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Other or unknownPart report

2015 Ford Explorer Other or unknown Problems

Complaints
407about this part
Share
22%of 1,813 total for the year
Median mileage
29,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 407 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2015 Ford Explorer, 22% of the 1,813 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 29,000 miles. 7 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.

“Exhaust odor coming from climate control vents. While driving with the heater on, noticed that when we'd come to a stop a mild exhaust odor was coming from the heater vents. Passengers consisted of myself, two toddlers and pregnant wife. After an 8 hour drive my wife and I had headaches. Not sure the source of the headache.”

NHTSA complaint #11297320, filed 2020-01, 70,000 miles

“Our vehicle has exhaust issues, the car if left idling for very long at all will make the entire vehicle smell. This causes passengers to have a headache and sometimes become sleepy. The smell in the vehicle has been so bad after idling for a while and then driving we had to pull over and open all doors.”

NHTSA complaint #11311059, filed 2020-02, 60,000 miles

“When excelerating onto freeway a burning smell coming out of vents into car. When idling car at stop light burning smell coming out of vents into car. White smoke coming from under hood while idling along with the burning smell. Have taken it to Ford many times and they couldn't find anything. Was documented when I had my 1st oil change on the car.”

NHTSA complaint #11011388, filed 2017-07, 3,000 miles

“While driving the driver side door handle mechanism fell completely apart and off my vehicle, opening the door when I came to a complete stop. After getting my vehicle home, I checked to see if it was apart of a recall and saw that over 200,000 explorers were recalled for this very problem. I then checked my VIN to see if my vehicle was apart of the recall and it is, of course, not.”

NHTSA complaint #11267595, filed 2019-10, 100,000 miles

“Although the current exhaust recall identifies years 2011-16, I experience exhaust fumes in the cabin of my 2015 Ford Explorer. I travel as a sale rep, I get a good night sleep, but at time find myself feeling sleepy at times on long highway trips, and at times can smell exhaust upon acceleration. I purchased the vehicle december 2010 / january 2011.”

NHTSA complaint #11018972, filed 2017-08, 100 miles

Related service bulletins

Other or unknown: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20261126%
20251918%
2024419%
20232724%
20225821%
20219020%
202021317%
20194816%
201816823%
201737422%
201643518%
201540722%
201434320%
201335116%
201210813%
201111810%
201098%
2009618%
2008128%
200752%
2006244%
2005163%
2004373%
2003484%
2002441%
2001123%
2000273%
1999272%
1998432%
1997402%
1996332%
1995162%
1994161%
1993111%
199251%
1991163%
199018%

Other parts of the 2015 Ford Explorer

Body and structure
411 complaints
Steering
348 complaints
Engine
227 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
147 complaints
Fuel system
94 complaints
Electrical system
93 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
86 complaints
Air bags
84 complaints
Suspension
83 complaints
Engine cooling
66 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
45 complaints
Seat 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 28, 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