FORD: CERTAIN 2013-2015 FORD FUSION AND TAURUS, 2011-2015 FORD EXPLORER, 2013-2014 FORD EDGE AND FLEX, 2013-2015 LINCOLN MKS, MKX, AND 2013-2014 LINCOLN MKT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SPEED THAT DOESN'T MATCH THE SPEEDOMETER SPEED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Ford Explorer cruise control problems
severe Owners of the 2015 Ford Explorer have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control, typically surfacing around 85,200 miles at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Explorer | 9 |
| 2012 Explorer | 8 |
| 2013 Explorer | 21 |
| 2014 Explorer | 14 |
| 2015 Explorer (this page) | 12 |
| 2016 Explorer | 46 |
| 2017 Explorer | 6 |
| 2018 Explorer | 4 |
2crashes
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2015 Ford Explorers describe two main failure patterns tied to the throttle body: sudden loss of power while driving at any speed, and sudden unintended acceleration that doesn't stop when the pedal is released.
In loss-of-power incidents, the engine keeps running but the throttle becomes unresponsive. A yellow wrench icon appears on the dash alongside "check manual" or "all terrain management fault" messages. The vehicle can be driven again after shutdown and restart, but the problem recurs without warning—sometimes within hours. One owner reported this happening 10–20 times over two to three years; another experienced stalling three times in traffic.
Unintended acceleration events are more dangerous: the vehicle accelerates on its own and will not stop, even with the brake fully applied. Owners report tire lockup and engine revving while braking. One owner hydroplaned and hit a curb; another struck a tree and then a parked vehicle. These incidents occur during normal driving, while turning into parking spaces, or from a complete stop. Only turning off the key stops the acceleration.
Owners and independent mechanics point to throttle body defect as the common cause. One dealer confirmed "numerous Explorers with the same problem" but could not retrieve diagnostic codes to initiate repair. Manufacturers contacted have denied any issue exists and stated no recall applies. Mileage ranges from 24,000 to 89,000 miles.
Same Ford Explorer cruise control reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Loss of Power / Sudden Deceleration & Stalling
Vehicle suddenly loses power while driving; throttle pedal becomes unresponsive despite engine still running. Yellow wrench warning light and 'check manual' message appear on dash. Issue resolves temporarily after engine shutdown and restart, but recurs without warning.
When: Occurs at any speed; narratives cite 25–60 mph. Mileage range 34,000–89,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Throttle pedal unresponsive; vehicle coasts to a stop; Yellow wrench icon on dash with 'check manual' or 'all terrain management fault' message; Engine still running but no acceleration response; Vehicle stalls in traffic or on roadway; Lag on restart
Codes mentioned: P0516, P0638
Repairs/costs cited: Narratives cite throttle body replacement as diagnosis. One owner reports dealer stated 'numerous Explorers with the same problem.' No repair costs provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford dealerships unable to replicate issue or retrieve error codes in some cases. One dealer confirmed throttle body diagnosis but stated no recall coverage. Manufacturer contacted in at least one instance and stated no issue exists.
Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA)
Vehicle suddenly accelerates without driver input and does not stop when throttle pedal is released. Occurs during normal driving, turning into parking spaces, or while braking. Issue persists until key is turned off.
When: Occurs at any speed; narratives cite incidents at 25 mph, 40 mph, and while parking. Mileage range 24,000–89,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates without foot on gas pedal; Throttle pedal unresponsive to release; Brake pedal unresponsive; tires lock up; Vehicle will not decelerate; only stops when engine shut off; Occurs while slowing to park or at complete stop
Repairs/costs cited: One narrative reports vehicle taken to dealer (Bill Utter Ford, Denton TX) where repair was performed but specifics not available; issue recurred multiple times afterward. No cost data provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated 'there was no issue' when contacted. Floor mats ruled out by owners; cruise control not activated in reported incidents.
Throttle Response Hesitation & Lag
Vehicle hesitates or lags when accelerator pedal is depressed before accelerating normally. No warning light in some cases.
When: Occurs during normal acceleration. Mileage approximately 37,500 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation when depressing accelerator pedal; Lag before vehicle accelerates as expected; No warning light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed. No cost data provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not notified by owner. Dealer informed owner vehicle not under recall or warranty.
Sputter & Loss of Acceleration
While driving, vehicle sputters and suddenly loses ability to accelerate. Resolves temporarily after engine shutdown and restart but recurs without warning.
When: Occurs at any speed; narrative cites incidents in traffic. Mileage data not provided.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle sputters while driving; Loss of acceleration response; Yellow wrench icon and 'see manual' message on dash; Issue recurs on multiple occasions
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed. No cost data provided.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had cruise control 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 cruise control problem on the 2015 Ford Explorer?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 37,500 and 102,000 miles, with the median around 85,200. A quarter of owners report trouble before 37,500; a quarter make it past 102,000. 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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.