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2014 Ford Explorer

The Verdict

5 Total Klunk

The 2014 Ford Explorer has 1,650 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (1,118 complaints) and engine (304 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 5/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Ford Explorer, consider the 2024 model year which has 98% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2024 has 98% fewer complaints

View the 2024 Ford Explorer dashboard →

5

Klunk Score: Total Klunk

Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200059160179136137
200141451969597
200213561272873221518
200367748116137332
20046723986155450
2005279145312993
2006762826244261
20077610313951
2008496372729
2009201372
20104111152423
20118672112213154
2012578197311239
201315183116139791
201411182414030464
201511632715435358
2016151113176555158
201711331610433187
201847784913636
20191944193433
202038862159161433
2021178164175102
20221129335451
202368612146
2024150211
2025471412913

By Category

Body
1118
Engine
304
Electrical
140
Transmission
64
Brakes
24

By Severity

1
749
2
851
3
12
4
36
5
2

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2014 Ford Explorer stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Body 2

Recall issued and notified via mail by Ford for faulty A-pillarsin 2024. A-pillars can fall off vehicle while driving and can cause safety issue. Vehicle was taken to dealer for inspection in March of 2025 to verify issue and was informed that no parts are available. After several visits to service department and phone calls, still no parts available for now 2+ years. Ford apparently has no intention of providing parts for the recall.

16d ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2014 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 that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the front driver’s side A-pillar trim had detached. The local dealer was contacted on several occasions. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

1mo ago
Body 1

There are often times that there is a strong exhaust odor inside the vehicle, especially when idling

1mo ago
Body 1

This complaint concerns a failed federal safety recall repair that has resulted in structural damage and rendered my vehicle unsafe to drive. I am the original owner of this vehicle (since XXX). On XXX, Riverside Ford ([XXX]) performed a federal safety recall repair on my vehicle's A-pillars. On January 28, 2026, the vehicle began leaking water. On that day the dealership find the leak due to cracked A-pillar from the clip not holding.In May 2026 I had 4 inches of standing water on the passenger side while in Florida on vacation, and smeared excessive, unprofessional adhesive on the exterior trim. Took it to the dealership the Monday after returned from vacation to have them figure out why it was leaking again. They charged me $218 to have a diagnostic check even though it was part of the recall. Couldn't find any leaks. Took the headliner down. Said that they cleaned out the sunroof tubes but didn't verify if anything ever came out of them. Went back again because of the adhesive that was seeping and dried onto it and you look it's very sloppy. Contacted Ford corporate office opened a case. On XXX, during a another attempt, the dealership replaced the A-pillars again. Upon pickup, the interior sunroof headliner was completely sagging and unseated from its rails. There are massive structural gaps on all sides where I can stick my hand through to the sunroof rails. The dealership service manager, Connie Tell, denied responsibility and refused to let me view the shop video. The vehicle is no longer weather-tight, poses an interior electrical/mildew hazard, and cannot be driven in the rain due to the dealership's faulty execution of a federal safety recall. They also chipped paint off of my vehicle again taking the pillars off to replace them. Connie, when I had mentioned it said you already have paint chips on your car. What difference would it make that's not the point at all. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

1mo ago
Electrical 4

Sudden and complete loss of power steering assist while vehicle was in operation. Vehicle became extremely difficult to steer, creating safety hazard for driver and child passenger. Inspection revealed 150A EPAS Mega Fuse, Part #L0114875AA, was melted due to electrical short in Power Steering Control Module. This is identical to the defect described in NHTSA Safety Recall 14V316000 / Ford 14S06. Fire risk confirmed by melted/burned fuse condition. Photos of failed component attached. Component is available for inspection. Ford Customer Service denied assistance under Recall 14S06 on 07/10/2026, claiming vehicle was not covered despite physical evidence of the exact defect described in the recall. Vehicle manufacture date is 06/2014. Ford Technical Service Bulletin 15-0082 acknowledges some 2014 vehicles may still have defective modules installed. Vehicle is currently inoperable. Owner has dependent child with medical therapy appointments requiring reliable transportation. Current mileage approximate as vehicle cannot be driven. Request immediate NHTSA investigation and enforcement under federal safety law 49 USC 30120.

