2015 Ford Explorer Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 86about this part
- Share
- 5%of 1,813 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 86 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2015 Ford Explorer, 5% of the 1,813 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I've been dealing with exhaust fumes entering my vehicle upon a hard acceleration. I'v taken my 2015 Explorer to the dealership 5 times to get this correct, with no positive resolution. I'm also experiencing a knocking noise when making a hard left hand turn. I've brought to the dealership twice to fix it, with no resolution.”
NHTSA complaint #10954792, filed 2017-02, 27,000 miles“Two months ago I had this weird smell in the cabin of my Explorer when accelerating , , take it to the shop, two days after the dealer told me it was carbon monoxide it started making a weird noise , take it in again and the ptu is completely shredded. Was told all the fluid leaked out and caused this damage. Complete replacement of the ptu over $2500 on a vehicle 2015 Ford Explorer with only 64,000 miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #11221635, filed 2019-06, 64,000 miles“Ford Explorer 2015 with 38,000 miles. Car violently jerked on highway and completely shut off engine with no throttle response. We were almost hit multiple times by other drivers because we had no control. Wrench symbol was on the dash and believe it is a throttle body issue. This is a known issue and cannot believe they are still selling this vehicle or vehicles with this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11030301, filed 2017-09, 37,500 miles“Down the road from my house the power takeoff unit had a catastrophic failure while driving forward (on private drive) grinding sound could be heard coming from the unit in drive but not reverse or neutral. My complaint with this is that this is a known issue with Ford and they have not issued a recall, the jerking that this failure caused had I been on a public road/highway going a higher speed could of caused a major accident therfore I believe this to be a major safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11404158, filed 2021-03, 155,000 miles“Our 2015 Explorer sport with 60550 miles had the check engine light come on for one day, then turned off. We had it diagnosed immediately and were told the car needed a timing chain ($3200). The light came on during normal driving conditions and the next day was not lit. The light came on right after the warranty period expired, and Ford would not help with repairs. For such an issue to occur so early and right after the warranty is extremely disappointing.”
NHTSA complaint #11194542, filed 2019-04, 1 milesRelated recalls
- 20V692000Nov 10, 2020Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Explorer, 2014-2015 Taurus and 2014 Edge vehicles equipped with 2.0L or 2.3L engines and front wheel…Covers: Ford Explorer 2014–2016, Taurus 2014–2015, Edge 2014
Related service bulletins
- 11025611Nov 12, 2025Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
- 10251934Mar 1, 2024During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper, achieving proper torque of the crankshaft pulley bolt is critical…
- 10214492Jun 16, 2022Some 2015-2016 vehicles equipped with 6F50/6F55 transmission and built on 2-Nov-2015 and through 1-Feb-2016 may exhibit no reverse, 3rd and 5th gear with diagnostic trouble codes…
- 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…
- 10169986Dec 20, 2019Some 2015-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
- 10160936May 20, 20192015-2016 Edge/MKX/Flex/MKT/MKZ/MKS/Taurus/Taurus Police/Explorer/Explorer Police vehicles built on or before 10-Jun-2016 and equipped with a 3.5L or 3.7L engine, all wheel drive…
- 10160931May 10, 2019On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A even if grease was…
- 10149778Sep 27, 2018Some 2013-2019 Police Interceptor Sedan and Utility vehicles may exhibit a reduced top speed after a transmission fluid service with unapproved fluid. The use of unapproved fluid…
- 10144950Aug 31, 2018Some 2015-2017 Explorer and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines may exhibit a surge or hesitation condition at approximately 50-60 MPH in 6th…
- 10127405Nov 2, 2017Some vehicles may exhibit a no start condition with an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and a DTC P161A after PCM replacement. This may be due to the parameter reset…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 7% |
| 2025 | 16 | 15% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 12 | 11% |
| 2022 | 61 | 23% |
| 2021 | 127 | 28% |
| 2020 | 504 | 40% |
| 2019 | 35 | 12% |
| 2018 | 50 | 7% |
| 2017 | 125 | 7% |
| 2016 | 215 | 9% |
| 2015 | 86 | 5% |
| 2014 | 80 | 5% |
| 2013 | 119 | 5% |
| 2012 | 55 | 7% |
| 2011 | 64 | 5% |
| 2010 | 28 | 24% |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% |
| 2008 | 36 | 24% |
| 2007 | 57 | 27% |
| 2006 | 296 | 47% |
| 2005 | 99 | 20% |
| 2004 | 460 | 35% |
| 2003 | 335 | 30% |
| 2002 | 1,502 | 46% |
| 2001 | 42 | 11% |
| 2000 | 133 | 14% |
| 1999 | 115 | 9% |
| 1998 | 103 | 5% |
| 1997 | 104 | 6% |
| 1996 | 120 | 8% |
| 1995 | 119 | 14% |
| 1994 | 86 | 7% |
| 1993 | 72 | 8% |
| 1992 | 77 | 12% |
| 1991 | 69 | 11% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
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 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 29, 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