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

The contact owned a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, black smoke started to come from the rear end of the vehicle. The contact pulled to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact noticed the smoke continued and that black smoke was now coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact opened the hood of the vehicle and noticed a fire starting near the engine on the driver's side, closer towards the windshield. The fire department arrived and was able to extinguish the fire. The fire diagnosed a mechanical error was the cause of the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. The contact had not sustained any injuries and did not need medical assistance. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and a complaint was made. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a safety complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

NHTSA ODI 11678728

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced hard start-ups, and the engine was revving high while idling, with the check engine warning light remaining illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the timing chain, crankshaft, and cam shaft sensors were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 84,000.

NHTSA ODI 11669263

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed exhaust Y-pipe. The contact was informed that the exhaust Y-pipe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

NHTSA ODI 11637320

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while the vehicle was idle, the contact noticed smoke coming out from underneath the passenger's side of the hood. The contact stated upon exiting and inspecting the vehicle, she noticed burning plastic falling from underneath the passenger's side of the vehicle onto the ground, and there was fire. The contact poured water underneath the vehicle and opened the hood and poured water at the fire location. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries sustained. No police report or fire department report was filed. The contact added water to the coolant reservoir and drove to the residence. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics, where it was diagnosed that the A/C fan had caught on fire due to a stuck clutch bearing. The mechanics informed the contact that the radiator was damaged and was leaking due to the fire. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11593890

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with the camshaft position sensor and the ABS. The vehicle was not repaired. Later, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge began to indicate that the engine was overheating. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed that the coolant level was abnormally low. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic, who determined that coolant was leaking into the engine, resulting in damages to the engine, and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 151,000.

NHTSA ODI 11584070

Water is leaking from front of engine and into oil from water pump being told it will cost 1600 to over 2000 dollars to fix

NHTSA ODI 11580947

Car was sitting idle when a fan inside the engine compartment starting being very loud. Sound went away when car started moving. Noticed coolant was empty. Filled with coolant and made a 5 mile trip. Checked again and coolant was empty again.

NHTSA ODI 11568342

I own a 2014 Ford Explorer. When driving home on November 4th the engine coolant light came on and there was white smoke coming from under the hood and the coolant was leaking under the vehicle. I had the vehicle towed to my local mechanic who said that the water pump needs to be replaced. He does not do this type of work so I'm unsure if there is additional damage since he stopped his inspection there. I have to have it towed to another place. I'm seeing this same issue with many vehicles with the same make/model and felt it should be reported. I did contact Ford and made a complaint.

NHTSA ODI 11553784

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35–40 MPH, the engine was overheating. There was fluid leaking from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the water pump was leaking. Additionally, antifreeze was leaking from the vehicle. The contact was informed that the timing chain and water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 113,535.

NHTSA ODI 11544250

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge increased without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the water pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for service. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the water pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

NHTSA ODI 11533531

Driving my explorer and the water pump went bad. Got overheat warnings and now I find this happens to all of these engines. A class action suit has been filed. The cost to repair is nearly $4000 for an issue does knew about it? Not recalling and fixing these is negligent and dangerous.

NHTSA ODI 11512715

We purchased a 2014 Ford Explorer Police utility from the Raleigh Surplus in the summer of 2021. We also had another vehicle,  so rarely drove this Explorer until last summer 2022 when we had to sell one vehicle,  therefore putting us driving the Explorer only. I had a failed surgery and was no longer able to drive,  so that was another reason the Explorer didn't get driven much the first year. Since last summer my husband has been very sick and in and out of doctors and pulmonary specialist. We have tried to figure out what happened all of a sudden.  After talking with his pulmonary specialist and her doing numerous blood work,  we came to the conclusion it must be the Ford Explorer causing him sickness.  He has been put on nighttime oxygen and has lost a great deal of weight, and become very sick with shortness of breath and now with neurological issues. His recent blood work revealed carbon monoxide levels of 11.8 %. After a recent weekend admission to the hospital,  the pulmonary doctor orders were to get rid of this Explorer.  We need a vehicle to drive,  because this is our only way of transportation.  I called corporate and got a case number of CAS-41523358 and was told to call a Ford dealership and get the vehicle there asap. I called Alex at 919-366-8000 Leith Ford, the closest dealership and he said I need to get in touch with wford@ford.com . I did 2 weeks ago and he is ignoring me. I also get nausea and dizziness and headaches in the vehicle. My daughter drove it one night and became sick as well. Most of all my husband is still very sick from this vehicle. He almost fell asleep at the wheel! Luckily I was there to alert him! He Never ever falls asleep at the wheel!

NHTSA ODI 11511266

Water pump leakage

NHTSA ODI 11509716

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard a popping sound and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the engine shut off. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, she noticed that coolant was leaking onto the ground. The oil warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rotor fractured, and coolant leaked into the engine and the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

NHTSA ODI 11507864

My vehicle gradually started getting louder and at the same time we started to notice exhaust fume smell in the vehicle. I had taken it to the dealership and and a different mechanic for a confirmation. They both explained the exhaust is coming apart at the seam. Not due to rust. Just the exhaust on both sides are doing the same thing. Since the first visit with them, I had taken it back again when we noticed it even more and it just keeps getting worse. It'll eventually come off and continue to allow fumes in the car until replaced. I called Ford and they said they did have a customer satisfaction program to replace it, but it was only for police cars and it expired anyway. I explained this is a huge concern for the fact we inhale the fumes in the car and that it can just come apart at any moment, driving. No help at all from Ford.

NHTSA ODI 11502203

The Exhaust manifold/catalytic converter is cracked causing excessive exhaust fumes which leak into the cabin area exposing passengers to carbon monoxide.

NHTSA ODI 11493979

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle started to shake and the engine overheated. The check engine warning light and the temperature gauge warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to coast the vehicle off the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to Midas where it was diagnosed again that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was guaranteed a 2-year warranty, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

NHTSA ODI 11489729

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and other speeds, the vehicle overheated. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that when the vehicle was parked, the hood was extremely hot to the touch. There was also an odor of antifreeze and gasoline coming from under the hood. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

NHTSA ODI 11484280

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with the TPMS warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle was leaking coolant. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ODI 11472801

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and making a left turn, the low coolant warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the roadway. The contact stated that her husband later added coolant to the reservoir. After starting the vehicle, the warning light was off. The contact stated that her husband saw coolant leaking from the water pump. The contact was able to drive to her residence. The contact called multiple independent mechanics and made them aware or the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ODI 11471586

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the vehicle was at the dealer for an air bag customer service repair when a leak in the water pump was discovered. The contact stated that the water pump needed to be replaced; however, the water pump was not replaced due to the cost. The contact stated that the dealer informed him that the engine could fail. The contact stated that he had not experienced a failure but was concerned that a failure could occur with no warning as the issue was not discovered until the vehicle went to the dealer for an air bag customer service program. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no assistance was offered as there was no recall. The contact stated that he researched the failure and found a Customer Service Program in Canada for the issue but not in the United States. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000

NHTSA ODI 11471171

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

NHTSA ODI 11468603

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the water pump failed which caused the vehicle to lose motive power. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11467969

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking coolant. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000.

NHTSA ODI 11465981

The contact's father owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V537000 (Suspension) the dealer performed a complete inspection of the vehicle and informed the contact that the mass air flow sensor needed to be serviced and the coolant system needed to be flushed. The contact stated that the dealer completed the service and the recall repair however, upon picking up the vehicle and returning to his residence, the contact's father noticed that there was mechanical fluid leaking from the vehicle onto the ground. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that engine needed to be flushed and the timing chain and water pump needed to be replaced. The dealer also informed the contact that the vehicle was not drivable and he would be responsible for the cost of the repair. The contact's father declined to cover the repair as the failure was due to a technician error. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact's father then took the vehicle back to his residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and contacted the dealer who advised that they would not cover the repair of the vehicle. The manufacturer informed the contact that they could not force the dealer to repair the vehicle and referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 56,556.

NHTSA ODI 11463340