Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving his vehicle at approximately 50 MPH, the check engine light illuminated, and he smelled as if something was burning. The contact stated that he then pulled over and waited until the smoke cleared before driving the vehicle again. The contact stated that he then took his vehicle to get serviced for an oil change as he thought that may be the cause of the failure he was experiencing. The contact stated that while getting his vehicle serviced he was advised that it was liquid of some sort leaking into the engine. The contact stated he then contacted his independent mechanic to get his vehicle diagnosed. …
When driving the vehicle, I can smell gas fumes which caused nausea. I didn't know it was worse in the back of the cabin where my children sit until I sat back there for a 3 hour trip. The smell was stronger there which led to headache, nausea and fatigue. It doesn't seem to come from the vent, it seems from the entire body of the vehicle. This puts my children's health at risk. And all of our lives because if we travel far enough breathing this in, it can lead to exhaustion which can cause a crash and put others' safety at risk. I'm surprised to see there is no recall, yet, it's been reported that there have been 1.5 million complaints. We are having the issue fixed next Wednesday, but we will be without a car (ford is not providing a loan vehicle) and the bill is extremely expensive. …
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front windshield bonding fracture and disconnected structing another vehicle. The contact also mentioned that an abnormal fume odor appeared in the interior cabin from all vents. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and inspected which the technician was unable to duplicate the issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned a recall however while conducting a recall search there was NHTSA Action Number: EA17002 (STRUCTURE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) as a possible solution to the failure, however, the VIN was not included in the action number. The manufacture was notified of the failure and informed the contact that no recalls was under the VIN. The failure mileage was approximate 26,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his son was driving 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and an abnormal sulfur odor was detected in the cabin of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's son drove the vehicle to his residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an unknown manufacturer's recall repair was performed. The contact stated that the sulfur odor was still present while driving the vehicle. The contact reference NHTSA Action Number: EA17002 (Structure, Engine and Engine Cooling) and NHTSA Action Number: PE16008 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Structure). The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the power steering assist was inoperable. The failure occurred while the contact's husband was stopped for fuel. The driver turned on the vehicle and the steering wheel had seized. The engine maintenance warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion and steering needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired by the dealer. The contact stated that an independent mechanic confirmed that the steering and rack and pinion needed to be replaced, but the parts were on backorder. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was opened. The owner was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormally strong burning odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the turbocharging of the cooling lines was weakening. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact became aware of an unknown recall. The contact contacted the local dealer for the recall repair. However, the dealer informed her that the vehicle could not be repaired under the unknown recall as the VIN was not included. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a carbon monoxide odor was detected coming from the cabin air vents, which caused the contact and his passenger to have headaches. The vehicle had previously been serviced by the dealer for the recurring failure. The dealer had diagnosed the vehicle with an unknown failure, and an unknown part was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled and then lost motive power. The engine temperature warning light was illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the contact was advised to tow the vehicle to the local dealer for diagnostic test and repair. The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact was able to jumpstart the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was towed to a local Pep Boys where the battery was replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that she noticed that coolant was leaking onto the ground in the driveway. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the water pump was leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there were exhaust fumes inside the vehicle, causing the contact headaches and nausea, and the two grandkids were complaining about headaches as well. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was determined to have a catalytic converter failure, which was repaired, but the fumes persisted. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, who determined that the exhaust fumes were coming from the rear liftgate seals. No further information was available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 120,000.
NHTSA investigations
Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor
During the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration?s (NHTSA?s) investigation into the Ford carbon monoxide allegations, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) identified additional Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports with similar exhaust odor claims.Presently, ODI has identified 791 VOQs for Model Year 2011-2017 Ford Explorers pertaining to exhaust odor claims.ODI has identified three crashes and 41…
Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab
During the EA17-002 investigation, the agency reviewed and analyzed reports of exhaust odors in the passenger cabins of Model Year 2011 to 2017 Ford Explorers. This investigation required an approach that incorporated knowledge and expertise from the automotive, medical, environmental health, and occupational safety fields.
Engine complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2015 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 289 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2015 Ford Explorer, 16% of the model year's 1,809 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system (35 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Ford Explorer engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2015 Ford Explorer, though it has 8 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 2015 Ford Explorer engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 19 injuries to engine & cooling 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.