Home · 2014 Ford Explorer Police Intercept · Complaints

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

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)

Newest first · 1,671 complaints · page 38 of 67

Dec 10, 2019Engine

2014 EXPLORER CONTINUOUSLY LEAKING COOLANT NEAR FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. DEALERSHIP REFILLED COOLANT AND PERFORMED A PRESSURE TEST AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ONE YEAR LATER, THE VEHICLE IS STILL LEAKING COOLANT AND I HAVE TO KEEP ADDING ADDITIONAL COOLANT. I AM CONCERNED THIS IS A WATER PUMP FAILURE AND COST TO REPAIR CAR WOULD BE UPWARD OF 8K

NHTSA ODI 11288134

Dec 8, 2019Steering

STEERING WHEEL FAULT ASSIST

NHTSA ODI 11287756

Dec 8, 2019Fuel system

VEHICLE HAS STRONG FUEL SMELL INSIDE CABIN AT STARTUP BUT THERE ARE NO ENGINE CODES TO CHECK. OTHER YEAR MODELS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVE HAD A RECALL ON THE FUEL SYSTEM LEAKING, BUT NOT YET ON THIS YEAR MODEL AS FAR AS I COULD FIND.

NHTSA ODI 11287764

Dec 6, 2019Steering

WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 50 MPH ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY, THE STEERING OF THE CAR BEGAN TO BE UNRESPONSIVE. IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS I REDUCED THE SPEED AND WAS ABLE TO NEGOTIATE MY RETURN TO HOME. AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR OFF, I RESTARTED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. WHEN THE CAR WAS BEING LOADED ON THE TOW TRUCK, THE FRONT WHEELS COULD NOT BE STEERED AT ALL. DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COMPUTER BUT I WAS TOLD THE MECHANICAL STEERING MECHANISM HAD FAILED ALSO. NO ONE WAS HURT OR ACCIDENT OCCURRED, BUT THE CASCADING PROBLEM CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION.

NHTSA ODI 11287491

Dec 2, 2019Steering

POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND DASHBOARD LIT UP WITH WARNING LIGHTS.VEHICLE WAS ON I-77 DOING 70 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI 11286325

Nov 26, 2019Visibility & wipers

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TRIM DETACHED FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORTHSIDE FORD (LOCATED AT 12300 SAN PEDRO AVE, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78216, (210) 319-5734) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRIM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NOVEMBER 19, 2019. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ODI 11282459

Nov 25, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING MADE A CLINKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEWIS FORD (888-314-4824, LOCATED AT #3373 NORTH COLLEGE, FAYETTEVILLE, AR 72703) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOX NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS24964944 AND WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,500.

NHTSA ODI 11282243

Nov 21, 2019SeatsEngine

I'M GETTING CEL ERROR CODE P0016. THERE IS A RATTLING NOISE ON STARTUP AND SOMETIMES DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING EVERYDAY. MY EXPLORER SPORT HAS 65,340 MILES ON IT, W AY TO SOON FOR A TIMING CHAIN. THE DEALER STATED I PROBABLY HAVE TIMING CHAIN STRETCH AND THERE NO TSB TO RESOLVED THE ISSUE IN MY TRUCK EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE SAME ECOBOOST ENGINE AS THE F150 THAT THE TSB 17-0026 DOES APPLY TO. WHY NOT THE FORD EXPLORER THAT HAS SAME EXACT ENGINE AS F150 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM? WHY WAS THE FORD EXPLORER ECOBOOST LEFT OUT OF THE TSB? THERE'S AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE NOT MODEL OF TRUCK. I'M HOPEFULLY LOOKING FOR FORD TO HONER THE TSB FOR MY VEHICLE THAT HAS THE SAME ENGINE DEFECT

NHTSA ODI 11281639

Nov 20, 2019Body & structure

DRIVER SIDE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF WHEN DOOR WAS OPENED WHILE STATIONARY.

NHTSA ODI 11281372

Nov 20, 2019Airbags

8/10/2019 SERVICE AT FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE AT TED BRITT AUTO CENTER IN FAIRFAX, VA. VEHICLE HAS $63,528 MILES. REPORT INDICATED TO RECOMMEND TSB16-0001 TO ADDRESS AIR BAG LIGHT. QUOTE $1060 PARTS AND LABOR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND REPORTED CLAIM TO FORD TO COVER WHICH THEY DENIED. NOTICED MULTIPLE REPORTS OF SIMILAR ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD.

NHTSA ODI 11281439

Nov 19, 2019

AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE AN ODOR WOULD CONSUME THE INTERIOR. I TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE AIR CONDITIONING BUT IT DIDN'T HELP. AFTER YOU DRIVE AND THEN COME TO A STOP THE ENTIRE INTERIOR IS CONSUMED WITH A HORRIBLE FUME...IT HAS CAUSED MY EYES TO WATER, BECOME NAUSEOUS AND ALMOST PASS OUT. IT IS GETTING WORSE. THE ODOR DOESN'T SEEM TO HAPPEN WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING BUT AS SOON AS YOU COME TO A STOPLIGHT OR STOP SIGN IT JUST CONSUMES THE ENTIRE INSIDE. I FIRST STARTED TO SMELL IT IN JULY AND REALLY THOUGHT IT WAS MY AIR CONDITIONING. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS EVER SINCE.

