2015 Ford EXPLORER
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2015 Ford EXPLORER has 2181 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.1x the segment average of 1024. The most common issue is other problems (18% of all complaints), specifically: returning home from church when all of a sudden i could not steer the car. it was veering to the left and i could not straighten it up. there was a thud and dirt and dust and the car stopped. got out and the front left suspension was on the ground. no ticket, no nothing because i did not hit anythin. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.
2181
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
5/5
Safety Stars
2.1x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
OTHER
403 complaints- • RETURNING HOME FROM CHURCH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR. IT WAS VEERING TO THE LEFT AND I COULD NOT STRAIGHTEN IT UP. THERE WAS A THUD AND DIRT AND DUST AND THE CAR STOPPED. GOT OUT AND THE FRONT LEFT SUSPENSION WAS ON THE GROUND. NO TICKET, NO NOTHING BECAUSE I DID NOT HIT ANYTHIN
- • DURING AND AFTER ACCELERATION AT ANY SPEED THERE IS A VERY STRONG SULPHUR SMELL IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. IT APPEARS TO ENTER FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND IT MUST BE EXHAUSTED BY OPENING THE WINDOWS EVERY SINGLE TIME. THE FUMES CONTAIN CO2 AND ARE VERY DANGEROUS TO ALL WITHIN THE VEHICLE. ALL
- • THIS NEW 2015 FORD EXPLORER PRODUCES A VERY STRONG EXHAUST/SULFER SMELL INSIDE THE PASSENGER CABIN WITH ALL THE WINDOWS UP AND THE REAR A.C. ON. THE SMELL IS VERY STRONG WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RAPIDLY ACCELERATED. WITH THE REAR A.C. OFF, AND THE FRONT ON, THE SMELL IS GREATLY DIMINISHED, BUT STILL N
“RETURNING HOME FROM CHURCH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR. IT WAS VEERING TO THE LEFT AND I COULD NOT STRAIGHTEN IT UP. THERE WAS A THUD AND DIRT AND DUST AND THE CAR STOPPED. GOT OUT AND THE FRONT LEFT SUSPENSION WAS ON THE GROUND. NO TICKET, NO NOTHING BECAUSE I DID NOT HIT ANYTHIN”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2015 Ford EXPLORER
Based on 1,415 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 55K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.
OTHER
ENGINE
FUEL SYSTEM
BRAKES
LIGHTING
STEERING
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Charging Cost Calculator for 2015 Ford EXPLORER
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2015 Ford EXPLORER
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Ford EXPLORER Service Intervals
IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2015 EXPLORER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
EV Incentives for 2015 Ford EXPLORER
Updated 2026-07Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30
Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.
State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)
Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 2181 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐OTHER: RETURNING HOME FROM CHURCH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR. IT WAS VEERING TO THE LEFT AND I COULD NOT STRAIGHTEN IT UP. THERE WAS A THUD AND DIRT AND DUST AND THE CAR STOPPED. GOT OUT AND THE FRONT LEFT SUSPENSION WAS ON THE GROUND. NO TICKET, NO NOTHING BECAUSE I DID NOT HIT ANYTHIN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BODY/STRUCTURE: I AM GOING INTO THE 5TH MONTH OF LEASING MY 2015 FORD EXPLORER AND I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE. CURRENTLY THE ODOMETER READS 2,100 MILES AND THEY WERE NOT ENJOYABLE MILES. I HAVE TO SAY THAT THIS 2015 EXPLORER HAS THE WORST DESIGN ON THE INSIDE THAT I'VE EVER SEEN. THE OUTWARD VISIBILITY FRO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐STEERING: FORD MOTOR CO. AND WORTHINGTON FORD OF LONG BEACH, CA ARE SELLING VEHICLES WITH DAMAGED/DEFECTIVE STEERING AND REFUSING TO FIX THE DEFECT(S). 1/25/2015 PURCHASED FORD EXPLORER (8 MILES ON VEHICLE); DAY AFTER PURCHASE, 1/26/2015, NOTICED PROBLEM WITH STEERING, PARKED VEHICLE, WOULD NOT DRIVE OR LET
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2015 FORD EXPLORER. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY BEGAN SMELLING EXHAUST FUMES. CONCERNED THAT THIS WASN'T "NEW CAR BREAK-IN", I PURCHASED A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR WITH MEMORY. OVER A COUPLE OF WEEKS OF DRIVING THE DETECTOR REGISTERED 97 PPM AT PEAK. AFTER CHECKING ON THE INTERNE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Ford EXPLORER — Year Comparison
How does 2015 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 2181
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 1
- Crash reports
- 25
- Injury reports
- 97
- Segment avg
- 1024
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2015 Ford EXPLORER