2014 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet
Trim or a body panel comes off while driving
- 162owner reports
- 100,000median miles
- $265median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 13, 2026 · checked Sep 29, 2026
650 of the 1,607 complaints on this car are about the structure. 162 of those describe trim coming off. Only power steering loss is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 162 reports
Trim coming off on other Explorer years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Owners in this group describe a piece of trim or body cladding that came off the car in motion: a pillar cover, a windshield molding, a grille, a roof rail or a bumper cover. Most say it flew off on the highway.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the pillar trim (102 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the structure covers the 2014 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
All 7 recalls on the 2014 Ford Explorer, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the structure on the Explorer
Underbody shields detachment. Closed apr 9, 2026.
Windshield trim molding item detachment. Closed feb 8, 2024, led to recall 24V-031.
Fleet vehicle recall completion audit. Closed dec 28, 2015.
Rear liftgate glass hatch failure. Closed oct 24, 2008.
Rear liftgate glass assembly. Closed sep 28, 2004, led to recall 04V-442.
Spare tire winch cable. Closed oct 20, 2000.
Spare tire winch cable. Closed apr 14, 2000.
Liftgate support bracket failure. Open, led to recall 99V-310.
Windshield wiper malfunction. Closed apr 24, 2000, led to recall 00V-072.
Blower assembly fires. Closed apr 18, 2000.
Heater blower assembly fire. Closed sep 11, 1998.
Blower assembly fires. Closed jan 15, 1999.
Heavy lateral vibration. Closed feb 4, 1998.
Sunroof shattering and separation. Closed jan 20, 1998, led to recall 97V-235.
Sunroof (air roof) shatter. Closed may 23, 1997.
What owners paid
7 of the 162 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $200 to $290.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 68,000 and 136,000 miles, from the 96 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2014 Ford Explorer that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Some 2011-2019 Explorer and 2013-2019 Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit a detached center console rear cup holder and/or the cover panel detached from the rear cup holder. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
What owners wrote
“The drivers side pillar molding piece along the windshield flew off the car while driving down the highway. It could have struck the car behind us but luckily it missed them. The piece seemed a little loose when scraping ice off the car but didnât seem like it would just fly off like that.”
Filed Feb 7, 2023
“This is about my 2014 ford explorer passenger side "windshield trim panel ",it fly away when I driving at speed around 70mph at I275 ,it did make some noise before fly away,and i found out it's the trim panel when i home. already bought a replacement but not sure when will happen to the driver side.”
Filed Feb 4, 2023
“I was driving on the highway on December 17, 2022 when the right windshield trim panel came off the vehicle. I didn't know what it was at the time but there was a loud noise. When I got to my destination I noticed the trim panel was gone. The panel flying off could have hit another vehicle. I just saw the article on Fox Business that others were having this issue so I wanted to report my issue as well.”
Filed Feb 2, 2023
“Plastic Trim piece, which covers the windshield rubber seal on driver side âAâ pillar, fell off my 2014 Ford Explorer Limited. Incident happened about 2018.”
Filed Feb 2, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 162 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 301 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 116 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 102 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 80 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 79 reports
- Steering wheel clicks, clunks or grinds when I turn 64 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 45 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 45 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 39 reports
- Steering sticks, feels notchy or jerks 35 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 32 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 31 reports
- Water leaks into the cabin 31 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 27 reports