2.0L Ecoboost - Fuel odor
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Ford Explorer fuel system problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Ford Explorer have filed 6 NHTSA complaints about the fuel system at roughly $1,200 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See fuel system across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,200
| Model year | fuel system complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Explorer | 4 |
| 2012 Explorer | 7 |
| 2013 Explorer | 30 |
| 2014 Explorer | 7 |
| 2015 Explorer (this page) | 6 |
| 2016 Explorer | 5 |
| 2017 Explorer | 5 |
| 2018 Explorer | 4 |
What stands out
No new NHTSA fuel system complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering fuel system 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.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Cpsc: i15c0225a: 2015 Ford explorer: consumer stated the fuel line was cracked. *ss the consumer was informed a rock may have hit the fuel line. *jb
Had fuel system 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 fuel system problem on the 2015 Ford Explorer?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 6 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,200 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?
Based on the 6 complaints filed, fuel system issues most often appear around 124,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,200 for fuel system 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 fuel system?
No active recalls currently cover fuel system 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.