2015 Ford Explorer Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2015 Ford Explorer has a Complaint Index of 90, ranking 3rd worst among 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 1,791 complaints, 8 recalls, 37 crashes, 98 injuries, and a top problem area of Structure & Body (425 complaints, 24% share).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 90/100
- #3 of 21 Explorer years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,791
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 37
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 98
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 17 city / 23.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 98 / 0
Top 2015 Ford Explorer problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body425 (24%)
- Other405 (23%)
- Steering345 (19%)
- Engine299 (17%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras138 (8%)
- Electrical System105 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires97 (5%)
- Fuel System94 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain86 (5%)
- Airbags84 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Seat belts reportedly failed to tension or the pretensioner did not fire during rear-end and rollover crashes.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in low-speed and moderate-speed collisions, including a rear-end hit at 25 mph.
- Owners describe the right lower control arm breaking and the ball joint separating from its socket while driving on the highway.
- Some drivers report losing consciousness or smelling fumes while driving, followed by a crash, with one report describing carbon monoxide entering the cabin.
- A blind spot sensor warning reportedly preceded sudden swerving and repeated curb strikes in one incident.
- One owner reports the steering wheel locking up and the brakes failing to catch before hitting a pole.
2015 Ford Explorer recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V695000Oct 13, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,448,655 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
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.
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driverâs 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.
- 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.
2015 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.
2015 compared with other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Ford Explorer reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2015 Explorer ranks 3rd worst out of 21 model years with a Complaint Index of 90 and carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Explorer years.
- What are the main problems with the 2015 Ford Explorer?
- NHTSA data shows Structure & Body complaints lead at 425 (24% share), followed by Steering at 345 complaints (19%) and Engine at 299 complaints (17%).
- Does the 2015 Ford Explorer have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2015 Explorer, covering areas including Collision Avoidance & Cameras, Structure & Body, Suspension, Transmission & Powertrain, and Brakes.
- What year Ford Explorer should I avoid?
- Among Explorer years with data, 2016 has the highest Complaint Index at 100, followed by 2013 at 85, 2017 at 80, and 2015 and 2014 at 90 and 75; all carry an Avoid verdict.
- How does the 2015 Explorer compare to other years?
- The 2015 Explorer's Complaint Index of 90 is higher than earlier years like 2005 through 2010, which range from 0 to 45 and mostly carry Good verdicts, but close to other Avoid years such as 2013, 2014, and 2017.