Is the 2015 Ford Explorer a bad year?
1,815 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Explorer years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2015 Ford Explorer are in line with other Explorer years. Body structure, steering, backup camera and 1 more stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2015 Explorer owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 90,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 412 (23%) | 59k–120k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 348 (19%) | 42k–90k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Backup cameraSTANDS OUT | 149 (8%) | 83k–132k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 83 (5%) | 41k–95k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Visibility and wipers | 45 (2%) | 41k–91k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 38 (2%) | 55k–106k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 251 (14%) | 20k–81k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 94 (5%) | 10k–58k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Electrical system | 93 (5%) | 33k–83k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 86 (5%) | 32k–71k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bags | 84 (5%) | 49k–75k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exhaust | 38 (2%) | 14k–70k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 31 (2%) | 20k–80k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lighting | 17 (1%) | 3k–70k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 90,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,815 complaints: 37 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 57 report an injury · 50 say the car was towed.
203 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Check engine light came on. Took the car to conrad's. Scanned code and the result is engine timing chain needs to be replaced and possibly the engine.
Vehicle has strong exhaust like burnt hair under harder acceleration. For instances, climbing a hill and needed to speed up.
Exhaust fumes in the cockpit. After purchasing the vehicle (2nd owner) we started smelling exhaust smells when accelerating on to the interstate.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 90,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2015 Ford Explorer: 9
The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse. A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach. A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link. A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fracture. A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The support bracket for the front drive axle halfshaft may fail. The failed bracket could result in a loss of park function which can cause unintended vehicle movement, and loss of motive power while driving which increases the risk of a crash.
The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension. A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end. A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
The affected vehicles may have improperly welded rear suspension toe links that may fracture. A fracture of the rear suspension toe link may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The affected vehicles have a parking brake that may not fully engage when applied. If the parking brake does not fully engage and the transmission is left in a gear other than 'Park' while on a slope, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 114
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2015 Ford Explorer. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM)…
During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper…
Some vehicles may exhibit no reverse, 3rd and 5th gear with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0715,P0717,P0756 and/or P2701
NHTSA defect investigations: 5
Windshield trim molding Item detachment
Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab
Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor
Front Brake Hose Failure
Front brake hose failure
Neighbouring years
2014 Explorer: 1,681 complaints, keep it · 2016 Explorer: 2,465 complaints, keep it.
Every Ford Explorer year
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Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2015 Ford Explorer a bad year?
1,815 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Explorer years. At 90,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Ford Explorer?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: body structure (412), steering (348), backup camera (149), suspension (83), visibility and wipers (45).
How many recalls does the 2015 Ford Explorer have?
9 recall campaigns list this model year: Backup camera (NHTSA 25V-695), Body structure (NHTSA 24V-031), Suspension (NHTSA 21V-537), Suspension (NHTSA 20V-675) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.