6.8

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,270
Average Mileage:
40,400 miles
Total Complaints:
32 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (16 reports)
  2. repaint car (10 reports)
  3. replace hood (4 reports)
  4. repaint (2 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2014 Ford Explorer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #12

Oct 032016

Explorer 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,254 miles

The issue is with the aluminum hood. It is a known problem and according to my internet research...has been an issue since 2000 forward. My hood bubbled where the hood meets the grill in the front of the car, completely across the front edge of the hood. I understand it is an oxidation problem with the hood. Ford offers no extended warranty to cover this and in my opinion should be covered on a car that is 3 years old and only 254 miles out of warranty. I am trying to fight to get this covered but Ford has yet to completely step up and do the right thing. I hope they do because me, my family and my business' have been loyal Ford owners. IF you own a Ford with any aluminum panels... watch your warranty dates to the mile and watch for bubbling paint.

- ckhoyt, Tampa, FL, US

problem #11

Aug 152016

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles

Ford won't cover the paint as a defect. Dealership recommended a $600 paint job or getting a bug shield to hide it. Annoying! Just got the thing in July off of someone's lease.

- Charlene P., Mays Landing, NJ, US

problem #10

Sep 012016

Explorer Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles

This is ridiculous on a brand new car with a few miles on it!

- Drew T., Blue Bell, PA, US

problem #9

Aug 112016

Explorer Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles

Notice paint bubbling on the hood, only 21,000 miles, car is always washed and cleaned. This should not be happening. Will call Ford and complaint but after reading everyone else's complaint I don't think I'll get anywhere. Always a ford buyer but that's coming to a end.

- mlaird, Lawrence, MA, US

problem #8

Apr 152016

Explorer Limited 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

Noticed a few months ago that the paint on the hood is bubbling. Called Ford and was told there is no recall on that to take it a dealer and see what they say. Haven't done that yet, just annoyed.

- kellima, Raynham, MA, US

problem #7

May 302016

Explorer XLT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,435 miles

Disappointing hood corrosion that since it was discovered at 36,435 miles will not be corrected by the dealer. Nothing dealer could do since the mileage is over 36,000. Salesperson said to try to contact Ford and let him know how it works out. Contacting Ford now but I am sure they wont be giving me a new, non-defective hood.

- sixxf, Smyrna, DE, US

problem #6

Feb 012016

Explorer Sport 3.5L V6 Tt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,800 miles

2014 Ford Explorer Sport a $50,000 vehicle and corrosion / paint bubbles on front lip of aluminum hood UNACCEPTABLE!!!!! 17k miles garage kept ,washed and waxed regularly . It's obviously a manufacturing blunder maybe 2 metals touching under the folded lip for extra strength or steel fragments got on aluminum before the paint but it's a joke. I've seen a lot of the same complaints on the explorer forum sites. What a joke.. I just took it to my local dealer here in S.W. Side of Chicago and they took photos and are gonna get back to me after they contact Ford regional service. What worries me is I bought the car used from Carmax and I'm sure they'll give me the run around . We will see.

- Chris M., Oak Lawn, IL, US

problem #5

Aug 122015

Explorer Sport V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,621 miles

contacted my dealership as soon as i saw the bubbling , they told me that I'm out of my 36k, but i had the extended warranty , that i found out was a 3rd party, they told me that paint is not covered, so i was told that no one can help, since then the whole front of my hood looks like it has need beat with a screwdriver, its very bad, called ford today and they told me that they will do nothing, i could go have it inspected and help find the problem, the main problem is that the cost will be 100$ to do that, even then they will not fix it, so here i am with a less than 2 year old car with the hood F$%cked up. i have a 2008 super duty with 350,000 miles and no issues at all, I even spent the winter up north in the truck in all the road salt, still not paint issues, but the explorer has never been out of Texas, i will never buy another ford, and by the way this is not the first complaint i have had with this ford, Im pissed,

- Joshua P., Galveston, TX, US

problem #4

Mar 012014

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,000 miles

Bought my truck new, first new vehicle for the wife. She picked it out. We were elated with our truck. bought Sept 2013. Noticed in March there was a bubble on the leading edge of the hood. I have experienced the problem with the Mustang hoods, so I was aware of the aluminum hood issue with fords, did not know this was still an on going issue.

Dealer remedy was to r&r (repair and repaint) the hood. Was covered by Ford. Given a rental. We were called the next day to come get the truck, which I felt was a little odd. That was a rather quick repair.

Returned to the dealer and OH MY. It was the worst repair I have ever seen. not only was there trash all in the paint, the bottom lip was not even cleared and in some areas not painted at all.

I was appalled at not only the repair, but the fact that the body shop manager told us he "checked it himself, and it looks fine." we did not take delivery of the vehicle and they had to repair the repair.

