2015 Ford Explorer Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 1%of 1,813 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 29,789miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2015 Ford Explorer, 1% of the 1,813 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 29,789 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.
“Headlights are suppose to be sealed units but when I'm driving in the rain the water gets in. Ford denied warranty replacement of them calling it condensation and that is normal. The water stays in for a day or two but when driving at night it obscures my vision from the light being defused. This is a known problem by Ford and they don't seem to want to own up to it. I sent pictures to them but have since deleted them I will take more the next time it rains when I'm traveling.”
NHTSA complaint #11000716, filed 2017-06, 11,000 miles“We have had continual failures with our 2015 and 2016 Ford explorers with the police package. The body control modules, wiring harnesses, restraint control modules that are either preventing new units being placed into service or fail once they have been placed into service. We currently have two of these units that we purchased off of our state contract in washington state that are still at the dealer. We purchased and received these units in november of 2015. …”
NHTSA complaint #10822763, filed 2016-01, 150 miles“The exterior lights don't work that great it looks like some painted a black line in the windshield and we can't see above that line. Very dangerous. I am very disappointed in the lights. I had an edge before and we could see so much better.”
NHTSA complaint #10661856, filed 2014-12, 125 miles“Driving 55mph on I-94 last night in a steady rain and check battery message came up in the left ip display. Within a few seconds I lost the power steering, then the center console entertainment/info screen, then the instrument cluster went black with the headlights and windshield wipers which were on highest setting slowed but continued to operate only while in the highest setting. This scenario continued off and on for the next 30 miles with intermittent electronic steering failure, internal ip and console screen failure and exterior lighting failures. …”
NHTSA complaint #11185651, filed 2019-03, 52,000 miles“Oncoming cars are constantly flashing their lights at me because they think that my headlights are on high beam. I took my Explorer to landmark Ford in tigard oregon to have them verify that the lights were adjusted properly. I was told that everything meet specifications. The service manager stated the he and the technician had the same extra bright low beam issues with their Ford pickups. I asked if there was another type of lamp that could be used, but they didn't have any recommendations. I don't know what else to do to resolve the issue. I purchased this vehicle in july 2017.”
NHTSA complaint #11056375, filed 2017-12, 21,000 milesExterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 5% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 5 | 2% |
| 2021 | 8 | 2% |
| 2020 | 56 | 4% |
| 2018 | 4 | 1% |
| 2017 | 12 | 1% |
| 2016 | 6 | 0% |
| 2015 | 17 | 1% |
| 2014 | 25 | 1% |
| 2013 | 25 | 1% |
| 2012 | 6 | 1% |
| 2011 | 6 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 12 | 8% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 0% |
| 2005 | 5 | 1% |
| 2004 | 7 | 1% |
| 2003 | 6 | 1% |
| 2002 | 19 | 1% |
| 2001 | 9 | 2% |
| 2000 | 26 | 3% |
| 1999 | 46 | 3% |
| 1998 | 38 | 2% |
| 1997 | 20 | 1% |
| 1996 | 15 | 1% |
| 1995 | 16 | 2% |
| 1994 | 9 | 1% |
| 1993 | 7 | 1% |
| 1992 | 3 | 0% |
| 1991 | 6 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2015 Ford Explorer
411 complaintsOther or unknown
407 complaintsSteering
348 complaintsEngine
227 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2015 Ford Explorer
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology