Ford Explorer Police Intercept Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints across the 3 model years of the Ford Explorer Police Intercept (2015–2017) that have at least 5 complaints. 2016 has the most, with 21. Across all years, the part named most often is other or unknown (18 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Explorer Police Intercept model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 9 | 6,500 | 2 | 46 | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 21 | 29,488 | 0 | 41 | — | Stable |
| 2015 | 6 | 112,000 | 0 | 23 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Other or unknown18 42%
- Body and structure9 21%
- Engine7 16%
- Steering3 7.0%
- Transmission and drivetrain2 4.7%
- Electrical system2 4.7%
- Vehicle speed control1 2.3%
- Seats1 2.3%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2016: “I started my vehicle and put in drive my steering wheel was locked in one position I was unable to turn the wheel left or right I started getting several lights on my dash from hill start assist, service advancetrac, steering assist fault. …”
NHTSA complaint #11166639, filed 2019-01, 26,406 miles2017: “This a police patrol vehicle used as a k-9 unit. Deputies have been complaining of headaches after shift. Last night they had to be seen by ems. They have been complaining of a sulfur smell inside the explorer. They had the fire dept check the carbon monoxide levels and it was over 100ppm. It is at a Ford dealer now and do not know when it will be fixed. This is when the vehicle is running. We have had the vehicle for a few months now and it has always done this we just did not know what it was.”
NHTSA complaint #10938805, filed 2016-12, 6,500 miles2015: “This vehicle is used as a police vehicle. Complaints of exhaust fumes in cabin. Inspection showed right exhaust manifold cracked. Already recalled for exhaust fumes and was inspected for third party holes.”
NHTSA complaint #11072719, filed 2018-02, 112,000 milesOther Ford models
38,924 complaintsFord Explorer
34,638 complaintsFord Escape
27,553 complaintsFord Fusion
22,450 complaintsFord Focus
22,108 complaintsFord Taurus
18,165 complaintsFord Windstar
14,152 complaintsFord Edge
14,109 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology