What 1,751 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Ford Explorer Gas

For a few weeks, I thought I had developed an air bubble in my power steering system, as occasionally, steering would have a very slight resistance that I could pull through with minimal effort. I went to check my power steering fluid and upon inspection and research, discovered that my vehicle (a Police Intercepter Utility, equal to a base model Explorer) has electric power steering, not hydraulic. I figured the issue was just a minor quirk of the electrical power steering motor kicking in. A few days ago, my power steering failed completely failed while driving at about 35mph. Only once did the dashboard light up with a warning about servicing advanced stabili-trac and something else closely related. The alert lights went out on their own after about 5 seconds and steering returned to normal. Later the same day, steering became very difficult again with no alert lights and it has remained very difficult to steer the vehicle at any speed since then, identical to the failure of a hydraulic power steering pump. I have not yet talked with Ford or any mechanics about the issue, but I plan to do so swiftly. Upon research, there are at least 280 identical complaints about identical make, model, and year vehicles. It may be time for a formal recall on the affected parts.

NHTSA ODI 11590336

Extensive leaking from the windshield area that is causing a significant amount of water to flood the passenger floorboard and the middle console where the screen for the radio, ac/heating control, and navigation system is. The lights on the middle console screen have become wet and are now blinking. The radio and the ac/heating screen is not allowing for any adjustments. The airbag light is now on the driver's console screen. The safety concerns due to the leaking of the windshield or the seals around the windshield would be an sudden loss of vehicle power while driving. Another safety concern is the windshield or the parts of the seals will come lose while operating the vehicle. There is also water leakage coming from the interior lights right above the middle console control panel.

NHTSA ODI 11586500

The back up camera works sometimes. If we move the shifter from reverse to N or P back to reverse the camera mostly came back on & stayed on until neutral or drive was chosen. It occasionally has the image upside down which is very dangerous. My wife [XXX] & [XXX] have problems turning our head to view mirrors with difficulty & pain. That’s why we chose the Explorer. It is dangerous as we can’t see traffic traveling either way behind the car, almost causing accidents as we are blind to see vehicles behind & beside the cars moving from the right or left. Our friends also having Ford cars are experiencing the same problems as the 2020 & newer reported camera problems that seem to be under recall soon. The problem exists from earlier models beside the Explorer. We asked our local Ford dealer on a recall but we were told no. They offered to fix the problem by replacing the camera assembly for a cost of $800 to $2000!! No chance or any repair or switch adjustment offered. I feel we & other owners Ford this is a serious safety problem that needs to be fixed by the manufacturer for faulty parts or connectors? I’m hoping you have other frustrated consumers with the same problems. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11584599

Rear back up camera does not always engage, and when it does, it sometimes shows inverted image. (Objects that are actually on the right appear on the left side of the screen.)

NHTSA ODI 11581469

The Moonroof/Sunroof’s motor always breaks down in winter due to snow freezing and water entering the roof and engine, I've had it repaired twice at the dealership, but every winter the problem returns, I talked to owners of the same model of vehicle and the same thing happens to them.

NHTSA ODI 11576197

The Power Steering was not working and a Low Voltage Warning came on saying power consumption was being reduced. I took the car to a mechanic and he tested the battery and alternator output. They both checked good. After driving for 10-15 minutes, the power consumption reduction turns off and things go back to normal. This happens on almost every drive.

NHTSA ODI 11565599

Warning lights that the ABS system was not functioning. Said to see dealer. Dealer said ABS module bad and had to be replaced. Told me could affect my ability to stop without new module could be a safety concern. Told me there is a back log of orders for module and could not give me a date when parts could come in. Said it could be months which leads me to believe many vehicles have this issue. Big concern to me. In addition, the rear back up camera does not always work which I believe is a real safety concern and know many year explorer cameras have malfunctioned and have been recalled. This year explorer should be recalled also. They have many fixes listed on youtube that identify various fixes various engineering issues, For safety of people (especially children) sake, this should be recalled in my opinion.

NHTSA ODI 11555614

The backup camera does not come up all the time. Sometimes it shows a blank screen or if it does show the camera picture is on the opposite side then what it show(backwards). Thank you

NHTSA ODI 11551943

The car would not accelerate after leaving a light. I had just exited the freeway and the gas pedal would not respond and I was stuck in the middle of a 4 lane highway. A yellow warning wrench appeared on the dash and then a check engine light. The error code is P2111 stating the throttle body stuck open.

