YearToAvoid

2015 Ford Explorer Fuel System Problems

NHTSA lists 94 Fuel System complaints for the 2015 Ford Explorer, 5% of its 1,791 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 29,000. There is no related recall on file, though one crash and 11 injuries are noted in this category.

Fuel System complaints
94
5% of 1,791
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
11
Median mileage
29,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical fuel system symptoms owners report

  • Owners report a rotten-egg or sulphur smell entering the cabin during and after acceleration, often described as continuous and requiring windows to be opened.
  • A chemical or exhaust-like odor is reported entering the vehicle at highway speeds, sometimes triggering headaches or nausea in occupants.
  • Several owners state dealers told them the smell was normal or would burn off, and that repeat visits did not resolve the odor.
  • Some owners report the odor persisted even after dealers performed a technical bulletin-based fix on the exhaust system.
  • One complaint describes a cracked fuel line, which the owner was told may have resulted from road debris.

When 2015 Ford Explorer fuel system complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 21, 2015, latest Nov 18, 2025.

2015 Ford Explorer fuel system complaints: complaints filed per quarter132015 Q12016 Q22017 Q32018 Q42020 Q12023 Q12025 Q2
94 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2015 Q1 to 2025 Q4; peak 2017 Q3 (13).

Fuel System recalls for the 2015 Ford Explorer

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Fuel System complaints by Explorer model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200566 (13%)
  2. 200627 (4%)
  3. 20074 (2%)
  4. 20082 (1%)
  5. 20092 (6%)
  6. 20109 (8%)
  7. 201140 (3%)
  8. 201234 (4%)
  9. 2013153 (7%)
  10. 201471 (4%)
  11. 201594 (5%)
  12. 2016112 (5%)
  13. 201749 (3%)
  14. 201823 (3%)
  15. 201917 (6%)
  16. 202042 (3%)
  17. 202126 (6%)
  18. 202236 (13%)
  19. 20233 (3%)
  20. 20240 (0%)
  21. 20253 (3%)

Frequently asked questions

How many fuel system complaints does the 2015 Ford Explorer have?
NHTSA lists 94 Fuel System complaints for the 2015 Explorer, which is 5% of its 1,791 total complaints for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2015 Ford Explorer fuel system?
No. According to the data on file, there are no related recalls tied to the Fuel System complaints for the 2015 Explorer.
At what mileage do fuel system problems typically appear?
The median mileage at failure for Fuel System complaints on the 2015 Explorer is 29,000 miles.
Were there any crashes or injuries linked to fuel system complaints?
NHTSA data shows 1 crash and 11 injuries associated with Fuel System complaints on the 2015 Explorer, and no fires reported.
How does the 2015 Explorer compare to other years for fuel system complaints?
The 2015 Explorer's 94 complaints (5% share) is close to the 2016 model's 112 complaints (5% share), while the 2022 model shows a higher 13% share despite fewer total complaints.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.