Model year
2015 Ford Explorer
NHTSA lists 8 recalls and 1,810 complaints for the 2015 Ford Explorer (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 0 recalls and 6 complaints under EXPLORER POLICE INTERCEPT. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are UNKNOWN OR OTHER (404), STEERING (338), STRUCTURE (262). NHTSA lists 5 investigations. NHTSA rated 2 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 18–23 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,900–$3,700, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 952 complaints
- 2001 375 complaints
- 2002 3,295 complaints
- 2003 1,131 complaints
- 2004 1,304 complaints
- 2005 497 complaints
- 2006 630 complaints
- 2007 208 complaints
- 2008 148 complaints
- 2009 33 complaints
- 2010 115 complaints
- 2011 1,197 complaints
- 2012 829 complaints
- 2013 2,237 complaints
- 2014 1,684 complaints
- 2015 1,810 complaints
- 2016 2,462 complaints
- 2017 1,703 complaints
- 2018 734 complaints
- 2019 299 complaints
- 2020 1,241 complaints
- 2021 447 complaints
- 2022 271 complaints
- 2023 111 complaints
- 2024 21 complaints
- 2025 107 complaints
- 2026 42 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
25V695000 · Oct 13, 2025
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,…
24V031000 · Jan 19, 2024
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.
21V537000 · Jul 15, 2021
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,…
20V675000 · Mar 12, 2021
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…
20V692000 · Nov 10, 2020
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.
19V435000 · Jun 10, 2019
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.
16V245000 · Apr 26, 2016
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.
15V464000 · Jul 24, 2015
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,…
Complaints
1,810 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 37, fire flag on 1, injury field 98, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| EXPLORER POLICE INTERCEPT | 0 | 6 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE15017 | Front brake hose failure · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | Apr 29, 2015 | Sep 28, 2015 |
| EA15005 | Front Brake Hose Failure · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | Sep 28, 2015 | Nov 2, 2018 |
| PE16008 | Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY | Jul 1, 2016 | Sep 12, 2017 |
| EA17002 | Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE; STRUCTURE:BODY | Jul 27, 2017 | Jan 17, 2023 |
| PE23001 | Windshield trim molding Item detachment · STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS | Jan 27, 2023 | Feb 8, 2024 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR SUV AWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.174 | NHTSA photo |
| 4 DR SUV FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.169 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer FWD · 2L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 27 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Explorer 2WD FFV · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 17 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Explorer FWD · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Explorer AWD FFV · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 17 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Explorer AWD · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Explorer AWD · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 22 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2015 Ford Explorer at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.