2015 Ford Explorer
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Body, Seats & Latches
Body, Seats & Latches leads by volume: 423 of 1,783 complaints (24%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (21) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 1,674 in 2014 to 1,783 in 2015.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | vs. 2015 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–3,450 | 2,700–3,450 | 2,700–3,450 | 2,850–3,450 | 2,850–3,450 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–23 | 18–23 | 18–23 | 18–22 | 18–22 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–20 / 22–27 | 16–20 / 22–28 | 16–20 / 22–27 | 16–19 / 22–27 | 16–19 / 22–27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 393–488 | 391–488 | 394–490 | 410–490 | 408–494 | |
| Complaints filed | 2,232 | 1,674 | 1,783 | 2,469 | 1,697 | |
| Recalls issued | 12 | 7 | 9 | 15 | 15 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 44 | 32 | 37 | 39 | 34 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 11 | 6 | 1 | 14 | 11 | |
| Injuries reported | 61 | 38 | 98 | 59 | 51 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2015 Ford Explorer have?
9 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2015 Ford Explorer?
Body, Seats & Latches: 423 of 1,783 NHTSA complaints (24%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Ford Explorer get?
EPA rates it 18–23 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2015 Ford Explorer?
EPA estimates $2,700–$3,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 20 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | $2,700 (low) | 394 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 450 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 450 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 17 mpg | 23 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 471 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 17 mpg | 23 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 471 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 16 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $3,450 (high) | 490 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 292 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 84 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 94 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Electrical | 91 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 51 | 4 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| Steering | 346 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 96 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 107 | 9 | 0 | 21 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 149 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 423 | 5 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 59 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 404 | 7 | 0 | 41 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (9)
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · Campaign 25V695000 · Oct 14, 2025
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS · Campaign 24V031000 · Jan 19, 2024
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
Consequence: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
SUSPENSION:REAR · Campaign 21V537000 · Jul 16, 2021
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. 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.
Consequence: A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 16V-245, 19V-435, and 20V-675. Certain vehicles previously repaired will need to return for the new remedy. An interim notification letter notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2022. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S32.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT · Campaign 20V692000 · Nov 10, 2020
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Explorer, 2014-2015 Taurus and 2014 Edge vehicles equipped with 2.0L or 2.3L engines and front wheel drive. The support bracket for the front drive axle halfshaft may fail.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the link shaft bracket, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners received an interim notification detailing safety risk December 8, 2020. A second letter will be mailed when parts become available in January 2021. The recall began February 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S63.
SUSPENSION:REAR · Campaign 20V675000 · Nov 2, 2020
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle attached to the rear suspension toe link and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S62.
SUSPENSION:REAR · Campaign 19V435000 · Jun 11, 2019
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.
SUSPENSION:REAR; WHEELS:HUB · Campaign 17E048000 · Aug 29, 2017
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
SUSPENSION:REAR · Campaign 16V245000 · Apr 26, 2016
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A fracture of the rear suspension toe link may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. The recall began on November 18, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S18.
PARKING BRAKE · Campaign 15V464000 · Jul 24, 2015
Defect: 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."
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the operation of the parking brake system, and if necessary, replace the parking brake control assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 4, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C07.