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

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. During the failure the message "Terrain Management Fault" was displayed along with the wrench icon. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally, and the message and the wrench icon were no longer displayed. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions and at various speeds. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11540076

Turbocharger oil supply tubes leaking onto exhaust manifold Same engine as the recalled 2016-2017 Models

NHTSA ODI 11539080

Last year the water pump needed to be replaced at 99,500 miles. It cost upwards of $2,000 to be replaced. Fast forward now, a year later the check engine light is on, the car is not accelerating properly and it is back in the shop. The shop called and said it is not as simple as fixing the sensors. They have to look further and thinks it may be the timing chain which would be another $2,000. When it was in the shop a year ago fixing the water pump they said the timing chain at that time looked good. I am so frustrated that the water pump is not a part of a recall since our shop said they are seeing this all the time with Explorers with about 100,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11537463

My 2015 ford explorer water pump has failed sending coolant all over. The water pump in an internal component of the engine. I am lucky that I caught the water pump failure when I did and it didn’t completely catastrophically fail. There are numerous reports that the water pumps catastrophically fail and send coolant and metal particles into the motor causing it to also catastrophically fail. If my engine failed while driving on the highway I could have been seriously injured or killed or worse I could have seriously hurt or killed somebody else. I brought my car to ford 7/21/23 where they did general diagnostic tests everything was negative and nothing was found and I was sent on my way. On 7/29/23 I noticed I had a puddle in my driveway and there was definitely a leak I brought my car back to ford where they spent an entire day diagnosing. I was quoted $2500 and my car will take a week to fix. Ford has not offered to pay for any of the repairs even though these poorly manufactured water pumps continue to go bad on thousands of vehicles. There are multiple class action lawsuits against ford for this reason!

NHTSA ODI 11535911

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

3/23 I noticed my coolant reservoir was empty. The vehicle was involved in a minor accident in 12/22 and so I thought coolant slowly leaked out due to the accident. The vehicle was repaired at a collision center so I was concerned they didn't repair or totally missed the leak. I filled it up and took the Explorer for an oil change and that is when the mechanic informed me that I had a small coolant leak. I contacted the collision center and my insurance and both were stating that was from wear and tear. They also proceeded to tell me that is a big issue with the Explorers and certain other vehicles. They mentioned a lawsuit was filed in MA because of this issue. The leak start to get worse, causing me to constantly refill the reservoir with coolant. Always had to have coolant in the vehicle because you just never know. I take the EXPLORER to Ford for a diagnostic and they confirmed it was the internal water pump. This seems to be an issue and recalled because of a defective part or the way the vehicle was built. The leak can happen at any time and mine had 114,000 miles. My other 2010 Ford F150 has 180,000 miles and I have never had this issue. Needless to say, I had to for over $2,300 for the dealership to repair.

NHTSA ODI 11532383

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. Additionally, the contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle was shuddering. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the crankshaft pulley needed to be replaced; however, the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 65,417.

NHTSA ODI 11527441

I have a recall on rear suspension I have called to have the repairs done several times I was given response of they didn't have the parts needed and would take several weeks . Rear suspension is very unsafe and now the engine cooling component is causing issues with over heating and not giving any warning lights on dash and am afraid found cause fire or some unsafe issue

NHTSA ODI 11527106

While driving the temp started to fluctuate, causing the car the shut down in traffic. I had no clue what was happening. The only warning I got from the vehicle was a check engine light. This should not be possible. I understand the design is meant to protect the engine, but what about the driver. This was horrible and I've seen hundreds of others with this same issue. This needs to be recalled. In addition, it will cost me 4000 to fix this...while the pump itself only costs 200. The labor is the other 3800. This is a horrible thing to do to drivers.

NHTSA ODI 11525499

Waterpump

NHTSA ODI 11522638

Water pump died at 80,000 miles. Seems in my research this is a common probably with class action lawsuits

NHTSA ODI 11522131

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with a thumping sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that when the ignition was turned to the on position, the vehicle failed to start with the lights illuminated inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,000.

NHTSA ODI 11521645

When driving the vehicle, I can smell gas fumes which caused nausea. I didn’t know it was worse in the back of the cabin where my children sit until I sat back there for a 3 hour trip. The smell was stronger there which led to headache, nausea and fatigue. It doesn’t seem to come from the vent, it seems from the entire body of the vehicle. This puts my children’s health at risk. And all of our lives because if we travel far enough breathing this in, it can lead to exhaustion which can cause a crash and put others’ safety at risk. I’m surprised to see there is no recall, yet, it’s been reported that there have been 1.5 million complaints. We are having the issue fixed next Wednesday, but we will be without a car (ford is not providing a loan vehicle) and the bill is extremely expensive. This is clearly something wrong with the way the vehicle was made and is not fair as consumers that we not only have to breathe this in, but pay for the repair that has clearly been an issue for a majority of police vehicles out of 1.5 million complaints. Please help us.

