NHTSA has 1,815 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Ford Explorer[1]. The structure group is named in 410 of them[2].
Most reported problems
Owners filed complaints under several parts of the Explorer, and these are the groups from biggest to smallest.
- Structure. 410 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe a panoramic roof that broke while driving, odd smells inside the cabin, loud wind noise at highway speed and poor visibility from the driver seat.
- Unknown or other. 405 complaints[6]. These reports do not fit a single named part, so there is no clear theme to retell.
- Steering. 348 complaints[7]. Owners describe power steering that suddenly stopped helping while they drove, with warning messages on the dash. Some say the dealer could not reproduce the fault at first.
- Engine. 293 complaints[8]. In the stories we read, owners describe exhaust fumes coming into the cabin, sometimes within days of buying the SUV. Some say repeat dealer visits did not settle it.
- Back over prevention. 145 complaints[9]. Owners describe a backup camera that flickers, goes dark or shows a flipped picture, and sensors that stay silent.
- Electrical system. 93 complaints[10].
- Fuel/propulsion system. 86 complaints[11].
- Power train. 86 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2015 Explorer is necessarily included.
- Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera (25V695), October 2025. About 1,448,655 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars (24V031), January 2024. About 1,889,110 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Suspension › Rear (21V537), July 2021. About 631,176 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, loss of steering, steering problems. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
- Suspension › Rear (20V675), March 2021. About 454,941 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, loss of steering, steering problems. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[16]
- Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft (20V692), November 2020. About 15,587 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, loss of drive power. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[17]
- Suspension › Rear (19V435), June 2019. About 1,194,173 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[18]
- Suspension › Rear (16V245), April 2016. About 75,364 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, loss of steering, steering problems. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[19]
- Parking Brake (15V464), July 2015. About 7,165 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking, the car rolling away. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[20]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Explorer FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 20 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 |
| Explorer 2WD FFV, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive[21] | 17 / 24 / 20 | $3,350 |
| Explorer FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[22] | 17 / 24 / 20 | $3,350 |
| Explorer AWD FFV, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive[23] | 17 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 |
| Explorer AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[24] | 17 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 |
| Explorer AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[25] | 16 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 |
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
How 2015 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 843 | 5 |
| 1996 | 1,450 | 6 |
| 1997 | 1,773 | 7 |
| 1998 | 2,085 | 9 |
| 1999 | 1,441 | 9 |
| 2000 | 1,026 | 10 |
| 2001 | 730 | 8 |
| 2002 | 3,572 | 7 |
| 2003 | 1,274 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1,408 | 0 |
| 2005 | 568 | 0 |
| 2006 | 635 | 1 |
| 2007 | 308 | 1 |
| 2008 | 171 | 1 |
| 2009 | 39 | 0 |
| 2010 | 146 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1,197 | 6 |
| 2012 | 829 | 5 |
| 2013 | 2,237 | 11 |
| 2014 | 1,682 | 6 |
| 2015 | 1,815 | 8 |
| 2016 | 2,483 | 14 |
| 2017 | 1,712 | 14 |
| 2018 | 737 | 7 |
| 2019 | 299 | 6 |
| 2020 | 1,245 | 35 |
| 2021 | 455 | 27 |
| 2022 | 272 | 25 |
| 2023 | 113 | 15 |
| 2024 | 21 | 10 |
| 2025 | 108 | 22 |
| 2026 | 42 | 15 |
NHTSA's counts for the Explorer show 1,815 complaints and 8 recalls for 2015[3]. Among the 33 model years listed, 28 have fewer complaints than 2015 and 4 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2002 (3,572)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2015 Explorer?
The record for this Explorer is long, with 1,815 complaints on file[1]. Structure, steering and engine reports sit near the top of the list[2][7][8]. Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for how many SUVs were sold[1]. The by-year section also shows that 8 recalls exist for this model year[3]. Check the recall and year sections on this page before you decide, and have any used one inspected, with steering and the cabin air checked.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Ford Explorer?
- Owners filed 410 complaints under structure[2], 348 under steering[7] and 293 under the engine[8]. Our problems section above tells what they describe.
- Does the 2015 Ford Explorer have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year fact shows 8 recalls for this model year[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
- How many complaints does the 2015 Ford Explorer have?
- NHTSA has 1,815 owner complaints on file[1]. They are unverified reports from owners.
- Is the 2015 Ford Explorer reliable?
- The record shows 1,815 complaints[1], with the largest groups in structure, unknown or other, and steering[2][6][7]. Read the problems section and compare with other years on this page.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2015 Ford Explorer?
- See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Ford Explorer
Compare all model years of the Ford Explorer
Other Ford models from 2015
Similar cars from 2015: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 1,815 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Ford Explorer (37 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 98 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 410 complaints name the structure component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Explorer model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Explorer FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 405 complaints name the unknown or other component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 41 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 348 complaints name the steering component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,004). NHTSA vehicle records
- 293 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 19 injuries, median mileage at failure 37,900). NHTSA vehicle records
- 145 complaints name the back over prevention component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 93 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,620). NHTSA vehicle records
- 86 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 11 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 86 complaints name the power train component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 25V695, filed October 13, 2025: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 24V031, filed January 19, 2024: Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 21V537, filed July 15, 2021: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 20V675, filed March 12, 2021: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 20V692, filed November 10, 2020: Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V435, filed June 10, 2019: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V245, filed April 26, 2016: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V464, filed July 24, 2015: Parking Brake. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Explorer 2WD FFV, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Explorer FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Explorer AWD FFV, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Explorer AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Explorer AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2015 Ford Explorer with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 237 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2015 Ford Explorer with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 287 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2015 Ford Explorer with 3.7L 6-cylinder: rated 300 hp. www.epa.gov