Owner-reported complaints naming the other system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2015 Ford Explorer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 18 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
We have a onefit. Our seat cover will not cover part of the head rest and he is able to pick and scratch at the Styrofoam. Even caught him trying to eat it. This has happened on several occasions. We have had to stop using the seat.
On 11/7/2025, your team completed the Rear Suspension Toe Link Fracture recall repair. However, on 11/13/2025, while driving, I discovered that the rear passenger-side wheel was extremely loose and nearly detached. This was due to the lug nuts not being properly tightened after your service—a severe safety hazard that could have resulted in a catastrophic accident. Because of this negligence, I incurred significant additional expenses and inconvenience: Emergency service from an independent mechanic over the course of a week (11/13–11/17) to secure the wheel and address damage caused by the incident. Replacement of rear knuckle assemblies, hubs, and front struts because the hubs were seized and could not be removed without replacing the knuckles. On 11/29, at a second shop where I replaced two tires, I learned that the vehicle could not be properly aligned because the toe link installed during your recall repair is not adjustable. The mechanic noted that proper alignment requires either camber bolts or an adjustable toe link. As a result, the vehicle remains severely unbalanced and unsafe to drive. Both invoices and mechanic notes confirm the dangerous condition caused by improperly secured lug nuts and the inability to align the vehicle due to the toe link issue.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving around a curb and while making a turn, the wheels locked up. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the sensor needed to be cleaned. There was no failure with the wheels. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
The vehicle was sold to me by “Buffalo Auto Sales 2 at 3012 Spencer Hwy Pasadena, TX 77504 on [XXX]. They violated the DTPA and all employees failed to disclose the vehicle had dozens of major safety issues with two open safety recalls. These safety issues include Major ABS issues and failures, Power Steering/drivetrain, front end passenger wheel & both rear end wheel failures within the mechanisms such as control arms, tie rods inner and outer & even one within the wheel component that was dangerously bent. The headlight pigtails are torched. These couldn’t even be fixed with even replacement OEM parts/Ford Dealership parts and Ford Dealership expertise. My safety, my children’s safety, family and passengers were all at risk multiple times over the past three weeks. Every time on the highway or local roads not being able to sustain maximum speeds over 20- 40 mph because touching the gas even after a red light would cause the engine to hesitate to turn or stutter. This caused me multiple trips back to Buffalo Auto Sales 2 and multiple mechanics even multiple Ford Dealerships. On September 12th 2024, I discussed these severe safety issues with Buffalo Auto Sales 2, my salesman originally offered to place me into another vehicle, give me back my large cash deposit, or “attempt to fix the vehicle”. The manager immediately refused to do the right thing and claim to “fix the vehicle himself”.. however when I asked if the manager Jeff has experience as a mechanic he replied he does not have mechanic experience. That day they claim to have “fixed” the ABS problem, and in turn the vehicle was still shaking while in motion at any speed. Even after I thought Ford Service could fix the tie rod recall, that still did not work because the rear was still shaking. I had Tire experts and mechanics even change front tires, and do an alignment on September 30th 2024.. The vehicle is still shaking dangerously while in motion. Warnings on are ABS, Chk Engine & Tire Pressure lights. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF IN
I went to dealer and they are not fixing this issue at the moment and they dont know until when are they going to start fixing it.
This vehicle was recalled twice--2019 and 2022. Each time the rear toe links were replaced. I purchased after the 2022 recall from a Chevy Dealer not knowing of the recalls. In fall of 2023 a left rear wheel came loose causing us to lose control, scary but not life threatening. An independent center replaced the left rear toe link as the part was broken. On [XXX] while on [XXX] expressway the car again went out of control--this time is was scary-the vehicle was out of control going side to side at least 4 times and at one point the vehicle behind us said it was on two wheels. I had the car towed 3 hours back to the repair center and I then started to research recalls and concerns with the Explorer. I found recall information stating this was a problem and that cross axis ball joints and toe links were to be checked and replaced as needed. At the repair shop it was again the toe link that broke. The shop contacted a Ford dealer and got new reinforced toe links and a cross axis ball joint. He feels the vehicle should be okay but I am not sure I want to drive it, nor do I want to sell or trade it in as the next person could be in danger. I have saved the ball joint and the shop would willingly support what happened and what they repaired. I have contacted Ford Motor Company 5 times and basically told there is not a current recall and they are not responsible for repairs. The case number I have with Ford customer relations is [XXX]. Lastly the recall in 2019 21S32 expressed concerns about cars sold in northern U.S. or Canada because salt use can cause the ball joint to corrode and seize resulting in a fracture of the rear toe link. In talking to two Ford dealers in my area neither shared any information or concern about this recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Took vehicle to Ford dealer for oil change and tire rotation. Dealer stated that all lug nuts needed to be replaced due to "swelling". Old lug nuts were the type with the aluminum cap over steel. This is a documented design flaw that should be covered by a recall at no expense to owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 55-60 MPH, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the vehicle had lost steering gear functionality. The contact was able to pull the steering wheel and regain control. There was an unknown steering message displayed. The contact stated that the traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering gear, connecting rod, and rear toe link needed to be replaced, but the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was unknown.
The toe-link on the rear-passenger side wheel broke and caused the vehicle to fish-tail uncontrollably before going into the ditch and rolling. My wife was driving with our two sons, 3 & 1 at the time, luckily no one was physically injured apart from some minor bumps and bruises. After the fact, we found out there was a recall on this specific part and it was repaired but, again, there was a recall on the replacement part. We were never notified, we have friends with the same vehicle that were never notified and are still trying to get the part repaired. Since this part failed and subsequently our vehicle totaled we were forced to buy an older, higher mileage vehicle at an inflated cost. Does Ford bear any responsibility to make this right or does it not matter until there are fatalities?
RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED.
WHEEL BEARING HUBS ARE BOTH BAD. NOT A CHEAP FIX. OTHER VEHICLES UNDER RECALL FOR THE SAME THING. FORD NEEDS TO ADD MORE VEHICLES AND REIMBURSE THE COST OF THIS FIX. BOTH REAR WHEELS MOVE IN AND OUT WHEN IN THE AIR.ONLY HAD ONE SIDE DONE AT THIS TIME BUT WILL BE RETURNING TO LOCAL MECHANIC TO FIX OTHER SIDE (NOT AS BAD AS THE SIDE FIXED).
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT HEARD A SQUEALING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTOFAIR FORD IN MANCHESTER (1475 S WILLOW ST, MANCHESTER, NH 03103, (603) 634-1001). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SAME DEALER SIX WEEKS BEFORE TO HAVE THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARING REPLACED UNDER A WARRANTY. THE DEALER PERFORMED AN 100 POINT INSPECTION AND RECOMMENDED SEVERAL REPAIRS THAT NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED. THE DEALER HAD BEEN AGGRESSIVELY SOLICITING THE CONTACT TO TRADE IN THE VEHICLE AND CHECKED TO SEE IF SHE WANTED TO ACT ON ANY OF THE SERVICE REPAIR RECOMMENDATIONS. REGARDING THE SQUEALING NOISE, THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND AN ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED. THE REPAIRS WOULD COST $2,215. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ONLINE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,100.
BLOWOUT OF TIRE ON THE HIGHWAY. WAS TRAVELLING AT 70 MPH ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE AT THE TIME. THE FAILED TIRE WAS A MICHELIN P245/60R18 LATITUDE TOUR. A CENTER STRIP OF THE TREAD APPEARED TO HAVE DELAMINATED. THE STRIP THAT DELAMINATED APPEARED TO BE APPROXIMATELY 4 " WIDE.
2015 EXPLORER SPORT - HAVE A BINDING, POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. POPS BEFORE COMPLETING A FULL TURN AT FULL STOP AND WILL POP MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN DOING A K-TURN OR RIGHT TURN AT SLOW SPEED. HAD THRUST WASHER, NUTS, AND OTHER ITEMS REPLACED NOV 2017 AT 34776 MILES, NOW AT 38000 AND ITS BACK AND OF COURSE TECHS CAN'T DUPLICATE. I ALSO WENT TO DEALER AND DROVE AFTER THEY ROTATED TIRES AND CHANGED THE OIL AND COULDN'T. NEXT MORNING IN DRIVING ITS DOING IT AGAIN, BUT ONE POP AT A TIME AT FULL STOP. THIS MUST BE A DEFECT BECUASE I HAD THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM IN MY 2013 EXPLORER. MY WARRENTY IS UP AND I NEED THIS FIXED AS I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE WITH CONFIDENCE.
ON 08-12-17 I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AN TURN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I COULD NOT TURN IT.. I SHUT DOWN THE CAR AND RESTARTD IT .IT HAD RESET IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I WILL TAKE THE CAR TO FORD ON 8-14-17 TO SEE IF THEY WILL HELP AND FIX IT.
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY, LOST CONTROL AND WAS BARLEY ABLE TO STOP TRUCK AFTER RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE IN HALF. BALL JOINT WAS ALSO COMPLETELY OUT OF SOCKET. I DON'T SEE HOW SOMETHING THIS DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE CAN HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING.
DRIVING HOME FROM COTTAGE, APPROXIMATELY 200KM, AS I WAS APPROACHING MY HOUSE (MAYBE 300 YARDS AWAY), I TURNED LEFT, HEARD A "CLUNK" AND FRONT RIGHT WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE. AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY I NOTICED 4 OUT OF 5 FRONT BOLTS HOLDING MY WHEEL HAD SHEARED OFF. THESE ARE ORIGINAL FACTORY WHEELS. ALL SERVICE HAS BEEN DONE BY FORD DEALER.
A FOLLOW UP ON A CO PROBLEM, THAT HAPPENED ON 7/7/15. DEALER TOOK THE EXPLORER IN ON THE CO ISSUE ALONG WITH FORD KNOWING OF IT. GAVE US A RENTAL FOR A WEEK, AND CAME UP WITH NO CO LEVELS AFTER A WEEK. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO TAKE A RIDE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER, EXHAUST WAS PRESENT BUT HE SAID IT WAS A HOT ENGINE SMELL. NO LEVELS WHERE FOUND BUT SYMPTOMS IN MY BODY OF CO WHERE INDICATED WHILE THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS IN THE VEHICLE. LEFT THE VEHICLE FOR THE DAY AND WAS TOLD BY FORD THE SERVICE MANAGER FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND TO COME GET THE VEHICLE. UPON THE RIDE HOME MY CO DETECTOR INDICATED LEVELS AT 534PPM. WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN AND THE SUN ROOF OPEN AT 70MPH. ALONG THE WAY I STOPPED IN THE LOCAL HOSPITAL, WAITED AN HOUR IN A HALF FOR BLOOD WORK THEN WALKED OUT. HAD TO GET BACK TO WORK. ONLY 15 MINUTES BACK HOME THE LEVELS WENT UP TO 871PPM. CALLING THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD IN THE AM TO GET THIS PROBLEM SOLVED ASAP BEFORE SOME DIES. 2015 WITH ONLY 4,500 MILES. FORD HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2011. UPDATED 12/05/17*CN
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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