Structure: roof and pillars
Free remedy
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.
Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
2014 Ford ExplorerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 1,684 owner complaints for the 2014 Ford Explorer. Most complaints involve steering (500) and structure (276). The EPA rates it 18–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Combined MPG
18–23mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Jan 2024
Owner complaints
1,684
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Suspension: rear
Remedy pending
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.
Suspension: rear
Free remedy
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.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
1,684 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2013 – Oct 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
By model year
Complaints for each Explorer model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1,468 |
| 1997 | 1,789 |
| 1998 | 2,099 |
| 1999 | 1,465 |
| 2000 | 1,078 |
| 2001 | 730 |
| 2002 | 3,613 |
| 2003 | 1,313 |
| 2004 | 1,408 |
| 2005 | 568 |
| 2006 | 635 |
| 2007 | 208 |
| 2008 | 148 |
| 2009 | 33 |
| 2010 | 115 |
| 2011 | 1,197 |
| 2012 | 830 |
| 2013 | 2,237 |
| 2014 | 1,684 |
| 2015 | 1,814 |
| 2016 | 2,464 |
| 2017 | 1,713 |
| 2018 | 733 |
| 2019 | 302 |
| 2020 | 1,247 |
| 2021 | 452 |
| 2022 | 271 |
| 2023 | 113 |
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2025 | 107 |
| 2026 | 44 |
- Crashes reported
- 32
- Fires reported
- 6
- Injuries reported
- 38
- Deaths reported
- 2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Steering
500 reports10 crashes2 fires
“Power Assist Steering fails and becomes very difficult to turn the steering wheel, requiring much force to initiate a turn and requires just as much force to disengage/return the steering to a straight ahead direction. It cuts out unexpectedly and often. Dealer has examined and says cannot be repaired without replacing the whole steering shaft, gear and rack as well as the tie rods. Vehicle only has about 80,000 miles and steering rack and gears should not wear out this soon.”
Structure
276 reports
“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.”
Engine
198 reports
“Vehicle Safety Hazard Report: Toxic Cabin Fumes & Engine Hazard Following Improper Franchise Repair My 2014 Ford Explorer (VIN: [XXX]) was serviced at Sawgrass Ford in Sunrise, FL for an initial internal water pump replacement. Immediately following this repair, the vehicle began emitting heavy white exhaust smoke and filling the passenger cabin with toxic chemical fumes. I returned immediately to Sawgrass Ford to address this severe safety hazard. The service advisor conducted a "courtesy check," explicitly falsely assured me that the vehicle was safe, and released it back to me. Due to the continuous heavy white smoke and toxic interior cabin fumes, the vehicle represents an immediate public road hazard and toxic inhalation danger. I have permanently parked the vehicle to avoid further hazardous exposure and imminent secondary internal engine destruction. The dealership completely failed to diagnose the internal coolant breach after servicing that exact internal system. A formal dealer compliance investigation has been filed with the Florida Bureau of Dealer Services.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
6 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 3.5L 6-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl turbo
- Transmissions
- Automatic 6-spd · Automatic (S6)
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer FWD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,800 | 391 |
| Explorer 2WD FFV Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,200 | 450 |
| Explorer FWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,200 | 450 |
| Explorer AWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,400 | 471 |
| Explorer AWD FFV Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,400 | 471 |
| Explorer AWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,550 | 488 |
- 23mpg comb.
- 20mpg comb.
- 20mpg comb.
- 19mpg comb.
- 19mpg comb.
- 18mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV AWD
- Frontal crash
- 5 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 17.4%
Overall
5 / 5
Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV FWD
- Frontal crash
- 5 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 16.9%
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2014 Explorer questions
How many recalls does the 2014 Ford Explorer have?
7 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2014 Ford Explorer problems?
Owners filed 1,684 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (500), structure (276), engine (198). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2014 Ford Explorer get?
The EPA rates the 2014 Ford Explorer at 18–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).
How safe is the 2014 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2014 Ford Explorer 5 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026