Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was starting the vehicle, she noticed a fuel leak underneath the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the fuel pump had detached causing the fuel leak. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Vehicle Safety Hazard Report: Toxic Cabin Fumes & Engine Hazard Following Improper Franchise Repair My 2014 Ford Explorer (VIN: [redacted]) was serviced at Sawgrass Ford in Sunrise, FL for an initial internal water pump replacement. Immediately following this repair, the vehicle began emitting heavy white exhaust smoke and filling the passenger cabin with toxic chemical fumes. I returned immediately to Sawgrass Ford to address this severe safety hazard. The service advisor conducted a "courtesy check," explicitly falsely assured me that the vehicle was safe, and released it back to me. Due to the continuous heavy white smoke and toxic interior cabin fumes, the vehicle represents an immediate public road hazard and toxic inhalation danger. I have permanently parked the vehicle to avoid further hazardous exposure and imminent secondary internal engine destruction. …
Ever since I purchased my 2014 Ford Explorer, I noticed a foul smell inside the vehicle when accelerating. It seemed fine when driving normally, but when accelerating into traffic or whenever RPMs are increasing, it's definitely noticeable. At first I thought it wasn't that big of a deal, until my young step-son was in the passenger seat complaining about how he felt nauseous out of nowhere. So I decided to do a little research and found a TON of articles including the ones in these two links!: https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/ford-explorer-lawsuits-exhaust-leak-carbon-monoxide/ https://6abc.com/amp/ford-explorer-suv-sick-dizzy/3507986/
There is a strong fuel order coming from passenger side after every fuel fill, affects everyone in the car while moving, especially affecting my grandchildren and my family. Backup camera rarely comes on while backing up, gives a black screen which can cause accidents especially in reverse. Rear driver side makes loud squeaky sound while driving over speed bumps slowly or bumpy roads. I purchased this vehicle used June 2025. It has an active molding recall that hasn't been fixed and I have contacted a Ford dealership last year.
When I'm driving on the freeway. I could be on flatland and it will stall, I could be going down a hill and it stalls, I could be on a regular road, turning a corner, hitting a bump. And it stalls when I'm on the freeway, I have to get over very scary happens all the time when It happens I coast, I put it into park, i turn it off, and it restarts immediately every time. This is constantly happening. IHave a video and picture but it will not upload on this.But it says hell descending control fail
We purchased a 2014 Ford Explorer Police utility from the Raleigh Surplus in the summer of 2021. We also had another vehicle, so rarely drove this Explorer until last summer 2022 when we had to sell one vehicle, therefore putting us driving the Explorer only. I had a failed surgery and was no longer able to drive, so that was another reason the Explorer didn't get driven much the first year. Since last summer my husband has been very sick and in and out of doctors and pulmonary specialist. We have tried to figure out what happened all of a sudden. After talking with his pulmonary specialist and her doing numerous blood work, we came to the conclusion it must be the Ford Explorer causing him sickness. He has been put on nighttime oxygen and has lost a great deal of weight, and become very sick with shortness of breath and now with neurological issues. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. While driving at approximately 60 MPH whenattempting to accelerate or going up an incline, the vehicle emitted a burning odor. The contact stated that this was a recurring failure. The vehicle was driven to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that that the fumes leaking into the vehicle might be caused by cracks in the rear of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 150.
Bought my 2014 Explorer brand new from koons Ford and right off the bat, the driver seats started squeaking at about 5K miles. They replaced the lower lumbar bar, which fixed it for another 2K miles and the seat started squeaking again. I gave up on this issue after a few more attempts to get it fixed. Then about 6 months later, the lcd on my dash would stay on every now and then when I shut off and lock the car. Took it back to koons and they claim they can't regenerate the issue and can't fix it. After 2 years, started hearing whinning/squealing noises from the rear wheels, koons also could not diagnose/fix. I gave up on koons and took it to ted britt, who also could not diagnose/fix. …
My 2014 Ford Explorer has not been motified and has had strong exhaust inside the car confirmed by a Ford dealer for the second time since June. The first repair made by Ford to "plug" the problem made it worse. They are not testing for leaks or carbon monoxide. The are referencing this as an odor. Given the risks how can it be ruled out if they are not testing for them? I am deeply concerned that Ford's priority is to protect itself at the cost of our family and the people on the road. My vehicle has been doing this for sometime even while sitting in the driveway cooling down prior to any motion. I do believe we have directly been sickened by this and am installing a detector into our car and will be having blood work anytime it goes off. I have also contacted my doctor to see if there is anything on our labs to confirm the concerns. …
Ford Explorer class action lawsuit ! Carbon monoxide emissions building up inside driver and passenger compartment/areas ? This is a very dangerous and unhealthy problem for Ford owners with these vehicles ! I have been part of the class action law from the beginning and nothing is happening to settle the problem? My Ford dealership (flammer Ford of spring hill )has told me for almost three years that Ford has not come up with a fix so we keep driving and using a vehicle that is unhealthy . I and my wife take the brunt of the sickening oder from the exhaust fumes backing up inside passenger compartment because we don't want to trade in for new and someone else gets sick or dies from the carbon monoxide fumes ? Ford has stated under oath that they cannot fix the problem ? I have that document ! …
Fuel System complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2014 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 72 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2014 Ford Explorer, 4% of the model year's 1,682 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2014 Ford Explorer fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2014 Ford Explorer, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2014 Ford Explorer fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 28,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.