Home · 2014 Ford Explorer Gas · Complaints

What 1,671 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Ford Explorer Gas

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (1,671)Crash / fire / injury (50)Steering (496)Body & structure (274)Engine (196)Suspension (102)Electrical system (100)Transmission & drivetrain (79)Fuel system (71)Engine & cooling (67)Visibility & wipers (53)Airbags (47)

79 of 1,671 complaints match · Transmission & drivetrain · clear filters · page 3 of 4

Aug 2, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

TRANSFER CASE HAS LEAK AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ACCORDING TO FORD. VEHICLE HAS 62,000 MILES AND OUT OF WARRANTY. LEAK WAS DISCOVERED AT APPROX 57,000 MILES BUT WAS ASSUMED TO BE A LEAK FROM SLOPPY OIL CHANGE. REPORTED TO FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE ON 8-2-2018. THEY SAID NO WARRANTY COVERAGE APPLIES. TOLD TO SAVE RECEIPTS FOR REPAIR WORK IN CASE OF A NHTSA RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11115332

Jul 26, 2018Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND WHILE ACCELERATING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL EXHAUST ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (CROWSON AUTO WORLD, 541 MISSISSIPPI 15, LOUISVILLE, MS 39339, (662) 773-8070) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS NOT A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11113968

Jul 19, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

MY TRANSMISSION WILL NOT STAY IN PARK UNLESS I FORCE THE SHIFTER. FORD IS RECALLING 550,000 VEHICLES FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. YA'LL SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS AS I BELIEVE THE 2014 FORD EXPLORER SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11112343

Jun 10, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

TAKATA RECALL) I WAS DRIVING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL WHEN MY TRUCK MADE A CRAZY SOUND AND FELT LIKE CAR CAME TO A STOP WHILE GOING APPROX 40 MILES PER HOUR, IT THREW OUR BODIES IN A JERKING MOTION. I IMMEDIATELY GOT CAUTIOUS DRIVING NOW NO MORE THEN APPROX 5 MILES PER HOUR TO PREVENT US FROM JERKING US AS IT KEPT MAKING THE TRUCK JERK. AFTER CAUTIOUSLY DRIVING IT HOME AND HAVING TO KEEP MY KIDS OUT OF SCHOOL I PARKED IT AND GOT A EVALUATION ON TRUCK ISSUE WHICH I WAS TOLD SEEM TO BE TRANSMISSION I THEN AFTER GOT ON THE PHONE WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY WHO REFUSED TO ASSIST ME WITH ANY HELP OR EVEN TAKE MY COMPLAINT UNTIL I TOOK IT TO ONE OF THEIR DEALERS.I EXPLAINED TO HER THE REPRESENTATIVE I WAS LOOKING FOR THE BEST ADVICE AND SEE IF THEY BE WILLING TO WORK WITH ME BECAUSE AFTER LOOKING UP THIS MAKE AND MODELS TRANSMISSION I FOUND OUT THERE'S SEVERAL DEFECTS ALSO THE SAME STYLE OF TRANSMISSION BEING PUT INTO OTHER FORD VEHICLES . WHILE RESEARCHING I CAME ACROSS SEVERAL OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD NIGHTMARES ALSO WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS OR PARTS WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION . I AM REACHING OUT BECAUSE THE COST OF THIS IS GOING TO BE ABOUT $2000 FOR THE LABOR AND PART REPLACEMENT NOT INCLUDING MISSED TIME AT WORK LOST WAGES RENTAL VEHICLES.IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS THAT THESE TRANSMISSIONS CAN JUST FAIL WITH NOTICE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS .I HAVE TRIED TO GO THROUGH FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND GET SOME TYPE OF SOLUTION I'VE SEEN MANY CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND FEEL FORD SHOULD TAKE MORE RESPONSIBILITY AND BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS WHAT'S IT GOING TO TAKE A LOST LIFE!? THE SAME VEHICLE HAS AN CARBONMINOXCIDE LEAK THAT IS KNOWN THROUGHOUT THEIR VEHICLE AND SUSPENSION ISSUES IN THE REAR THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAS MANY FAULTS TO IT AND I BELIEVE THEY ARE TRYING TO COVER IT TO SAVE THEM FROM PAYING THE COST BACK TO CONSUMERS . PLEASE HELP!!

NHTSA ODI 11100765

Apr 12, 2018Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

"DRIVER SIDE DOOR AJAR" LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON EACH TIME I START THE CAR. I HAVE TO OPEN AND SHUT THE DOOR TO GET IT TO TURN OFF. THAT OCCURRED FOR ONE MONTH. NOW THE LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF AND THE "TRANSMISSION IS NOT IN PARK" LIGHT TURNS ON WHILE I AM DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE DOME LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF WHEN I PARK THE CAR UNLESS I CONSTANTLY ADJUST THE LIGHT DIAL AND EVENTUALLY THE DOME LIGHT WILL GO OFF WHEN THE DOORS ARE LOCKED (30 MINUTES TO GET IT OFF THE OTHER NIGHT). REGARDING THE REAR TRANSMISSION NOISE. OVER 50 PERCENT OF THE TIME WHEN I AM BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, I HEAR A CLUNKING SOUND AS THOUGH I STRUCK AN OBJECT ONLY TO FIND THAT NOTHING IS BEHIND ME. FINALLY, WHEN I ENTER MY CAR AND START IT, I HEAR A LOUD POPPING SOUND IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD LIKE THE WINDSHIELD GLASS IS CRACKING. NO IDEA WHAT THAT MAY BE.

NHTSA ODI 11084697

Jan 28, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

SUDDEN ONSET OF GRINDING NOISE. UPON EXAMINATION AND CONFIRMATION OF ENGINE OIL, COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVELS, DETERMINED THAT TRANSFER CASE/PTU WAS FAILING. CAUSED LOUD CLANKING AND GRINDING NOISES WHILE IN FORWARD GEARS WHICH WAS WORSENED WHEN TURNING. GEARBOX LOCKED UP WHILE IN TURN AND STOPPED VEHICLE IN ROADWAY WHILE CROSSING OPPOSITE TRAFFIC LANE. NO SIGNS OF FLUID LEAKS FROM TRANSFER CASE OR TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI 11065519

Jan 8, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN VEHICLE IS PLACED IN PARK AND TURNED OFF A WARNING SIGNAL IS ALERTED THAT TRANSMISSION IS NOT IN PARK. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. I AM WORRIED THE VEHICLE COULD POSSIBLY ROLL OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11061324

Dec 7, 2017Transmission & drivetrainBody & structureEngine

I AM WRITING TO YOU IN REGARDS TO PHYSICAL ILLNESS THAT I HAVE SUFFERED AS WELL AS MY PASSENGERS FROM MY 2014 FORD EXPLORER POLICE INTERCEPTOR PACKAGE. STARTING BACK WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MILES, I HAVE EXPERIENCED AN EXHAUST ODOR IN THE CABIN SHORTLY AFTER ACCELERATING OVER 3,000RPMS. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP TWICE, WITH THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMING THE SMELL. AFTER THIS WORK WAS PERFORMED, I STILL TO THIS DAY AM SUFFERING FROM EXHAUST FUMES AND PHYSICAL ILLNESS DIRECTLY RELATED TO MY FORD EXPLORER. ALL REPAIR ORDERS FROM INVOLVED FORD DEALERSHIPS ARE IN MY POSSESSION CONFIRMING EXHAUST FUMES ARE STILL ENTERING THE CABIN. FROM THE TIME I TOOK OWNERSHIP IN OCTOBER 2016, I HAVE EXPERIENCED PHYSICAL ILLNESS WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN 1 HOUR AT A TIME. I GET EXTREMELY LIGHTHEADED AND NAUSEATED, WHICH HAS CAUSED ME TO FREQUENTLY STOP THE VEHICLE AND VOMIT. MY PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED SIMILAR SYMPTOMS WHEN RIDING IN THE VEHICLE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I STOP AT A SAFE LOCATION AND REMOVE MYSELF TO FRESH AIR, AND THE SYMPTOMS SOON PASS AND I AM ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN. RECENTLY, I HAVE TRAVELED FROM MASSACHUSETTS TO VERMONT IN MY EXPLORER. THE MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING TRIP IT WAS ME AS WELL AS MY GIRLFRIEND. AFTER AROUND AN HOUR OF DRIVING AT 60MPH, MY GIRLFRIEND AND I WERE FEELING VERY DIZZY AND BECAME NAUSEATED, SO I OPTED TO STOP AND RELAX AT A REST STOP FOR FRESH AIR PRIOR TO CONTINUING MY TRIP TO VERMONT. I HAVE INSTALLED A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR IN MY VEHICLE, WHICH HAS ACTIVATED MORE THAN ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING. AT THIS TIME I AM NEGOTIATING WITH FORD'S OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL TO PERFORM A BUYBACK OF MY EXPLORER AND REPLACE IT WITH A DIFFERENT VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11053333

Dec 2, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING HOME, AS I WAS REACHING A MAJOR ROAD, I FELT MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY START TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND MAKE A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE THEN STARTED TO LOSE SPEED AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT IN PARK AND TURN THE HAZARDS ON. THIS WAS VERY SCARY BECAUSE I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY VEHICLE OF MINE BEHAVE THIS WAY. I LITERALLY THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO GRAB MY 3 YEAR OLD AND RUN FOR MY LIFE. I THOUGHT IT COULD EXPLODE OR CATCH FIRE OR WHO KNOWS. AT THIS POINT I JUST FELT FEAR. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT IF SOMEONE BEHIND ME WOULD'VE REAR ENDED ME. AGAIN, MY CAR STOPPED MOVING FOR NO REASON. THIS COULD POSE A MAJOR THREAT AND I WOULD RECOMMEND ACTIONS BE TAKEN TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, I LEARNED ABOUT MANY OTHER FORD DRIVERS EXPERIENCING SIMILAR SITUATIONS INVOLVING THE THROTTLE BODY COMPONENT. SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THIS COULD BE A COLLECTIVE PROBLEM. I HOPE FORD WILL TAKE MY CONCERNS INTO CONSIDERATION TO PREVENT ANY FUTURE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI 11052034

Nov 28, 2017SteeringTransmission & drivetrainEngine

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY APPROX 65 MPH IN RAIN. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD INDICATING CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM, THEN HILL ASSIST FAILURE, THEN WARNING MESSAGE THAT ALL ACCESSORY POWER WAS DISABLED TO CONSERVE POWER. THEN ALL LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD LIT UP. LOSS OF POWER STEERING IN RAIN ON HIGHWAY ALMOST CAUSED VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL AND BE INVOLVED IN MULTIPLE CAR ACCIDENT. SERPENTINE BELT WAS FOUND TO BE IN PROPER CONDITION, AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME ALTERNATE ROUTE ALONG 35MPH ROADS. NO FURTHER PROBLEMS ASIDE FROM OCCASIONAL SQUEAK UNDER ACCELERATION. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED UP WITH SERVICE CALL, SERPENTINE BELL WAS IN GOOD CONDITION, BUT BELT TENSIONER SPRING HAD FAILED. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 57,000 MILES. SEEMS EXCESSIVELY EARLY FOR THIS TYPE OF PART TO FAIL.

NHTSA ODI 11051052

Oct 24, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

TRANSFER CASE IS GUMMING UP AND TEARING UP MY PTO AND CAUSING GRINDING WHILE ACCELERATING. SPOKE TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAS YET TO ISSUE A RECALL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY ON ISSUE. WILL COST $1600 TO REPLACE PTO.

NHTSA ODI 11039385

Oct 5, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

MY CAR HAS 64000 MILES ON IT AND WAS PURCHASED IN JANUARY 2014. THE TRANSFER CASE HAS FAILED AND CAUSED MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FLUID COULD BE SEEN ON MY DRIVEWAY AND MY CARPORT FLOOR, AND IT WAS AN $1850 FIX AT THE MECHANIC. THERE WAS, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, A RECALL FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED FORD EXPLORERS, AND THEY SAID THE TRANSFER CASE WAS CRACKED, ALONG WITH THE VALVE. ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS AN ODOR OF PROPANE OR SIMILAR COMING FROM THE EXHAUST VENTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IT'S WORSE WHEN IT'S ON AIR CONDITIONING, TO THE POINT WHERE I ACTUALLY HAVE TO PUT THE WINDOWS DOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11031890

Oct 3, 2017SuspensionTransmission & drivetrain

MY FORD EXPLORER HAS A CONSTANT EXHAUST SMELL IN THE CABIN. THE DEALERSHIP COMPLETED A RECALL WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND NOW THE DEALER IS TELLING ME THEY DO NOT KNOW OF ANY EXHAUST IN THE CABIN ISSUES. STRANGE NOW THE DEALERSHIP KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT A PROBLEM THEY TRIED TO FIX. THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES NOW. ABOUT EVERY 20K MILES THE FRONT SUSPENSION START TO FAIL AND MAKES LOUD CLUNKING NOISES AND WE LOOSE ALIGNMENT IN THE FRONT END. THIS LAST TIME THE TOW IN THE FRONT TIRES CHANGED AND CAUSED FOR UNUSUAL STEERING ON THE FREEWAY. THE TURBO'S ON THE 3.5 ECOBOOST HAVE A KNOWN OIL LEAK ISSUE THAT CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. FORD REFUSES TO COVER THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS EVEN IF YOU HAVE THEIR IN HOUSE EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN.

