2014 Ford Explorer: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jan 19, 2026 · Electrical · MI · fire

On January 8, 2026, my 2014 Ford Explorer (VIN: [XXX] ) caught fire without warning. The vehicle was parked in my garage prior to departure. When I pulled the vehicle out to leave, I noticed something burning on the garage floor. I briefly returned inside to extinguish that small fire, and when I turned back, the vehicle itself was on fire. I immediately moved the vehicle onto the grass away from a nearby tree to reduce the risk of further damage or spread. The fire department responded and extinguished the fire, and police were also on scene. The vehicle was effectively a total loss. There was no collision or prior accident involved. The fire appeared to originate in or around the engine compartment. The vehicle was properly maintained, and to the best of my knowledge, no unauthorized modifications were made. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 12, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · 120,000 miles · OK · fire

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while the vehicle was idle, the contact noticed smoke coming out from underneath the passenger's side of the hood. The contact stated upon exiting and inspecting the vehicle, she noticed burning plastic falling from underneath the passenger's side of the vehicle onto the ground, and there was fire. The contact poured water underneath the vehicle and opened the hood and poured water at the fire location. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries sustained. No police report or fire department report was filed. The contact added water to the coolant reservoir and drove to the residence. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics, where it was diagnosed that the A/C fan had caught on fire due to a stuck clutch bearing. The mechanics informed the contact that the radiator was damaged and was leaking due to the fire. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Mar 11, 2024 · Transmission · 86,000 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving or pulling off from a stop sign, the vehicle jerked and there was smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic who performed a diagnostic test and stated that the passenger’s side axle seal of the transfer case was leaking and recommended that the transfer case be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,000.

Filed Nov 6, 2023 · Engine · MO

I own a 2014 Ford Explorer. When driving home on November 4th the engine coolant light came on and there was white smoke coming from under the hood and the coolant was leaking under the vehicle. I had the vehicle towed to my local mechanic who said that the water pump needs to be replaced. He does not do this type of work so I'm unsure if there is additional damage since he stopped his inspection there. I have to have it towed to another place. I'm seeing this same issue with many vehicles with the same make/model and felt it should be reported. I did contact Ford and made a complaint.

Filed Jun 21, 2022 · Transmission · 107,361 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound, and then there was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle and underneath the hood. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transfer case connected to the transmission was fractured. The dealer informed the contact that the transfer case and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,361.

Filed Jan 22, 2018 · 55,000 miles · MA · crash · 1 injury

I have a 2014 ford explorer or did !!!! On 1-18-2018 I passed out before being involved in very bad accident ! I was driving to work bright sunny day . Passed out went thru stop sign a work truck hit my SUV spun it around ! I recall nothing other than driving then waking up to my GPS saying I was in a car accident and if I needed 911. I don't drink don't do drugs . 35 and healthy / my car went to the ford dealer for the recall on the c02 leaks and door panel . I made the appt a week prior the end of the day nothing was repaired they sent me the recall letter and fixed nothing! They didn't even check to see if my vehicle was at risk ! I know there are times they can check to see if my car was in fact one that needed attention! I feel no one should be driving these vehicles ! They should give free rentals . These cars shouldn't be on the road until repaired it's not just police vehicles anymore 100's of civilians have been affected . My car is totaled ! I'm told I'm lucky to be alive . The pictures are horrifying .im missing work for at least a month , I was checked for any medical problems that would cause me to pass out , none were found . I did notice the prior couple of weeks a moldy burning smell . Almost like hair . And had headaches almost every day after driving to and from work . I am having a forensic expert checking my car to actually see if this was a contributing factor . I believe it was ! I have never passed out in my life . One minute I'm driving no cars around , next minute out like a light .im driving then hearing the 911 person on GPS . I will never purchase a ford ! Unbelievable ! I will report what I find out from forensics expert . If any of you still own one of these please put in a c02 detector . I could have died on this accident and worse could have killed someone else . I was driving on a regular backroad .

Filed Mar 28, 2017 · 39,000 miles · FL · 1 injury

Periodic smell of fumes or burning smell inside the car when running. Pronounced smell upon hard acceleration as from a stop or upon merging onto highway. Has happened since shortly after buying this as a used car late last year. My boyfriend drives the vehicle a lot and thought it was just outside traffic smells entering the car but after using the A/C on recirculation mode, we realized it is coming from our explorer and especially upon hard acceleration.

Filed Aug 10, 2015 · 25 miles · OH · 1 injury

I am noticing a smell coming out of air vents. Occurring since as far back as I remember but don't recall exact date when I started questioning the smell.. The smell is a burning smell - not electrical but almost like hair/hair dryer when it gets hot. I notice when I accelerate to get on expressways and/or if I'm going up a hill (basically when I go into high gear). My husband was in the car at a time recently and so I asked him if he could smell it and he immediately said it was exhaust coming in through the air vents. I'm not sure if I can smell it more when the air is on and the windows closed but due to allergies and respiratory issues I more times than not drive with windows closed and therefore smell it quite often throughout the year. I am not sure if directly related or not but last two years I drove 12 hours to florida and by the time I go there I had headache and breathing problems and continue to struggle with that more often than I ever have before. I'm worried that this exhaust into my car is magnifying my health issues. Regardless, it is a danger to have this exhaust coming in through the car. I am taking to ford this coming friday. I stopped in to talk to them and they said they were not aware of issues like this. I googled the issue merely as "ford explore exhaust issues" and was shocked and horrified by the fact that it appears very common and that a civil suit was filed in florida. Right now they are saying warranties should cover the fix but I've read where the fix isn't working either. I will see what they say once they have my car but anyone having this problem needs to report it so that it can be rectified by everyone having this vehicle during the years noted in the claims! In just coming to this site alone I see that several others are having same issues. I don't pay this much for a vehicle for it to make me sick!

Filed Nov 10, 2014 · Engine · TX

I have experienced a burning smell entering the cabin area when accelerating to pass a vehicle and when climbing a hill. Also have had a "sour" smell like soured clothing from AC when I start my vehicle. I did ask a service manager about the "sour" smell and he said he never heard of it, not a big help.

Filed Jun 26, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 200 miles · TN

Under hard acceleration, when trying to merge with interstate traffic for example, the cabin is filled with a smell of burning oil and/or exhaust. This has been noticeable since the vehicle was purchased new (picked up with < 50 miles on the odometer) and has not gotten better after 4900 miles.