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Service bulletins for the 2015 Ford Explorer

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

132 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.

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Bulletins, newest first
TSB 17-00292017-05-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM. SOME 2011-2015 EXPLORER VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN EXHAUST ODOR IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE AUXILIARY CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM ON. CUSTOMERS MAY INDICATE THE ODOR SMELLS LIKE SULFUR, OR THAT EXHAUST ODORS ARE ENTERING THE VEHICLE CABIN. THIS CONDITION MAY BE WORSENED WHEN THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM IS IN RECIRCULATE MODE AND THE VEHICLE IS HEAVILY ACCELERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD. WHETHER AND TO WHAT EXTENT ANY CUSTOMER OR OCCUPANT OF A 2011-2015 EXPLORER VEHICLE EXPERIENCES THE EXHAUST ODOR WILL BE AFFECTED BY DRIVING HABITS, WEATHER AND INDIVIDUAL SENSITIVITIES.
SSM 462102017-03-20. Service bulletin. STEERING. SOME 2010-2016 EPAS EQUIPPED VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT STEERING RELATED NOISES. THE WORKSHOP MANUAL (WSM) DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN UPDATED IN SECTION 211-02. WHEN DIAGNOSING AND REPAIRING EPAS STEERING NOISES USE THE UPDATED PROCEDURES.
SSM 464122017-03-20. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE. SOME 2007-2016 EDGE/MKX/FLEX/MKT/MKZ/MKS/TAURUS/TAURUS POLICE/EXPLORER/EXPLORER POLICE EQUIPPED WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) AND BUILT ON OR BEFORE 30-JUN-2016 MAY EXHIBIT A TICKING AND/OR KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVELINE AREA. TO IDENTIFY THIS NOISE, REFER TO WORKSHOP MANUAL (WSM), SECTION 100-04, AND FOLLOW THE SYMPTOM CHART. IF THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE IS IDENTIFIED AS THE PTU AND/OR INTERNAL TO THE PTU, DISASSEMBLE PTU ASSEMBLY. REFER TO UPDATED WSM, SECTION 308-07. IF THE PTU IS DETERMINED TO BE REPAIRABLE, UTILIZE KIT GB5Z-7P258-A AND THE INCLUDED INSTRUCTION SHEET. FOR CLAIMING, USE CAUSAL PART 7P258 AND APPLICABLE LABOR OPERATIONS IN SECTION 07 OF THE SERVICE LABOR TIME STANDARDS (SLTS) MANUAL.
SSM 464002017-03-20. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY. 2011-2015 EXPLORER AND MKT VEHICLES REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF RIGHT FRONT AXLE SHAFT NO LONGER REQUIRE INSTALLATION OF THE CENTER SUPPORT BEARING HEAT SHIELD(7F469). THE HEAT SHIELD CAN BE DISCARDED.
SSM 463552017-03-17. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:SHIFT PATTERN INDICATOR. MULTIPLE 2014-2016 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6F35 TRANSMISSION AND BUILT ON 1-JAN-2014 AND THROUGH 31-DEC-2015 MAY EXHIBIT HARSH REVERSE ENGAGEMENT AND HARSH/DELAYED 3RD AND 5TH GEAR UP/DOWN SHIFTS WITH NO DTCS PRESENT. THIS MAY BE DUE TO A MECHANICALLY BINDING SHIFT SOLENOID B (SSB). VERIFY HARSH REVERSE AND 3RD AND 5TH GEAR SHIFT EVENTS ARE PRESENT. USING IDS, IDENTIFY THE BAND NUMBER OF SSB FOR USE WHEN ORDERING PARTS. REMOVE THE MAIN CONTROL. DISASSEMBLE AND THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE VALVE BODY AND SOLENOID BODY TO REMOVE ANY CONTAMINANTS. REPLACE SSB, REFER TO WORKSHOP MANUAL (WSM) SECTION 307-01. USING IDS, CLEAR TRANSMISSION ADAPTIVE TABLES. FOR CLAIMING, USE CAUSAL PART 7G383 AND APPLICABLE LABOR OPERATIONS IN SECTION 7 OF THE SERVICE LABOR TIME STANDARDS (SLTS) MANUAL.
SSM 462952017-03-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE. TO HELP DIFFERENTIATE ENGINE OIL LEAKS FROM OTHER POSSIBLE SOURCES, A NEW WHITE-COLORED FLUORESCENT ENGINE OIL DYE IS AVAILABLE. WORKSHOP MANUAL (WSM), SECTION 303-00 HAS BEEN REVISED TO REFERENCE THE NEW WHITE-COLORED DYE. THE NEW WHITE FLUORESCENT DYE PROVIDES A DISTINCT WHITE GLOW TO IDENTIFY ENGINE OIL LEAKS. THE NEW WHITE FLUORESCENT DYE REQUIRES A PURE UV DIAGNOSTIC INSPECTION LAMP. THE WHITE-COLORED FLUORESCENT DYE AND PURE UV LAMP ARE NOW IN THE ROTUNDA CATALOG. DYE AND LAMP PART NUMBERS. GASOLINE ONLY DYE: 1 OUNCE BOTTLE 164-TP-33200601. DIESEL ONLY DYE: 8 OUNCE BOTTLE: 164-TP-3320-0008. PURE UV DIAGNOSTIC INSPECTION LAMP 164-TP8695 OR 164-R3748.
SSM 462812017-03-11. Service bulletin. ENGINE. SOME 2015-2017 EDGE/MKX, ESCAPE/MKC, FUSION/MKZ AND EXPLORER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L OR 2.3L MAY EXHIBIT DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE APPEARANCE COVER, VALVE COVER AND/OR INTAKE MANIFOLD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE APPEARANCE COVER. TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGE, CAREFULLY PULL STRAIGHT UPWARD ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE COVER AT EACH FASTENER LOCATION TO REMOVE. DO NOT PULL THE COVER FORWARD OR TO THE SIDE. BEFORE INSTALLING THE ENGINE APPEARANCE COVER, APPLY MOTORCRAFT SILICONE BRAKE CALIPER GREASE AND DIELECTRIC COMPOUND (XG-3-A) TO THE COVER FASTENER GROMMETS. WORKSHOP MANUAL (WSM) INFORMATION IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING UPDATED
SSM 462532017-03-10. Service bulletin. ENGINE. SOME 2015-2016 EDGE WITH 2.0L GASOLINE TURBOCHARGED DIRECT INJECTION (GTDI), 2015-2016 MUSTANG AND F-150 WITH 5.0L ENGINE AND 2016 EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH 2.3L GTDI ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT OIL LEAK AT ENGINE OIL PRESSURE (EOP) SENSOR THREADS. IT IS NOT REQUIRED TO REPLACE THE SENSOR IF IT IS LEAKING FROM THE THREADS. REMOVE AND RESEAL THE EOP SENSOR, REFER TO WORKSHOP MANUAL (WSM), SECTIONS 303-14. CHECK THE OIL LEVEL AND TOP OFF AS NECESSARY. REFER TO WSM, SECTION 303-01. USE CAUSAL PART 9278 AND APPLICABLE LABOR OPERATIONS IN SECTION 09 OF THE SERVICE LABOR TIME STANDARDS (SLTS) MANUAL
TSB 16-01662017-03-10. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM. SUPERCEDES TSB 16-0165: SOME 2011-2015 EXPLORER VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN EXHAUST ODOR IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE AUXILIARY CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM ON. CUSTOMERS MAY INDICATE THE ODOR SMELLS LIKE SULFUR, OR THAT EXHAUST ODORS ARE ENTERING THE VEHICLE CABIN. THIS CONDITION MAY BE WORSENED WHEN THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM IS IN RECIRCULATE MODE AND THE VEHICLE IS HEAVILY ACCELERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD. WHETHER AND TO WHAT EXTENT ANY CUSTOMER OR OCCUPANT OF A 2011-2015 EXPLORER VEHICLE EXPERIENCES THE EXHAUST ODOR WILL BE AFFECTED BY DRIVING HABITS, WEATHER AND INDIVIDUAL SENSITIVITIES. FOLLOW EACH AND EVERY STEP OF THE TSB SERVICE PROCEDURE IN PROCEDURE 1 TO IMPROVE THE CONDITION.
SSM 459262017-02-11. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. 2013-2017 FUSION/ESCAPE/MKZ (EXCLUDING 3.7L), 2015-2016 EDGE/EXPLORER (EXCLUDING 3.5L/3.7L), 2015-2016 MKC, AND 2016 MKX VEHICLES (EXCLUDING 3.7L) EQUIPPED WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) MAY EXHIBIT A LEAKING PASSENGER SIDE POWER TRANSFER UNIT (PTU) HALFSHAFT/LINKSHAFT SEAL. THIS MAY BE DUE TO A WORN PTU BUSHING. THE PTU BUSHING CAN NOW BE REPAIRED WITHOUT PTU REPLACEMENT. THE ONLINE WSM IS BEING UPDATED FOR ALL LISTED VEHICLES.REFER TO THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BUSHING REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION IN WORKSHOP MANUAL (WSM), SECTION 308-07. THE PROCEDURE IS THE SAME FOR ALL VEHICLES. IF THE PROCEDURE IS NOT PUBLISHED FOR THE VEHICLE BEING SERVICED CHECK THE WSM OF ANOTHER LISTED VEHICLE. BUSHING PART NUMBER IS F2GZ-63600A58A. THE PARTS CATALOG IS BEING UPDATED TO INCLUDE THIS BUSHING.
TSB16-00972017-02-10. Service bulletin. SEATS. SOME 2009-2010 F-150 AND 2011-2016 EXPLORER VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SEAT CUSHION COVER THAT APPEARS LOOSE NEAR THE FRONT OF THE SEAT. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY THE SEAT CUSHION COVER J-RETAINER BECOMING DISENGAGED FROM THE SEAT CUSHION PAN FLANGE. FOLLOW THE SERVICE PROCEDURE STEPS TO CORRECT THE CONDITION.
SSM 461322017-02-10. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES. SOME 2008-2017 FORD/MERCURY/LINCOLN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SYNC MAY GENERATE A VHR THAT IDENTIFIES A CONCERN WITH THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION CATEGORY INDICATING SERVICE IS REQUIRED DUE TO A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP BEING ILLUMINATED. IF THE PARK BRAKE WAS APPLIED WHEN THE VHR WAS GATHERING DATA FROM THE MAJOR VEHICLE SYSTEMS, THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION MESSAGE WILL BE REPORTED AS THE VHR LOOKS FOR ANY WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. RERUN THE VHR WITH THE ENGINE ON AND VEHICLE IN PARK, AND ENSURE THE PARK BRAKE IS DISENGAGED. IF THE SYNC VHR IS STILL REPORTING A CONCERN TO THE CUSTOMERS SYNC OWNERS ACCOUNT, REFER TO THE APPROPRIATE WORKSHOP MANUAL SECTION FOR DIAGNOSIS BY DTC OR SYMPTOM. STARTING IN 2015 NOT ALL SYNC EQUIPPED VEHICLES SUPPORT VHR, REFER TO THE OWNERS MANUAL FOR VHR OPERATION.
SSM 458802017-02-09. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ENGINE. 2013-2017 EXPLORER, TAURUS, MKS EXHAUST STUDS NOT MISSING
SSM 461532017-02-09. Service bulletin. TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS. SETTING THE CORRECT TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE IS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN THE PRE-DELIVERY PROCESS AND DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE INTERVALS. RECENT CUSTOMER CLINICS REVEALED THAT MOST EVERY VEHICLE IN THE CLINICS HAD THE TIRE PRESSURES SET INCORRECTLY. TIRE PRESSURES FROM THE FACTORY ARE NOT SET TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATION. MAINTAINING THE CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE IS KEY TO THE RIDE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VEHICLE AND AFFECTS RIDE QUALITY, HANDLING, LOAD CAPACITY AND TIRE WEAR. THE RECOMMENDED PRESSURE SETTINGS CAN BE FOUND ON THE TIRE INFORMATION LABEL IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR JAM. DO NOT USE THE TIRE PRESSURES LISTED ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES. MAINTAINING THE TIRE PRESSURE IS PART OF NORMAL MAINTENANCE. IT SHOULD BE RECHECKED MONTHLY, PER THE OWNER GUIDE AND DURING THE RECOMMENDED TIRE ROTATION INTERVALS.
SSM 461322017-02-07. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES. SOME 2008-2017 FORD/MERCURY/LINCOLN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SYNC MAY GENERATE A VHR THAT IDENTIFIES A CONCERN WITH THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION CATEGORY INDICATING SERVICE IS REQUIRED DUE TO A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP BEING ILLUMINATED. IF THE PARK BRAKE WAS APPLIED WHEN THE VHR WAS GATHERING DATA FROM THE MAJOR VEHICLE SYSTEMS, THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION MESSAGE WILL BE REPORTED AS THE VHR LOOKS FOR ANY WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. RERUN THE VHR WITH THE ENGINE ON AND VEHICLE IN PARK, AND ENSURE THE PARK BRAKE IS DISENGAGED. IF THE SYNC VHR IS STILL REPORTING A CONCERN TO THE CUSTOMERS SYNC OWNERS ACCOUNT, REFER TO THE APPROPRIATE WORKSHOP MANUAL SECTION FOR DIAGNOSIS BY DTC OR SYMPTOM. STARTING IN 2015 NOT ALL SYNC EQUIPPED VEHICLES SUPPORT VHR, REFER TO THE OWNERS MANUAL FOR VHR OPERATION.
TSB 16-01442017-02-04. Service bulletin. ENGINE. SOME 2014-2015 EXPLORER AND TAURUS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.5L OR 3.7L TI-VCT ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT AN ILLUMINATED MIL WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0138 AND/OR P0158 STORED IN POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) MEMORY. FOLLOW THE SERVICE PROCEDURE STEPS TO CORRECT THE CONDITION.
TSB 16-01392017-02-04. Service bulletin. ENGINE. SOME 2015-2016 F-150, C-MAX, EDGE, MKS, TAURUS, AND FLEX AND 2016 EXPEDITION, EXPLORER, ESCAPE, FUSION, MUSTANG, MKZ, MKX, NAVIGATOR, TRANSIT AND TRANSIT CONNECT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L, 2.5L, 3.5L OR 3.7L GASOLINE ENGINE AND BUILT ON OR BEFORE 31-MAY-2016 MAY EXHIBIT AN INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER AND/OR AN ILLUMINATED POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION (WRENCH) LAMP WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P2111, P2112 AND/OR P2119 STORED IN POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) MEMORY. FOLLOW THE SERVICE PROCEDURE STEPS TO CORRECT THE CONDITION.
16-00472016-06-22. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. HARSH ENGAGEMENT DURING ELEVATED IDLE - AMBIENT TEMPERATURE BELOW -9 °C ISSUE Some 2013-2015 Explorer vehicles located in Russia and equipped with a 3.5L Twin independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) engine, may exhibit a harsh engagement during elevated idle. The condition usually occurs while ambient temperature is below -9°C. ACTION Reprogram the powertrain control module (PCM) to the latest calibration using IDS release 99.04 or higher. Make sure you are connected to the internet when entering module programming to obtain the latest updates. Calibration files may also be obtained at www.motorcraftservice.com.
16-00452016-06-22. Service bulletin. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM. 2.0L ECOBOOST - FUEL ODOR ISSUE Some 2013-2016 Escape, 2015-2016 MKC vehicles built on or before 12/15/2015, 2013-2016 Fusion, MKZ, 2013-2015 Explorer, 2013-2014 Focus ST and Edge vehicles equipped with 2.0L EcoBoost engines may exhibit fuel odor originating from the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) hose. SERVICE PROCEDURE 1. Is the vehicle a 2016 Escape or MKC? a. Yes - check the vehicle build date. Was the vehicle built on or before 12/15/2015? (1) Yes - proceed to Step 2. (2) No - this article does not apply. b. No - proceed to Step 2. 2. Inspect the PCV hose to make sure it is properly connected to the valve cover and the low pressure intake duct. a. For Escape and Focus ST vehicles remove the cowl panel grille to access the hose. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 501-02. b. For Edge vehicles remove the air cleaner outlet pipe to access the hose. Refer to WSM, Section 303-12. 3. Does the PCV hose exhibit a fuel smell or was the hose disconnected? a. Yes - replace hose and reassemble the vehicle. b. No - Refer to WSM, Section 303-13 for normal diagnosis.
15-01562016-06-22. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
ASI-452122016-01-21. Service bulletin. STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR. FORD: SOME VEHICLES AND TRUCKS ARE EXPERIENCING A MALFUNCTION WITH THE HEATED STEERING WHEEL BECOMING INOPERATIVE AND ON DEMAND TEST FAILURE. MODEL 2014-15 FUSION, 2011-15 MKX, 2013-15 SUPER DUTY, EXPLORER, TAURUS, MKS, MKT, 2015 F-150, MKZ, MKC, 2011-15 MKX. *PE
ASI-452392015-10-22. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. FORD: SOME VEHICLES TRANSMISSION WILL EXPERIENCE, AFTER A COLD SOAK OR AN EXTENDED PERIOD WITH ENGINE OFF, A 2-3 SHIFT HESITATION DUE TO POSSIBLE HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT DRAIN. MODEL 2013-16 VARIOUS VEHICLES. *PE
SB452772015-10-21. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. FORD: TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK FROM CONVERTER HOUSING AREA ON POLICE UTILITY EQUIPPED WITH 6F50/6F55 TRANSMISSION *CN
ASI-452112015-10-20. Service bulletin. STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR. LINCOLN/FORD: ONCE PROCEDURE FOR HEATED STEERING WHEEL MODULE PROGRAM COMPLETED, HEATED STEERING WHEEL FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY AND PASSES NETWORK TEST BUT FAILS ON DEMAND SELF TEST. MODEL 2011-15 FUSION F-150, EXPLORER, TAURUS, SUPER DUTY, MKZ, MKC, MKS, MKT, MKX. *PE
15-01132015-08-17. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. FORD EXPLORER 2014-2016: BULLETIN INFORMATION INVOLVING VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SECOND ROW INFLATABLE SEAT BELTS MAY EXHIBIT AN AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH DTC B141B AND B141C. *LJ

The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.