What 1,669 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Ford Explorer

The contact owned a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, black smoke started to come from the rear end of the vehicle. The contact pulled to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact noticed the smoke continued and that black smoke was now coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact opened the hood of the vehicle and noticed a fire starting near the engine on the driver's side, closer towards the windshield. The fire department arrived and was able to extinguish the fire. The fire diagnosed a mechanical error was the cause of the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. The contact had not sustained any injuries and did not need medical assistance. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and a complaint was made. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a safety complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

NHTSA ODI 11678728

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while the vehicle was idle, the contact noticed smoke coming out from underneath the passenger's side of the hood. The contact stated upon exiting and inspecting the vehicle, she noticed burning plastic falling from underneath the passenger's side of the vehicle onto the ground, and there was fire. The contact poured water underneath the vehicle and opened the hood and poured water at the fire location. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries sustained. No police report or fire department report was filed. The contact added water to the coolant reservoir and drove to the residence. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics, where it was diagnosed that the A/C fan had caught on fire due to a stuck clutch bearing. The mechanics informed the contact that the radiator was damaged and was leaking due to the fire. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11593890

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

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