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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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By component

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Bulletins, newest first
SSM 500672021-09-04. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to small debris causing the VCT solenoid to stick. Before attempting any component diagnosis or replacement of the VCT solenoid, refer to Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) pinpoint test HK12 to cycle the affected VCT solenoid 10 times to attempt to clear the debris. For claiming, use causal part 6M280 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
SSM 498212021-06-01. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to small debris causing the VCT solenoid to stick. Before attempting any component diagnosis or replacement of the VCT solenoid, refer to Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) pinpoint test HK11 to cycle the affected VCT solenoid 10 times to attempt to clear the debris. For claiming, use causal part 6M280 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
21B142021-04-03. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION. Certain 2013 through 2017 Model Year Explorer and Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles that are Registered or Sold in Certain States/Provinces Rear Toe Link Ball Joint Inspection This program is a proactive investigation by Ford Motor Company to obtain field data and parts for testing. Ford is voluntarily conducting this program to inspect the toe link ball joint and, if necessary, replace both rear toe links and wheel knuckles on vehicles always registered and always residing in the Nashville (and Calgary) area. The replacement toe links and knuckles being installed contain no enhancements and are identical to the parts being removed. It is very important that any parts obtained from this program be returned to Ford for this study
21B14-S12021-04-03. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION. Certain 2013 through 2017 Model Year Explorer and Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles that are Registered or Sold in Certain States/Provinces; Rear Toe Link Ball Joint Inspection This program is a proactive investigation by Ford Motor Company to obtain field data and parts for testing. Ford is voluntarily conducting this program to inspect the toe link ball joint and, if necessary, replace both rear toe links and wheel knuckles on vehicles always registered and always residing in the Nashville, Houston, Miami, Dallas, Atlanta, Phoenix, Winnipeg, and Calgary areas. The replacement toe links and knuckles being installed contain no enhancements and are identical to the parts being removed. It is very important that any parts obtained from this program be returned to Ford for this study.
16-00662020-12-07. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Some 2012-2016 vehicles equipped with a touchscreen navigation system and the language set to Arabic may exhibit a blank screen. This may be the result of the ribbon cables not being fully seated inside the front display interface module (FDIM) or an improper software configuration of the FDIM.
16B102020-12-07. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. In some of the affected vehicles, the front control/display interface module (FCDIM) may have been unintentionally programmed for the European market instead of the North American market
SSM 492102020-10-06. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Some 2009-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbochargers may exhibit an oil leak from the turbocharger oil supply or return tubes, O-rings or 6.7L pedestal gasket. Although oil may collect on the turbocharger, it is very rare for a turbocharger to leak oil. To isolate the source of the leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 General Information > Diagnosis and Testing > Engine > Engine Oil Leaks - Fluorescent Oil Additive Method procedure. When an oil leak is present at a turbocharger oil supply or drain tube, remove the affected oil tube and inspect for damage, and replace the O-ring seals, pedestal gasket or oil tube as required. Refer to WSM, Section 303-04. For claiming, use the affected oil tube or pedestal gasket as the causal part and applicable labor operations in Sections 6 and 9 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
19M01 S12020-08-06. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Certain 2013-2019 Model Year Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles Equipped with a 3.7L Engine Catalytic Converter Extended Coverage This program extends the warranty coverage of the catalytic converters to 11 years of service or 120,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first
TSB 20-22332020-08-06. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE. This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended.
SSM 488762020-07-07. Service bulletin. WHEELS; SUSPENSION:REAR; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT. For 2013-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles that require rear wheel knuckle and bushing assembly repairs, dealers are advised to follow Workshop Manual (WSM) Procedures and use service parts recommended by Ford only. Ford has received reports of toe link failures after the installation of non-OEM cross-axial ball joints (aka bushings) in the rear wheel knuckle, and if service of the rear wheel knuckle and bushing assembly is required, the recommended repair is to replace the affected 5B758/9 as an assembly only. Refer to WSM, Section 204-02, and the Ford Service Parts Catalog as needed.
SSM 488212020-06-04. Service bulletin. WHEELS. For 2013-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles that require rear wheel knuckle and bushing assembly repairs, dealers are advised to follow Workshop Manual (WSM) Procedures and use service parts recommended by Ford only. Ford has received reports of toe link failures after the installation of non-OEM cross-axial ball joints in the rear wheel knuckle, and if service of the rear wheel knuckle and bushing assembly is required, the recommended repair is to replace the affected 5B758/9 assembly. Refer to WSM, Section 204-02, and the Ford Service Parts Catalog as needed.
SSM 486192020-04-02. Service bulletin. UNKNOWN OR OTHER; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. SSM 48619 - Various Vehicles - Perimeter Alarm Armed And Original Vehicle Keys Cannot Be Accessed to Enter Vehicle - CAN Protection Strategy Some 2013-2016 Model Year Vehicles may exhibit a concern in which the Perimeter Alarm is active and the original keys cannot be accessed to disable the perimeter alarm. This concern would most often occur when a customer loses keys and the dealership is attempting to program new keys to the vehicle. The Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 419-01A Perimeter Anti-Theft Alarm - System Operation and Component Description has been updated to inform of the Controller Area Network (CAN) Protection Strategy. Follow the procedure outlined to prevent replacement of the Body Control Module (BCM) on CAN Protection Strategy equipped vehicles when original keys are lost and perimeter alarm is active. Refer to the WSM for further detail on the CAN Protection Strategy. Lost keys and replacement of BCM for lost keys is non-warrantable.
SSM 484232020-01-08. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. Some 2015-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to small debris causing the VCT solenoid to stick. Before attempting any component diagnosis or replacement of the VCT solenoid, refer to Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) pinpoint test HK11 to cycle the affected VCT solenoid 10 times to attempt to clear the debris. For claiming, use causal part 6M280 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
TSB 19-23902020-01-07. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; SEATS. Some 2015-2019 F-150, 2015-2020 Explorer, 2017-2019 F-Super Duty, 2017-2020 Continental, 2018-2020 Expedition/Navigator, 2016-2018 MKX, 2019-2020 Nautilus, 2020 Aviator/Corsair and 2013-2020 MKZ vehicles equipped with multi-contour seats may exhibit intermittent multi-contour seat operation and/or massage and lumbar adjust inoperative from the seat switch or SYNC screen with or without diagnostic trouble code (DTC) B1471, U024B, and/or U024C. This may be due to terminal fretting at the connector for the driver multi-contour seat module (SCMG) and passenger multi-contour seat module (SCMH). To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to replace the connectors and reroute the harness.
TSB 19-23892020-01-07. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Some 2013-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.5L twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P013A and/or P013C stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to an improperly welded exhaust Y-pipe. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to replace the exhaust Y-pipe.
DOR-J9K8E-102019-10-21. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION. This SKU is a Suspension Lateral Link. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to revise the design similar to the OEM supercession associated with 19V435. We have received no defects associated with the current design.
TSB 19-22932019-10-04. Service bulletin. SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST; SEATS. 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 and lumbar adjust inoperative from the seat switch or SYNC screen with or without diagnostic trouble code (DTC) B1471, U024B, and/or U024C. This may be due to terminal fretting at the connector for the driver multi-contour seat module (SCMG) and passenger multi-contour seat module (SCMH). To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to replace the connectors and reroute the harness.
SSM 481352019-09-09. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. Some 2013-2020 vehicles equipped with an EVDC air conditioning (A/C) compressor may exhibit poor A/C performance/improper climate function. To support the proper diagnosis of this compressor, the EVDC control valve tester has been provided to each U.S. dealership (339-EVDC100). Ensure the A/C system has a full charge prior to any compressor diagnostics. To support the proper diagnosis of this compressor, the EVDC compressor tool must be used, and the results recorded in the Technician comments field with the warranty claim. This tester will help reduce the potential for misdiagnosis and unnecessary compressor replacement. Refer to the Rotunda catalog for a video and user manual which provide detailed operating instructions.
SSM 481302019-09-06. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR; VISIBILITY. Some 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. This is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in some car wash solutions as a cleaning agent. Hydrofluoric acid can attack the glass and cause visual distortion and/or discoloration on the outer surface which cannot be removed by further cleaning. If this type of distortion is found, inspect the area of the glass that is covered by the cowl and/or molding. The portion of glass that is covered by the cowl or molding will not be affected by the acid. Hydrofluoric acid damage is not a defect in material or workmanship and is not a warrantable condition.
SSM 481232019-09-06. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. For Ford and Lincoln vehicles that require positive or negative battery terminal replacement, it is not necessary to replace the complete battery cable harness (14300 and 14301) for this concern. Positive battery cable clamp BT4Z-14450-AA and negative battery cable clamp BT4Z-14450-BA are available for this type of repair. Do not cut or shorten the battery cable, instead carefully remove the affected battery cable clamp and clean the cable end as necessary to preserve wire length. Some rework may be necessary for some vehicle environments. Bend the new positive battery cable clamp as needed and crimp it to the existing battery cable. Make sure to use heat shrink tubing over the battery cable to battery cable clamp connection. Obtain the heat shrink tube locally.
TSB 19-22442019-09-06. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE. Some 2013-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.5L twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P013A and/or P013C stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to an improperly welded exhaust Y-pipe. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to replace the exhaust Y-pipe. Follow the Service Procedure to correct the condition on vehicles that meet all of the following criteria: *2013-2019 Explorer *3.5L Ti-VCT engine *Illuminated MIL with only DTCs P013A and/or P013C
SSM 481082019-08-07. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Some 2015-2019 vehicles may experience a no crank concern due to a security access key table error. When attempting to program keys or perform a parameter reset, the procedure may fail and the appropriate Ford diagnostic scan tool may display an error 232: Key Table Not Allocated. If this error message is encountered, the body control module (BCM) is internally damaged and requires replacement. The BCM should only be replaced for this condition when the 232 key table error message is present. If the 232 key table error is not present, follow normal diagnostics for the no crank condition. For claiming, use causal part 15604 and applicable labor operations in section 10 of the Service Labor Times Standards (SLTS) manual.
SSM 480702019-08-07. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. Some 2009-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2009-2014 F-150/Mustang, 2008-2009 Sable, 2008-2019 Taurus/Flex/MKT, 2013-2019 Police Interceptor Sedan/Utility, and 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles may exhibit inoperative or intermittent HVAC blower motor function at various fan speed settings. This may be due to a poor electrical connection at the blower motor speed control. If the blower motor speed control is determined to be the causal part, replacement of the electrical connector pigtail harness (14S411) to the blower motor speed control is also recommended to avoid repeat repairs. Use pigtail harness service part numbers 3U2Z-14S411-ZEA or CU2Z-14S411-FA, as both parts are interchangeable. Refer to Wiring Diagram, Cell 5 for recommended splicing procedures.
TSB 19-21502019-08-06. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR; STRUCTURE. Some 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with a factory keyless entry keypad may exhibit a loose driver side B-pillar front door upper moulding. This may be caused by a lack of adhesion of the front door upper moulding to the door. To resolve the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to reapply adhesive tape to the front door upper moulding. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition on vehicles that meet all of the following criteria: * 2011-2019 Explorer * Equipped with factory keyless entry keypad * Left side front door upper moulding is loose
19N052019-07-09. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM. Customer Satisfaction Program 19N05: Certain 2011-2017 Model Year Explorer Vehicles - Carbon Monoxide Concern

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