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 59 of 67

Dec 8, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE "NOT IN PARK" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, THE WARNING INDICATOR DISAPPEARED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SHIFTER NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED THREE OTHER TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ODI 10933899

Dec 5, 2016Suspension

STILL WAITING FOR PARTS FOR THIS RECALL WHICH WAS ISSUED IN APRIL. THIS IS REALLY RIDICULOUS CONSIDERING THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI 10930079

Dec 2, 2016Electrical systemSpeed controlEngine

I BOUGHT MY 2014 FORD EXPLORER IN NOVEMBER OF 2015. I NOTICED A ROTTEN EGG/ EXHAUST SMELL AS THE WEATHER BECAME WARMER. ANYTIME I WOULD ACCELERATE UP A HILL OR ACCELERATE ON A FLAT STRETCH OF ROAD DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS WAS WHEN THE SMELL IS THE WORST. I HAVE TO ROLL DOWN ALL OF THE WINDOWS. I NO LONGER ALLOW MY CHILDREN TO RIDE IN THE THIRD ROW BECAUSE THEY WOULD COMPLAIN ON THE LONGER CAR RIDES OF HAVING A HEADACHE. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 3 OCCASIONS NOW. THEY HAVE TOLD ME THEY HAVE TRIED TO REPRODUCE MY COMPLAINT, AND HAVE FAILED TO DO SO. I AM CURRENTLY GOING TO THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER ON A RIDE TOMORROW TO REPRODUCE THIS SMELL. THE SMELL HAS BEEN SO BAD AT TIMES THAT I PERSONALLY HAVE FELT LIKE I WAS GOING TO BE SICK. THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THE EXPLORERS HAVING THIS SMELL. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. I AM AT THE POINT THAT I DO NOT PUT MY KIDS IN MY CAR ANYMORE THEN I HAVE TO. I HAVE HAD TO APOLOGIZE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO MY FRIENDS ABOUT THE SMELL. FORD NEEDS TO FIGURE THIS OUT!! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10929575

Dec 2, 2016Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V245000 (SUSPENSION). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 10929673

Dec 1, 2016Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V248000 (SUSPENSION). 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 MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10929388

Nov 29, 2016Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V245000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 10928598

Nov 22, 2016Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V245000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10927445

Nov 22, 2016Steering

I'VE HAD ISSUES WITH MY FORD EXPLORER NOT TURNING WELL, MAKING NOISES WITH THE TURN, AND HAVE TAKEN IT INTO THE SHOP WHO HAVE SAID IT'S A COMMON ISSUE. THIS IS A DANGER. MY OTHER COMPLAINT IS THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL 16V-245) AND HAVE TAKEN MY CAR IN TO HAVE THE REPAIR AND THEY HAVE SAID THEY DIDN'T WANT TO USE THE PARTS/TIME TO DO THE FIX! I HAVE CALLED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE REPAIR AND THEY STATE THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO DO THE REPAIR. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE A POTENTIAL DANGER WITH MY CAR AND FORD SENDS A LETTER TO COVER THEMSELVES WITH THE GOVERNMENT, AND I'M LEFT IN THE LURCH. THE GOVERNMENT HAS SHOWN TO BE INEFFECTIVE AND I'M HOPING THAT MY MESSAGE WILL BE HEARD BY SOMEONE.

NHTSA ODI 10927439

Nov 18, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

AFTER I PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, THE ALERT "TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK" COMES ON. MY GEAR SHIFT IS IN THE PARK POSITION. I PUSH IN THE BUTTON MULTIPLE TIMES (WITHOUT MOVING THE SHIFTER) WHERE THE "P" ON THE DASH FLASHES TO SHOW I'M IN PARK. AFTER DOING THIS, THE "TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK" ALERT USUALLY GOES AWAY. THIS GOES IN SPURTS WHEN IT HAPPENS - IT WILL BE EVERY TIME I TURN OFF THE CAR FOR A COUPLE DAYS, THEN IT WON'T HAPPEN FOR A WEEK OR SO. THIS STARTED ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO.

NHTSA ODI 10926847

Nov 17, 2016Engine

STRONG EXHAUST ODOR UNDER HEAVY ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ODI 10926707

Nov 13, 2016

EXHAUST FUMES ARE ENTERING THE CABIN OF MY 2014 FORD EXPLORER THRU THE DASH VENTS EVERY TIME I STOP MAKING ME SICK TO MY STOMACH. THESE EXHAUST FUMES SMELL LIKE SULFUR OR ROTTEN EGGS BUT I FEAR THAT ARE POISONOUS GASES LIKE CARBON MONOXIDE AS WELL. MY DEALER PERFORMED A "FIX" LAST WEEK INVOLVING A TSB 14-0130 BUT IT HAS NOT HELPED. I FEAR THAT I AM STARTING TO GET THE RUN AROUND. I AM AFFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. PLEASE HELP ME!

