2015 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet
Seat belt or seat problems
- 53owner reports
- 65,000median miles
- $797median quote
- 4involved a crash
Newest report Sep 18, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
53 of the 1,791 complaints on this car describe seat belt.
Tick what matches of 53 reports
Seat belt 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: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
This group covers the belt and the seat it's bolted to: buckles that won't latch or won't let go, belts that lock up and won't pull out, and seats that shift or rock in their tracks. It's a wide bucket, with over 9,000 complaints across the vehicles on this site, and a quarter of them mention a recall.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the buckle (14 reports) and the seat frame or track (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the seat belts covers the 2015 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the seat belts on the Explorer
Front seat back recliner attachment. Closed sep 5, 2003, led to recall 03V-281.
Safety belt assembly failure. Closed may 21, 2003.
Safety belt assembly. Closed jul 2, 2002.
Seat belt webbing. Closed apr 25, 2002.
Seat belt webbing. Closed feb 26, 2001.
Front seat track failure. Closed feb 26, 1993.
None of these investigations covers the 2015 model year.
What owners paid
9 of the 53 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $500 to $1,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 34,000 and 103,000 miles, from the 35 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 5 service bulletins or notices for the 2015 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.
Certain 2014-2016 Model Year Explorer Vehicles 2nd Row Inflatable Seat Belt - In all of the affected vehicles, the air bag light may illuminate as a result of a worn or damaged connection to the rear inflatable seat belt connector.
Some 2015-2019 F-150/Explorer, 2017-2019 F-Super Duty/Continental, 2018-2019 Expedition/Navigator, 2016-2018 MKX, 2019 Nautilus, and 2013-2019 MKZ vehicles equipped with Multi-Contour seats may exhibit intermittent multi-contour seat operation and/or massage ...
Some 2015-2019 Explorer vehicles may exhibit a loose cushion cover corner and/or exposed foam on the 2nd row left 60 percent seat.
Some vehicles may have a concern where the safety belt retractor webbing does not extract from the stowed position or exhibits excessive pressure on the occupant during use.
1 more on the 2015 Ford Explorer page.
What owners wrote
“Both of the inflatable seat belts in the back seat fail to latch. Have been checked for debris.”
Filed Dec 10, 2025
“Parking lights are illuminated and not head lamps for daytime running lights. Was sold by Ford Certified Dealership. Also has no interior lighting for security. BCM replaced, and still has same issue, along with the 3rd row seats not functioning, interior overhead lights not functioning, trailer socket not functioning.”
Filed Oct 14, 2025
“The left rear seat belt buckle/receptacle broke in early 2023. Ford told me the part is on backorder. Every time I have checked with Ford, they continue to say the part is on backorder. I can't use the vehicle as intended while Ford refuses to supply the safety parts necessary.”
Filed Mar 5, 2024 · 145,547 miles
“Hello I went to the dealership many times. Every time I go for the recalls. They saying that the parts not available. Iâm not sure whatâs going on. They keep telling me try with us in a month. This is unprofessional and unacceptable. The recall for the suspension and the passenger door panel. By the way I tried 2 different dealership. On in eat Rutherford.NJ. And on I. Hackensack,NJ. Please advice.”
Filed Jan 24, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 4 of 53 reports involved a crash and 17 people were hurt. 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 Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Trim or a body panel comes off while driving 210 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 204 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 196 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 146 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 109 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 84 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 83 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 59 reports
- Steering wheel clicks, clunks or grinds when I turn 54 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 49 reports
- Water leaks into the cabin 35 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 30 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 26 reports