2014 Ford Explorer problems, complaints and recalls
NHTSA data checked November 4, 2026 · counts are computed from NHTSA's public APIs, not estimated
Summary
NHTSA's public complaint database lists 1,684 owner complaints for the 2014 Ford Explorer, and its recall database lists 7 safety recall campaigns for it.
Leaving out "unknown or other", the component group owners named most often is steering (500 complaints, 30%), followed by structure (276) and engine (198). A complaint can name more than one group, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
32 complaints say a crash happened and 6 mention a fire; together the complaints report 38 injuries and 2 deaths.
Among Ford Explorer model years 2010–2020 in NHTSA's data, 2014 has the 5th-most complaints (1,684, against a median of 1,224 for the other years).
The newest recall is 24V031000, received January 19, 2024, for structure.
1,684owner complaints
7recall campaigns
32complaints reporting a crash
6complaints reporting a fire
38injuries reported
2deaths reported
Complaints by component
Owners pick one or more component groups when they file. Share is the percent of the 1,684 complaints that name the group.
Component group (NHTSA label)
Complaints
Share
Steeringsteering column, rack and power steering: loss of assist, wander
500
30%
Unknown or Otherowner did not pick a component group
337
20%
Structurebody and frame: hood, doors, rust, mounts
Lane Departurelane-keeping assist and lane departure warning
5
<1%
Traction Control Systemtraction control
5
<1%
Tirestires
4
<1%
Latches/Locks/Linkagesdoor and hood latches, locks
3
<1%
Service Brakes, Hydraulicthe main hydraulic brakes: pedal feel, ABS, brake lines
2
<1%
Equipmentadd-on equipment
1
<1%
Firerelated
1
<1%
Recalls (7)
Newest first. Summary, risk and remedy are NHTSA's own recall text (a U.S. government record), shown as published. A recall applies only to the vehicles its notice names; your VIN lookup is the final word.
NHTSA campaign 24V031000
Received January 19, 2024 · Structure (body: roof and pillars)
What's wrong: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
Risk: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V537000
Received July 15, 2021 · Suspension (rear)
What's wrong: 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. Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
Risk: A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign 20V675000
Received March 12, 2021 · Suspension (rear)
What's wrong: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin that were previously repaired under a prior recall numbers 16V-245 or 19V-435. The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fracture.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle attached to the rear suspension toe link and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S62.
NHTSA campaign 20V692000
Received November 10, 2020 · Power Train (axle assembly: axle shaft)
What's wrong: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Explorer, 2014-2015 Taurus and 2014 Edge vehicles equipped with 2.0L or 2.3L engines and front wheel drive. The support bracket for the front drive axle halfshaft may fail.
Risk: The failed bracket could result in a loss of park function which can cause unintended vehicle movement, and loss of motive power while driving which increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the link shaft bracket, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners received an interim notification detailing safety risk December 8, 2020. A second letter will be mailed when parts become available in January 2021. The recall began February 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S63.
NHTSA campaign 19V435000
Received June 10, 2019 · Suspension (rear)
What's wrong: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.
NHTSA campaign 17E048000
Received August 28, 2017 · Wheels (hub)
What's wrong: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.
Risk: A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA campaign 16V245000
Received April 26, 2016 · Suspension (rear)
What's wrong: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured January 17, 2014 to May 31, 2014. The affected vehicles may have improperly welded rear suspension toe links that may fracture.
Risk: A fracture of the rear suspension toe link may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. The recall began on November 18, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S18.
When the complaints were filed
By the year the complaint reached NHTSA. A late rise often means a part wearing out with age or a problem drawing attention after a recall.
How many complaints has NHTSA received about the 2014 Ford Explorer?
1,684 owner complaints as of November 4, 2026, per NHTSA's complaints API.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2014 Ford Explorer?
Steering is named in 500 of 1,684 complaints (30%); NHTSA's group covers steering column, rack and power steering: loss of assist, wander.
How many recalls does the 2014 Ford Explorer have?
7 recall campaigns in NHTSA's recall database, most recently 24V031000 (January 19, 2024). Check a specific car's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is 2014 a bad year for the Ford Explorer?
By complaint count, 2014 ranks 5th of 11 Explorer model years 2010–2020 in NHTSA's data. Raw counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how old they are.
How to read these numbers
Complaints are reports owners file with NHTSA. NHTSA does not confirm each one, and one problem can be reported more than once.
Counts are not adjusted for sales: a model that sold twice as many cars can collect twice the complaints without being worse per car.
Older model years have had more time to collect complaints.
A recall listed here may not cover every car of this model year. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.