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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,057 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2014 Ford Explorer engine problems

engine problem

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2014 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

Mar 012020

Explorer

  • 87,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would jerk upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact then called a dealer and he was informed that they would charge a diagnostic fee for inspecting the vehicle however, the contact declined. The manufacturer also was notified of the failure and referred him to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Torrance, CA, USA

problem #25

May 112021

Explorer

  • 53,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the pedal traveled to the floorboard and ceased. The vehicle unintendedly accelerated to 90 mph before the vehicle was shifted into neutral and slowed down to a stop. Additionally, the accelerator pedal was pumped several times while attempting to free the accelerator pedal. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.

- Derry, NH, USA

problem #24

Dec 202019

Explorer

  • 80,000 miles
Popping noises from front pto. Pto case split in half driving down the road with my kids in the car causing vehicle front tires to skid for a split 2nd and differential fluid spilling all over the under carriage causing smoke.

- Esparto, CA, USA

problem #23

Feb 022018

Explorer

  • 67,784 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I keep getting warning light that, driver side airbag fault engine code P0073 and vehicle over-speed condition engine code PO297. It come on when driving.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #22

Apr 192019

Explorer

  • 137,000 miles
Driving on freeway 70 mph alert left side of dash bright red steering system failure stop car safely. Loss of power to steer the vehicle. No control, traction. Another alert in yellow system failure service asap. Alert red again steering system failure stop care safely. Unable to steer the vehicle. Turned car off tried to reset unable no steering mechanism. Had to have car towed unable to drive. Steering wheel seemed locked and not able to turn right or left. Code from dealers said 3500 bucks to fix steering mechanism failure. No way to override or re program. Car failed while driving. Scary

- Indio, CA, USA

problem #21

Oct 012017

Explorer

  • 34,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the engine surged and caused the vehicle to accelerate unexpectedly. The failure was experienced several times. The driver was able to place the gear in neutral and maneuver to the side of the road to safely stop the vehicle. A complaint was filed with the manufacturer and the contact was provided case number: Cas-13346113-C5W0T8. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 34,000.

- Nyack, NY, USA

problem #20

Jul 202017

Explorer

  • 30,200 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. While attempting to accelerate the vehicle at highway speeds, the cabin began to fill with a fuel odor. The contact would have to lower the windows in order for the odor to dissipate. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,200.

- Shelbyville, IN, USA

problem #19

May 262017

Explorer

  • 57,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. While attempting to park the vehicle, the vehicle accelerated independently when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact crashed into a building. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained neck and back pain, but did not receive medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a body repair shop and was diagnosed for the failure. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that they would review the case and get back to the her. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

- Lakeland, LA, USA

problem #18

Feb 252017

Explorer

  • 21,000 miles
Quick acceleration was required because of another vehicle crossing into my lane. I stepped on the accelerator and all of a sudden my vehicle began accelerating by itself even though my foot was not touching the accelerator pedal. I stepped on the brakes and it began to slow down.....however, when I let off the brake the acceleration continued and the engine RPM jumped very high. I stepped on the brakes again and the vehicle began to slow. I then let off the brakes again and then once again the vehicle began accelerating fast and the RPM skyrocketed. I was able to stop my vehicle and put it into park. While the engine was still running I released the brake pedal. The engine RPM jumped extremely high again. I tapped the accelerator pedal with my foot a couple times and it released off of the floor. I turned the ignition off. I waited a couple seconds and then turned the engine back on. The problem disappeared. After I got home, my husband was curious if the floor mat may have gotten in the way. He tried to recreate the problem of the accelerator sticking to the floor by wedging the floor mat against it. He was unable to hold the accelerator to the floor by wedging the floor mat against it.

- Portland, IN, USA

problem #17

Sep 302016

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 47,412 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and stalled intermittently. The vehicle started only after the battery was charged. The contact also stated that the heating system became inoperable and the check engine, service traction, and battery warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was unable to be started or diagnosed. The dealer diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body failed. The throttle body was replaced and reprogrammed, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 47,412.

- Bellwood, IL, USA

problem #16

Jun 132016

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 32,640 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought my 2014 Ford Explorer in November of 2015. I noticed a rotten egg/ exhaust smell as the weather became warmer. Anytime I would accelerate up a hill or accelerate on a flat stretch of road during the summer months was when the smell is the worst. I have to roll down all of the windows. I no longer allow my children to ride in the third row because they would complain on the longer car rides of having a headache. I have taken this to the dealership on 3 occasions now. They have told me they have tried to reproduce my complaint, and have failed to do so. I am currently going to that the service manager on a ride tomorrow to reproduce this smell. The smell has been so bad at times that I personally have felt like I was going to be sick. There is something seriously wrong with the Explorer having this smell. Something needs to be done. I am at the point that I do not put my kids in my car anymore then I have to. I have had to apologize on several occasions to my friends about the smell. Ford needs to figure this out!!

- Guilford, ME, USA

problem #15

Sep 112015

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,185 miles
The contact owned a 2014 Ford Explorer. While reversing at approximately 10 mph on an incline, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond without warning. As a result, the vehicle accelerated and the contact crashed into a tree. The contact sustained a fractured back and hand injury that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,185.

- Independence, IA, USA

problem #14

Jun 232014

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 850 miles
About 20-30 seconds after hard acceleration the cabin fills up with the sulfur smell from the catalytic converter. Have had it back to the dealer to perform the tsb but now it seems to be even worse. They have told me that the factory will contact me when they find a solution to the problem however no-one ever has. I cannot safely drive the car like this. The stench is overpowering.

- Fairview, TX, USA

problem #13

Oct 162014

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 4,000 miles
Twice while driving (once accelerating to pull into traffic and once going up a mountain) an exhaust smell entered the cabin through the ac system and recirculating mode did not improve it. The vehicle was accelerating over 3500 rpms. I have tested this again and again and it happens every time under these conditions. I am very concerned as we just bought this vehicle a couple of months ago and have two young daughters. I will be taking it to our local dealership but based on these complaints I am not hopefull this will be resolved.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #12

Oct 312013

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 100 miles
When accelerating to pass a dangerous truck (58 mph) strong fumes comes inside the cabin, acceleration took 8 seconds, instantly we start coughing and get watery eyes, our year old baby start crying showing symptoms of distress, we tell this to sales person, which quickly told us the story that this happens with new cars.. supposedly new engines should not be highly accelerated. Naively we believe this and decide to give it a few days? day become months and problem got worst, after few months we decide to take the car in for service, unfortunately Ford from first day treat us like if we were inventing the matter, and make my wife look like if she were crazy, the worst part is that they know that car has the defect as previous generations has the same problem(fordtechnical bulletin confirm this ).we continue to follow the regular procedure and went to the dealership asking them to fix the problem, they only show they were clueless about it and after more than seven times leaving the car there they say there"?S nothing they can do about it. We contact Ford manufacturer directly, which make us go through a long process of verifying back and forward, and at the end an ??engineer?? send especially directly from Ford to the dealership tell us practically that just don?"T accelerate to avoid this !!!!.we took the car to specialist that measured co with a professional tool that show more than 140 part per million!!!!!.this is serious problem that Ford should be responsible for it, my family has been sick with flue like symptoms for a long time, my wife experienced a very long lasting cough that only start getting better after forcefully I have to get her another car as I could no longer expose my family to more of this dangers. I request to Ford to replace the car and they denied my request I believe NHTSA should step up on to this and protect the consumers, thanks

- Hialeah, FL, USA

problem #11

Sep 082014

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 5,000 miles
Exhaust smell in vehicle when accelerating at speeds above 70mph.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #10

Aug 152014

Explorer

  • 12,000 miles
I rented a nearly new Ford Explorer limited AWD in milwaukee, wi. I had been considering purchasing this model so I was pleased to be able to drive one for a few days. Every time I accelerated hard (wot) the cabin would fill with exhaust fumes. This occurred even with the ac in recirculate mode and without any other vehicles nearby that would have produced the odor. It was strong enough that we opened the windows to get fresh air. After the 2nd time of this occurring, I did not accelerate hard again as to avoid the problem. I also test drove a brand new 2014 ecoboost AWD model this weekend and it did the same thing. I will not be purchasing this model but wanted to add my experience to the database as I feel that Ford needs to fix this problem for owners of these vehicles. It is a shame, it was a nice vehicle otherwise.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #9

Apr 112014

Explorer

  • 200 miles
When accelerating or doing freeway speeds the smell of exhaust circulates throughout the car. It is so bad that we have to roll down all the windows. This has caused drowsiness, headaches and our young granddaughter to have an asthma attack. The vehicle has been taken to 2 different dealerships numerous times and they both say that there is nothing wrong with the vehicle and that the smell is not abnormal. They claim that the car is not broken in yet and that the catalytic converter needs to burn off.

- Arcadia, CA, USA

problem #8

Sep 072014

Explorer

  • 2,700 miles
Upon acceleration the cabin smelled of exhaust fumes, it happens almost everyday and causes light headedness when driving. When getting up to speed on the highway the cabin fills with exhaust.

- Gulfport, MS, USA

problem #7

Jul 012014

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 139 miles
At first the only time we would notice exhaust entering the cabin was after hard acceleration. Now it seems that a lower speeds exhaust is entering regardless of acceleration levels on an intermittent basis.

- Fredonia, KS, USA

Read the next 6 complaints »

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