Photo: IFCAR / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2015 Ford Explorer: common problems and reliability
· 5th generationOne of the weaker Explorer years.
1,807 owner complaints, most about structure. 9 recalls.
Should I buy a 2015 Explorer?The 2015 Ford Explorer has 1807 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 9 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are structure and steering. Owners most often flag water pump failure on 3.5l engine: multiple owners identify the internal water pump as a known failure point that can destroy the engine, with one noting it is timing-chain driven and expensive to repair.
Safety record for the 2015 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2015 Ford Explorer vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Explorer years only. How we score it
Is 2015 a good year for the Explorer?
Across the 31 Explorer model years we track, complaint volume runs from 33 (2009) to 7,244 (2002). With 1,807 complaints, the 2015 Explorer sits above the model's median of 829.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2015 Explorer
suspension:rear
Campaign 19V435000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
wheels:hub
Campaign 17E048000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.
parking brake
Campaign 15V464000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015, Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 21, 2015, and 2015-2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015. The affected vehicles have a parking brake that may not fully engage when applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
suspension:rear
Campaign 16V245000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured January 17, 2014 to May 31, 2014. The affected vehicles may have improperly welded rear suspension toe links that may fracture.
Show 5 more recalls
power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
Campaign 20V692000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Explorer, 2014-2015 Taurus and 2014 Edge vehicles equipped with 2.0L or 2.3L engines and front wheel drive. The support bracket for the front drive axle halfshaft may fail.
suspension:rear
Campaign 21V537000Ford 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.
suspension:rear
Campaign 20V675000Ford 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.
structure:body:roof and pillars
Campaign 24V031000Ford 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.
back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Campaign 25V695000Ford 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.
What owners report on the 5th generation Explorer
Owner discussions about the 2011-2019 Explorer are mixed, with many owners describing the vehicles as generally reliable when properly maintained, while others report specific recurring problems.
- RecurrentWater pump failure on 3.5L engine
Multiple owners identify the internal water pump as a known failure point that can destroy the engine, with one noting it is timing-chain driven and expensive to repair.
- RecurrentTorque converter shudder on 6F55 transmission
Owners report jerking or stuttering between 25-40 mph, with one diagnosing torque converter pressure issues via scanner. One owner suggests draining and refilling transmission fluid with Lucas stop slip as a temporary measure.
- RecurrentHeated seat element failure
Multiple owners report driver-side heated seats failing, with one noting the element is built into the seat cushion requiring full seat replacement at approximately $650 CAD. One owner reports the failure recurring after replacement.
- RecurrentUSB port / Apple CarPlay connectivity issues
Owners report USB ports charging but not connecting to Apple CarPlay, with one noting the front port is flaky while the armrest port works. Suggested fixes include new cables, cleaning dust, and hard resets.
- RecurrentPTU (Power Transfer Unit) issues on AWD models
Owners mention PTUs going out and recommend fluid changes every 40,000-50,000 miles despite Ford's lifetime fluid claim.
Owner insights for the 5th generation Explorer. Read the full 5th generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Explorer listings typically run $15,520–$26,999.
Other Explorer model years
Compare every Explorer year side by side to see how 2015 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Explorer against its rivals
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