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2015 Ford Explorer Fuel System Problems

44 owner-reported fuel system complaints from NHTSA data

44
Complaints
Jan 2016Dec 2015
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (44)

criticalFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Nov 2025

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed fuel leaking from near the fuel tank. The contact was unsure which warning light was illuminated, but stated that a yellow warning light was illuminated, and there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle.

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NHTSA #: 11700156
criticalFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2017

I have been experiencing problems with the exhaust on my 2015 ford explorer. Ever since I bought the car there's a strong exhaust smell in the cab of the car when you accelerate enough to make the car downshift to pick up speed. We took the car into the dealership shortly after buying the car and it seemed to be ok.

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NHTSA #: 11025199
criticalFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2015

Horrible rotten egg, burning smell when accelerating in the cabin. Have taken it in 3 times and they tell me it will burn off between 10-15000 miles. I can't imagine that the fumes in the cabin are good for me and my family and the lack of concern from ford is laughable.

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NHTSA #: 10692003
highFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2023

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.

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NHTSA #: 11548535
highFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Aug 2021

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle lost power on several occasions. The vehicle was restarted and operated as designed.

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NHTSA #: 11429462
highFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2017

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 ford explorer. While the vehicle was stationary, it would not start when prompted. The vehicle was towed to mike reichenbach ford in florence, south carolina where a diagnostic test was performed.

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NHTSA #: 11011266
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Jul 2023

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.

NHTSA #: 11529873
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2019

While driving my 2015 ford explorer (46k miles) at about 50mph, the explorer unexpectedly became completely unresponsive. Luckily, I was able to get to the side of the road. Turned the engine off and then back on.

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NHTSA #: 11245593
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ENGINE
Filed: Jul 2019

08/20/2015 I bought my new, 2015 ford explorer sport, VIN [xxx] for $59,000 dollars at rich ford auto dealership, 8601 lomas blvd ne, albuquerque, new mexico.

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NHTSA #: 11231148
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ENGINE
Filed: Jun 2019

Carbon monoxide complaint, I have become; sleepy, sick, nauseous, vomiting, 08/20/2015 the rich ford auto dealership salesman informed me that this was that new car smell, I filed complaints 08/28/2015 until today with, the rich ford auto dealership salesman informed me again that this was that new car smell, mechanic performing nose safety sniff test using his nose, and declaring the vehicle safe, using only the nose safety sniff test, and I filed my complaint with the bbb albuquerque, new mexico, they refereed me to bbb denver colorado they refereed me to bbb auto line arlington va, they have said it is too late to file my bbb complaint [xxx] with ford motor co complaint, about carbon monoxide from the day I bought this vehicle until now, today, their mechanic has repeatedly performing nose safety sniff test using his nose, and declaring the vehicle safe, using only the nose safety sniff test, [xxx] was the service writer, she has been promoted to service manager, [xxx] has informed me that rich ford auto dealership, is going to start charging me for service calls to check this carbon monoxide problem.

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NHTSA #: 11220001
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2019

Had the recall done for (fsa 17n03) after the service was done, we have noticed when passing on the freeway or going up hill, hot air blows out the vents then a heavy odor of exhaust. My vehicle also uses e85, so we have ruled out maybe a car in front of us. When using e85 we get a strong smell of alcohol type.

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NHTSA #: 11196823
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2019

Vehicle emits carbon monoxide when excelerating. When vehicle was purchased we complained about this smell inside of the vehicle. The dealership supposedly fixed this issue however the problem remained.

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NHTSA #: 11191477
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: May 2018

We began to smell exhaust fumes in the cabin of our vehicle. It got stronger the longer the vehicle was running, and especially when idling at a stop light or similar. It began to cause headaches while driving and we had to drive with windows down no matter the temperature or speed.

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NHTSA #: 11092795
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2018

This particular car was in recall for carbon monoxide, about two months after possibly fixed from a dealer, strong smell coming from cabin left me with a head ache, stiff noise, I'm really worried this might cost me a fortune, I called dealer they asked to bring it they informed me they will charge me $138 for diagnosing and who knows how much from there.

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NHTSA #: 11084227
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2017

While driving on the highway an error message appeared on my dash, stating the "check fuel fill inlet " and engine light on. Had it repaired 9/28/17, fuel tank filler pipe and canister purge solenoid. On 10/25/17 back in the repair shop for same error message.

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NHTSA #: 11043452
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2017

Force ford to buy back, no recall, all of the 2011 to 2017 ford explorers. Stop protecting them from the carbon monoxide problems, because of the cracked exhaust manifolds that are leaking carbon monoxide into the cabins of all these vehicles. Ford knows what is wrong with these defective vehicles but does not want to be held accountable.

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NHTSA #: 11041546
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2017

Please recall the 2011-2017 ford explorer. As I am sitting here watching the world news, I just saw the news piece about ford wanting try to now repair their unsafe vehicles for carbon monoxide. Ford knows that these vehicles cannot be repaired.

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NHTSA #: 11033980
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2017

Today is october 16, 2017 and ford is saying they will do complimentary repairs to our SUV. Well it might help if they would fix the right part! Ford knows that the carbon monoxide and exhaust fumes are being released from the cracked exhaust manifolds on these vehicles but still are lying to the consumers.

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NHTSA #: 11033915
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2017

October 1, 2017. Here we go again! How many ford customers have to continue to make complaints on the NHTSA website before the NHTSA forces ford to recall the ford explorers that obviously cannot be fixed!

