Large Recall NHTSA · 15V171000 Reported March 24, 2015

Interior door handle return spring may unseat

Ford Motor Company · Structure · 194,484 vehicles potentially affected

NHTSA ID
15V171000
Manufacturer Campaign
15S11
Manufacturer
Component
Structure
Vehicles Affected
194,484
Recall Type
Vehicle
Report Received
March 24, 2015
Completion Rate
67.75

Defect Summary

Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 explorer vehicles. in the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.

Safety Consequence

If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Corrective Action

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. the recall began on july 23, 2015. owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. ford's number for this recall is 15s11.

What you should do

  1. Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm this recall applies to your vehicle.
  2. Contact an authorized Ford Motor Company dealer and reference recall ID 15V171000 or campaign 15S11.
  3. Schedule the free repair. By federal law, the manufacturer must remedy the defect at no cost.
View Official NHTSA Notice →
Related

Similar Recalls

Other recalls from Ford Motor Company or involving Structure.

FAQ: Recall 15V171000

Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.

What is recall 15V171000?

NHTSA recall 15V171000 was issued by Ford Motor Company on March 24, 2015. It addresses: Interior door handle return spring may unseat. The recall affects approximately 194,484 vehicles, with the defect involving the Structure component.

How do I get this recall repaired?

Contact any authorized Ford Motor Company dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 15V171000 or the manufacturer campaign number 15S11. Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.

Is my vehicle included in this recall?

The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.

How long do I have to get a recall repair done?

There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.

Where does the data on this page come from?

All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.