After 3 trips back to the dealer, we finally were satisfied with the repair, and took delivery of out Explorer.

Update from Oct 5, 2015: Oct 2014: Paint bubbling is back (as suspected it would be) with 12k miles on it. Returned to dealer. dealer stated ford was not taking care of it due to improper repair from ford. Dealer says they will r&r again. I am not having very much confidence in this body shop.

Returned 3 days later and once again the paint work is terrible. By the time all is said and done it takes 3 attempts to repair the repair of the repairs.

In working on the hood they broke several clip for the weather strip that runs along the front of the hood. got the old "it came in that way." response. Explained that it was not that way the day prior when I cam e to look at it.

Ordered now weatherstrip. took 2 weeks to get it in and put it on.

Update from Oct 5, 2015: Sept 2015: Bubbling came back.....AGAIN...what a surprise, I know. fight with Ford Corporate over just replacing my hood. truck has 18k miles, and right at the 24 mos. Have to do the regular r&r.

Dealer really messes the paintwork up this time, and hood is out of alignment. Also will not close unless you slam it. Body shop manager is rude because we called him out on his shops continued subpar body and paint work. made 6 trips back to the dealer showing the issues with the paint and them supposedly "gonna take care of it." two trips they didn't even do anything to it. I finally was told from Ford corporate that they will just replace the hood. I was forced to take delivery of my truck with shoddy paint work.

Update from Oct 5, 2015: Sept 2015: So Ford sent the hood to the dealer unpainted. This is a huge problem as the dealer cannot paint to save their lives. Then I am told that I have to pay a $100 deductible as it is 5 days out of the paintwork warranty. I informed them I was not paying one red cent, this is an ongoing issue and has been since it was 6 mos old. Told basically it was "not their problem."

Dealer tells me they will pay the $100 if I remove or amend negative comments I posted on social media. they have since backed up on that and said they will just pay it after I told them they could not "buy my opinion."

I will not accept the dealer to pay $100. I do not want that on the repair order as that tells Ford I accept that they have done all they will with the problem. What about WHEN this happens again?"

Went to look at new hood that was painted for us. Mind you we had an appointment to go look at it...an APPOINTMENT...it was dusty, and dirty, was not buffed, and the lip was, as always, not painted properly.

I am done with my Ford, Ford Motor Co. and the Dealership. Crappy paintwork and crappy customer service. I did send in the Lemon Law form before the 2 year deadline, so this is their last attempt and they can have it back.

- Jason A., Pensacola, FL, US

problem #3

Aug 042015

Explorer Sport V6 Ecoboost

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,100 miles

Purchases this very well equipped Explorer Sport only to notice the paint is starting to de-laminate from the aluminum hood. Apparently this is a known issue, wasn't to me, until now! The car is beautiful otherwise, I would like to have this remedied as it is a huge detraction from the look of the vehicle and will undoubtedly get worse. I am very impressed with the vehicles features and have an appointment with the local dealer in 2 weeks to look at the issue. It bothers me significantly, but the dealer/manufacturer haven't had an opportunity to make this manufacturing defect right so I am not ranting about this vehicle or the dealer/manufacturer. This is just to note the complaint. I will update once I hear from the dealer/manufacturer after the appointment.

- Thomas S., Kailua-Kona, HI, US

problem #2

Aug 032015

Explorer Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,500 miles

I have a 2014 Explorer Limited fully loaded (and paid a nice Price for that). I have always loved a Ford and owned a few in my years. When I bought this vehicle I was so excited to have what I thought was a great vehicle. It has less than 36,000 miles and is almost 2 yrs old. A month ago I found the paint bubbles on the edge of the aluminum hood and went ballistic! How could this be, I asked? I took it to the place of purchase and I'm waiting on a response for repair.

It appears from what I am reading on this site that this is a long term problem with Ford using the aluminum hoods. I am VERY disappointed in FORD for not correcting this issue. I read that this has been reported since 2000. If this is not fixed by FORD at no cost to me I will tell you that I will NEVER own another FORD! THIS IS AN OUTRAGE TO PAY THE AMOUNT WE DO FOR THESE VEHICLES AND IT HAVE THE ISSUES THEY DO!!

- Kimberly C., Johnson City, TN, US

problem #1

Oct 202014

Explorer Sport 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

I bought this vehicle in February of 2014, I love it, I still do, its got everything anyone can ask for. However, just recently I noticed that the paint around the edges of the hood in the front is starting to bubble up. I did some research and this would not be the first for the Explorer (or any other vehicles Ford makes). I'm going to have Ford fix the problem but if they use aluminum hoods and if the problem is from Iron contaminants in the metal, then I'm not sure if resurfacing/repainting it is a permanent fix. We will see, I noticed other paint issues with rust in this vehicle from others, apparently my Explorer hasn't gotten that far yet.

- jhonnyblaze, Hampton, VA, US