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#BS-2015-FOREXP-33C92015 Ford ExplorerProblems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 2,267 owners and 9 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·NHTSA complaints through October 28, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 2,267 complaints, 55 crashes, 1 fires, and 9 recalls. Complaint rate is 5.2x the class average.
Top reported problems
power steering stopped working while driving
25 complaints • Severity 8.6/10
exhaust smell in cabin
24 complaints • Severity 8.1/10
popping noise when turning
20 complaints • Severity 7.1/10
door panel coming loose
17 complaints • Severity 7.3/10
paint flaking on hood
17 complaints • Severity 6.4/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
339 owners reported steering issues — failures commonly reported around 57K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (377 reports) • Median: 57K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Steering (339 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2015 Ford Explorer: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Steering Issues
Steering complaints account for 15% of all reports filed for the 2015 Ford Explorer, with 339 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 57,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 57K-mile mark.
Structure Issues
Structure complaints account for 12% of all reports filed for the 2015 Ford Explorer, with 262 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to structure-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 11% of all reports filed for the 2015 Ford Explorer, with 253 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Structure:body Issues
Structure:body complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 2015 Ford Explorer, with 132 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to structure:body-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2015 Ford Explorer. Recent trend: decreasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (9 recalls)
PARKING BRAKE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015, Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 21, 2015, and 2015-2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015. The affected vehicles have a parking brake that may not fully engage when applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
SUSPENSION:REAR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured January 17, 2014 to May 31, 2014. The affected vehicles may have improperly welded rear suspension toe links that may fracture.
WHEELS:HUB
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.
SUSPENSION:REAR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
SUSPENSION:REAR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin that were previously repaired under a prior recall numbers 16V-245 or 19V-435. The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fracture.
+ 4 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
2015 Ford Explorer NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Frontal crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Side crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Rollover
★★★★★4 of 5 stars
From NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings). Where NHTSA tested more than one version of this vehicle, the lowest rating is shown.
NHTSA Defect Investigations (5)
All closed. Investigations are how NHTSA decides whether a defect needs a recall.
Front Brake Hose Failure
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
Front brake hose failure
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
Windshield trim molding Item detachment
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
The worst model year for the Ford Explorer is the 2006 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is transmission.
2015 Ford Explorer vs. Class Average (Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD)
This vehicle
2,267
Class avg
437
5.2x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical standard sport utility vehicle 2wd vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 2,267 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 9 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated . NHTSA complaints received through October 28, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.
Other Ford Explorer Model Years
2015 Ford Explorer: Frequently Asked Questions
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Get the Full 2015 Ford Explorer Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 2,267 owner reports. Know before you buy.