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NHTSA #: 11030755
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2017

10aug2017 - when getting in my car after work it was extremely hot. My car had been parked in the parking lot all day without any shade - so the temperature inside the car was soaring. I turned the air conditioning on to full blast to keep from sweating and left the parking lot.

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NHTSA #: 11025177
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2017

7/25/2017 driving on highway at 55 MPH, passed a vehicle accelerating to approximately 70 MPH. Within seconds of slowing back to 55 MPH passenger cabin filled with fumes (smells like burning hair) opened all windows but breathing very difficult, had to pull off road and exit vehicle until clear. Air conditioner was not set on recirculate at the time.

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NHTSA #: 11011453
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2017

We bought a 2015 ford explorer in april of 2015. One week after we had the truck we were noticing a nasty rotten egg smell every time we would drive it. We went back to the dealership to have them check it.

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NHTSA #: 10979736
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2017

We have taken the explorer into dealership a few times for the sulphur smell and was told there was nothing to fix this. Now according to the news reports there is a legitimate problem on ford behalf. Yes we smell the sulphur when driving the vehicle any distance on the road.

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NHTSA #: 10955600
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Dec 2016

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 ford explorer. The contact stated that a fuel odor emitted from the vehicle when the heater was activated the vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure was unable to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired.

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NHTSA #: 10935486
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2016

When under load (I.e. Climbing hill) or fast acceleration (passing a vehicle) there is a strong odor of exhaust in the passenger cabin. The odor is coming from the air vents throughout the vehicle.

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NHTSA #: 10906115
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2016

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 ford explorer. While driving 30 MPH, a fuel odor emitted from the air vents in the vehicle. The failure recurred on numerous occasions.

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NHTSA #: 10884331
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2016

When accelerating the exhaust odor comes inside the vehicle. At a stop sign the smell is also there but not as bad as when accelerating. We have taken the vehicle to a dealer in minnesota and one in florida and both told us "that is the way it is" and nothing can be done.

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NHTSA #: 10883204
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2016

After heavy acceleration, the cabin has a strong foul sulfur odor that is unbearable. We have had it in to a ford dealership to have both TSB's performed - the second took 5 days! - and it still has not changed.

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NHTSA #: 10882901
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: May 2016

I loose power while driving. Happens all the time. It is very noticeable whe car shift into 3rd gear.

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NHTSA #: 10864888
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,TIRES
Filed: Jan 2016

Tl* the contact leased a 2015 ford explorer. The contact stated that there was a failure with the TPMS not functioning properly. The dealer sent a mechanic to the contact's location who took the vehicle to the dealer and replaced the front driver side wheel sensor.

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NHTSA #: 10818426
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2015

Exhaust fumes are entering the passenger cabin of the vehicle while driving. The exhaust is most noticeable during acceleration at highway speeds. I have taken the explorer to the dealer twice where it is still at since oct 5th, today is nov 4th.

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NHTSA #: 10788290
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2015

On august 22, 2015 I stopped at a shell station near bonham, texas. After refueling I was unable to remove the fuel nozzle from my vehicle. I moved it around, pushed, and pulled on the nozzle to no avail.the vehicle was obviously stationary at this time.

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NHTSA #: 10785395
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2015

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 ford explorer. While driving approximately 30 MPH, a chemical smell emitted from the exhaust into the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who advised that the smell was normal.

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NHTSA #: 10732799
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2015

Bought vehicle, left dealership, drove approx 13 miles, parked truck while running, as my son and I waited for my wife outside of a store... We noticed a bad fume smell. My wife got in the car and ask what's that smell?

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NHTSA #: 10678149
lowFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2021

merging northbound 280 on the freeway, lost all power to vehicle.

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NHTSA #: 11425395
lowFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2019

Having a feeling of nausea when driving exolorer. Yesterday and today we have been running the AC due to hotter temps. After letting car idle for 5-10 minutes while using remote start I start to feel light headed after about 20 minutes of driving.

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NHTSA #: 11204056
lowFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2018

During acceleration into interstate there is a "burnt match" type smell in the interior of the vehicle. Once speed levels out the smell disappears. I first noticed this about a month ago but I purchased the vehicle used and this was only the second or third time to have it on the interstate since I purchased it.

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NHTSA #: 11105291
lowFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2017

Intense exhaust odor, especially when accelerating. Windows must be rolled down to be able to breathe.

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NHTSA #: 11012782
lowFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2017

Strong smell of rotten eggs on heavy acceleration. If this occurs on heavy acceleration, then the carbon monoxide infiltration is constant, but since no odor associated with co, that is undetectable!

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NHTSA #: 11011193
lowFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2017

Bought vehicle brand new at the end of march 2015 and it smells like rotten eggs when accelerating or climbing a hill and has since I bought it.

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NHTSA #: 10955524
lowFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2016

I have been smelling gas inside the cabin of my explorer and it has made me sick on several occassions it was so strong. It is strong when parked and in motion.

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NHTSA #: 10913868
lowFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2016

I smell gasoline inside the cabin of my vehicle and it has made me sick on several occassions.

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NHTSA #: 10897827
lowFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Dec 2015

Cpsc: i15c0225a: 2015 ford explorer: consumer stated the fuel line was cracked. *ss the consumer was informed a rock may have hit the fuel line.

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NHTSA #: 10836205
lowFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Dec 2015

When accelerate quickly exhaust fumes enter into cabin of vehicle.

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NHTSA #: 10809869

Other 2015 Ford Explorer Issues