What tends to fail on the 2015 Ford Explorer, and when
Across the NHTSA owner-complaint record for this vehicle, the earliest problems cluster
around 56,078 miles (powertrain).
The first failure owners report as severe is
powertrain, around
56,078 miles at roughly $2,500 to put right.
2015 Ford Explorer — reported failures in mileage order, from NHTSA owner complaints
System
Typically shows around
Typical repair
Owner reports
powertrainsevere
56,078 mi
~$2,500
67
enginesevere
59,130 mi
~$3,100
207
electrical
60,737 mi
~$850
74
visibility
64,105 mi
~$350
27
airbagssevere
67,542 mi
~$1,100
72
brakessevere
67,867 mi
~$450
17
wheels
69,102 mi
~$400
8
steering
70,594 mi
~$700
347
suspensionsevere
73,532 mi
~$900
64
seatbeltssevere
73,804 mi
~$500
23
cruise controlsevere
78,463 mi
~$600
12
lightingsevere
82,230 mi
~$250
12
body
93,209 mi
~$1,500
380
fuel system
124,000 mi
~$1,200
6
Mileage figures are averages across owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not a
manufacturer schedule or a prediction for any individual vehicle. Complaints are
owner-submitted and unverified, and owners who have no trouble rarely file — so this
shows where and when problems cluster, not how likely they are. Repair costs are
estimates. Federal records as of October 2026.
The 2015 Ford Explorer has 1,811 NHTSA owner complaints and 9 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of October 2026). The most-reported system is body at 380 complaints, typically surfacing around 93,209 miles (~$1,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
The problems owners report most, open recalls, and the mileage where failures cluster — straight from the NHTSA record, in seconds.
Reliability score
4.6 / 10
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
0
Critical
9
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2015 Explorer?
Avoid — the engine
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced.
Engine: 207 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 24,400–90,000 mi
Powertrain: 67 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 32,000–68,033 mi
Reliability score 4.6/10 — below the segment average
9 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★5/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2015 Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2015 Ford Explorer? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
body — 380 owner reports
· tends to show around 93,209 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
steering — 347 owner reports
· tends to show around 70,594 mi · ~$700 to fix
engine — 207 owner reports
· tends to show around 59,130 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
electrical — 74 owner reports
· tends to show around 60,737 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 59,130 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 9 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 4.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2015 Explorer· body
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving in rainy weather conditions, water was leaking into the…
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the rearview camera…
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…
Had a problem with your 2015 Ford Explorer?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles
A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles
A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia
A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 16V-245, 19V-435, and 20V-675. Certain vehicles previously repaired will need to return for the new remedy. An interim notification letter notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2022. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S32.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 4.6 out of 10 based on 1,811 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2015 Ford Explorer has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2015 Ford Explorer?
On the NHTSA data, the 2015 Ford Explorer is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: Engine: 207 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 24,400–90,000 mi; Powertrain: 67 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 32,000–68,033 mi; Reliability score 4.6/10 — below the segment average; 9 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2015 Ford Explorer?
Inspect the body first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 380 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 93,209 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2015 Ford Explorer a good used car to buy?
It scores 4.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 1,811 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is body. Typical failure occurs around 93,209 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2015 Ford Explorer?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is body, with 380 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 93,209 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The body is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 93,209 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford Explorer has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2015 Ford Explorer?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 1,811 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Ford/Explorer.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
We are not affiliated with Ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we
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