NHTSA ODI 10925687

Oct 31, 2016Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V245000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10920221

Oct 31, 2016

10/04/2016 MY TOUCH SCREEN FROZE. I HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE HEATING AND COOLING IN THE BACK 2 ROWS OF SEATS. NAVIGATION, RADIO, SIRIUS, AND MORE DO NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A CITY STREET WHEN EVERYTHING FROZE. CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. A REPLACEMENT SCREEN WAS ORDERED BUT HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER FOR ALMOST 4 WEEKS CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TWICE BUT THEY WILL NOT HELP. MY DELORSHIP CARLSBAD FORD SAID THEY CAN NOT GET ANY INFORMATION ON THE DELAY

NHTSA ODI 10920386

Oct 30, 2016Engine

UNSAFE C02 LEVELS IN CABIN ,BAD ODORS,WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WHILE A/C ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10920073

Oct 27, 2016Fuel system

STRONG AND FAIRLY CONSTANT (DAILY) EXHAUST ODOR ENTERING INSIDE OF CAR, MAKING ME AND MY KIDS NAUSEOUS/SICK. I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM GIRARD FORD IN NORWICH, CT LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AGO AND COMPLAINED TO THEM LESS THEN 5 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE. I BROUGHT INTO THEIR SERVICE GARAGE AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T SMELL FUEL. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THEY TEST DROVE FOR A TOTAL OF AN HOUR AND A HALF, BUT THAT DOESN'T COINCIDE WITH THE ODOMETER READING FROM WHEN I DROPPED IT OFF. ODOMETER SHOWS THAT THEY ONLY DROVE FOR MAYBE 30 MINUTES. THE FUEL SMELL DISRUPTS DRIVING, DAUGHTER FELT LIKE SHE COULD VOMIT. THIS OCCURS EVERY DAY. IT JUST COMES ON AT TIMES WHEN ACCELERATING UPHILL OR ON REGULAR ROAD, ONCE THE SMELL IS THERE IT LINGERS IN THE CAR FOR REMAINDER OF DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10919265

Oct 27, 2016Steering

I STARTED MY VEHICLE AT WHICH TIME I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE LEFT OR RIGHT. THE SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC SYSTEM LIGHT WAS ON. IT WOULD ONLY MOVE 1/4 OF AN INCH IN EITHER DIRECTIONS. I COULD DRIVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD HOWEVER IMPOSSIBLE TO SAFELY DRIVE AS YOU CANNOT MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. ON THE OTHER OCCASIONS THIS OCCURRED IT WAS AFTER HAVING DRIVEN THE VEHICLE PARKING AND THEN RETURNING A SHORT WHILE LATER AND ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE. THE DEALERSHIP FIRST SAID WAS A STEERING GEAR WHICH WAS REPLACED THEN SAID CODES NEED TO BE CLEARED THEN SAID WAS A MODULE AND THEN SAID WAS ANOTHER MODULE AND AS OF TODAY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10919370

Oct 26, 2016Engine

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ACCELERATED,A VERY STRONG ODOR OF EXHAUST COMES FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER. I HAD A REPRESENTATIVE WITH ME AND THEY NOTICED THE ODOR TOO. THIS HAPPENS NO MATTER WHAT ROAD YOU ARE DRIVING ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10919155

Oct 19, 2016Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V245000 (SUSPENSION). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 10917419

