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 there was an abnormal grinding noise detected while making a turn. There was a crunching noise detected while entering the driveway. The contact stated that the passenger's front seat was not moving. The driver's side rear inflator seat belt failed to latch. The rear seat belt warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed the contact the seat belt buckle needed to be replaced. The track on the seat needed to be replaced. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. While driving at unknown speeds, the steering wheel seized. While making a turn, the driver had to pull the steering wheel to correct the steering. The steering power assist fault message was displayed. …
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that he received notification of Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP): 21B11 (Second Row Inflatable Seat Belt); however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The local dealer and two unknown dealers were contacted several times and informed the contact the part was not yet available for Customer Satisfaction Program. The dealer later informed the contact that the Customer Satisfaction Program had expired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because the Customer Satisfaction Program had expired. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was discovered that the cause of the failure was related to the rear middle row seat belt assembly. The air bag light was illuminated due to the seat belt assembly faulty wiring. The defect was initially repaired under warranty; however, the failure persisted, and the warranty expired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact of a Customer Satisfaction Program related to the failure; however, the vehicle was not included in the program. The contact was then given a case number. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 13,681.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his daughter was seated in the rear passenger's side seat, the seat belt failed to latch securely. The contact stated that the seat belt casing had fractured. The contact then stated that the failure reoccurred while his daughter was seated in the driver's side rear seat. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear passenger's and driver's side seat belts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was advised to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the driver's and passenger's side middle row captain chair inflatable seat belt receivers had malfunctioned and were inoperable. The contact indicated that the passenger's side seat belt receiver housing and the internal clip had initially fractured and later the driver's internal clip had fractured making the seat belts unusable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the seat belts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 106,000.
2nd row seat belts, outer right and left have broken buckle. Part is on national back order and is not available. Ford does not have a recall or TSB active on this problem. Parts guy said this is a common problem, reflects on why part is on back order and not available. Cant put kids in vehicle due to defective seat belt. No have not contacted insurance or contacted police, I am a certified State Safety Inspector in Virginia and a Fleet mechanic for PWC GOV [redacted] ,-. Seat belt broke and will not lock buckle in place. Left side is starting to not latching anymore also.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the seat belt and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the seat belt wiring harness located in the second-row seat had failed. The wiring harness was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact was informed that the seat belt wiring harness needed to be replaced; however, the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the contact seat belt warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the seat belt sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle had exceeded the warranty extension and was no longer covered. The contact researched online and related the failure to Ford Customer Satisfaction Program: 21B11 (Seat Belts). The failure mileage was 64,710.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the second-row driver's and passenger's side seat belt buckle covers had detached, causing the air bag warning light to illuminate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21B11 (2nd Row Inflatable Seat Belt); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear passenger's side seat belt buckle retractor was stuck and failed to release as needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Seat Belt complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat belt problems on the 2015 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the seat belts of the 2015 Ford Explorer, 2% of the model year's 1,809 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2015 Ford Explorer seat belt problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seat belts 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 seat belt problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries to seat belts 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.