2015 Ford Explorer Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2015 Explorer most often describe a loss of power steering assist, exterior A-pillar trim that comes loose or flies off at highway speed, and a rear-view camera that goes blank, distorts or shows a warning message. Many complaints note that recall parts were not yet available, so the same concern was reported repeatedly over long intervals; steering and trim reports arrive from roughly 60,000 miles upward, while camera and engine-cooling complaints appear across a wide mileage spread.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   A-pillar trim detaching or flying off

   • 243 complaints (13%)
   • median 99,500 mi at 9.5 yrs old (142 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $500 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe the exterior trim on the windshield A-pillars coming loose, flapping against the glass, cracking or peeling, and in some cases detaching and flying off at highway speed; several mention both sides. Complaints state dealers confirmed the trim or its retention clips needed replacement or re-engagement, and that parts were on back order, so the vehicle went unrepaired for extended periods. Reported from about 72,000 to 170,000 miles, most often at highway speeds.

   Recall 24V031000

   What to check: Push on both A-pillar trims and check for looseness, cracks, bubbling or missing clips, and ask whether recall 24V031000 has been completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURER); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11634813, filed 2025-01, 100,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the driver’s side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle and flew behind the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the driver’s side A-pillar trim needed to be replaced; however, parts were on back order. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11671007, filed 2025-07, 170,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Power steering assist cuts out or steering locks

   • 306 complaints (17%)
   • median 63,450 mi at 5.0 yrs old (217 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,173 (median of 46 quotes)
   • filed 2015–2026

   Complaints describe the steering suddenly becoming very heavy or locking, sometimes at parking-lot speeds and sometimes in traffic, with an 'Electric Power Assist Off' or power steering fault message. Owners say dealers or mechanics diagnosed a failed steering rack, rack and pinion, steering module or column, with repairs quoted in the low thousands of dollars; some report the assist returns after a restart before failing again. Mostly between about 45,000 and 105,000 miles, though some reports come in well past 130,000.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the steering rack or module has been replaced, and during a test drive listen for knocking or grinding and confirm the assist feels consistent at low speed and in tight turns.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Steering started making a knocking noise when moving the steering wheel. This occurs while in part or in motion. I was told by the repair shot and my 2015 Explorer with 45k miles on it needs to have the rack and pinion replaced at a cost of $2100. Not covered under warranty and apparently no recall for this dangerous situation.”

   NHTSA complaint #11302557, filed 2020-01, 45,000 miles

   “My steering failed as I was traveling with my grandkids on a local suburban road. It took all my effort to steer the truck back to my home. This was very dangerous as the steering would also freeze and lock in one position. I had it repaired at my Ford dealer. Total cost: $2,107.00! This is a serious safety issue that the manufacturer should cover! I have 85,000 miles on my Explorer.”

   NHTSA complaint #11386515, filed 2021-01, 85,000 miles
3. 3
   Back-over prevention (rear camera)

   Rear-view camera blank, distorted or unavailable

   • 163 complaints (9%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 11.0 yrs old (84 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $809 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners report that when reverse is selected the screen shows a blank, distorted, inverted, green or black image, or displays a 'Rear-view Camera Unavailable' message. Complaints state dealers confirmed the camera was inoperable and needed replacement, and that parts were not available, so many vehicles were left unrepaired. Spread widely, from about 85,000 to 240,000 miles.

   Recall 25V695000

   What to check: Put the vehicle in reverse and check the image quality on the screen, and confirm whether recall 25V695000 has been performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the back over prevention camera displayed a distorted image, or a green or black screen. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11744502, filed 2026-06, 240,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the rear-view camera was intermittently inverted or inoperative. The contact stated that the message Rear-view Camera Unavailable was displayed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11770143, filed 2026-10, 90,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine stalls, water pump and timing chain wear

   • 83 complaints (5%)
   • median 82,600 mi at 5.2 yrs old (51 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $2,761 (median of 14 quotes)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Complaints describe the engine stalling or losing power while driving, sometimes with a check engine light, coolant loss or condensation under the front of the vehicle. Owners say shops diagnosed a failed or leaking water pump, and in some cases the timing chain, with one report of engine replacement after continued symptoms. Reported between roughly 46,000 and 130,000 miles, often while driving at speed or on an incline.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the coolant level and look for coolant residue or staining near the front of the engine, ask whether the water pump or timing chain has been serviced, and have any stored engine codes read.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Ford Explorer continues to shut off engine while driving on the highway or fwy. This is a safety hazard for me and my family. The truck suddenly looses power and turns off. I have to wait a minute then start engine again”

   NHTSA complaint #11388164, filed 2021-01, 86,700 miles

   “Check engine light came on at 60,600 miles. Mechanic says it is a crankshaft/cam shaft correlation code. Timing chain needs to be replaced. Ford acknowledges it is an issue and they've made a ltr specific to the repair. However, there are no parts available to fix it and may not be available for one month or longer. Can't drive the car and can't ge5 it fixed. Vehicle is 5 months outside of warranty. Ford won't budge.”

   NHTSA complaint #11363108, filed 2020-10, 60,600 miles

Buying note. Check that recall 24V031000 for the A-pillar trim and 25V695000 for the rear camera have been completed, and test the steering at low speed for any heaviness or noise. Because several complaints centered on parts being unavailable, ask for repair records rather than assuming a notification means the work was done.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.