UsedScore

2015 Ford Explorer: Use caution

Owners filed 725 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Ford Explorer in its first five years on the road, about 303 for every 100,000 sold: 1.8× the rate of a typical Explorer year. That's above average, so use caution.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the engine (23% of complaints, median 24,000 miles).

Complaint index
1.8×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Explorer year
Rank
11th of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
725
first five years; 303 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
8
campaigns
5th generation, 2011–2019 · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2011 Ford Explorer Limited

Photo: 2011 Ford Explorer Limited · IFCAR, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Engine23% · 170 complaints · median 24,000 miles
  2. Steering19% · 141 complaints · median 46,000 miles
  3. Fuel and propulsion10% · 73 complaints · median 19,000 miles
  4. Air bags5% · 39 complaints · median 53,000 miles
  5. Powertrain6% · 44 complaints · median 37,000 miles
  6. Brakes4% · 28 complaints · median 34,000 miles
  7. Body and structure6% · 41 complaints · median 37,000 miles
  8. Suspension4% · 26 complaints · median 42,000 miles
  9. Electrical5% · 33 complaints · median 43,000 miles
  10. Seats and belts3% · 21 complaints · median 37,000 miles

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Engine

Many owners of this Explorer describe exhaust-like or sulfur odors entering the cabin during acceleration, sometimes accompanied by headaches, nausea or dizziness. Dealers have tried various repairs including reseals, exhaust replacements and TSB fixes, but numerous owners say the smell kept coming back.

Warning signs:
Owners report smelling exhaust or sulfur odors, headaches, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, and in some cases lightheadedness or near-fainting while driving.
What shops did:
Dealers have resealed the underbody/cabin, replaced exhaust components, mufflers, catalytic converters, air filters or HVAC parts, performed TSB repairs and software updates, though many owners say the odor returned or was never resolved.
Mileage:
most between 10,000 and 75,000 miles, among 218 complaints that give it

“While driving at various speeds, there would be an exhaust odor coming into the vehicle”

“Vehicle cabin is filled with a rotten egg/sulfur smell upon acceleration with the air conditioning running”

Fuel and propulsion

Many owners of this model report exhaust or fuel-like odors filling the cabin when accelerating, often paired with headaches or nausea, and dealer fixes frequently didn't resolve it. Some also describe sudden stalling or power loss linked to the throttle body, occasionally requiring repeat repairs.

Warning signs:
Owners commonly report a rotten-egg or exhaust smell, especially under hard acceleration, along with headaches, dizziness, and nausea; some describe a dashboard wrench light before stalling.
What shops did:
Dealers often performed technical service bulletin repairs such as sealing the rear bumper area or cleaning components, but many owners say the smell returned; some had throttle bodies or fuel pumps replaced, sometimes at owner expense.
Mileage:
most between 0 and 50,000 miles, among 72 complaints that give it

“During acceleration (getting on highway, passing, etc.) the cab fills with exhaust smell.”

“The wrench light came on and the car started to shudder and lose speed.”

Steering

Owners describe their Explorer's power steering suddenly failing or locking up while driving, sometimes with warning noises or dashboard alerts beforehand. Dealers frequently replaced the steering rack or gear assembly, though some owners say the problem recurred or couldn't be duplicated.

Warning signs:
Many report warning messages such as "Steering Loss Stop Safely," "Service Advance Trac" or "Power Steering Assist Fault," plus popping, clunking or grinding noises before steering stiffened or locked.
What shops did:
Dealers often replaced the steering rack, gear, column or electric power steering assembly, though some could not duplicate the fault and returned the vehicle unrepaired.
Mileage:
most between 40,000 and 90,000 miles, among 239 complaints that give it

“A power steering warning came up, then later the power steering failed. It later returned.”

“Since around 40000 miles, power steering will have a loud click and pop with all turns.”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (8)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 25V695000October 20251,448,655 vehicles

    Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

    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.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 24V031000January 20241,889,110 vehicles

    Structure: body: roof and pillars

    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.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 21V537000July 2021631,176 vehicles

    Suspension: rear

    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.

    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.

  • NHTSA 20V675000March 2021454,941 vehicles

    Suspension: rear

    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.

    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.

  • NHTSA 20V692000November 202015,587 vehicles

    Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft

    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.

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the link shaft bracket, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 19V435000June 20191,194,173 vehicles

    Suspension: rear

    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.

    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.

  • NHTSA 16V245000April 201675,364 vehicles

    Suspension: rear

    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.

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 15V464000July 20157,165 vehicles

    Parking brake

    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.

    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.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Ford sent NHTSA 124 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2015 Explorer. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • SSM 52335 · March 2024For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and…
  • SSM 49821 · May 2021Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025.
  • SSM 49210 · September 2020Some 2009-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbochargers may exhibit an oil leak from the turbocharger oil supply or return tubes, O-rings or 6.7L pedestal gasket.
  • TSB 19-2389 · December 2019Some 2013-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.5L twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble…
  • TSB 19-2244 · August 2019Some 2013-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.5L twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble…
  • 19N05 · June 2019Customer Satisfaction Program 19N05: Certain 2011-2017 Model Year Explorer Vehicles - Carbon Monoxide Concern
  • SSM 47948 · April 2019SSM 47948 - 2010-2019 Various Vehicles - Turbocharged Engines - Oil Supply Filter Replacement When Replacing The Turbocharger Or The Turbocharger Oil Supply Tube For 2010-2019 vehicles equipped with…
  • SSM 47797 · February 2019Some 2009-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2009-2014 F-150/Mustang, 2008-2009 Sable, 2008-2019 Taurus/Flex/MKT, 2013-2019 Police Interceptor Sedan/Utility, and 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles may exhibit…

All 2015 Explorer bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2015 Ford Explorer reliable?
Owners filed 725 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Ford Explorer in its first five years on the road, about 303 for every 100,000 sold: 1.8× the rate of a typical Explorer year. That's above average, so use caution. Ratings compare Explorer years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2015 Explorer problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the engine (23%), the steering (19%) and the fuel or propulsion system (10%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2015 Ford Explorer been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2015 Ford Explorer, the most recent in October 2025 (back over prevention). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Ford. The 2015 Ford Explorer on NHTSA.gov · How we rate