Oct 17, 2016AirbagsEngine

IN JUNE 6/2016, MY WAS WAS GOING 35MPH, APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WHEN THE WRENCH LIGHT FOLLOWED BY THE "TERRAIN MANAGEMENT FAULT" WARNING CAME ON. THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. TRAFFIC COMING FROM HER RIGHT RECEIVED THE GREEN LIGHT AND SHE WAS NEARLY KILLED BY A DRIVER WHO DROVE THROUGH THE LIGHT, TIMING IT FOR WHEN IT TURNED GREEN. THE VEHICLE SPENT 14.5 DAYS AT THE PALM BAY FORD DEALERSHIP IN PALM BAY FLORIDA WERE IT WAS PURCHASED NEW. FORD DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY. I WENT ONLINE AND SAW THE NUMBER OF THESE THROTTLE BODY FAILURES AND CONTACTED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE HOTLINE. I EXPLAINED TO THEM I FELT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE, THAT I HAD NO CONFIDENCE IN THE VEHICLE, AND THAT IF THERE HAD BEEN NO DESIGN CHANGE TO THE THROTTLE BODY IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. I WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER (WHICH HAS NOW BEEN CLOSED), AND NOTES OF MY CONCERNS WERE MADE ON THE CASE. ON 10/11/2016 I AT 1530 EDT, I WAS PULLING OUT OF A GAS STATION TURNING RIGHT, WITH TRAFFIC APPROACHING FROM MY LEFT. THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON FOLLOWED BY THE "TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT" ALERT. THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER (THROTTLE RESPONSE) AND THE APPROACHING TRAFFIC HAD TO LOCK UP THEIR BRAKES TO AVOID A BROADSIDE COLLISION!. I HAD MY WIFE, 10YR OLD DAUGHTER AND 12YR OLD SON IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME. HAD A COLLISION OCCURRED MY SON WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE VEHICLE WENT BACK TO THE PALM BAY FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT 10/12/2016 AT 0900 EDT. THE THROTTLE BODY HAD FAILED AGAIN AS PREDICTED, THE VEHICLE IS STILL THERE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE HOTLINE AND RECEIVED TWO CASE NUMBERS NOW. 1: CAS-10814941-Q8T7Z5, 2: CAS-10830198. I TRIED TO GET FORD TO TAKE THE CAR BACK AND TRADE IN ON A NEW ONE AS THIS IS AN "UNSAFE"VEHICLE. THEY WILL NOT HELP US AND THIS THROTTLE BODY ISSUE IS AN EPIDEMIC! I AM SURE THERE HAS BEEN LOSE OF LIFE FROM THESE "UNSAFE" VEHICLES?

NHTSA ODI 10916462

Oct 17, 2016Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE AND TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO SHIFT PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. ..UPDATED 11/17/16 *BF CONSUMER STATED PALM BAY FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT INSTALLED A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY IN HIS VEHICLE AGAINST CONSUMERS PROTEST. CONSUMER EXPRESSED CONCERNS REPEATEDLY THAT WITHOUT A DESIGN CHANGE TO THE THROTTLE BODY, IT WOULD FAIL AGAIN, WHICH IT DID. UPDATED 9/5/19*JB

NHTSA ODI 10916483

Oct 13, 2016Suspension

NHTSA RECALL 16V-245 AFTER 6 MONTHS PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR WHAT COULD BE A SERIOUS SUSPENSION ISSUE. VEHICLE MAY BE UNSAFE AND IT CERTAINLY SEEMS LIKE 6 MONTHS SHOULD BE MORE THAN ENOUGH TIME TO AT LEAST START ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE. WIFE HAS BEEN AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 10915700

Oct 13, 2016Suspension

NOTIFIED JUNE 2016 OF REAR SUSPENSION LINK THAT MAY FRACTURE WHICH MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL. AS OF TODAY, 10/12/16 I HAVE HEARD NOTHING FROM FORD AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT CONTINUED USE OF THE VEHICLE. HOW LONG SHOULD THIS TYPE OF REPAIR TYPICALLY TAKE?

NHTSA ODI 10915983

Oct 13, 2016Body & structure

THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD TRIM PILLAR FLEW OFF WHILE ON EXPRESSWAY. I COULD DEALERSHIP, ALTHOUGH THEY ARE AWARE OF REPLACING THE STEEL FRAME AND TRIM IT ISNT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY AND NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINT FOR A RECALL. THIS PART FLEW OFF, I COULD OF HIT A MOTORCYCLIST OR ANOTHER CAR WINDSHIELD OR COULD OF CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. IT SCARED ME JUST AS IT HIT MY WINDSHIELD AND FLEW OFF, NOT TO MENTION RUBBER MOLDING WAS FLAPPING AROUND. I DRIVE 25 MI BACK AND FORTH 5 DAYS A WEEK TO MY EMPLOYMENT, I FIND IT VERY HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS ISNT CONSIDERED A DEFECT, WHEN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS ADMITING THAT BOTH PANELS NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH IMPROVED FRAME AND TRIM PLEASE HELP ME, COST IS OVER $285 AND FORD IS NOT OFFERING ANY SORT OF HELP. THE CS REP WERE NOT PROFESSIONAL EITHER, REFUSED TO LET ME SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR AND WHEN ONE CAME ON SHE WAS ALSO VERY UNPROFESSIONAL. I LIKE TO WRITE DOWN NAMES AND ID # AND SHE REFUSED TO PROVIDE LAST NAME AND JUST CHUCKLED BEFORE SAYING DIDNT MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I CALLED MY CASE WAS CLOSED.

NHTSA ODI 10915996

Oct 12, 2016Body & structure

DOORS VINYL BECOMING UNGLUED AND PREVENTING LOCKING AND UNLOCKING OF THE DOORS

NHTSA ODI 10915598

Oct 11, 2016Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V245000 (SUSPENSION). THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10915363

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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 →