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2014 Ford Explorer body problems

276 complaints (16% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 93,000.

owner complaints
276
of this car's complaints
16%
typical mileage
93,000
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Body
    92
  • Body: hood
    3
  • Interior panels: door
    1
  • Frame and members: underbody shields
    1
  • Exterior trim
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Explorer body problems in other years

19911995200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2014 Ford Explorer body

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Water leak 10

Related recalls

Structure: body: roof and pillarsReported January 19, 2024 · 1,889,110 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
Risk
A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.

Recall number 24V031000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Windshield trim molding Item detachmentOpened January 27, 2023, closed February 8, 2024

On January 27, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-001 to investigate allegations of A-pillar trim panel detachment on model year (MY) 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles. At the time of opening, the office had received 164 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting this failure. ODI has received 671 VOQs regarding this failure, including 1 alleged crash and 2 alleged injuries. Some consumers have reported that the failure occurred while they were driving at highway speeds, with the detached trim panel entering the path of travel of the vehicle behind them, requiring the driver of the following vehicle to take evasive action. It is noteworthy that motorists who experience this type of road hazard are less likely to accurately identify the subject vehicle the item detached from and report the event to the federal safety agency. In its April 17, 2023 response to ODI’s information request, Ford provided 175 consumer complaints (including field reports) and 14,162 warranty claims related to A-pillar trim panel detachment. Ford relayed that the subject vehicles utilize a plastic A-pillar bracket, which is bolted to the vehicle structure during assembly. The A-pillar trim panel is attached to the bracket utilizing 7 plastic clips. Contributory factors which have been identified by Ford as leading to the subject defect include incomplete installation at the assembly plant, inadequate part stack up, damage to fasteners during installation, and failure to follow proper repair procedure during windshield replacements or other services. On January 19, 2024, Ford filed safety recall 24V‑031 for MY 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles to address the subject defect. In the Part 573 Safety Recall Report, Ford identified that a detached A-pillar trim panel can create a road hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall remedy includes an inspection of the existing A-pillar trim panel and, if necessary, the replacement of the component. The remedy A-pillar trim panels will be installed with an additional adhesive for robustness and utilize an inspection procedure to ensure full engagement of all the retention clips during installation. In view of the recall action being taken by Ford, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to

PE23001

What 2014 Ford Explorer owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 26, 2026 · Body · TX

Recall issued and notified via mail by Ford for faulty A-pillarsin 2024. A-pillars can fall off vehicle while driving and can cause safety issue. Vehicle was taken to dealer for inspection in March of 2025 to verify issue and was informed that no parts are available. After several visits to service department and phone calls, still no parts available for now 2+ years. Ford apparently has no intention of providing parts for the recall.

Filed Aug 12, 2026 · Body · 127,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the front driver’s side A-pillar trim had detached. The local dealer was contacted on several occasions. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

Filed Jun 25, 2026 · Body · 70,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received the notification letter for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The contact stated that the driver’s side exterior trim was loose. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the contact was informed that the part was on back order. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but the line was busy. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed Jun 24, 2026 · Body · PA

I am the owner of a 2014 Ford Explorer. There is an open recall on the vehicle; Recall number: 24S02. The plastic retention clips holding the exterior A-pillar moldings may not be properly engaged, which can allow the pieces to loosen and fly off at highway speeds. During the period following receipt of the recall notices I have made attempts to have the recall resolved. I made the attempts during routine safety and emissions testing, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance service visits. I have been advised by the dealer that the parts are unavailable and Ford has provided no timeline for parts availability. I contacted Ford Corporation directly and have been unable to obtain a date when parts would be available and was redirected to the dealer. My understanding is that the dealer is unable to perform the requisite service because it is unable or unwilling to provide the necessary parts.

Filed Jun 4, 2026 · Body · CA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed May 5, 2026 · Body · CO

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received a recall notification, the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however the parts were unavailable. In addition, the contact stated that the recall repair was initiated in 2024, and the parts were still unavailable. The manufacturer was contacted, and a complaint was filed. The contact's vehicle had not experienced any failure regarding the open recall repair.

Filed May 5, 2026 · Body · 129,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2014 FORD Explorer. The contact stated while operating the vehicle the contact noticed the pillar was flapping on both driver side and passenger side, both sides are now fully gone including the top strip. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: (24V031000 (STRUCTURE) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 129,000.

Filed Apr 21, 2026 · Body · CA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the driver’s and passenger’s side A-pillar trim clips detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Filed Mar 31, 2026 · Body · OH

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Mar 30, 2026 · Body · NC

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Questions about the 2014 Ford Explorer body

Does the 2014 Ford Explorer have body problems?

Owners have filed 276 complaints about the body of the 2014 Ford Explorer, 16% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2014 Ford Explorer body problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 93,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2014 Ford Explorer body?

Yes, 1 recall: 24V031000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Explorer have the most body problems?

The Ford Explorer model years with the most body complaints are 2017 (661 complaints), 2016 (593 complaints) and 2002 (486 complaints).

Other 2014 Ford Explorer problems

Steering 500Engine 260Suspension 103Electrical 100Transmission 80Fuel system 72Driver assistance 61Visibility 53Airbags 47Acceleration 29Seat belts 28Brakes 27Wheels 26Lights 25Seats 7Tires 4Locks 3

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