NHTSA ODI 11281190

Nov 8, 2019

MY WINDOW BLEW OUT ON THE REAR HATCH OPENING OF MY 2014 FORD EXPLORER XLT.. PEOPLE SAW IT AND SAID IT JUST BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING STATIONARY IN MY WORK PARKING LOT. I WAS INSIDE THE SCHOOL BUILDING. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND NOT RUNNING FOR 4 HOURS. SEVERAL WITNESSES DESCRIBED IT AS IT JUST BLEW OUT.

NHTSA ODI 11279059

Nov 7, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE STEERING CONTROL ARM; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE THE STEERING MODULE WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11278663

Oct 30, 2019Body & structureVisibility & wipers

MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF/MOON ROOF SHATTERED FOR ABSOLUTELY NOT REASON RANDOMLY TONIGHT WHILE SITTING STATIONARY IN THE DRIVEWAY (NOT PARKED UNDER ANYTHING!). THANK GOODNESS I HAD MY VISOR CLOSED OR IT WOULD HAVE SHATTERED ALL OVER MY 2 CHILDREN

NHTSA ODI 11277218

Oct 29, 2019Engine & coolingEngine1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ROWE FORD AUBURN (699 CENTER ST, AUBURN, ME 04210) FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. CONSUMER ALSO STATED EXHAUST WAS LEAKING FUMES INTO CARGO AREA, WHICH CAUSED HEADACHES AND LIGHT HEADINESS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000. *CW*JB

NHTSA ODI 11276874

Oct 28, 2019Steering

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2014 FORD EXPLORER STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY OF MY HOME OFF OF A CITY STREET. WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON STATING TRACTION ASSIST AND POWER STEERING FAULTS. THIS HAPPENED WITH OUT WARNING AND MADE THE VEHICLE VERY HARD TO STEER.

NHTSA ODI 11271620

Oct 22, 2019

STRONG SMELL OF EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE THE CABIN UNDER DIFFERENT DRIVING CONDITIONS, WITH AND WITHOUT A/C ON.

NHTSA ODI 11270333

Oct 20, 2019

TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK AFTER SHIFTING INTO PARK

NHTSA ODI 11269796

Oct 10, 2019Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHINO HILLS FORD (4480 CHINO HILLS PKWY, CHINO, CA 91710), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ODI 11267752

Oct 9, 2019Steering

AFTER FUELING UP AT THE GAS STATION I STARTED DRIVING HOME WHEN THE STEERING GOT HARD AND COULDNT MAKE TURNS EASILY, ON THE DASH IT SAID 'STEERING ASSIST FAULT SERVICE REQUIRED', THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND THERE WASNT MUCH TRAFFIC BUT I WAS VERY SCARED FOR A FEW MOMENTS, I HAD A 1YR OLD AND A 6YR OLD WITH ME

NHTSA ODI 11267553

Oct 8, 2019Visibility & wipers

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO DISENGAGE ON THEIR OWN. THE CONTACT HAD TO REMOVE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FUSE BOX IN ORDER TO DISENGAGE THE WIPERS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11267176

Oct 7, 2019Engine

THERE IS AN ODOR LEAKING INTO THE CAR FROM EITHER THE ENGINE OR THE EXHAUST . I'VE NOTICED IT MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS AND WE HAVE TO PUT THE WINDOWS DOWN TO NOT FEEL SICK WHEN WE BREATHE. IT HAPPENS WHETHER I AM DRIVING OR STOPPED AT A LIGHT. I ALSO STARTED FEELING TIRED WHILE DRIVING AND ALMOST FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY. I HAVE NOW STOPPED USING THE VEHICLE. SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG.

NHTSA ODI 11266708

Oct 4, 2019Steering

STEERING ASSIST FAULT SERVICE REQUIRED MESSAGE POPPED UP WHEN I STARTED MY CAR. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN EITHER DIRECTION. LUCKILY I WAS IN OFFICE PARKING LOT AND IT DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING OR I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TURN TO AVOID OTHER CARS. I MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE CAR TOWED, BUT WHEN I STARTED IT UP AGAIN THE STEERING WORKED AS NORMAL. I DID NOT WANT TO CHANCE IT HAPPENING AGAIN SO I PUT IN THE SHOP. IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITHIN THE STEERING SHAFT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WAS LUCKY THAT IT DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING, BUT WANTED TO REPORT IN CASE IT HELPS OTHERS.

NHTSA ODI 11266196

Sep 25, 2019Steering

WHILE DRIVING 2014 EXPLORER VERY NEAR HOME, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE BACK HOME BUT CALLED FOR A TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE 'CODE' SAID RESET COMPUTER. THIS WAS DONE BUT DURING TEST DRIVE FAILURE HAPPENED AGAIN. SINCE NO CODE IS PROVIDED, I AM TOLD THE ONLY THING THAT IS LEFT IS JUST TO DRIVE IT AND SEE IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS JUST SEEMS VERY UNSAFE ESPECIALLY IF MY WIFE IS DRIVING AND UNABLE TO HANDLE THE CAR TO A STOP OR WE ARE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI 11258211

Sep 23, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING ABILITY AND THE SERVICE POWER STEERING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO PURCHASE FORD/LINCOLN (1352 US-45, MAYFIELD, KY 42066) ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 WHERE THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11257331

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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 Police Intercept verdict →