2015 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet
Trim or a body panel comes off while driving
- 209owner reports
- 96,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 21, 2026 · checked Sep 29, 2026
837 of the 1,788 complaints on this car are about the structure. 209 of those describe trim coming off, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2015 Explorer.
Tick what matches of 209 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 (148 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the structure covers the 2015 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 9 recalls on the 2015 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.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 70,200 and 132,000 miles, from the 125 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice 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.
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
“Plastic cover of windshield detached while driving. May pose a hazard to other drivers as it becomes a projectile when detaching. It also startled the driver when it detached, causing swerving.There was no damage done to provoke the problem, it was spontaneous. Have not taken the vehicle to be inspected by dealer.”
Filed Feb 19, 2023
“Body: windshield Trim detached last year and flew off at highway speeds. Didnât cause damage to my own vehicle but could have bounced off someone elseâs. Drivetrain: non serviceable (unable to do a fluid change) on my power train unit. Due to this it started leaking at the front seal and others reported failure during driving. The fix would be to add a drain plug and make it a serviceable unit.”
Filed Feb 4, 2023
“While driving down the interstate, the driverâs side windshield trim panel flew off my vehicle.”
Filed Feb 4, 2023
“Vehicle window trim, (Front right) detached and flew off vehicle when traveling between 50-60mph. I was unaware that this wasn't an isolated incident until the news reported a potential investigation.”
Filed Feb 2, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 209 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 203 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 195 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 58 reports
- Steering wheel clicks, clunks or grinds when I turn 54 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 53 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 49 reports
- Water leaks into the cabin 35 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 29 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 26 reports