Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2015 Ford Explorer
The 2015 Ford Explorer has notable recall and complaint volume, suggesting potential concerns. Key areas include rear suspension issues and rearview camera defects. Given the number of owner complaints, prospective buyers should be diligent in their inspection and test drive to spot any defects. Nevertheless, these issues are manageable if handled with prompt attention and repair. Limited data could mean not all units are affected, so thorough checks are vital.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2015 Ford Explorer has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,814 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #25V695000 Rearview Camera Image May Not Display NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #24V031000 Exterior A-Pillar Trim May Detach NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V537000 Rear Suspension Toe Link Fracture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V675000 Rear Suspension Toe Link Fracture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V692000 Link Shaft Brackets May Fracture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V435000 Rear Suspension Toe Links May Fracture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17E048000 Hub Unit Bearing may Allow Wheel Detachment NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V245000 Rear Suspension Toe Link may be Improperly Welded NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V464000 Parking Brake may not Fully Engage/FMVSS 135 NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Structure 411 complaints
- Unknown or Other 405 complaints
- Steering 348 complaints
- Engine 227 complaints
- Back Over Prevention 147 complaints
- Electrical System 93 complaints
Of the 1,814 complaints on file, 37 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 1,814 complaints, owners report 98 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
Rear suspension fracture
How to check: Inspect rear suspension components for fractures or signs of stress.
Recurring engine issues
How to check: Listen for knocking sounds or rough idling.
Defective rearview camera
How to check: Check rearview camera clarity in reverse.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Listen for unusual engine noises.
Red flag: Knocking or grinding sounds.
- 02
City driving
What to check: Ensure smooth gear shifting.
Red flag: Rough or delayed shifts.
- 03
Highway acceleration
What to check: Check for vibrations or pulling.
Red flag: Strong vibrations or off tracking.
- 04
Braking
What to check: Test brakes for any noise or fade.
Red flag: Fading or squealing brakes.
- 05
Parking
What to check: Engage parking brake fully.
Red flag: Parking brake doesn't hold.
- 06
Reverse
What to check: Verify rearview camera display clarity.
Red flag: Distorted or blank camera view.
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the rear suspension been repaired?
- Any issues with the engine recently?
- Has the rearview camera recall been addressed?
- Do you have service records available?
- Any accidents or major repairs?
- How have you maintained the transmission?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Service history records
- Recall repair confirmation
- Accident history report
- Title and registration
- Warranty information
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2015 Ford Explorer at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
Looking at a specific 2015 Ford Explorer? Check the actual car
This checklist covers the model. From your free try.vin dashboard you can go further — paste the seller's listing for a deal score, or drop their photos for an AI condition report.