NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera may show a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when you put the vehicle in reverse.
This page covers 8 recalls, 1722 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2015 Ford Explorer.
18–23 mpg combined
10.2–13.1 L/100km
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2015 Ford Explorer draws a notably high complaint volume, with structural issues and steering problems leading the pack. On the structure side, owners most commonly describe water leaking into the cabin, typically around the windshield, A-pillar area, or roof, often noticed during rain. A-pillar trim pieces detaching or cracking show up repeatedly as well. Steering complaints center on a pulling or drifting sensation while driving, with some owners describing an inconsistent or loose steering feel. The rearview camera is another recurring theme: owners frequently report the image going blank, displaying a distorted or inverted picture, or the camera failing to activate when reversing. Engine complaints are the third-largest named category, though they cover a range of symptoms without a single dominant pattern standing out the way the water intrusion and steering issues do.
1,722
Total Complaints
35
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
56
With Injuries
By System
The 2015 Ford Explorer has 8 recalls, the most serious involving the rear suspension toe links, which can fracture and cause a sudden loss of steering control.
Multiple recalls address this same toe link issue, including a separate campaign targeting vehicles registered in certain northern and mid-Atlantic states where road conditions accelerate wear, and one covering a specific early 2014 production window where prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the problem. On the drivetrain side, vehicles with 2.0L or 2.3L engines and front-wheel drive have a support bracket for the front axle halfshaft that can fail, causing the vehicle to lose drive power while moving or lose the ability to hold in Park, allowing it to roll. The parking brake on some vehicles can fail to fully engage, which also creates a rollaway risk on slopes if the transmission is not left in Park. Rounding out the list are two lower-severity issues: A-pillar trim clips may not hold properly, allowing interior trim to detach and fall onto the road, and the rearview camera can display a distorted or blank image when reversing, reducing visibility behind the vehicle.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera may show a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when you put the vehicle in reverse.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clips holding the A-pillar trim in place may not be properly engaged, which can allow the trim to come loose and detach from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the A-pillar trim and replace it if necessary at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Road salt exposure corrodes the cross-axis ball joint, causing it to seize and fracture the rear suspension toe link.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the cross-axis ball joint knuckle and rear suspension toe links at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The outboard section of the rear suspension toe link may fracture in certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles that were previously repaired under recalls 16V-245 or 19V-435.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the cross-axis ball joint knuckle attached to the rear suspension toe link as needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The support bracket that holds the front drive axle halfshaft may fail, potentially affecting vehicle handling and control.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the link shaft bracket at no cost to you once parts become available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear suspension toe links can crack under stress, affecting rear suspension alignment and control.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and inspect the rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckles if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear suspension toe links may be improperly welded and can fracture, affecting vehicle handling and stability.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The parking brake may not fully engage when applied, preventing the vehicle from staying securely parked.
What the fix does
Dealers will test the parking brake system and replace the parking brake control assembly if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.