2015 Ford Explorer Interior & seats Problems

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the rear driver's side door failed to latch as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the rear driver's side door failed to latch or unlatch while using the door switch. The contact stated that the failure was a safety hazard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

NHTSA ID

11694685

Incident

Jan 21, 2025

Mileage

122,000 mi

Parking lights are illuminated and not head lamps for daytime running lights. Was sold by Ford Certified Dealership. Also has no interior lighting for security. BCM replaced, and still has same issue, along with the 3rd row seats not functioning, interior overhead lights not functioning, trailer socket not functioning.

NHTSA ID

11693317

Incident

Jan 11, 2025

The first complaint references Recall 24V031. I received a notice dated February 2024 to correct this issue. It is now June 2025 and my dealer still does not have the parts. The trim pieces have come apart and flap while driving. I just don't think 18 months with no remedy is acceptable especially when it could cause a safety hazard. The second complaint with this vehicle is the door trim. It appears to be stitched however has come apart for years now. The dealership said that Ford could be putting a recall on but hasn't happened. A quick search online shows that many explorers has had the same issue.

NHTSA ID

11665815

Incident

Feb 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the driver’s side inside door panel was detaching around the window and separated from the door frame. The vehicle was taken to a dealer several times, and the contact was informed that the glue on the door panel was loosening. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

NHTSA ID

11665092

Incident

Jul 15, 2017

Mileage

35,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH while depressing the brake pedal and attempting to come to an abrupt complete stop for a red light, the rear driver seat detached and unhinged. The contact sustained an injury to the back of her head from the detached rear driver seat. The contact stated returned to her residence and called her health provider to make an appointment for the next day where she was informed that she sustained a concussion to the back of the head. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11646028

Incident

Mar 3, 2025

Mileage

150,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the driver side sun visor fell from the ceiling without incident. In addition, the contact stated that a white smoke began to emit from the sun visor's wiring. Despite the failure, the contact managed to drive the vehicle to their destination. Upon re-entering the vehicle, the contact stated that the engine failed to start after multiple attempts without warning. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11621726

Incident

Oct 24, 2024

Mileage

100,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was an abnormal grinding noise detected while making a turn. There was a crunching noise detected while entering the driveway. The contact stated that the passenger's front seat was not moving. The driver’s side rear inflator seat belt failed to latch. The rear seat belt warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed the contact the seat belt buckle needed to be replaced. The track on the seat needed to be replaced. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. While driving at unknown speeds, the steering wheel seized. While making a turn, the driver had to pull the steering wheel to correct the steering. The steering power assist fault message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the seat failure was due to the motor. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

NHTSA ID

11576675

Incident

Jan 1, 2024

Mileage

126,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the driver's side and passenger’s side front door panels were cracked. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and stated there was no recall or warranty coverage for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.

NHTSA ID

11573536

Incident

Jan 1, 2018

Mileage

25,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the front driver’s and front passenger's side interior door trim started to detach from the door panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ID

11495650

Incident

Feb 12, 2020

Mileage

60,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that she noticed that the front passenger’s side door panel had started to detach. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the trim panel needed to be repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that she heard noise in the rear driver's and passenger side wheels. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the rear wheel knuckle was previously replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number and advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA ID

11483381

Incident

Aug 30, 2022

Mileage

98,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated she noticed that the front driver’s side door trim was raised nearby the window. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the front driver’s side door panel to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who was able to glue the front driver-side trim back in place. The vehicle was repaired; however, the front passenger’s side door trim experienced the same failure. A dealer was not contacted regarding the second failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ID

11481332

Incident

Jul 1, 2022

Mileage

50,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the driver's and passenger side door trim panel started to detach from the window’s edge. The vehicle was initially taken to the dealer for a recall repair however, the contact stated that the dealer checked the door trim panel and stated that there were no issues found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided the number to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 114,000.

NHTSA ID

11481056

Incident

Aug 24, 2022

Mileage

114,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the passenger’s side front door panel was delaminating. The contact stated that there was a recall regarding the defect however, the recall had since expired. The dealer was contacted and the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in the recall. The contact was informed that the recall repair was to replace the door panel. The dealer had referred the contact to the manufacturer to inquire if the recall could be completed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the recall had since expired. The contact was referred to the NHTSA to file a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

NHTSA ID

11468623

Incident

Jun 10, 2020

Mileage

75,000 mi

Hello I went to the dealership many times. Every time I go for the recalls. They saying that the parts not available. I’m not sure what’s going on. They keep telling me try with us in a month. This is unprofessional and unacceptable. The recall for the suspension and the passenger door panel. By the way I tried 2 different dealership. On in eat Rutherford.NJ. And on I. Hackensack,NJ. Please advice.

NHTSA ID

11448643

Incident

Jan 24, 2022

I was stopped on the highway behind two other cars that were also stopped at a lane merger. A car hit my vehicle from behind and the impact caused my vehicle to hit the car in front of me, and that car to hit the car in front of them. When I unbuckled my seatbelt and got out of my vehicle, I noticed that my seat (driver's seat) had reclined backwards. I have lower & mid back pain as a result of the crash. My vehicle is currently at a tow lot where it has been labeled a total loss.

NHTSA ID

11436033

Incident

Sep 18, 2021

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that he noticed that the passenger’s side door panel was fractured, and the back of the trim panel was exposed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they could not complete an unknown recall repair on the vehicle because the extended warranty had expired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.

