE AS SOON AS I TURNED THE HEAT DOWN A BIT... THE SMELL GOT WORSE. MAYBE BECAUSE THIS ALLOWS MORE OUTSIDE AIR TO BLEND? AFTER THIS I WAS SURE THIS WAS A BIG PROBLEM. I SEARCHED THE WEB FOR FORD EXPLORER FUMES AND WAS SHOCKED TO SEE ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS LAWSUITS AND MEDIA THIS HAS GOTTEN! HOW COULD I NOT HAVE HEARD ABOUT THIS? I'M QUITE SURE THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T COMPLAINED ! I DON'T WANT TO BELIEVE THE TRUCK I FELL IN LOVE WITH HAS THIS HUGE PROBLEM! I'M RETURNING IT! NO REPAIRS! DON'T WANT IT! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE! I FELT SICK AND DIZZY AFTER A SHORT DRIVE! PLEASE BELIEVE ME! THIS IS BAD! *TR

Engine
Filed Jan 9, 201530 milesCA

PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2015 FORD EXPLORER. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY BEGAN SMELLING EXHAUST FUMES. CONCERNED THAT THIS WASN'T "NEW CAR BREAK-IN", I PURCHASED A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR WITH MEMORY. OVER A COUPLE OF WEEKS OF DRIVING THE DETECTOR REGISTERED 97 PPM AT PEAK. AFTER CHECKING ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 15, 20143,000 milesMD

I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY AND A MESSAGE POPPED UP "TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT" AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, A CHECK BRAKES MESSAGE SHOWED, LEAVING THE BRAKE INDICATOR, ABS MESSAGE SAYING IT IS OFF AND AN "AWD OFF" MESSAGE. THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY EVEN AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF FOR HOURS AND RESTARTING. PICTURES WERE TAKEN OF THE MESSAGES AND IT WAS DROPPED AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY ORIGINALLY THOUGHT IT WAS A BAD ABS SENSOR, BUT UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, SOMETHING IS REALLY WRONG IN THE COMPUTER AND SOME OTHER MODULES, THEY DID NOT EVEN GIVE US A TIME FRAME FOR COMPLETION. THIS IS NEXT YEARS MODEL AND WE HAVE ONLY OWNED IT FOR 1 MONTH, NOT A GOOD SIGN. NOT SURE IF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE, BUT THEY MIGHT SOON. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD ALSO NOT SAY IF IT WAS/IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH ALL OF THE ERRORS POPPING UP. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 3, 2014125 milesME

THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS DON'T WORK THAT GREAT IT LOOKS LIKE SOME PAINTED A BLACK LINE IN THE WINDSHIELD AND WE CAN'T SEE ABOVE THAT LINE. VERY DANGEROUS. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE LIGHTS. I HAD AN EDGE BEFORE AND WE COULD SEE SO MUCH BETTER. *JS

Electrical System
Filed Oct 27, 20142,300 milesMI

MY 2015 FORD EXPLORER (VIN #[XXX]), WHICH HAS LESS THAN 3,000 MILES ON IT, JERKED VIOLENTLY AND STALLED AT 70 MPH ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014 WHEN MY PARTNER [XXX] WAS DRIVING IT. AFTER THE SUDDEN JERK EVERY LIGHT ON THE DASH LIT UP WITH WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS. THE CAR STARTED ROUGHLY THREE MINUTES LATER LIKE NOTHING HAD HAPPENED. WE'RE LUCKY [XXX] WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE ON I-75 AND WASN'T KILLED. I TOOK THE CAR LATER THAT DAY FOR IN-TOWN DRIVING ONLY AND IT HAPPENED 3 ADDITIONAL TIMES WITHIN 2 MILES FROM MY HOME (WITH THE SAME VERY STRONG JERKING - ALMOST LIKE YOU'VE BEEN REAR-ENDED). WE THEN HAD IT TOWED TO ROYAL OAK FORD IN ROYAL OAK, MICHIGAN. THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE INCIDENTS TO OCCUR, AND I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ON FRIDAY 10/24. BOTH THE SERVICE MANAGER AND [XXX] AT FORD (EXTENSION[XXX]) STATED THAT THEY'D BE NERVOUS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, BUT FORD DOESN'T INTEND TO DIG FURTHER OR GET ME INTO A DIFFERENT VEHICLE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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