2mo ago
Body 1

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received the notification letter for NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The contact stated that the driver’s side exterior trim was loose. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the contact was informed that the part was on back order. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but the line was busy. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

2mo ago
Body 1

I am the owner of a 2014 Ford Explorer. There is an open recall on the vehicle; Recall number: 24S02. The plastic retention clips holding the exterior A-pillar moldings may not be properly engaged, which can allow the pieces to loosen and fly off at highway speeds. During the period following receipt of the recall notices I have made attempts to have the recall resolved. I made the attempts during routine safety and emissions testing, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance service visits. I have been advised by the dealer that the parts are unavailable and Ford has provided no timeline for parts availability. I contacted Ford Corporation directly and have been unable to obtain a date when parts would be available and was redirected to the dealer. My understanding is that the dealer is unable to perform the requisite service because it is unable or unwilling to provide the necessary parts.

2mo ago
Body 2

While sitting at a stop light, waiting to turn, the steering wheel went stiff, then I was forced to make the turn without the power steering. it started working again but made a very loud grindy noise. the noise has not gone away. I took it to a shop, and they assesed everything, and stated the power steering rack has a fault code, and that the inner tie rods are loose, along with they can hear the power steering rack motor making a lot of noise. while going down the road the steering wheel shakes, and when making turns the steering wheel sticks and I have to yank the wheel back to unstick it. the vehicle is available to be inspected, at any time. I was almost in an accident multiple times due to the steering sticking and the wild vibration in the wheel. please help

3mo ago
Body 1

The contact owns a 2014 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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

3mo ago
Body 2

The defective recall items outlined in NHTSA Recall 24V031 (safety recall notice 24S02) continue to remain unrepaired and unresolved. The original notice was dated January 2024 and advised that parts and repairs should be available by late 2024. As of May 26, 2026 parts are not available and the windshield trim attachments and related rubber seals are not in place. The safety recall notice details the risks associated with this unrepaired and unresolved recall item.

3mo ago
Electrical 2

My pillar are coming off to the point when it rains water get inside my car. It’s messed up my system in my car. I can’t close my sun roof and water comes down from my lights that’s above my head where you put your sunny sunglasses in. I been calling around and still haven’t got no where.

3mo ago
Body 1

When driving, the steering wheel became less responsive. The next day, we drove a few hundred miles and got gas. After turning the car back on, the steering became even less responsive, resulting in a lot of force being needed to be used in order to turn the vehicle. In addition to this, the car was extremely difficult to keep straight, making driving on a single-lane road extremely dangerous. We have dropped the car off at the dealership and are waiting until Monday or Tuesday for a diagnosis and repair.

3mo ago
Electrical 1

Backup camera failed, screen turns black or freezes when the car is put in Reverse. While driving or in reverse the screen becomes pixelated with red, green stripes. The camera is unuseable which creates a safety hazard. A recall is currently active for Ford 2015 explorers but not 2014 ford explorers. It is the exact problem the 2015 explorers are experiencing. The recall needs to be expanded to include the 2014 models.

3mo ago
Body 1

The dashboard will randomly not work upon start up or stop working while driving... this only occurs for no longer than 1 min and will self correct. I have had multiple mechanics look for the cause of the issue and have replaced everything short of the instrument cluster and the wiring harness of the truck. While this doesn't seem to interfere with the function of my vehicle, this is/can be very dangerous. Please advise

4mo ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received a recall notification, NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however the parts were unavailable. In addition, the contact stated that the recall repair was initiated in 2024, and the parts were still unavailable. The manufacturer was contacted, and a complaint was filed. The contact's vehicle had not experienced any failure regarding the open recall repair.

4mo ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2014 FORD Explorer. The contact stated while operating the vehicle the contact noticed the pillar was flapping on both driver side and passenger side, both sides are now fully gone including the top strip. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: (24V031000 (STRUCTURE) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 129,000.

4mo ago
Body 2

This recall has been open since 2024 with no available repair. My vehicle already experienced the failure while driving twice. I need this escalated to a regional service manager for resolution, or an alternative remedy if parts are still unavailable.”

4mo ago
Transmission 2

issue with driving between speeds of 25 to 45 mph. Believe that there is a problem with the torque converter as it feels as though it's shuttering during those speeds. speeds of 50 or higher miles per hour feel fine while driving.

4mo ago
Body 1

I had the toe link recall performed in 2022. Since that time, I have replaced brakes twice, tires twice (two full sets in less than 50k miles), control arms, sway bars, and bushings. The car will not come into alignment. There is ample evidence all over the internet that the toe link recall has been a failure. There are numerous stories just like mine of secondary suspension issues and burning through tires, especially in the rear, at an alarming rate. To my knowledge Ford has done nothing to correct the issues with the toe link, once and for all. To my knowledge, Ford is not reimbursing owners for the related losses they experience because of the issue with toe links.

4mo ago
Body 1

The contact owns a 2014 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 local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the driver’s and passenger’s side A-pillar trim clips detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unavailable.

4mo ago

1650 total

1/ 83
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