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

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 (1,669)Crash / fire / injury (49)Steering (495)Body & structure (274)Engine (196)Suspension (102)Electrical system (99)Transmission & drivetrain (79)Fuel system (71)Engine & cooling (67)Visibility & wipers (53)Airbags (47)

3 of 1,669 complaints match · Fuel system · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Mar 10, 2023Engine & coolingFuel system1 injury

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

Jan 18, 2017Fuel system3 injuries

SMELL OF GAS IN CABIN OF VEHICLE. MAKING PASSENGERS/DRIVER NAUSEATED. ALSO A SMELL OF GAS (NATURAL OR PROPANE) FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN WALKING AROUND IT.

NHTSA ODI 10946223

Aug 10, 2015Fuel systemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHENATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE OR GOING UP AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE EMITTED A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THAT THE FUMES LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE MIGHT BE CAUSED BY CRACKS IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150.

NHTSA ODI 10747632

Working with the data? Download all 1,669 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 10, 2026

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 verdict →