NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 1,795 owner complaints for the 2015 Ford Explorer.
Recalled components: suspension, backover prevention and rearview camera, body structure, parking brake, and 1 more. Most-described problem: exhaust fumes in the cabin (290 complaints, 16%). Most-reported area: body structure (410 complaints, 23%; median mileage when it happened: 90,000).
One of the Explorer years to avoid
The 2015 drew 443 owner complaints in its first three years, against 193 for a typical Explorer year: 2.2 times as many.
Years to avoid: 2015 to 2017; best years: 2019 and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Data: NHTSA recall, complaint and investigation filesUpdated Oct 2, 2026
Year to avoidBest year
Excludes the Police Interceptor Utility (EPA lists its 3.3L flex-fuel engine as an Explorer from 2020).
8 safety recalls for the 2015 Ford Explorer
Grouped by the part recalled, largest group first, newest first within each part. Summaries are NHTSA's own wording. Open a recall for what is wrong, the fix and the full notice.
Risk: A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
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. 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 on September 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2022. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S32.
631,176 vehicles.
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.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fracture.
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. 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.
454,941 vehicles.
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.
Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
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. 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.
1,194,173 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles.
Risk: A fracture of the rear suspension toe link may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The affected vehicles may have improperly welded rear suspension toe links that may fracture.
Fix: 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.
75,364 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured January 17, 2014 to May 31, 2014.
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.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Fix: 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 letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
1,448,655 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles.
Risk: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
Fix: 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.
1,889,110 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles.
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.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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."
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. 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.
Fails federal standard 135 (brakes) · 7,165 vehicles.
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.
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.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The support bracket for the front drive axle halfshaft may fail.
Fix: 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 this recall is 20S63.
15,587 vehicles.
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.
NHTSA listing: EXPLORER. Ford campaign 20S63.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA also lists 1 equipment recall for parts sold for this vehicle, not the vehicle itself: Suspension: rear (Ford Motor Company, 17E-048).
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA has opened 5 investigations that name the 2015 Ford Explorer; all 5 are closed. An investigation means NHTSA is reviewing reports of a problem. It is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
Windshield trim molding Item detachment
Preliminary evaluation PE23001Closed Feb 8, 2024 (opened Jan 27, 2023)
On January 27, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-001 to investigate allegations of A-pillar trim panel detachment on model year (MY) 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles.
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 24V-031, listed above.
NHTSA listing: EXPLORER. Component: Body structure (body, roof and pillars).
Exhaust odor in passenger cab
Engineering analysis EA17002Closed Jan 17, 2023 (opened Jul 27, 2017)
During the EA17-002 investigation, the agency reviewed and analyzed reports of exhaust odors in the passenger cabins of Model Year 2011 to 2017 Ford Explorers.
NHTSA listing: EXPLORER. Components: Engine and cooling; Body structure.
Front brake hose failure
Engineering analysis EA15005Closed Nov 2, 2018 (opened Sep 28, 2015)
On April 29, 2015, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE15-017 to investigate a report alleging incidents of front brake hose failure in model year (MY) 2015 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor vehicles used… NHTSA's full summary
During the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) investigation into the Ford carbon monoxide allegations, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) identified additional Vehicle Owner Questionnaire… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA listing: EXPLORER. Components: Engine and cooling; Body structure.
On April 29, 2015, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE15-017 to investigate reports of low-mileage failures of front brake jounce hoses in model year (MY) 2015 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor vehicles… NHTSA's full summary
A preliminary evaluation is NHTSA's first step, to gather information and decide whether to look further. An engineering analysis is a deeper review, usually opened after a preliminary evaluation. NHTSA lists investigations by make, model and model year only, so one can apply to only some versions of a model, such as one engine; its summary says which.
What owners report
Owners have filed 1,795 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Explorer. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Exhaust fumes in the cabin290 · 16%
Median 24,400 miles at failure, from 243 reports with mileage
Power steering problems or locked steering200 · 11%
Median 63,000 miles at failure, from 145 reports with mileage
Backup camera problems128 · 7%
Median 100,000 miles at failure, from 42 reports with mileage
Steering rack problems: sticking, play or pulling124 · 7%
Median 59,000 miles at failure, from 86 reports with mileage
Airbag warning light or airbag fault68 · 4%
Median 65,000 miles at failure, from 49 reports with mileage
Shaking, shuddering or vibration37 · 2%
Median 80,000 miles at failure, from 27 reports with mileage
Loss of power or limp mode36 · 2%
Median 61,800 miles at failure, from 27 reports with mileage
Suspension parts (struts, ball joints, control arms)31 · 2%
Median 81,500 miles at failure, from 26 reports with mileage
Most named: body (132); interior panels, door (8) · Median 90,000 miles at failure, from 227 reports with mileage
Steering346 · 19%
Most named: electric power assist system (5); rack and pinion (4) · Median 60,000 miles at failure, from 239 reports with mileage
Engine226 · 13%
Median 30,200 miles at failure, from 163 reports with mileage
Backover prevention and rearview camera135 · 8%
Most named: sensing system, camera (10); rearview system braking (7) · Median 100,000 miles at failure, from 80 reports with mileage
Electrical system93 · 5%
Median 54,600 miles at failure, from 46 reports with mileage
Fuel and propulsion system86 · 5%
Median 30,000 miles at failure, from 67 reports with mileage
Powertrain86 · 5%
Median 50,000 miles at failure, from 62 reports with mileage
Unknown or other402 · 22%
Median 29,000 miles at failure, from 239 reports with mileage
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Ford Explorer recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2015 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2016 Explorer drew the most (659) and the 2015 drew 443.
Owner complaints
2015: 1,795 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Ford Explorer
Model year
Complaints
2010
115
2011
1,197
2012
828
2013
2,235
2014
1,678
2015
1,795
2016
2,455
2017
1,694
2018
731
2019
298
2020
1,225
2021
437
2022
268
2023
112
2024
21
2025
102
2026
38
Safety recalls
2015: 8 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Ford Explorer
Model year
Recalls
2010
1
2011
6
2012
5
2013
11
2014
6
2015
8
2016
14
2017
13
2018
7
2019
6
2020
34
2021
27
2022
25
2023
15
2024
10
2025
22
2026
15
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 1,795 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Ford Explorer, the problems described most are exhaust fumes in the cabin (290), power steering problems or locked steering (200), and backup camera problems (128). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2015 Ford Explorer safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2015 Ford Explorer earns 5 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2015 Ford Explorer?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026, lists no open investigations for the 2015 Ford Explorer. It lists 5 closed ones; the most recent closed on Feb 8, 2024.
How do I check if my Explorer has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Ford dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Oct 2, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: EXPLORER.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.