2014 Ford Explorer Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
67/100
#6 most-complained of 16 Explorer years
The 2014 Ford Explorer has 1,678 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 67, ranking 6th worst of 16 model years, with a Caution verdict. Steering issues dominate, making up 30% of complaints, alongside 6 recalls.
- Complaints
- 1,678
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 32 / 6
- Injuries / deaths
- 38 / 2
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 17 city / 23.5 hwy
Top 2014 Ford Explorer problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering498 (30%)
- Other338 (20%)
- Structure & Body286 (17%)
- Engine272 (16%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires127 (8%)
- Electrical System121 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain79 (5%)
- Fuel System71 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers52 (3%)
- Airbags47 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report the steering wheel making an abnormal noise on startup, tied to a bearing that dealers replaced but that failed again, sometimes leading to a loss of control.
- Some drivers describe the steering wheel suddenly becoming hard to turn at low speed, then jerking to the side and causing a rear-end collision.
- The lower control arm has broken or fractured during low-speed maneuvers, including evasive turns and slow-speed driving, leading to loss of steering control.
- Several owners describe the brake pedal failing to respond during low-speed situations like reversing on an incline or exiting a car wash, resulting in collisions.
- A burning odor was reported while accelerating or climbing an incline, later linked by a technician to possible cracks allowing fumes into the vehicle.
- One report describes airbags deploying in a frontal crash along with side airbags, with injury to a front passenger.
2014 Ford Explorer recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V031000Jan 19, 2024Structure & Body1,889,110 vehicles
Structure:body:roof and pillars
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 21V537000Jul 15, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires631,176 vehicles
Suspension:rear
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 20V675000Mar 12, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires454,941 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
2014 Ford Explorer fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 23.5 MPG
- Combined
- 19.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,325
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2014 compared with other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Ford Explorer reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2014 Explorer a complaint index of 67 and a Caution verdict, ranking 6th worst out of 16 model years for this model. Steering complaints are the largest category, at 30% of all reports.
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 Ford Explorer?
- Steering issues lead with 498 complaints (30% share), followed by Structure & Body at 286 complaints and Engine at 272 complaints, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2014 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2014 Explorer, covering areas like Structure & Body A-pillar trim clips and Suspension components including rear suspension toe links.
- How does the 2014 Explorer compare to other Explorer years?
- The 2014 model's complaint index of 67 is lower than 2013 (93), 2015 (87), and 2016 (100), all rated Avoid, but higher than years like 2019 (7) and 2023 (13), rated Best.
- What is the median mileage for steering failures in the 2014 Explorer?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 90,000 for steering-related complaints on the 2014 Explorer.