NHTSA ODI 11031598

Aug 14, 2017Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemVisibility & wipers

MULTIPLE SENSOR FAILURES WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN PARK. CLIMATE CONTROL SENSOR FAILED, RESULTING IN TEMPERATURES BEING INCREASED TO THE MAXIMUM HEAT. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY. WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID SENSOR FAILED AND DID NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THERE WAS FLUID IN THE RECEPTACLE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE IN MOTION. SENSOR ON DUAL CLIMATE CONTROL FAILED AND WAS BLOWING HOT AIR AT THE PASSENGER AND COLD AIR AT THE DRIVER. THIS HAPPENED WHILE IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI 11015264

Jul 29, 2017Transmission & drivetrainEngine

NAUSEA, HEADACHE. PROBLEMS MAY BE RELATED TO CARBON MONOXIDE ISSUE'S WITH VEHICLE'S ON-GOING INVESTIGATION.

NHTSA ODI 11011401

Mar 27, 2017Transmission & drivetrainEngine

MY CAR STARTED OFF WITH A PROPANE GAS SMELL WHICH WOULD COME AND GO. THEN IT TURNED INTO THIS SULFUR ODOR. WHICH HAD GOTTEN SO BAD THAT YOU COULD ONLY DRIVE THE CAR IF ALL THE WINDOWS WERE DOWN BECAUSE THE ODOR WOULD MAKE YOU SICK. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AT ALL TIMES. YOU COULD SMELL THE ODOR WITH OR WITHOUT THE HEAT ON. THEN AT WHICH POINT THE ODOR NEVER ACTUALLY LEFT THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. AT WHICH I WOULD JUST LEAVE THE WINDOWS OPEN, IN HOPES THAT THE CAR WOULD EVENTUALLY AIR OUT.

NHTSA ODI 10968839

Feb 13, 2017Transmission & drivetrainEngine

HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 O2 SENSORS AT 48,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 10954146

Dec 8, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE "NOT IN PARK" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, THE WARNING INDICATOR DISAPPEARED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SHIFTER NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED THREE OTHER TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ODI 10933899

Nov 18, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

AFTER I PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, THE ALERT "TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK" COMES ON. MY GEAR SHIFT IS IN THE PARK POSITION. I PUSH IN THE BUTTON MULTIPLE TIMES (WITHOUT MOVING THE SHIFTER) WHERE THE "P" ON THE DASH FLASHES TO SHOW I'M IN PARK. AFTER DOING THIS, THE "TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK" ALERT USUALLY GOES AWAY. THIS GOES IN SPURTS WHEN IT HAPPENS - IT WILL BE EVERY TIME I TURN OFF THE CAR FOR A COUPLE DAYS, THEN IT WON'T HAPPEN FOR A WEEK OR SO. THIS STARTED ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO.

NHTSA ODI 10926847

Jun 13, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

VEHICLE IS WARNING IT IS NOT IN PARK. POTENTIAL CONCERN VEHICLE WILL ROLL OR BE UNABLE TO TURN OFF. COULD RESULT IN VEHICLE ROLLING WHEN OPERATOR PUTS INTO PARK AND WON'T ENGAGE.

NHTSA ODI 10874051

Apr 19, 2016Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemVisibility & wipers

MY USED 2014 EXPLORER SPORT THAT WAS BOUGHT IN OCTOBER OF 2014 WITH LESS THAN 8000 MILES KEEPS TELLING ME THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT IN PARK WHEN IT CLEARLY IS. THIS USE TO HAPPEN ON OCCASION BUT NOW IT IS CONSTANT. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON DASHBOARD JUST GOING BLACK WHEN DRIVING. IT REALLY DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ANY SPEED. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND IT CAN BE KIND OF SCARY ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. MY WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES (LESS THAN A YEAR OLD) ACT LIKE THE ARE GOING TO FLY OFF THE CAR WHEN TURNED ON. THE WIPERS JUST DON'T SEEM LIKE THEY ARE ATTACHED RIGHT. BUT THEY ARE AND I HAVE REPLACED THEM WITH FORD RECOMMENDED PARTS MORE THAN ONCE. THE MOST ANNOYING PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IS THE EXHAUST SMELL THAT IS ALWAYS THERE. I THOUGHT IS WAS JUST ME BEING OVERLY SENSITIVE TO ODORS. BUT I NOTICED OTHERS COMPLAINING OF THE ODOR AS WELL. THE ODOR COMES ALL THE TIME. THERE REALLY IS NOT DISTINCT RPM WHEN IT HAPPENS IT IS JUST ALWAYS THERE. I HAVE NOT TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR REPAIRS DUE TO A PREVIOUS BAD EXPERIENCE WITH A DIFFERENT VEHICLE. I CAN HANDLE ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR BUT THE EXHAUST SMELL IS SO BAD AND GIVES ME A HEADACHE IF I'M IN THE CAR TO LONG.

