Recall 15V171 affects 194,484 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles for faulty interior door handle return springs. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 194,484 2011-2013 Explorer SUVs because the interior door handle return spring can unseat and leave the handle out of its fully stowed position. If that happens, the door can unlatch during a side impact crash, which raises the risk of personal injury, and Ford dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The interior door handle on a 2011-2013 Ford Explorer is the pull handle you use to open the door from inside the cabin. A small return spring in that handle brings the handle back to its fully stowed position after you let go. That resting position matters because the handle is part of the door hardware Ford tested for crash performance.
On affected Explorers, the wall that holds the return spring can fracture from creep fatigue, which is material stress that builds while the part sits under load. When that retaining wall cracks, the spring can move out of place. The handle then stays loose, hangs partly open, or fails to return all the way after use.
The warning sign is visible and tactile: a loose or floppy interior door handle. You can also notice a handle that remains out of its stowed position after you use it.
Who's affected?
Spans 3 Explorer model years, all tied to the same body structure component.
| 2013 Ford Explorer | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2012 Ford Explorer | body structure |
| 2011 Ford Explorer | body structure |
| Units affected | 194,484 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
An unseated interior door handle return spring can let the door unlatch during a side impact crash, increasing injury risk. If the interior handle feels loose or floppy, or it fails to return to its stowed position, schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2013 Ford Explorer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free interior-door-handle inspection and return-spring repair that keeps the handles fully stowed.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford sent one, and reference recall number 15V171 when you call.
- Keep doors closed and latched before driving, and ask the dealer to inspect any interior handle that does not return fully stowed.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects all four interior door handles to confirm whether each handle returns to the fully stowed position after use. Any affected handle is repaired or replaced at no charge under the recall. Ford's general reimbursement plan covers documented door-handle remedy costs paid before owner notification, with reimbursement eligibility ending May 27, 2015. If you already paid for this repair, contact Ford customer service or ask the Ford service desk how to submit prior repair documentation under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 24, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 24, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| March 24, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 11, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| July 23, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V171?
Recall 15V171 covers 194,484 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles with an interior door handle return spring that can unseat, leaving the handle out of its fully stowed position. Ford dealers inspect all four interior door handles and repair or replace them for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2013 Ford Explorer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Explorer is included in recall 15V171. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer and ask for recall 15S11. The dealer will inspect all four interior door handles and complete the covered repair for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford's remedy says dealers will inspect all four interior door handles and repair or replace them free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is tied to a side impact crash. If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door can unlatch during that crash, increasing the risk of personal injury. Ford's free dealer repair addresses the handle spring condition.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Watch for an interior door handle that does not return to its fully stowed position after you pull it. That is the condition described in recall 15V171. If you see it, check your VIN and ask a Ford dealer about recall 15S11.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V171000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V171 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V171000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →