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 interior through the front driver’s side and front passenger’s side window. The contact stated upon further inspection, the…
2015 Ford Explorer body problems
moderate 369 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
369
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
When does it fail?
Of the 369 body complaints filed for the 2015 Ford Explorer, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 369 body complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Body accounts for 21% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2015 Explorer has a critical unfixed A-pillar trim defect under active recall since January 2024—the trim separates and flies off at highway speeds, but Ford has no parts to repair it. Expect long delays, water leaks into the cabin, and the risk of injuring other drivers; shop carefully if considering a used 2015 Explorer.
The 2015 Explorer's exterior A-pillar trim—the molding around the windshield edges—is detaching and flying off at highway speeds without warning. Owners report the trim starting to lift or make flapping sounds, then separating completely while driving 35–80 mph. Once loose, the rubber gasket slaps against the window and door, and the hard plastic trim panel becomes a projectile. In multiple narratives, the flying trim has struck other vehicles or could have hit motorcyclists.
Ford issued Safety Recall 24S02 (NHTSA 24V031) in January 2024 to address this, but owners across multiple dealerships confirm parts remain on backorder nearly two years later. Some dealerships have applied temporary duct tape repairs at roadside, a band-aid that does not prevent eventual re-failure. One owner reports the trim was replaced three separate times by Safelite and an independent mechanic, yet kept detaching.
Water intrusion through the cracked and separating trim is causing mold inside cabins. One owner had to use silicone caulk to try sealing gaps but water still entered. A handful of narratives also cite rearview camera failures showing distorted or blank images while reversing, though these appear connected to a separate recall (25V695000) rather than the pillar trim itself. The core issue remains: owners cannot get the recall parts, cannot drive safely with exposed windows and broken plastic clips, and Ford has not supplied replacement trim nationwide.
Same Ford Explorer body reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Exterior A-Pillar Trim Detachment
The molded plastic trim and rubber gasket around the windshield A-pillars (both driver and passenger side) separate from the vehicle without warning while driving at highway speeds. The trim then flaps against the window and door before detaching completely, becoming a projectile hazard.
When: Occurs repeatedly at highway speeds; many failures reported between 35,000 and 156,000 miles; recall issued January 2024 but failures continuing through 2026
Symptoms owners cite: Trim lifts or pops out of position while driving; Flapping noise and vibration at the A-pillar; Abnormal sound like something hitting the windshield; Trim flies off at highway speeds (35–80 mph); Rubber gasket flaps and slaps against window and door; Broken plastic retention clips visible after failure; Water entering cabin through cracked or separated trim; Distorted or cracked trim visible before detachment
Repairs/costs cited: Recall parts (replacement A-pillar trim and retention clips) on backorder since recall initiation (nearly 2 years); temporary duct tape or silicone caulk applied by some dealerships as stopgap; trim replaced multiple times by Safelite Auto Glass and independent mechanics but failures recur; one owner had trim replaced 3 separate times before giving up
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Safety Recall 24S02 (NHTSA Campaign 24V031000 / Structure) issued January 2024; parts unavailable nationwide; dealerships placing emergency part requests but Ford Corporate states no estimated delivery date; recall letter sent but some owners claim receipt issues; Ford initially advised waiting for remedy to be identified; some owners told by dealerships that other repair shops (Safelite, non-Ford suppliers) carry parts but no reimbursement offered if owner repairs out of pocket
Water Intrusion Through A-Pillar Trim Gaps
Once the A-pillar trim begins to separate or crack, water enters the vehicle cabin through the gaps between the trim and windshield, soaking floor mats and causing mold formation inside the vehicle.
When: Occurs during rain or after trim begins to separate; mileage varies
Symptoms owners cite: Rainwater leaking into cabin when parked; Passenger or driver side floor mats soaked after rain; Mold formation on interior surfaces; Cracked or separated windshield trim molding
Repairs/costs cited: Temporary silicone caulk applied to seal gaps but owner reports water still entered vehicle; permanent repair requires trim replacement (parts unavailable)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Covered under Safety Recall 24V031000 but parts not available
Rearview Camera Failure – Distorted or Blank Image
The rearview camera displays a distorted, inverted, blank, or intermittent image while the vehicle is in reverse. The failure obstructs driver visibility and prevents safe backup operation.
When: Intermittent failures beginning after vehicle purchase and continuing for approximately one year; occurs regardless of mileage (35,500 to 150,000 miles reported)
Symptoms owners cite: Camera image distorted or inverted while reversing; Camera image goes blank or black intermittently; Camera image fails to turn on; Camera moves independently while in reverse; Blurry rearview image; Message 'Rear-view Camera Inoperable' or 'Check Rear-view Camera' displayed on instrument panel; Failure occurs at low speeds (2 mph) and higher speeds
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs performed; parts unavailable for recall repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Safety Recall 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) issued; parts not yet available; manufacturer told at least one owner that no recall exists for the rearview camera on that VIN; referred owners to NHTSA Hotline
Hood Paint Bubbling and Corrosion
Paint on the front of the hood begins to bubble and peel, indicating corrosion or manufacturing defect. Owners report this is a known issue across Ford Explorers.
When: After 2 years of use on well-maintained, garage-kept vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Paint bubbling on front hood after 2 years of use; Paint peeling on hood; White dust visible under peeling paint
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership indicated this is not uncommon; one owner researched and found TSB 19-2026 addressing aluminum body panel corrosion; panel replacement recommended
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford Customer Service refused warranty coverage citing mileage limit exceeding 7-year mark (one owner at 8 years old); dealership advised customer to contact Ford Customer Service; no financial support offered
Synthesized from 369 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
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 displayed a distorted and inverted image while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure had…
The passenger cabin both front and rear has the pungent smell of exhaust whenever the vehicle is: - engine running and - either in park or drive and - either moving or stationary and - either highway or city driving and - going 0 MPH, or 10 MPH or 20 MPH or 50 MPH and - either turning or straight and - with the heat on or off and - with the air conditioning on or off and - with all…
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim on the passenger side of the windshield started to detach. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.…
Passenger side front window trim (column). The rubber seal started flapping on the expressway (60-70mph), followed by the entire trim piece ripping off. Created a significant distraction for driver and passenger. Trim piece flew off vehicle onto a 6 lane highway creating a safety issues for other drivers. There was no previous history of damage/accident involving this trim piece.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Ford explorer. The contact stated that the armrest on the front driver's side door panel had fractured. The contact took the vehicle to greenway motors (located at 310 bedford rd, morris, il 60450, 815-768-1813) and was informed that the repair was covered per a customer satisfaction campaign. The dealer restapled the door panel, but the failure recurred. The…
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the back over prevention camera was inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that parts…
Had body trouble with your 2015 Ford Explorer?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2015 Ford Explorer?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 369 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 201 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 60,000 and 120,000 miles, with the median around 90,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,000; a quarter make it past 120,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Ford/Explorer.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.