NHTSA ODI 10860339

Jan 19, 2016Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, AN EXHAUST ODOR EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE FRONT AND REAR AIR VENTS DURING ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MUFFLER WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE GEAR SHIFTER SEIZED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE HOME. ONCE THE CONTACT ARRIVED AT HOME, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, THE ALARM AND HORN SOUNDED, AND THE TAILGATE OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,191. UPDATED 05/03/16*LJ

NHTSA ODI 10820978

Jul 10, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN I ACCELERATE IMMEDIATELY AFTER TURNING ON ENGINE BETWEEN 10-20 MPH MY CAR WILL SLIP OUT OF DRIVE INTO MANUAL. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY, AND HAS HAPPENED FOR THE 2 OTHER DRIVERS OF THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE TO STOP, MOVE GEAR SHIFT TO EITHER NEUTRAL OR MANUAL AND SWITCH BACK TO DRIVE, FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO THEN REMAIN IN DRIVE. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 25 TIMES-MY VEHICLE NOW HAS 16,000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK INTO FORD DEALERSHIP AND AFTER 2 DAYS THEY COULD "NOT SIMULATE" WHAT WAS CAUSING IT AND TOLD ME TO "TAKE A PICTURE OF THE DISPLAY SCREEN" WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN SO IT COULD BE SIMULATED. THEY TOLD ME I WAS HITTING THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL! I AM NOT HITTING THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL THEY MADE A VEHICLE WITH FAULTY POWER TRAIN AND THE COMPUTER CAN'T TELL THEM HOW TO FIX IT! I WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY SNAP ONE PICTURE AND WILL TRY TO GET ANOTHER ONE PRIOR TO TAKING INTO DEALERSHIP AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10609691

Jul 7, 2014Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

ON A RECENT VACATION TO THE NORTHWOODS OF WISCONSIN, OUR 2014 EXPLORER XLT (4X4 V6) WAS RELEASING A NAUSEATING SMELL INTO THE CABIN UNDER HEAVY LOADS, HIGH RPMS, OR RAPID ACCELERATIONS. THE TRIP WAS ABOUT 6 HOURS OF SOLID DRIVING, AND BY THE 3RD HOUR MY WIFE AND I HAD POUNDING HEADACHES AND FELT UNWELL. WE IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE AC AND OPENED THE WINDOWS AS I WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE SMELL ON THE OPEN HIGHWAY. WE SPENT THE REMAINDER OF THE VACATION WITH LIMITED AC, OPEN WINDOWS, AND ?CAUTIOUS? DRIVING TO ENSURE THE SMELL WOULD NOT OCCUR AGAIN. WE WERE TRAVELING WITH OUR 8 MONTH OLD SON AND OLD ENGLISH BULLDOG AT THE TIME AND WANTED TO ENSURE THEY DID NOT FALL ILL. I WILL BE CONTACTING MY FORD DEALER TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10608498

Jul 3, 2014Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlEngine

MY TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. AS SOON AS I PUT IN DRIVE THE VEHICLE DID RUN BUT WOULD NOT SHIFT...I WAS STUCK ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD UNABLE TO PULL OVER AND MY RPM'S WERE PEGGING WITHOUT MY TRANSMISSION SHIFTING INTO 2ND GEAR. I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO GO LIKE 15 MILES PER HOUR, MY CAR STARTED SMELLING LIKE IT WAS BURNING AND THE ENGINE WAS STRESSED. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO FINALLY PULL OVER I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK TURN IT OFF, TURN IT BACK ON AND THEN IT WORKED FINE. AGAIN THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I CALLED THE FORD DEALER, FOR THE FOURTH TIME AND THEY SAID I COULD BRING IT IN BUT IF IT DIDN'T ACT THE SAME WAY WITH THEM THERE ISN'T MUCH THEY CAN DO. NOT THE ANSWER I WANTED. I HAVE A NEIGHBOR WHO HAS THE SAME VEHICLE AND IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED TO HER. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM HERE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10608175

← NewerOlder →

Working with the data? Download all 1,671 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 21, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2014 Ford Explorer Gas verdict →