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

I was driving down the freeway at 70 mph when the driver side windshield trim flipped off the car and hit the cars behind me and the roadway. Very dangerous situation. Scary to say the least. Is there a recall or a fix so this does not happen again?

NHTSA ODI 11517851

Loss of power steering, electric steering assist is making noise when turning steering wheel. My mechanic said that i need new Gear Assembly, he also said that there is a recall for this for a Ford Explorer years 2011-2013 and 2015-2017 but for some reason there is no recall for 2014 even that its the same part

NHTSA ODI 11517157

IN 11-2022, (NOVEMBER 2022), I NOTICED NO HEAT IN CABIN AND AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, FOUND LOW COOLANT IN THE COOLANT RESERVOIR. I ADDED COOLANT BUT STARTED NOTICING COOLANT LEAKS ON DRIVEWAYS. HAD VEHICLE CHECKED BY FORD DEALER, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW, AND REGULARLY SERVICED; AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WATER PUMP INSIDE THE 3.5L ENGINE IS BAD WITH A COST OF $4,900 TO FIX. IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS FORD EXPLORER VEHICLES FROM 2011 - 2019 WITH THE 3.5L ENGINE WITH THIS ISSUE. REQUEST INVESTIGATION AND RECALL BY FORD.

NHTSA ODI 11516703

While driving down the interstate, a trim piece on the driver's side of the windshield flew off.

NHTSA ODI 11516610

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after making a left turn, the vehicle jerked in the opposite direction, and then the steering wheel became difficult to turn, and she crashed into a parked vehicle. The check engine and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, she noticed a fluid leak underneath. The vehicle had not yet been taken to an independent mechanic or a local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V675000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown. The contact stated that the air bags never deployed at the time of the incident. Also, it is difficult to click the seatbelt clip in. The local Ford Service Team was contacted but offered no help, stating that the accident had no correlation to the recall. They stated that they would not be covering the cost of repair for that incident.

NHTSA ODI 11516053

Steering wasn't acting right kept pulling to left and right. Acted like it was locking up. Went to leave a parking lot and it wouldn't steer at all. A warning popped up and said Steering loss service immediately.

NHTSA ODI 11515639

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while making a left turn from a complete stop, the steering wheel failed to return to the center. The contact stated that he manually steered the steering wheel back to the center. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the failure was related to Ford Campaign Number: 14S06 and referred the contact to the dealer. An unknown dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under Ford Campaign Number: 14S06 as the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11515458

Steering became very difficult, car would not track straight and turning was delayed. The dealer said teeth in the steering box had broken off. Also had a broken suspension strut - front right.

NHTSA ODI 11513320

When turning on the rear Auxililary climate control the cabin of the vehicle had a large amount of exhaust smell enter the cabin.

NHTSA ODI 11513065

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

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while inspecting the vehicle, the tech stated that the toe link needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer repaired the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V537000 (Suspension). The vehicle was taken to the inspection center again and the tech stated that the toe link needed to be replaced once again and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the rear passenger’s side knuckle needed to be replaced and stated that the vehicle had exceeded the 6 marks for warranty coverage. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The contact was advised to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 123,000.

NHTSA ODI 11512762

Lug nuts on wheel, swollen and hard to remove Not able to change or rotate tires, possibly breakage of lug nuts Confirmed by independent service center The vehicle lug nuts have not been inspected First noticed was changing brake pads

NHTSA ODI 11512615

Windshield trim flew off while we were driving on the highway. It hit the windshield flying backwards and almost hit a driver behind us. It startled us and almost caused an accident while we were going 75MPH with our kids in the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11512578

While driving on the highway, the passenger front windshield trim piece flew off, causing the driver behind me to swerve to avoid being hit by it. I was not positive what happened until I was able to stop and look at the vehicle. Dealership said it was not under recall so would cost $300+ to replace the part. Previously in the same day I had heard a tapping/rattling noise but could not identify where the sound was coming from.

NHTSA ODI 11512136

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

My 2014 Ford explore Set fire and lost control of steering on the highway the transfer case set fire, which made the driveshaft explode and twist. There were no warning signs of this. And we are very lucky that we were not hurt in this we have lost so much money and time there is no way that this was not due to a recall when I contacted Ford they pretty much told me the car was totaled and I was going to have to pay a lot of money depending on how much damage the fire did.

NHTSA ODI 11511279

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. 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 150,000.

NHTSA ODI 11510302

Back up camera works intermittently. It frequently gives a message stating thet the camera is not available and owner should contact the dealer.

NHTSA ODI 11510515

My Ford Explorer had a rear suspension toe link Recall, and in December I took my vehicle to the Ford dealership to get it fixed. At that time, they did a full vehicle inspection, fixed the part, and told me everything looked great. Shortly after the service, we had a snow storm, and my SUV would fishtail in Icy/snowy conditions. Every time it'd snow, it made me so scared to drive, because I'd essentially not have control over my vehicle. The issue wasn't present when the roads were clear. Within the two months since that service, my back tires have gone completely bald, down to the wires. I recently got in a car accident because my car wouldn't complete a turn and ended up t-boning a Tundra on a residential street. Luckily I was going slow so the damage to the other vehicle was minimal, and no obvious injuries have resulted from the accident. I was able to remove some of the plastic pieces around the fender, in order to still drive it, so I took it to the Ford dealership that originally serviced my car for an inspection. Now that the dealership has inspected my vehicle, they're claiming that it's not on their liability and that they're not responsible for any of the damage. Now the alignment is off on both the front and back, and the strut is bent (whether that's from the accident or not, we don't know). The Manager admitted that when servicing my vehicle they were only allowed to perform a rear alignment, but a front alignment was never suggested or offered to me. When aligning a vehicle (especially in the winter) the whole vehicle should be aligned, not just half. They of course claim zero liability or responsibility, even though I was having issues with it fishtailing shortly after it being serviced at their shop, for a part on the suspension, which affects alignment.

NHTSA ODI 11510009

While driving on highway the trim on the side of the windshield flew off .

NHTSA ODI 11509827

Water pump leakage

NHTSA ODI 11509716

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while accelerating at slower speeds, the vehicle hesitated while shifting gear. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power transfer unit (PTU) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

NHTSA ODI 11509558

Backup camera works intermittently

NHTSA ODI 11509136

Turn off vehicle one day and that next started it and cannot turn the wheel what so ever. Was able to start vehicle and remove keys from ignition. Steering did release a day or two later, but seized up and cannot remove keys or use the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11508940

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the front driver’s side windshield trim panel detached. The vehicle was taken to a body shop where the trim panel was replaced. The same failure also occurred with the passenger’s side trim panel and the panel was also replaced by the same body shop. Recently, the contact stated that the failure reoccurred on the driver’s side windshield panel. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where the contact was given an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE23001 (Structure). The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11508985