NHTSA ODI 11548348

I have a 2015 Ford Explorer. I have had it inspected by a mechanic at the dealership where I purchased said vehicle. I also have taken it to Ford dealership in my town. My car runs perfectly fine then it doesn’t. I have been stranded numerous times and I have replaced the battery in the smart key as they said that would be the problem. I have had the computer reset to my car. When it happened last my camera to help me back up stopped and I was almost in a very bad wreck with my children and grandchildren in my car. It just died!!! I am now sitting in a parking lot at 93 degrees and it again won’t start and know one knows why. I have done everything I can and have been told. I don’t hot rod in my vehicle. Someone for the love of god please help me. I don’t have the money to keep doing this not to buy another vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11533116

When driving vehicle at any speed on the dashboard the terrain system failure light appears with a wrench light and the terrain system dial light shuts off when this occurs vehicle losses speed immediately stopping abruptly in traffic have taken to dealership but unable to recreate and I haven't been able to drive with the light one due to loosing ability to continue driving as I must turn off vehicle and reset to be able to drive very unsafe have contacted ford also say they can't help without the light reminding on

NHTSA ODI 11532401

The Gear Shift Selector would not register when the Gear Shift was in Park. This condition prevented turning the engine off. A costly repair was paid for and it has since been noted this is a common complaint on Ford Explorers. Another failed Ford design for which they should be held accountable. The complete Gear Shift Assembly was replaced May 12, 2017 53,86 miles

NHTSA ODI 11525704

Air bag light comes on intermittently. Current mileage 62,094. Noted 21 prior complaints on your site. Brought to dealer who told me the problem was with a wire harness failure. None of the safety air bags will operate/deploy when this light is on. A faulty harness that had failed will put me and my passengers in serious jeopardy of injury or death in the event of an accident. This diagnosis cost me $149 only to find out it would cost hundreds of dollars more to have the problem fixed. Internet research reveals this problem was addressed in a 2016 technical bulletin 16-0001; Code B141B. We purchased this vehicle as a certified pre-owned vehicle after Ford issued the technical bulletin. No mention of Ford's internal bulletin was made by the dealer at the time of my purchase. Ford has been aware of this problem for years. According to the dealership technician there is no formal recall to have this manufacturing defect corrected by Ford at no cost to the purchaser of the vehicle. Didn't fully functional air bags come as part of my certified pre-owned purchase? I expect the manufacturer's safety equipment to be fully functional. Please review 2015 Explorer Owner's Manual as follows: Child Safety (pages 18-37), Safety Belts (pages 38-48) Personal Safety System (page 49) and Supplementary Restraints System (pages 50-61) with particular attention to page 49 bearing in mind that NONE of these safety features work when the air bag light is on. What good are safety features that are disabled by a manufacturing defect in the wiring harness? Ford has not only disappointed its customers, it has put them in serious jeopardy when using their product. Your rating system notes Crash, Fire, Injuries and Deaths. Do not wait for a positive notation in any of these categories before you act on safety recommendations, including a mandated recall, which is your primary tool for preventing future civil transportation accidents.

NHTSA ODI 11524144

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the second-row rear inflatable seat belt connector caused the air bag warning light to illuminate. The contact related the failure to TSB-21B11 (2nd Row Inflatable Seat Belt). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the cable was re-routed under the seat and re-enforced with electrical tape; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11503994

The backup camera fails constantly when you put the Ford Explorer into reverse the camera works sometime and sometime it do not work a message will pop up saying that there is a problem with the camera and need to be service this is happening to a lot of the 2015 Ford Explorers and older and there should be a recall because if you look online there have been thousands of people having the same problem with their backup camera

NHTSA ODI 11504042

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact was able to jumpstart the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was towed to a local Pep Boys where the battery was replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that she noticed that coolant was leaking onto the ground in the driveway. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the water pump was leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

NHTSA ODI 11478145

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while parked or while driving during inclement weather, water would enter the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the rain caused an electrical failure in the vehicle that caused the radio, windows, and other electrical equipment to not function properly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the roof rack needed to be replaced. The contact stated that she was concerned about the electrical failure that was caused by the soft roof rack. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.

