2014 Ford Explorer — Should You Buy One?
Typical asking price: $10,000–$16,000. There are 3 high-severity known issues you need to know before handing over a check.
Deciding between model years? Compare the 4 Ford Explorer years we've written up →
Kestrel Take
A comfortable three-row carrying the same power transfer unit and internal water pump homework as the rest of this generation, plus the carbon-monoxide-intrusion question. Front-wheel drive removes the PTU risk; on any AWD example, demand PTU service records.
What we checked
Reconciled against public records, 2026-09-11
NHTSA holds 1,674 owner complaints for the 2014 Ford Explorer, across 7 recall campaigns.
A big number here usually means a lot of these were sold, not that it is a bad vehicle — popular models collect more complaints for the same rate of trouble. So the total on its own says little. What is worth reading is the shape of it. The largest single group is steering at 30%. That is notable without being overwhelming — worth checking, not worth panicking about.
7 recall campaigns cover this model year. Recalls are repaired free, for any owner, with no time limit on most safety campaigns — but only if someone books it in. Ask the seller to show it was done, or have any dealer check the VIN; it takes them a couple of minutes and costs nothing.
Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.
Known Issues for the 2014 Ford Explorer
Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.
The undersized, heat-soaked PTU whines then seizes, sometimes taking the transmission with it. Fluid service is rarely done.
Repair cost (estimate): $1,500-$3,500
Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the transmission and drivetrain (79).
A chain-driven pump inside the engine whose seal fails inward into the oil.
Repair cost (estimate): $1,500-$2,500 preventive
Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (264).
NHTSA investigated exhaust entering the cabin; Ford offered a free repair. Confirm it was performed.
Repair cost (estimate): $0 under program
Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the body and structure (276), the engine (264).
Various recalls covering steering and shift issues.
Repair cost: $0 recall to $1,500
Source: NHTSA complaints filed under steering (496), the transmission and drivetrain (79); 7 NHTSA recall campaigns on this model year.
Walk-Away Red Flags
- ✗Front-end whine — PTU
- ✗Coolant loss with milky oil
- ✗Exhaust smell in the cabin
- ✗Police or fleet history
Good Signs
- ✓Front-wheel drive — no PTU
- ✓Water pump replaced preventively
- ✓CO-intrusion repair completed
Found a specific Ford Explorer?
This page covers what goes wrong on the 2014 Ford Explorer in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.
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Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for this year. It stops short of the verdict, because that needs the photos.
Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.
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