2015 Ford Explorer Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 227about this part
- Share
- 13%of 1,812 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,156miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 227 complaints about the engine of the 2015 Ford Explorer, 13% of the 1,812 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,156 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When accelerating in my vehicle from a stopped position and when driving on the expressway, there is a carbon monoxide odor and I get light headed and have headaches afterward. This has continued after my vehicle was repaired by a Ford dealership due to the recall. This has happened several times before and after the repair.”
NHTSA complaint #11196728, filed 2019-04, 40,000 miles“Both exhaust manifolds were cracked. Removed and drilled out broken studs and installed new converters. I heard a noise for a day or two and brought it in and they said this was the issue. I maintain my vehicle regularly at the Ford dealer and never indicated a problem. They said no recall but I googled it and I see many complaints with the same issue for my year, make and model.”
NHTSA complaint #11251868, filed 2019-08, 91,273 miles“Water pump started leaking at 54000 miles right out of warranty. Was told needed replacement or else engine would seize. Paid over $2,100 to get it replaced. Stupid design and hard labor to get to it. Car has vibration now ever since we had it repaired but thought it was normal leaving dealer. I don't know why this hasn't been recalled. Now, the parking aid went out. These cars are horrendous”
NHTSA complaint #11191734, filed 2019-03, 54,600 miles“The exhaust smell is overwhelming when you have to accelerate over 3,500 rpms. This is sometimes necessary when on highways or when traveling up a hill at higher speeds. It is not safe to inhaling exhaust fumes within the cabin. I worry about the safety of my child in this vehicle due to this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11232825, filed 2019-07, 43,643 miles“While I was driving on the highway there was a strong smell gof exhaust fumes in the car. Opened the windows to check. It was not an outside smell. Had to drive with windows down as it was giving me a headache and nausea. When the engine was turned off and we cane out of the car there was strong exhaust smell all around the car”
NHTSA complaint #11046287, filed 2017-11, 57,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10159494Apr 26, 2019SSM 47948 - 2010-2019 Various Vehicles - Turbocharged Engines - Oil Supply Filter Replacement When Replacing The Turbocharger Or The Turbocharger Oil Supply Tube For 2010-2019…
- 10143090Jun 12, 2018Some 2013-2018 Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with a 3.7L twin independent variable camshaft timing (TiVCT) engine may exhibit an engine vibration and/or the engine…
- 10115945Jul 12, 2017Some 2015-2017 Explorer and 2015-2016 F-150 vehicles, equipped with 3.5L Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection (GTDI) engines may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic…
- 10095154Jan 10, 2017To help differentiate engine oil leaks from other possible sources, a new white-colored fluorescent engine oil dye is available. Workshop manual (wsm), section 303-00 has been…
- 10094643Dec 22, 2016Some 2015-2017 edge/mkx, escape/mkc, fusion/mkz and explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.0l or 2.3l may exhibit damage to the engine appearance cover, valve cover and/or intake…
- 10094612Dec 9, 2016Some 2015-2016 edge with 2.0l gasoline turbocharged direct injection (gtdi), 2015-2016 mustang and f-150 with 5.0l engine and 2016 explorer equipped with 2.3l gtdi engine may…
- 10090509Oct 13, 2016Some 2014-2015 explorer and taurus vehicles equipped with a 3.5l or 3.7l ti-vct engine may exhibit an illuminated mil with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0138 and/or p0158 stored…
- 10090505Oct 10, 2016Some 2015-2016 f-150, c-max, edge, mks, taurus, and flex and 2016 expedition, explorer, escape, fusion, mustang, mkz, mkx, navigator, transit and transit connect vehicles…
- 10109070Sep 21, 2016The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to…
- 10091140Jun 16, 20162013-2017 explorer, taurus, mks exhaust studs not missing
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 14% |
| 2025 | 8 | 7% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 10 | 9% |
| 2022 | 30 | 11% |
| 2021 | 50 | 11% |
| 2020 | 117 | 9% |
| 2019 | 19 | 6% |
| 2018 | 96 | 13% |
| 2017 | 241 | 14% |
| 2016 | 382 | 16% |
| 2015 | 227 | 13% |
| 2014 | 198 | 12% |
| 2013 | 225 | 10% |
| 2012 | 79 | 10% |
| 2011 | 83 | 7% |
| 2010 | 14 | 12% |
| 2009 | 4 | 12% |
| 2008 | 21 | 14% |
| 2007 | 28 | 13% |
| 2006 | 58 | 9% |
| 2005 | 17 | 3% |
| 2004 | 44 | 3% |
| 2003 | 22 | 2% |
| 2002 | 49 | 1% |
| 2001 | 6 | 2% |
| 2000 | 9 | 1% |
| 1999 | 4 | 0% |
| 1998 | 6 | 0% |
| 1997 | 4 | 0% |
| 1996 | 2 | 0% |
| 1995 | 2 | 0% |
| 1993 | 1 | 0% |
| 1992 | 3 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2015 Ford Explorer
411 complaintsOther or unknown
407 complaintsSteering
347 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
147 complaintsFuel system
94 complaintsElectrical system
93 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
86 complaintsAir bags
84 complaintsSuspension
83 complaintsEngine cooling
66 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