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

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after refueling and had placed the vehicle in park (P) and had turned the vehicle off. The contact stated that she was at the rear of the vehicle on the passenger side by the gasoline port, she had inserted the fueling nozzle into the gas filler tube when the vehicle began to roll backward. The contact stated she pulled the fuel nozzle out of the port and then attempted to enter the vehicle through the front passenger door but was unable to get into the vehicle. The contact said that the vehicle rolled backward down the inclined gas station driveway rolled into the roadway and stopped. The contact stated that she was shaken and was not sure if the front passenger door had struck her. The contact stated that she felt pain on her right side from the right side of her face to her hip, but she had not received medical attention. The contact was asked if she had set the parking brake and she reported that she had not. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

NHTSA ODI 11583754

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the windshield frame dislodged, and the contact was able to perform a self-repair with sealant. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to inquire of a recall. The dealer did not find a recall associated with the VIN related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

NHTSA ODI 11583784

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, another vehicle driving at a high rate of speed abruptly merged into his lane and collided with the contact on the front passenger side of the vehicle, sending the vehicle careening to the shoulder of the roadway and coming to a complete stop after colliding with a guard rail. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard but later towed to a body shop for repair. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnosis. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. All occupants were transported to an area hospital by EMS for treatment. The contact was treated for non-descript injuries to his back and neck; the front passenger was treated for non-descript injuries to his back and neck as well as nerve damage; and the rear passenger was treated for non-descript injuries to his head and neck. Both passengers later required extensive rehabilitation as a result of the injuries they sustained during the accident. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 160,000.

NHTSA ODI 11583843

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic signal, the signal changed, and the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle moved forward but failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 10 MPH. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle and was able to drive back to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 15 MPH. The contact stated that prior to the failure he observed that when the vehicle was shifted into park(P), a warning illuminated that read "Not in Park" several times. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V692000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11583509

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The rubber trim on the front windshield had started detaching from the vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 88,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11583010

The Steering Assist system or power steering component stopped working causing unsteerable vehicle. This was part of the Ford recall [XXX]. We purchased this explorer used from Colvin Ford in Mcminneville, Oregon when the recall was still open and the dealer never notified us of the recall nor did they fix it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11583157

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering assist warning light illuminated. The steering column seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a rack and pinion failure. The contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred two weeks later. The vehicle was scheduled to be towed back to the dealer in several days. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

NHTSA ODI 11582230

Steering went out while driving. Mechanic said it’s the rack and pinion. He said it’s common and was recalled in other year Explorers but not 2014. He said it could be the same part that was recalled but it was used in the 2014 instead of other years that were recalled.

NHTSA ODI 11581587

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

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, there was an abnormal sound like a rock had struck the windshield on the driver’s side. The contact stopped the vehicle and observed that the trim on the driver's side pillar next to the windshield was loosened and was striking the pillar. The contact took the vehicle to a glass shop and the trim panel was reattached. The contact stated that the passenger’s side trim panel was loosened and that the driver's side panel was loosened again. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11579717

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the vehicle was registered from the Chicago plant and the vehicle resided in Northern Nevada, 30 minutes from Lake Tahoe. The contact stated the vehicle was susceptible to corrosion due to the weather in Northern Nevada. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. The contact notified the dealer who referred the contact to the manufacturer. The contact referenced Ford Customer Satisfaction Program: [XXX] (Rear Toe Link Replacement) and NHTSA Campaign Number: [XXX] (Suspension) as a possible solution however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and referred the contact to NHTSA Hotline. The contact had not experienced a failure. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11579799

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. A message indicating a power steering failure was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the residence of the contact's parents. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

NHTSA ODI 11579596

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the "Loss of Steering Please Stop Safely," message and several other unknown messages were displayed on the instrument panel. The steering wheel seized; however, the contact was able to pull off to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the home of a relative where a code reader discovered a defect with the rack and pinion. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, and both informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle associated with the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 207,000.

NHTSA ODI 11579284

My steering wheel is like using manual steering, it is very hard to turn it seems to get stuck in certain positions, easier in another spot when turning, then gets stuck again. It is very hard to turn, no lights on the dashboard, no error codes. This is a huge safety concern if I am driving and can no longer steer my vehicle safely. I see so many other complaining about this problem with 2014, why is there no recall? This is putting people at risk or crashing which could cause fatality!

NHTSA ODI 11578318

The electronic power steering is failing. Vehicle steering wheel is tight. Steering wheel hard to turn. I know 775k explorers had a recall for this issue but no recall was issued for my vehicle. Checked steering knuckle and sensors, everything seems to be in working order bit steering is still tight.

NHTSA ODI 11577281

Recall 24V031 A-pillar appliqué on both drivers and passenger side front have ripped off the vehicle during highway driving

NHTSA ODI 11577228

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front windshield trim detached and flew off the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11576938

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving or pulling off from a stop sign, the vehicle jerked and there was smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic who performed a diagnostic test and stated that the passenger’s side axle seal of the transfer case was leaking and recommended that the transfer case be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,000.

NHTSA ODI 11576671

Steering became jumpy and hard to steer intermittent. Stabilitrak light on and then lost power steering light on. Thank goodness I stopped when I did because now steering wheel is locked and only goes forward and backwards. This could have been extremely dangerous traveling on the toll road!

NHTSA ODI 11576739

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that whenever it rained, rainwater leaked into the interior of the vehicle. The water had been leaking onto the dashboard and onto the center console. The contact stated that the carpet in the front of the vehicle was damaged due to the water leak. In addition, the front passenger's side-view mirror had an electrical shortage. The contact stated that the light independently turned on and remain on for a while before independently turning off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer cleaned the seal around the sunroof, however the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that wind could be heard coming through the windshield area. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11575859

My 2014 Explorer has developed corrosion on all 4 aluminum wheels causing air loss along the tire bead while driving. Underinflated tires generate heat, tire distortion and catastrophic failure. I had one wheel "repaired" at Tom's Ford in February 2023 at a cost of 187.95. Please see attached and note Ford themselves refer to the rim as rusted. Aluminum wheels should not rust nor corrode. It is my position Ford used dissimilar metals for coating the wheels to enhance appearance and in the process has created a dangerous situation of leaking tires.

NHTSA ODI 11575268

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the front windshield trim had detached. The contact stated that the full windshield trim had detached. In addition, the detached trim was currently being held in place by duct tape. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11574896

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH during a rainstorm, the vehicle began to sway left to right independently; the contact decelerated to maintain control of the vehicle. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000.

NHTSA ODI 11574218

Control arm on Ford 2014 explorer are prone to failure, causing vehicle to lose steering. Control arms rub excessively against brake components, also causing failure to both brakes, ABS, and sensors related to wheel speed. Failure is due to the manufacture. Strong action is need to prevent further road accidents if not addressed.

NHTSA ODI 11573329

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was significantly difficult to steer, causing him to use excessive force to steer the vehicle. The contact pulled to the side of the highway. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was driven to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the electric power steering had failed. The contact stated that the dealer cleared the DTC codes; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the rack and pinion and the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

NHTSA ODI 11573433