Diagsheet

2014 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet

Engine overheats or leaks coolant

  • 45owner reports
  • 113,535median miles
  • $2,900median quote
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Nov 6, 2025 · checked Sep 19, 2026

215 of the 1,603 complaints on this car are about the engine. 45 of those describe overheating.

Tick what matches of 45 reports

12
34
2
10
1

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the water pump (36 reports), the coolant hose or reservoir (4 reports) and the radiator (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the engine covers the 2014 model year as of Sep 19, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Explorer

EA23-002opened Sep 29, 2023
Engine · model years 2021 to 2022

Loss of motive power. Closed oct 31, 2024, led to recall 24V-635.

NHTSA summary
On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) granted a Defect Petition (DP22001) and opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE22007) to investigate allegations of loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles equipped with 2.7L EcoBoost engines. Complainants were reporting sudden engine failure while driving resulting in a loss of motive power, often without the ability to restart. During PE22007, the cause of engine failure and loss of motive power in the subject vehicles was determined to be intake valve fracture, and the full scope of vehicles affected by the subject defect was identified as all MY 2021-2022 Ford and Lincoln models equipped with either the 2.7L or 3.0L EcoBoost engines, referred to as the “Nano” engine family. If an intake valve fractures in the subject engines, it may drop into the cylinder and contact the piston, often resulting in catastrophic engine damage. On September 29, 2023, PE22007 was upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA23002) to further investigate the subject defect across the full scope of affected vehicles. During EA23002, ODI visited Ford facilities to review technical information related to intake valve fracture in “Nano” engines, coordinated with NHTSA’s Vehicle Research and Testing Center (VRTC), and analyzed updated field data relating the subject defect. Forensic analysis of fractured intake valves demonstrated that the defective components exhibited “grinding burn” or out of specificatio
EA17-002opened Jul 27, 2017
Engine And Engine Cooling · model years 2011 to 2017

Exhaust odor in passenger cab. Closed jan 17, 2023.

NHTSA summary
During the EA17-002 investigation, the agency reviewed and analyzed reports of exhaust odors in the passenger cabins of Model Year 2011 to 2017 Ford Explorers. This investigation required an approach that incorporated knowledge and expertise from the automotive, medical, environmental health, and occupational safety fields. The agency conducted an in-depth investigation that encompassed the review of over 6,500 consumer complaints, conducting field inspections, and testing the relevant vehicles, both independently and in coordination with Ford and other entities. During the investigation, the evolution of Ford service bulletins intended to reduce the level of exhaust odors and carbon monoxide (CO) entering the occupant compartment was examined and independent tests to evaluate the effectiveness of the final Field Service Actions (FSA) for both consumer and police vehicles were conducted. As part of the investigation, the agency also examined the effects of cracked exhaust mani-cats on the measured CO levels in the vehicles and tested the FSA repairs to ensure they did not adversely impact occupant compartment CO levels due to cracked mani-cats.The investigation identified upfitting issues for Police Interceptor vehicles. Upfitting (sirens, lights, cages, auxiliary power, etc.) is typically performed by governmental fleet operations, independent repair facilities, or local Ford dealers after the sale of the new vehicle. Sealing issues caused by upfitting were responsible for t
PE16-008opened Jul 1, 2016
Engine And Engine Cooling · model years 2011 to 2015

Ford explorer exhaust odor. Closed sep 12, 2017.

NHTSA summary
During the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration?s (NHTSA?s) investigation into the Ford carbon monoxide allegations, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) identified additional Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports with similar exhaust odor claims.Presently, ODI has identified 791 VOQs for Model Year 2011-2017 Ford Explorers pertaining to exhaust odor claims.ODI has identified three crashes and 41 injuries potentially linked this issue.The reported injuries range from unspecified to loss of consciousness, with the majority being nausea, headaches, or dizziness ? all of which can be symptomatic of carbon monoxide exposure.Additionally, Ford provided 2,400 reports including owner complaints, warranty claims, dealer field reports, and legal claims, that involve 2,051 vehicles that may be connected to the exhaust odor issue.NHTSA's Vehicle Test and Research Center tested multiple vehicles, including complaint vehicles, during the investigation.ODI also conducted field inspections of complaint vehicles and crashes involving police units that occurred while the officers were on duty.When possible, data was collected to quantify carbon monoxide levels in the examined vehicles.Based on the information gathered to date, NHTSA upgraded this investigation to an Engineering Analysis (EA17-002).
DP05-005opened Sep 22, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling · model years 1997 to 2004

Spark plug ejection from cylinder head. Closed jan 4, 2006.

NHTSA summary
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VER
PE94-044opened Jun 10, 1994
Engine And Engine Cooling · model years 1991 to 1992

Engine cooling fan cracks. Closed aug 31, 1994.

NHTSA summary
There is no summary currently available

What owners paid

10 of the 45 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,839 to $3,300.

$1,839$2,900$3,300
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 91,000 and 133,553 miles, from the 27 reports that gave a mileage.

118
519
521
1522
1323
524
125

What owners wrote

“I was driving my car stopped at a gas station went to leave and had no power steering. Replaced the power steering angle sensor still didn't fix the problem had to have the rack and pinion replaced all in cost almost $3000. Now my car is leaking coolant from the motor where the water pump is located”

Filed Jun 3, 2023

“Ford built the motor with a water pump when it leaks leaks right into the crank case where the oil is so the motor seizes up and that’s what happened to my car now my car is shot”

Filed May 15, 2023

“Driving my explorer and the water pump went bad. Got overheat warnings and now I find this happens to all of these engines. A class action suit has been filed. The cost to repair is nearly $4000 for an issue does knew about it? Not recalling and fixing these is negligent and dangerous.”

Filed Mar 20, 2023 · 115,395 miles

“My ford Explorer has a 3.5L V6 motor. This motor was designed with the water pump installed in the crank shaft. As a result of this when the water pump fails and leaks coolant can leak into the motor and mix with the oil costing thousands of dollars in damages.”

Filed Jan 31, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 45 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.

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