Problems · by component

2015 Ford Explorer fuel/propulsion system problems

86 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2015 Ford Explorer cite fuel/propulsion system, 5% of all 1,814 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
86
5% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
11
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the fuel/propulsion system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“While driving with the ac on you can smell exhaust fumes in the cabin and it's worse towards the rear carbin of the vehicle. I've gotten nauseated and sleepy from the fumes and have had several headaches in addition to the other symptoms. Ford needs to recall this issue. Also I have an active recall for the window pillars and the dealership says they still dont have the parts to fix it, and it's been over a year, what's the hold up Ford??!!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 26, 2025Unknown or other, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11683301
“When vehicle is on and either in park or at a stop, RPMs will idle at about 800-1000 RPM then randomly shoot up between 2000-2500 RPMs then drop to below 500 RPMs before returning to idle. It’ll do this randomly.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 11, 2025Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11666213
“On [XXX] while driving to work my car just shut off and the brakes locked up. This scenario happened again several other times even after being worked on at a Ford dealership. Please see attachment for specific dates & details. Fuel pump driver module was replaced first time then the fuel pump the last time. Explorer was inspected by the Sandy Sansing Ford Dealership in Daphne, Alabama. Only time warnings/codes appeared was when it shut off. I attached a screen shot of what the dash showed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 22, 2024Unknown or other, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11626916
“The car would not accelerate after leaving a light. I had just exited the freeway and the gas pedal would not respond and I was stuck in the middle of a 4 lane highway. A yellow warning wrench appeared on the dash and then a check engine light. The error code is P2111 stating the throttle body stuck open.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 5, 2023Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11548348
“Throttle Body --- I have ask the dealer to provide the defective part for my inspection. Driving on the 15 Freeway in Southern California. My wife was driving and had just picked up speed and merged into the fast land. There was a sudden pop or clunk and the SUV immediately lost power and would not accelerate. She had to exit to the right of the freeway while losing power and no acceleration. She was traveling at less than 5 miles an hour in 60 plus traffic. There was only a narrow strip of shoulder with a "K" rail that was on the shoulder above a deep drop off on the side of the freeway. She was able to avoid getting hit and make it to the exit with enough of a shoulder for her to pullover safely. The SUV was taken to the Ford dealer where the Throttle Body was diagnosed as being defective. There was no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms before the issue on the freeway.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 5, 2023Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11548535
“Upon driving, my vehicle just started randomly cutting out. I was told that it had to do with the throttle body. I did further research, and I noticed that I haven't been the only Explorer owner that has had this issue, so I'm not sure why there isn't a recall already established. Not only does it put me and my kids at risk, but it also puts drivers around me at risk. My car shuts down, which could cause the drivers behind me to rear end my vehicle. There has been some sort of warning light that comes on, that looks like a wrench, but only after my car shuts off, which is followed by the check engine light coming on. There were no warning signs prior to this happening.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 1, 2023Fuel/propulsion system, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11529873

Showing 6 of 86 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.