NHTSA ODI 11467975

The brake light goes on for a couple of minutes then goes off also the engine oil comes on when I had already change it but then comes off as well . Both light randomly come on and off might be a electrical problem . Suspension is really bad my car goes like if it’s going on bumps then it stops then again, does it randomly . Also car shakes

NHTSA ODI 11461426

Driver side air bag light on.

NHTSA ODI 11427073

THE HIGHWAY WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS DRIVING. AND THE CAR SUDDENLY HAD NO WAS ON EVERYTHI PULL OVER BUT I HAD TO PULL OVER. BECAUSE. THE CAR DIDN'T SHUT OFF, BUT I STEPPED ON THE PEDAL AND THERE WAS NO POWER. SO I PUL THE ROAD TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. I STARTED IT BACK UP AND DID FINE AND WENT HOME. BUT THIS WAS DANGEROUS. IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WHEN I WAS AT A RED LIGHT, IT TURNED GREEN. I STEPPED ON THE PEDAL AND THE CAR DID NOT MOVE. I THINK IT'S SOMETHING IN ELECTRICAL OR THROTTLEL NOT SURE.

NHTSA ODI 11407276

OUR AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GORDIE BOUCHER FORD IN JANESVILLE WI FOR REPAIRS. THE ENTIRE AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL NOT WORK IF THIS LIGHT IS ON. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED IF YOU SEARCH THE INTERNET. A COMMON PROBLEM THAT REQUIRES A WIRING HARNESS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A FRAYED WIRE. THE COST TO REPAIR THIS IS $1200. I DID HAVE THE REPAIR DONE BECAUSE WITHOUT IT I WOULD HAVE NO WORKING AIRBAGS ON MY VEHICLE. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD IS AWARE OF AND SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY RECALLED. I DID REQUEST THE OLD WIRING HARNESS IF THAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD NEED TO HELP GET THIS SAFETY RECALL STARTED. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR MY EXPENSES.

NHTSA ODI 11403721

WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL SUBURBAN STREET, MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. IT FELT LIKE IT WAS IN A MANUAL MODE AND IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET BACK HOME.. MY TWO GRANDCHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR, AND THIS SITUATION PUT US ALL IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR TO MY FORD DEALERSHIP AND AFTER ASSESSING THE SITUATION, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK FAILED. THIS RESULTED IN, NOT ONLY MY LOSING THE USE OF THE VEHICLE OVER THE WEEKEND, BUT AN EXTREME BILL, OF $2107.00!

NHTSA ODI 11386508

MY STEERING FAILED AS I WAS TRAVELING WITH MY GRANDKIDS ON A LOCAL SUBURBAN ROAD. IT TOOK ALL MY EFFORT TO STEER THE TRUCK BACK TO MY HOME. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS AS THE STEERING WOULD ALSO FREEZE AND LOCK IN ONE POSITION. I HAD IT REPAIRED AT MY FORD DEALER. TOTAL COST: $2,107.00! THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD COVER! I HAVE 85,000 MILES ON MY EXPLORER.

NHTSA ODI 11386515

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE WIRING AND FAULTY CONNECTORS. AFTER WIGGLING WIRES THE LIGHT GOES OFF. IT EVENTUALLY COMES BACK ON, THEN REPEAT THE PROCESS.. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY WITH THE LIGHT ON.

NHTSA ODI 11372407

APIM FAILURE IN 2015 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. ATTEMPTED TO USE UPDATE FROM FORD WEBSITE WHICH WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. CONTACTED FORD FOR SECOND ATTEMPT. SECOND ATTEMPT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. TOOK VEHICLE TO ULTIMATE FORD IN MOUNTAINHOME ARKANSAS. WAS TOLD THAT THE UPDATE WILL COST $109. ULTIMATE FORD ATTEMPTED TO DO UPDATE WHICH WAS UNSUCCESSFUL TIMES TWO AND WAS TOLD THAT THE A APIM WAS BAD BY JAY IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AND AFTER CONTACTING FORD MULTIPLE TIMES I WAS UNABLE TO GET ANY RESOLUTION IN THIS SITUATION. TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO FORD AND HAD THE APIM REPLACED AT A COST OF $915.46. I TALK TO CHRIS IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY DO 2 TO 3 APIM REPLACEMENTS A WEEK. IF THIS IS THE CASE IN A TOWN THE SIZE OF MOUNTAIN HOME ARKANSAS I BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD PROBABLY BE A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY .

NHTSA ODI 11359826