2014 Ford Explorer suspension problems

103 complaints (6% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 85,000. 8 crashes reported.

owner complaints: 103
of this car's complaints: 6%
typical mileage: 85,000
crashes: 8
recalls: 4

Which part fails

Rear
4
Front: wheel bearing
1
Front: control arm: lower arm
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 suspension problems in other years

Specific symptoms reported on the 2014 Ford Explorer suspension

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

Ball joint 18

Related recalls

Suspension: rearReported July 15, 2021 · 631,176 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
Risk: A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of previous the federal safety agency recall numbers 16V‑245, 19V‑435, and 20V‑675. Certain vehicles previously repaired will need to return for the new remedy. An interim notification letter notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2022. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S32.

Recall number 21V537000 · Recall details

Suspension: rearReported March 12, 2021 · 454,941 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin that were previously repaired under a prior recall numbers 16V‑245 or 19V‑435. The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fracture.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle attached to the rear suspension toe link and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S62.

Recall number 20V675000 · Recall details

Suspension: rearReported June 10, 2019 · 1,194,173 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.

Recall number 19V435000 · Recall details

Suspension: rearReported April 26, 2016 · 75,364 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured January 17, 2014 to May 31, 2014. The affected vehicles may have improperly welded rear suspension toe links that may fracture.
Risk: A fracture of the rear suspension toe link may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. The recall began on November 18, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S18.

Recall number 16V245000 · Recall details

What 2014 Ford Explorer owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 19, 2026 · Suspension · MI

2 incomplete recalls

Filed Apr 21, 2026 · Suspension · PA

I had the toe link recall performed in 2022. Since that time, I have replaced brakes twice, tires twice (two full sets in less than 50k miles), control arms, sway bars, and bushings. The car will not come into alignment. There is ample evidence all over the internet that the toe link recall has been a failure. There are numerous stories just like mine of secondary suspension issues and burning through tires, especially in the rear, at an alarming rate. To my knowledge Ford has done nothing to correct the issues with the toe link, once and for all. To my knowledge, Ford is not reimbursing owners for the related losses they experience because of the issue with toe links.

Filed Apr 15, 2026 · Fuel system, Suspension · FL

There is a strong fuel order coming from passenger side after every fuel fill, affects everyone in the car while moving, especially affecting my grandchildren and my family. Backup camera rarely comes on while backing up, gives a black screen which can cause accidents especially in reverse. Rear driver side makes loud squeaky sound while driving over speed bumps slowly or bumpy roads. I purchased this vehicle used June 2025. It has an active molding recall that hasn't been fixed and I have contacted a Ford dealership last year.

Filed Mar 11, 2026 · Suspension, Visibility · TX

Exterior a-pillar applique trim clip attachments are not properly engaged due to improper assembly or repair. Reaer toe link rear tires tilted inward due to potential fractures from corrosion or broken welds on toe link.

Filed Jul 9, 2025 · Suspension · 90,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was driving rough. In addition, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle vibrated abnormally; however, when the vehicle shifted to neutral(N), the vibration ceased. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that recently all four tires were damaged. The vehicle was taken to Costco and all four tires were replaced. The contact had previously received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign number: 21V537000 (SUSPENSION) and the vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the Extended Warranty had expired. The contact attempted to have an alignment performed but was unable to find a repair facility to perform the alignment. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was still under warranty; however, the adjustable arm needed to be upgraded at the owner’s expense to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed May 18, 2025 · Engine, Suspension · TX

Noticing a problem with the steering and wheel suspension that is affecting other Ford explorers between 2018 and 2025. Engine oil blow by. Causing oil to leak and ending up under the carriage and on the back of the vehicle. Rear camera problems.

Filed Jan 27, 2025 · Electrical, Suspension · GA

I’m still waiting for the current recall to be corrected. The suspension is worn out. Replaced rear shocks, front struts, lower control arm. This is the worse automobile I’ve ever owned. If possible, I will never buy another ford. The car’s rear back up camera has been replaced and has stopped working again.

Filed Oct 1, 2024 · Body, Engine · 100,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side door panel had started to detach from the body of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the rear wheel bearing needed to be replaced. The dealer repaired the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light later was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Aug 2, 2024 · Steering, Suspension · 100,000 miles · NY · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with his 12-year-old child in the vehicle, the steering wheel tightened up, and the vehicle drove straight and crashed into a sand barrier. The air bags deployed. The driver sustained injuries to his chest, head, and shoulder. There was no injury stated for the 12-year-old child who was also in the vehicle during the crash. Medical attention was provided to the driver. A Police report was filed but was not provided to the contact. The vehicle was towed to the Police Precinct. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that prior to the crash, the vehicle was parked and rolled back and struck another vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V537000 (Suspension). The contact called an unknown local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired after the crash. The contact stated that the vehicle was totaled; however, the Insurance Provider had not yet rendered a decision on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Jun 21, 2024 · Suspension · 120,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low tire pressure warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that when she inspected the vehicle, she became aware that the steel belts were hanging from the interior of the rear tires. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as a failure with the rear alignment. The contact was informed that the rear toe link needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made of the failure and the contact was referred to NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage approximately was 120,000.

Questions about the 2014 Ford Explorer suspension

Does the 2014 Ford Explorer have suspension problems?

Owners have filed 103 complaints about the suspension of the 2014 Ford Explorer, 6% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2014 Ford Explorer suspension problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 85,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2014 Ford Explorer suspension?

Yes, 4 recalls: 21V537000, 20V675000, 19V435000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Explorer have bad suspension?

The Ford Explorer model years with the most suspension complaints are 2002 (422 complaints), 1998 (111 complaints) and 1997 (105 complaints).