NHTSA ID

11432462

Incident

Mar 1, 2021

Mileage

92,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11385088

Incident

Dec 25, 2020

Mileage

103,000 mi

FORD EXPLORER 3.5L ECOBOOST ENGINE TIMING CHAIN STRETCH @ 61,902 MILES... $2500 REPAIR BILL ON A VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE MINDED OWNER. ALSO, AT 42K MILES THE LUMBAR BAG ON DRIVERS SEAT DEFLATED AND WON'T INFLATE...

NHTSA ID

11271227

Incident

Oct 10, 2019

Mileage

61,902 mi

ASIDE FROM THE DOOR PANEL COMING APART (A RECALL), MY PROBLEM IS THE TRIM ON THE ARMREST IS COMING APART. I HAVE SEEN OTHERS POSTING THE SAME ISSUE. MY CAR ONLY HAS 35000 MILES.

NHTSA ID

11097093

Incident

May 21, 2018

WHILE MY CAR WAS OFF AND PARKING IN A PARKING LOT, MY 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR AND GOT OUT OF HER CAR SEAT TO GET HER BEAR THAT HAD FALLEN ONTO THE FLOORBOARD IN FRONT OF THE 2ND ROW BUCKET SEAT. SHE HIT HER HEAD ON THE METAL RAILS TO THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT ARE EXPOSED UNDER THE SEAT IN THE BACK. SHE WAS BLEEDING PROFUSELY AND I HAD TO CALL THE PARAMEDICS. SHE ENDED UP GETTING HER HEAD STAPLED DUE TO THE VERY SHARP METAL ON THE RAILS THAT ATTACH TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE OTHER SIDE THAT IS CLOSER TO THE DOOR HAS A PLASTIC PIECE TO PROTECT FROM THE SHARP EDGES, THE DRIVERS SIDE HAS THE SAME SET UP. OBVIOUSLY FORD KNEW THE METAL WAS SHARP SO THEY PUT THE PROTECTOR ON IT, BUT FAILED TO PUT IT ON BOTH SIDES.

NHTSA ID

11092380

Incident

May 4, 2018

Mileage

34,000 mi

EXHAUST SMELL ENTERS CABIN OF VEHICLE AFTER HARD ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ID

11015098

Incident

Jul 18, 2017

Mileage

37,000 mi

PASSENGER LUMBAR SUPPORT HAS SHARP EDGE IN MECHANISM THAT POKES OUT INTO PASSENGER SEAT BACK POCKET. I CUT MY FINGER ON IT WHILE TAKING SOMETHING OUT OF THE POCKET. MY CHILD SCRAPED HER FINGER ON IT AS WELL. THE PIECE IS EASILY SHARP ENOUGH TO CAUSE A LACERATION. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PART ONCE AND TOLD ME IT WAS A DEFECT WITH THE MECHANISM THE SECOND TIME I CUT MY FINGER. THEY PADDED IT WITH FOAM IN SIDE THE SEAT BUT IT COULD EASILY FALL OFF. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY WHEN THIS OCCURRED.

NHTSA ID

10971210

Incident

Apr 1, 2017

Mileage

20,000 mi

I TOOK MY 2015 FORD EXPLORER IN TO HAVE IT SERVICED. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW. THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NOT FOLD. THE FORD TECH CHARGED 105.00 TO REVIEW THE ISSUE AND STATED "THE HINGE HAS A BROKEN-FAULTY PART" HOWEVER FORD WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR CHARGE AND IT WILL BE 980.00 TO FIX THEIR "FAULTY" HINGE. THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE, THE INTEGRITY OF THE PARTS WERE "FAULTY" AS NOTED BY THE FORD TECH AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE SEATS DO NOT OPERATE AS INTENDED. ANY BROKEN PARTS DUE TO 'FAULTY" WORKMANSHIP SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I WAS TOLD FORD WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THIS EXPENSE EVEN THOUGH THE PARTS WERE 'FAULTY" TO BEGIN WITH! IF SEATS ARE NOT SAVE AND OPERATE AS INTENDED, I BELIEVE IT'S A SEVERE SAFETY CONCERN, ESPECIALLY WITH YOUNG PEOPLE IN CAR SEATS IN THE BACK, WHAT OTHER ISSUES COULD ARISE FROM THIS "FAULT?"

NHTSA ID

10908031

Incident

Sep 19, 2016

Mileage

66,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR WITH MY SEVEN YEAR OLD IN THE THIRD ROW SEAT, THE SEATS STARTED "STOWING" AND ALMOST CRUSHED HIM. I HAD GROCERIES IN THE BACK THAT SHIFTED AND HIT THE UNCOVERED DISPLAY THAT SELECTS SEAT MODE. THE SEATS DO NOT STOP FOLDING IF THERE IS SOMETHING OR SOMEONE IN THEM. THIS IS ENTIRELY UNSAFE AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BEFORE A CHILD IS KILLED.

NHTSA ID

10888632

Incident

Jul 25, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE RETRIEVING ITEMS FROM THE REAR HATCH AREA, THE MECHANICAL THIRD ROW SEAT ERRONEOUSLY RAISED UP AND CAUSED THE GROCERIES TO BECOME STUCK BETWEEN THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,785. UPDATED 04/14/16*LJ CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SEATS WERE UNSTABLE. UPDATED 05/25/18*JB

NHTSA ID

10836327

Incident

Feb 8, 2016

Mileage

6,785 mi