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

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle was vibrating with an abnormal rattling sound coming from the front and the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vibration and rattling were a constant failure and happened at various speeds. Additionally, the contact stated that when he stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle was making a grinding sound while depressing the accelerator pedal. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V692000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

NHTSA ODI 11555723

While driving about 55 MPH, the left side windshield trim flew off the windshield. Thankfully no one was close behind that could have been hit by the trim. No warning, no indication that it was loose.

NHTSA ODI 11555029

1.Failed Electric Power Assist System 2.Safety risk wild backing up from parking slot at Lowel's 3.Problem confirm at Truck City Ford service department technician 4.Failed components inspected and confirmed at actual road test by Ford Service Technician 5.Warning lite message on dash at time of Failure Only, no advance warning notification Truck City Ford :512-312-0800 15301 South IH35 Buda, TX 78610

NHTSA ODI 11554384

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

See attached document from complainant

NHTSA ODI 11551805

On the freeway, the Windshield rubber trim came loose from its cover started flapping on the window and top of car and then torn off by wind shear. It flew in the air behind the car and could cause the vehicles behind us to swerve or it could actually hit one of the others cars. Our car was recently inspected. This had no warning.

NHTSA ODI 11551928

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle hesitated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring for approximately six months. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. There was no warning light illuminated and the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The manufacturer informed the contact that the warranty on the vehicle had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ODI 11551535

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the second-row passenger’s side inflatable seat belt and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness needed to be repositioned. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the second-row driver’s and passenger’s side inflatable seat belt and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the second-row seat belt connector failed and produced codes: B141B, B140D, B141C. The contact was informed that the second-row seat belt wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced Customer Satisfaction Program: 21B11. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number and advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.

NHTSA ODI 11550893

Loss of steering going down the road. Just like previous models of the explorer. Wheel locks up and steering is almost impossible.

NHTSA ODI 11550105

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and making a right turn, the steering wheel seemed to seize. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the rack and pinion and electric power steering assist needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

NHTSA ODI 11550235

Electric power steering failure, cannot drive vehicle steering is hard and stuck. Power steering failure light light on dashboard.

NHTSA ODI 11549537

The driver side windshield bar is slowly detaching. The plastic frame between the door and windshield. Also the rubber is coming off. At some point this will completely detach possibly while in movement and could cause a severe wreck if on highway. I've notice this defect on many Ford Explorers. This safety issue needs immediate attention before an accident occurs due to Ford's improper engineering. Even though this is a 2014 I've only put 48,000 miles on the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11548612

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the back over prevention camera was malfunctioning. The contact stated that the camera was displaying an upside-down image. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the back-over prevention camera had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

NHTSA ODI 11548617

When turning the wheel grinding noise and it jerks steering wheel at time was told it was probably the rack and pinion but have to wait to weeks to take it where I bought it from to look at and not until the end of Oct for Ford to look at it several people have this problem too what can I do why hasn't part be recalled

NHTSA ODI 11548142

My steering went out like the 2011,2012,2013, 2015, 2016 so why does the recall not cover 2014. Went out in May of 2022, and I have heard nothing since then and I reported this in June of 2022. Its been over a year so why haven't I heard anything. The electric racket pinon steering had to be replace and the scary thing is the warning light did not go off till I had no control of the steering.

NHTSA ODI 11548179

Repeated catalytic converter failure. Issue was repaired at least twice. Converter failure caused both turbos to need replacement and has now caused engine damage. This appears to be a common issue with this engine model.

NHTSA ODI 11547912

The rack and pinion steering gear is failing, it will loose power steering which makes it hard to steer. This part has been replaced five times in a year, they are defected coming from the factory. The dealer is aware of the problem. I have been in contact with Ford about this ongoing issue asking for the manufacturer information but no one knows who makes this part.

NHTSA ODI 11547598

While driving my wife’s vehicle it lost power steering and started hearing loud grinding noise coming from passenger side front. Was going at low speed so was able to get the vehicle off the road. Since losing power steering vehicle wants to pull to the right.

NHTSA ODI 11546517

Airbag light came on, had tested by local mechanic, informed left rear airbag and to take to dealer, dealer charged $252 to disagnose air bag in left rear shoulder strap. Since already replaced wiring harnesses under TSB 16-0001 back on 11/1/7/16 thought best to clean contacts of harness connectors and apply dielectric grease for an extra 1/2 labor for an addtitional $99 bringing the total to over $350. Both dealer and Ford refused to cover this repair. I am very dissapointed.

NHTSA ODI 11545460

Water pump coolant leak. I’m experiencing this problem and have seen that Fire has known about this issue and hasn’t recalled it and it’s causing engine failure and leaving consumers to fort the 2000 bill to fix since it’s internal. Does needs to recall and fix this issue and replace the pump.

NHTSA ODI 11544886

under the program of 15N01 the 2014 Ford Explorer is not part of it and it should be as my vehicle is experiencing the same issues. The program currently ends for vehicles manufactured January 2014 and mine was manufactured in April of 2014. I would like this added so my vehicle can be repaired under the program. The make, model and body styling is the same as previous years and has the same parts.

NHTSA ODI 11544621

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 reversing, the rear-view camera image turned black. The message "Camera Currently Unavailable - Contact Your Dealer" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear-view camera needed to be replaced. The rear-view camera was replaced and reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11543241

Under moderate to heavy acceleration exhaust fumes are pouring into the cabin. The harder you accelerate the more you smell. Gives me a headache every time.

NHTSA ODI 11542562

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the contact noticed that both front door panels were damaged which led to the contact's wife being cut on her arm. The wife was seated in the passenger seat. No medical attention was needed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

NHTSA ODI 11542762