2015 Ford Explorer Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 66about this part
- Share
- 4%of 1,812 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 59,220miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 66 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2015 Ford Explorer, 4% of the 1,812 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 59,220 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I noticed an exhaust smell coming from the vehicle when accelerating to enter traffic. At first I thought it was just new car smell, but this smell of exhaust fumes has continued since we purchased the car new in july 2015. I get my first vehicle check in january 2016 and now I'm concerned. Updated 08/10/16. The consumer requested a response on how many complaints there are concerning exhaust fumes entering the cabin of the vehicle. Updated 03/27/2017”
NHTSA complaint #10809375, filed 2015-12, 100 miles“Upon acceleration my 2015 Ford Explorer xlt has exhaust fumes entering into the vehicle. It happens when I accelerate with the AC/heater in the off mode. You can also smell fumes with the AC/heater on both in the recirculate and non rec modes. I have already had the vehicle in the Ford shop twice with this problem and a TSB was performed with no improvements. Ford crc stated to drive the vehicle with the heat/AC always on to pressurize the cabin to keep fumes from coming in. The owners manual states if you smell exhaust fumes in the cabin, do not drive the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10679373, filed 2015-01, 1,000 miles“Exhaust smell in car every time you enter a freeway or pass another vehicle. In other words; acceleration. Also, has a drone type sound at speeds over 71 MPH. The vehicle has been to the dealership three times with the latest time being two weeks so far (it's still there on 9-30-15) for the two issues noted above..”
NHTSA complaint #10805779, filed 2015-09, 100 miles“Component failure- Water Pump , causing extensive repairs. Car shut down while driving . I have estimate from independent service center. No inspection by manufacture on my particular vehicle, but a class action lawsuit was filed in February 2022 for another individual. Warnings didn’t appear until vehicle started to shut down.”
NHTSA complaint #11510932, filed 2023-03“When I purchased the 2015 Explorer I drove it off the lot and up a hill to go home. As soon as we started up the hill the car filled with an acrid, smoky smell. The kids and I pulled over because we thought there was something wrong. My husband said it was just breaking the car in smell. Please note I have had new cars before and never smelled something this bad. So my husband drove it home while the kids and I took the truck. Since that time the acrid, smoky smell happens every time the car is cold and then I go up a hill. The engine is accelerating and working hard. …”
NHTSA complaint #10689417, filed 2015-02Related service bulletins
- 10251952Mar 6, 2024For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak…
- 10194428May 24, 2021Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
- 10180428Sep 25, 2020Some 2009-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbochargers may exhibit an oil leak from the turbocharger oil supply or return tubes, O-rings or 6.7L pedestal gasket…
- 10169895Dec 20, 2019Some 2013-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.5L twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with…
- 10164422Aug 27, 2019Some 2013-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.5L twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with…
- 10162412Jun 24, 2019Customer Satisfaction Program 19N05: Certain 2011-2017 Model Year Explorer Vehicles - Carbon Monoxide Concern
- 10156877Feb 7, 2019Some 2009-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2009-2014 F-150/Mustang, 2008-2009 Sable, 2008-2019 Taurus/Flex/MKT, 2013-2019 Police Interceptor Sedan/Utility, and 2011-2019 Explorer…
- 10153981Jan 9, 2019Certain 2011-2017 Model Year Explorer Vehicles - Carbon Monoxide Concerns
- 10152473Nov 14, 2018For 2010-2019 vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines, when diagnosing and/or replacing turbo related concerns, all steps within the Workshop Manual (WSM) procedure must be…
- 10137131Apr 11, 2018Some 2007-2016 Edge/MKX/Flex/MKT/MKZ/MKS/Taurus/Police Interceptor Sedan/Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with AWD and built on or before 30-Jun-2016 may…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 2 | 1% |
| 2021 | 10 | 2% |
| 2020 | 21 | 2% |
| 2019 | 6 | 2% |
| 2018 | 29 | 4% |
| 2017 | 77 | 5% |
| 2016 | 114 | 5% |
| 2015 | 66 | 4% |
| 2014 | 67 | 4% |
| 2013 | 67 | 3% |
| 2012 | 14 | 2% |
| 2011 | 21 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 10 | 5% |
| 2006 | 164 | 26% |
| 2005 | 29 | 6% |
| 2004 | 71 | 5% |
| 2003 | 69 | 6% |
| 2002 | 163 | 5% |
| 2001 | 39 | 10% |
| 2000 | 90 | 9% |
| 1999 | 100 | 7% |
| 1998 | 189 | 10% |
| 1997 | 198 | 11% |
| 1996 | 81 | 6% |
| 1995 | 45 | 5% |
| 1994 | 74 | 6% |
| 1993 | 55 | 6% |
| 1992 | 64 | 10% |
| 1991 | 52 | 9% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2015 Ford Explorer
411 complaintsOther or unknown
407 complaintsSteering
347 complaintsEngine
227 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
147 complaintsFuel system
94 complaintsElectrical system
93 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
86 complaintsAir bags
84 complaintsSuspension
83 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
45 complaintsSeat belts
38 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2015 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology