2015 FORD EXPLORER Structurebody Problems

Body: windshield Trim detached last year and flew off at highway speeds. Didn’t cause damage to my own vehicle but could have bounced off someone else’s. Drivetrain: non serviceable (unable to do a fluid change) on my power train unit. Due to this it started leaking at the front seal and others reported failure during driving. The fix would be to add a drain plug and make it a serviceable unit.

While driving down the interstate, the driver’s side windshield trim panel flew off my vehicle.

I was traveling on Rte 25 in Wareham, MA at approximately 65 mph when without warning the passenger side A-pillar trim piece flew off of my vehicle (2015 Ford Explorer). This startled me which caused me to be momentarily distracted. I just thought this was a rare incident so I did not initially report it however I was prompted to report my incident after hearing about other incidents on the news. I have already ordered an aftermarket replacement and would like for Ford to refund me $56.30.

Window trim pillars have blown off the car multiple times at highway speeds

Vehicle window trim, (Front right) detached and flew off vehicle when traveling between 50-60mph. I was unaware that this wasn't an isolated incident until the news reported a potential investigation.

windshield trim panels flying off the car while traveling at highway

Driving on the highway, my left windshield trim flew off. This could have hurt someone or caused an accident. There was no warning prior to it coming off. The dealer charged me $500 to replace it.

Timing belt broke and caused vehicle to stop running, this was after I took it to a mechanic who did a diagnostic and no issues showed up. Now, because of the timing belt breaking, the engine is irreparable and the entire engine will need to be replaced. It only has 116K miles. Another minor complaint is the front driver's side side windshield panel has come unglued. Luckily, the vehicle was stationary when I noticed it being loose. However, it could pose a safety risk. I have noticed other similar vehicles missing the same piece, so it seems to be a consistent problem with Ford Explorers.

Blower motor heat. Trim in door split.

Front windshield wiper cowl has disintegrated. Allows water to drip into glove compartment and passenger side flooring.

Front windshield side trim came off while driving.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while parked or while driving during inclement weather, water would enter the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the rain caused an electrical failure in the vehicle that caused the radio, windows, and other electrical equipment to not function properly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the roof rack needed to be replaced. The contact stated that she was concerned about the electrical failure that was caused by the soft roof rack. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.

The windshield trim on the passenger side flew off the vehicle unexpectedly while driving 70 mph on the freeway. The piece hit the windshield and then flew off and could have struck a vehicle behind me or caused someone to swerve unexpectedly. This is extremely dangerous. There was no warning lights or indicator light. While searching for recalls online numerous people have complained of this happening to them unexpectedly.

Pulled on driver side door handle to open and handle came apart. Smaller piece fell off and larger handle part pulled out from the door.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front windshield bonding fracture and disconnected structing another vehicle. The contact also mentioned that an abnormal fume odor appeared in the interior cabin from all vents. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and inspected which the technician was unable to duplicate the issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned a recall however while conducting a recall search there was NHTSA Action Number: EA17002 (STRUCTURE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) as a possible solution to the failure, however, the VIN was not included in the action number. The manufacture was notified of the failure and informed the contact that no recalls was under the VIN. The failure mileage was approximate 26,000.

PASSENGER SIDE A PANEL HAS BEEN LOOSE FOR MANY YEARS, BUT FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AND SMACKED INTO MY WINDSHIELD. VERY DANGEROUS FOR THE DRIVER AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD!!! I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THIS ONLINE AND DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS HASN'T BEEN RECALLED.

ON JAN 20, 2021 MY 2015 FORD EXPLORER LEFT DRIVER SIDE LOWER WINDSHIELD MOULDING PANEL FLEW OFF INTO TRAFFIC. I WAS TRAVELLING AT 45 MPH ON A WINDY DAY. I CIRCLED AROUND AND SOMEONE HAD RUN OVER IT AND SO IT WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. I HAD 96K MILES ON THE CAR. I GOT THE CAR IN 2017 AND HAVE NOT HAD WINDSHIELD REPLACED. I SAW A FEW CARS SWERVE AROUND IT BEFORE ANOTHER CAR HIT IT. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED NOT DIAGNOSED. THE DOOR PANEL WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM: 17N04 (FRONT DOOR TRIM PANEL REPAIR) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 17N04 HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

THE DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL HAS DETACHED FROM THE DOOR FRAME AT THE TOP NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW.

THE PAINT ON THE HOOD OF MY CAR APPEARS TO BE 'BUBBLING' IN MULTIPLE SPOTS.

LOUD ROAD NOISE AROUND DRIVER DOOR, RUBBER SEAL DOES NOT STOP AIR AND ROAD NOISE TO INTERIOR OF VEHICLE.

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55MPH THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAUSED ME TO GO OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INTO A FENCE. VERY DANGEROUS, AS I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER STORIES ONLINE STATING THE SAME THINGS AND SOME AT HIGHER RATES OF SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE. LUCKILY I WAS ALONE AND NO ONE WAS HARMED. IT COULD HAVE BEEN ALOT WORSE.

THE WEATHERSTRIPPING ON FRONT DRIVER/PASSENGER DOOR IS ROTTING AWAY, ALSO THE WINDSHIELD RETAINING STRIPS BOTH SIDES, DRY ROTTED.

VEHICLE WAS PARKED. I RAN INTO STORE WHILE FAMILY SAT IN VEHICLE. I CAME BACK OUT, STARTED TO OPEN DOOR, AND HEARD SOMETHING HIT THE GROUND. I PICKED UP A PART OF MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE OFF OF THE GROUND. I AM NOW UNABLE TO OPEN MY DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE.

DOOR WEATHER STRIPPING HAS HAS DETERIORATED AND IS HANGING LOOSE ALSO WINDOW FRAME LEATHER IS POPING UP ON BOTH DOORS

I GOT IN MY CAR AND HEARD A STRANGE NOISE OUTSIDE. LOOKED AND FOUND THAT THE SMALLER PIECE OF THE DOOR HANDLE HAD FALLEN OFF. I PICKED IT UP AND GOT BACK IN THE CAR, WOULD FIX IT WHEN I GOT HOME, BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE/LATCH. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE PLASTIC PIECE BACK ON THE HANDLE AND WAS THEN ABLE TO SHUT THE DOOR AND DRIVE HOME. LUCKILY, THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, AS I BELIEVE THE DOOR WOULD HAVE FLOWN OPEN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 80 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR KEYPAD DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FORD OF KENDALL (15551 S DIXIE HWY, MIAMI, FL 33157, 305-238-9211) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE OF $512 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

THE PAINT IS STARTING TO BUBBLE IN SEVERAL SPOTS ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THE HOOD. I SEE NO RUST OF ANY KIND JUST BUBBLING PAINT. I METICULOUSLY CARE FOR THIS CAR REGULAR WASH AND WAXES. *TR

DRIVER DOOR: THE DOOR BLACK TRIM PANEL IS COME OUT AND IT WONT LET ME OPEN AND CLOSE MY WINDOW PROPERLY. I HEAR ABOUT THIS ISSUES IN THE DEALER, BUT I DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY RECALL ABOUT IT. PLEASE, I NEED YOU FIX IT, THIS ISSUES, IT IS 2015 FORD EXPLORER, AND I HAVE OTHER VEHICLE OF 2006, IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY ISSUES ABOUT THE INSIDE OF THE BODY. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE'S A SNAP NOISE AND THEN I SEE THIS RUBBER FLAPPING AT THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN IT FIRST STARTED HITTING THE WINDSHIELD IT SCARED US HALF TO DEATH. I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND PULLED OVER TO LOOK AND SEEN THE PASSENGER WINDSHIELD PILLAR HAD COMPLETELY BROKEN IN HALF WHILE I WAS DRIVING, FLEW OFF AND WAS GONE. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON IN THE FORD EXPLORERS, THAT THESE WINDSHIELD PILLARS FLY OFF. IM DISAPPOINTED THAT THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM SEEING IT HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY TO THESE CARS ACCORDING TO LOTS OF PEOPLE ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM AND IM VERY THANKFUL IT DID NOT FLY AND HIT SOMEONE ELSE'S CAR OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. HONESTLY I THINK FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT NOT ME. SAD BECAUSE I JUST...

THE DOOR, WINDSHIELD, AND EXTERNAL WINDOW SEALS ARE RAPIDLY DETERIORATING, THE PAINT ON THE CAR HOOD IS BLISTERING AND ABOUT TO PEEL OFF LIKE PAINT DID ON CARS SEVERAL AGO, LEAVING BARE METAL VISIBLE UNDERNEATH. *TR

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ARM RESTS ARE COMING APART AT THE SEAMS AS IS THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE INTERIOR OF MY 2015 EXPLORER WITH 45K MILES LOOKS TERRIBLE. LOOKS LIKE IT'S 20 YEARS OLD. I AM SHOCKED.

FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD MOLDING BECAME LOOSE AND BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. THE WINDSHIELD SEAL ALSO FLEW UP AND APPROXIMATELY 3 FEET OF THE THE SEAL CAME OFF AND WAS FLAPPING AGAINST PASSENGER WINDOW BEFORE COMING COMPLETELY DETACHED. IT LOOKS LIKE SOME OF THE WHITE CLIPS ARE BROKEN ON THAT SIDE WINDSHIELD PANEL SO WE ARE UNSURE HOW TO FIX THIS. SO NOW WE ARE MISSING THE ENTIRE SIDE WINDSHIELD MOLDING, AND ABOUT 2 TO 3 FEET OF WINDSHIELD STRIPPING. NOW WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THERE IS ALSO A VIBRATION AND SOUND LIKE AIR IS COMING IN FROM AROUND THE WINDSHIELD. THIS ALL HAPPENED IN THE UPPER 30,000 MILE RANGE WHEN I HAD THE VEHICLE FOR ONLY 3 MONTHS.

WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 60 MPH, HEARD WEIRD SOUND AROUND ON MY DRIVER SIDE, PULLED OVER AND THE TRIM AROUND MY WINDSHIELD WAS HANGING. I THOUGHT IT WAS SNAPPED BACK IN, AND WHEN I GOT TO WORK IT WAS COMPLETELY GONE. I WILL TAKE PICS AND ADD THEM TO THIS LATER ON.

THERE IS A TERRIBLE EXHAUST SMELL THAT COMES INTO THE INTERIOR CABIN. THE SMELL IS EVEN WORSE UPON EXTENDED HARD ACCELERATION. IN ADDITION, THERE IS BUBBLING IN MY HOOD DUE TO FAULTY HOODS BEING PRODUCED ON FORD EXPLORERS. FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED BOTH ISSUES - AS THERE IS A TSB. FORD'S "FIX" TSB-16016 IS NOT A FIX AT ALL. IT MERELY IS A BANDAGE FOR THE PROBLEM AS MY FAMILY STILL SMELLS EXHAUST IN THE VEHICLE. MY 3 YEAR OLD SON IS INHALING THIS TOXIC SMELL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STRIP BEHIND THE HOOD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS SURPRISED, LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, SWERVED, AND ALMOST CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE PART THAT DETACHED STRUCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TRI COUNTY FORD (4032 COMMERCE PKWY, BUCKNER, KY 40010, (866) 417-0262) AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,200.

WHEN HAVING THE RECALLS FIXED ON MY EXPLORER THE BACK LIFTGATE IS NOT CENTER EVEN THE DEALERSHIP FIXING IT SAID IT WAS NOT ALSO. THEY INFORMED ME I WOULD NEED TO BRING IT TO A BODY SHOP TO HAVE IT FIXED. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR HIT ANYTHING SO THERE IS NO REASON FOR IT NOT TO BE CENTERED.

ONE INSTANCE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY LEFT SIDE WINDSHIELD RUBBER SEAL STARTS FLAPPING AGAINST SIDE WINDOW THEN EVENTUALLY FLIES OFF. NEXT WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY THE WINDSHIELD SIDE TRIM BREAKS OFF. NOW THE RIGHT SIDE TRIM HAS RIPPED & FLOWN OFF ON FREEWAY. WHICH WILL MEAN THE TRIM WILL PROBABLY BREAK AS WELL.

THE SIDE PANEL POPPED OUT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE FORD DEALERSHIP I TOOK IT TO WAS AWARE OF IT. THE SECOND ISSUE WE HAD AT 66,000 MILES WAS AN ERROR CALLED 'TERRAIN MANAGEMENT FAULT'. BOTH TIMES THIS ERROR OCCURRED, WE WERE MOVING. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IT FIXED ITSELF. THE SECOND TIME, WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT OR KILLED. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. PLEASE GET FORD TO A DRESS THESE SAFETY ISSUES.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH AND HEARD A HUGE POP ON THE PASSENGER WINDOW AND SOMETHING BLACK FLY BY. WE PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT THE PLASTIC BLACK TRIM ON THE SIDES OF THE WINDSHIELD BROKE IN HALF AND THE RUBBER WAS HANGING OFF. I HAD TO CUT IT OFF. AFTER TAKING A CLOSER LOOK, IT APPEARS THERE ARE SEVERAL PIECES OF THE PLASTIC TRIM THAT ARE WARPING AND EVEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE PANEL WAS LOSE SO I'M SURE IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS SIDE BREAKS OFF ALSO. I SEE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM ALSO AND IT WOULD BE NICE IF FORD WOULD DO A RECALL ON THE PANELS, AS THEY ARE NOT CHEAP. EVEN THE BOARD THAT THE TRIM ATTACHES ITSELF TO IS COMING LOSE.

AT THE EDGE OF THE HOOD THE PAINT IS BUBBLING, MY CLAIM AT FORD HAS BEEN DENIED AT UNDER 4 YEARS OLD.

HOOD HAVE DETAIL RETAINING DENTS. WHEN I BACK UP SWELLING SOUNDS

PAINT IS PEELING ON THE EDGE OF THE HOOD. TWO EXPLORERS 2015 FAMILY OWNS AND PEELING IN THE SAME LOCATION. CONTACTED FORD AND WAS TOLD WE HAD TO BUY A NEW HOOD. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET SAYING THE SAME THING. THIS PAINT LESS HOOD NEEDS TO BE RECALLED DUE TO FACTORY FAULT OR REPAINTED HOW EVER FORD DOES IT. AROUND 2000.00 FOR A NEW ONE THEY TOLD US. PAINT SHOULD LAST MORE THEN 3 TO 4 YEARS.

AT AROUND 100,000 MILES DRIVERS SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK...STARTED STICKING AROUND 95,000 MILES. NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A SEATBELT BEFORE ESPECIALLY IN A CAR THAT WAS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD. ALSO, AT AROUND THE SAME TIME THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDSHIELD PILLAR BROKE OFF AND FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT AROUND 65 MPH. THE PASSENGER SIDE FLEW OFF AT 115,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AS WELL. NEITHER IS COVERED BY WARRANTY AND OWNER WILL HAVE TO COME OUT OF POCKET TO COVER THE DAMAGES ($500+). HOW CAN FORD PUT ON SUCH CHEAP FINISHES TO THE CAR? NOISE LEVEL IN THE CAB IS AFFECTED DUE TO WIND NOISE. PASSENGER PILLARPOPPED LOOSE AND WOULD NOT POP BACK IN. APPEARED THAT A CLIP HAD BROKEN.

EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE CAME UNHINDERED AND IT MADE THE DOOR TO THE POINT IT CANNOT CLOSE.

MY VEHICLE EXHIBITED A BUBBLING OR BLISTERING UNDER THE PAINT ON ALUMINUM BODY PARTS (HOOD). IT WAS STATED ON FORD'S TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS TSB 04-25-1, TSB # 06-25-15, AND THE LATEST TSB 16-0028 THAT THIS WAS DUE TO IRON CONTAMINATION OF THE ALUMINUM PANEL. FORD'S WARRANTY SHOWS TO BE 5YR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE. FOR NOT WANTING TO WARRANTY CORROSION ISSUE. WE NOTICED THE ISSUE ON THANKSGIVING 11/22/18, BUT FROM THE LOOKS OF THINGS, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE CORRODING HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME.

CAR HOOD PAINT IS BUBBLING AND PAINTING. THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 33,000 MILES ON IT. FORD WILL NOT COVER IT UNDER THE MFGR WARRANTY SINCE THE IN SERVICE DATE IS OVER 3 YEARS.

I DISCOVERED 5 INCHES OF STANDING WATER IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE SPARE TIRE IS STORED. THERE IS NO CLEAR SOURCE OF THE LEAK ON MY INSPECTION BUT THE CARPETS ARE SOAKED AND THERE IS A SMELL OF MOLD AND MILDEW IN THE INTERIOR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN A FLOOD ZONE OR DRIVEN THROUGH STANDING WATER.

I HAVE A 2015 FORD EXPLORER, MY DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD PILLAR/TRIM FLEW OFF WHILE ON THE EXPRESSWAY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THAT STATED THEY WOULD HAVE TO DETERMINE IF THIS WAS A DEFECT. I FOUND THIS FORUM THAT HAS A FEW COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM BUT YET A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. AT THE DEALERSHIP THE SERVICE MAN STATED THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE BOTH SIDES? ODD, NOT EXACTLY THEY ARE AWARE THAT AT SOME POINT THE OTHER SIDE IS BOUND TO FLY OFF ALSO. I WAS TOLD ALTHOUGH I HAVE WARRANTY UP TO 100,000 MI, THIS IS NOT COVERED. SO NEXT STEP WAS TO CONTACT FORD WHO THEN STATED THAT THEY AND NHTSA DO RIGOROUS SAFETY TESTING AND HAVE NOT COME TO A CONCLUSION THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE. I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY THIS TRIM FLYING OFF MY VEHICLE COULD OF HIT A MOTORCYCLIST OR ANOTHER...