NHTSA ODI 11515383

Without any warning, the engine and power system failed while on the highway. There was no system warning lights preceding the event, and the vehicle had be well maintained. We were lucky to have been able to get off the road by safely coasting. Once towed to the mechanics, we were told that a rod had failed and entire would need to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11510506

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 55-60 MPH, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the vehicle had lost steering gear functionality. The contact was able to pull the steering wheel and regain control. There was an unknown steering message displayed. The contact stated that the traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering gear, connecting rod, and rear toe link needed to be replaced, but the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11509726

Upon excellerated take off the exhaust fumes fill the cabin. There has been a prior recall for such issues. This has happened multiple times over the entire time that I have owned it. It is getting increasingly worse and I worry for myself, my family and others. My local Ford dealership dismissed me every time I brought it up.

NHTSA ODI 11507712

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the HVAC system was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the water pump was faulty, causing coolant intrusion into the engine, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11506250

When you drive the vehicle over 40 mph the vehicle let’s out a smell that’s very strong and you have to let the windows down so that you don’t feel sick. The smell makes you have headaches and feel lightheaded.

NHTSA ODI 11504369

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start as needed. The contact stated that the “Service Required” light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

NHTSA ODI 11504050

Timing belt broke and caused vehicle to stop running, this was after I took it to a mechanic who did a diagnostic and no issues showed up. Now, because of the timing belt breaking, the engine is irreparable and the entire engine will need to be replaced. It only has 116K miles. Another minor complaint is the front driver's side side windshield panel has come unglued. Luckily, the vehicle was stationary when I noticed it being loose. However, it could pose a safety risk. I have noticed other similar vehicles missing the same piece, so it seems to be a consistent problem with Ford Explorers.

NHTSA ODI 11503834

My 2015 Ford Explorer is having fumes in the car. The dealership has charged me for an oil leak, cracked exhaust and now wants me to pay for a muffler. There is still exhaust fumes coming into the car making it hard to drive in the cold.

NHTSA ODI 11501411

Water pump damaged the engine and water pump replacement cost is high and I cannot afford that kind of service because a stupid designed engine. The part is really cheap compared with the cost of the labor and hours to replace. Suggested from the mechanic replace the engine and the cost is high . I do not have a car anymore and they don’t want to do it.

NHTSA ODI 11500568

In 2015, when I leased a Ford Explorer XLT, I was never made aware or otherwise notified that a host of Ford models, including the 2015 Ford Explorer XLT had a long known design flaw in which the water pump, encased in the engine block, had a history of prematurely breaking and causing engine coolant to enter the engine and mix with the oil, and also into the oil pan, causing total engine failure, with no advance warning to and at the peril of the vehicle owner or operator, when the vehicle may come to a complete standstill or stop in traffic or in any operation placing the operator at risk of injury or in jeopardy of causing an accident or being subject to becoming an accident victim, plus creating the need to replace a new engine or a rebuilt engine into the vehicle. catastrophic damage in 2011 to 2020 models, with the replacement costs having to be borne by the owner of said vehicle because no recall had been undertaken, despite of their being a host of victimized owners. This incident happened to me and the 2015 Ford Explorer XLT vehicle I was driving. It occurred while I was in traffic and the exception caused total engine failure with no advance warning, no instrument panel warning and the entire engine had to be replaced at my personal cost of over $7,000. I attempted to negotiate with Ford Motor Company to no avail, and I had to expend the funds to acquire and install a rebuilt engine, at my own expense, to be able to continue to use the vehicle for my livelihood. Numerous correspondence with the dealership of origin, Liccardi Ford of Watchung, NJ, and the Ford Motor Company were fruitless. With all of the incidents and all the victims of this design flaw, a recall should have, in my opinion, resulted, but it did not. To my knowledge, which I have not been able to confirm, the design was corrected in newer models, but no assistance was afforded to the owners of the affected vehicles. I have sold the vehicle and it is not available for inspection.

NHTSA ODI 11497664

Water pump leakage I noted that my Ford was leaking fluid and took it in to be serviced. Upon review it was determined that the water pump needed to be replaced as well as the timing belt. Ford Explorer models from 2011 to 2016 had the most water pump issues. Consumers have continuously reported complaints with a few of all the models having leakage issues. I am not alone in this and it looks like several are indicating a class action lawsuit should occur as Ford knows this is an issue and has not completed a recall. https://www.vehiclehistory.com/articles/all-about-the-ford-explorer-water-pump-recalls The loss of engine coolant through a leak in the water pump can damage the engine. Without the engine coolant, the motor will overheat and lock up, causing the consumer to purchase a new engine. Ford Motor Company has repaired the issues when the consumer brings the vehicle in for service. No recalls have happened, so the customer has to pay for the repairs. Ford engines from this year have the water pump built inside the engine. When the pump fails, the coolant mixes with the oil shutting the engine down. A class-action lawsuit was issued, but there were no recalls. A recall needs to occur and Ford needs to fix for all impacted models and reimburse those who were impacted by this dangerous flaw.

NHTSA ODI 11494558

This vehicle has an internal water pump. Failure can destroy engine. Failure can cause vehicle to stop. Repair costs are approximately $3,500.

NHTSA ODI 11492987