2017 Ford Explorer
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 1,700 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 34 involved a crash and 11 involved a fire. 51 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, bodyJul 14, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S54. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 21V316. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
Campaign 26V448000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearFeb 20, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the toe links, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S08. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 21V537. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 25, 2026.
Campaign 26V101000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, electrical, engine block heaterOct 10, 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
Campaign 25V685000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, bodyMay 23, 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will repair the B-pillar trim, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated November 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S53.
Campaign 25V347000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, roof and pillarsJan 19, 2024
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
Campaign 24V031000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearJul 15, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 16V-245, 19V-435, and 20V-675. Certain vehicles previously repaired will need to return for the new remedy. An interim notification letter notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2022. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S32.
Campaign 21V537000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, bodyMay 5, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.
A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge. The interim owner notification letter was mailed on June 22, 2021. Owner notification letters (remedy available) were mailed on October 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S22.
Campaign 21V316000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearMar 12, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin that were previously repaired under a prior recall numbers 16V-245 or 19V-435. The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fracture.
A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle attached to the rear suspension toe link and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S62.
Campaign 20V675000 on NHTSA.gov
SeatsSep 11, 2019
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with power front seats. The seat frames may have sharp edges.
Occupants my contact the sharp edges when reaching between the power front seat and center console, increasing their risk of injury.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install protective tape on the exposed inside edge and tab of the power seat frames, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S29.
Campaign 19V651000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearJun 10, 2019
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.
Campaign 19V435000 on NHTSA.gov
SteeringAug 28, 2017
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Explorer, Taurus and Police Interceptor Utility and Sedan vehicles. The steering gear heat shield fasteners may corrode, allowing the heat shield to detach.
If the heat shield detaches, the steering gear may overheat, increasing the steering effort required by the driver, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers to inspect and replace the heat shield fasteners as needed, free of charge. The recall began on September 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S23.
Campaign 17V530000 on NHTSA.gov
Wheels, hubAug 28, 2017
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.
A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 17E048000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, reclinerMay 22, 2017
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Explorer, F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 vehicles equipped with a manual driver's seat back recliner mechanism. In the event of a crash, the seat back frame may not restrain the occupant due to having inadequate welds. As such, these vehicles may not meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202a, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
If the occupant is not adequately restrained in the event of a crash, they have an increased risk of injury.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat back frame, free of charge. The recall began on June 7, 2017. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C08.
Campaign 17V332000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engine, gasoline, turbo/superchargerDec 22, 2016
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-2017 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, 2017 Ford Explorer and Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components.
An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the turbocharger oil supply tubes, free of charge. The recall began on January 31, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S46.
Campaign 16V925000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: wheels
60 reports, newest first. Show all
Wheels, May 11, 2018
MY VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 19,000 MILES AND THE TIRES ARE ABOUT BALD. TOOK MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT FORD WILL NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE. THIS VEHICLE CANNOT GO THROUGH ANOTHER WINTER. MANY COMPLAINTS ON LINE ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE WITH HANKOOK TIRES ON FORD EXPLORERS. HANKOOK OR FORD NEED TO STEP UP BEFORE MAJOR PROBLEMS OCCCUR. SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACING TIRES THAT ARE RATED FOR 50,000 MILES WHEN THEY ARE UNDER 20,000. HAVE MAINTAINED THIS VEHICLE REGULARLY WITH CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE AND TIRE ROTATIONS. I HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE WITH MY DEALER FOR SEVERAL MONTHS WHEN I NOTICED UNUSUALLY EXTENSIVE WEAR.
Wheels, Apr 3, 2018
RE:HANKOOK VENTUS S1 NOBLE 2 255/50R20 105H-ON 01/20/18, I WAS ADVISED BY A NEW FRIEND TO HAVE MY TIRES CHECKED OUT. HE NOTICED THE PIECES OF TIRE CHIPPING OFF AND WAS CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY. THE FOLLOWING WEEK, I TOOK MY CAR TO OLIN MOTT, A LONGTIME & REPUTABLE AREA TIRE STORE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT ALL 4 TIRES WERE SHOWING SIGNS OF "PEELING" & RECOMMENDED THAT I TAKE MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD FIRST PURCHASED IT. ON 01/26/18 I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM LOOKED AT. THE DEALERSHIP CAME BACK & SAID THAT THEY'D HAVE TO FILE A COMPLAINT W/ THE TIRE MANUFACTURER & THEY'D TAKE PICTURES OF ALL 4 TIRES & WOULD LET ME KNOW WHAT THE TIRE MANUFACTURER SAID NEEDED TO BE DONE. 6 DAYS LATER, THE DEALERSHIP CALLS STATING THAT HANKOOK TIRES ADVISED THAT ALL 4 TIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED & THAT THE'DD OFFER A 50% PRORATA PRICE BASIS. MY VEHICLE MANUFACTURE STICKER DATE IS 04/17. I PURCHASED MY CAR ON JUNE 14, 2017 BRAND NEW. LESS THAN 8 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES. AS OF 01/26/18, I HAD APPROX 14,300 MILES. NOW AT 16,400 MILES, THEY ARE PEELING AND NOW CHUNKS ARE NOW COMING OUT OF ALL 4 TIRES. I HAVE AN APPT IN 05/12/18 TO PURCHASE 4 NEW TIRES. BC AFTER PAYING $40,000 LESS THAN A YEAR AGO, I HAVE TO SAVE THE MONEY. THIS TIRE HAS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE USA. FORD WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY EVEN THOUGH THEY CONTRACTED W/ HANKOOK TIRES IN 2011 FOR HANKOOK TO BE THE OFFICIAL FITMENT TIRE FOR THE FORD EXPLORER. ALSO, FORD/LINCOLN EXTENDED THEIR CONTRACT RECENTLY. OTHER BRANDS SUCH AS HYAUNDI HAVE RECENTLY CANCELLED THEIR PARTNERSHIP W/ HANKOOK. IF SOMETHING IS NOT DONE ABOUT THESE TIRES, IT'S MY FEAR THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. FORD SHOULD ALSO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY BC THEY PUT THE TIRES ON THEIR NEW VEHICLES THEY WANT TO SELL & DO SELL. LOCATION: TAMPA, FL. PLEASE HELP US, THE CONSUMERS. THANKS!
Wheels, Apr 2, 2018
FRONT TIRES HANKOOK VENTUS S1 NOBLE 2 255/50R20 ARE SHREDDING AND CHIPPING AT 10K MILES
Tires, Wheels, Feb 24, 2018
I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A OIL CHANGE AND MY DEALER CALLED TO INFORM ME I NEEDED TO REPLACE ALL MY TIRES AS THE TREADS WERE ALL IN THE UNSAFE AREA. THE TIRES ARE: HANKOOK VENTUS S1 NOBEL 2 SIZE 255/50R20 DOT 5MNC 1A H 1316 THESE TIRES HAVE 23,000 MILES ON THEM AND CAME OEM ON 2017 FORD EXPLORER. THE TIRE TREAD IS GONE. PREMATURE WEAR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AS OTHERS ARE REPORTING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM ON THE SAME VEHICLE. SEE FORD BULLITON SSM 46905
Wheels, Jan 24, 2018
WENT TO DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND DEALER INDICATED I NEED IMMEDIATE TIRE REPLACEMENT OF ALL 4 TIRES BECAUSE THE TREAD IS FLAKING OFF! THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE SERVICE BAY DRIVE. THERE ARE VISIBLE SIGNS OF TREAD SEPARATIONS AND GOUGES IN THE TIRES. MY EXPLORER HAS 28K MILES ON IT AND THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY SAYS 50K. I BELIEVE THIS IS A TIRE DEFECT. I HAVE AN EXCELLENT SERVICE RECORD ON MY VEHICLE AND THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR FOR ANY TIRES. THIS EXPLORER WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM THE DEALER WITH THESE TIRES. I WAS A PREVIOUS OWNER OF A 2013 EXPLORER (ALSO PURCHASED NEW) AND THE TIRES LASTED 60K. AFTER RESEARCHING, THERE SEEM TO BE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FROM FORD EXPLORER OWNERS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.
Wheels, Jan 16, 2018
HANKOOK VENTUS S1 NOBLE2 TIRES HAVE LARGE CHUNKS COMING OFF THE TREAD AT 9,300 MILES (REPORTED TO DEALER); CONDITION GOT WORSE AT 12,000MILES (REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP AGAIN); CONDITION CONTINUES TO GET WORSE AT 14,000 MILES (CAR LEFT AT DEALERSHIP FOR TIRES TO BE SENT TO HANKOOK)
Wheels, Nov 27, 2017
IT HAS BEEN JUST OVER 1 YEAR DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, 8115 MILES CURRENTLY. A FEW DAYS AGO WHILE WALKING AROUND MY CAR, I NOTICED CHIPPING, CRACKING, & PEELING AWAY OF THE TREAD ON MY TIRES. IT DOES NOT LOOK NORMAL AND NOT TOO SURE IF IT IS SAFE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER WHERE WE LEASED IT FROM AND THEY CLAIMED THAT IT IS NORMAL TIRE WEAR FOR HAWAII ROADS. I DONT THINK SO. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL VEHICLES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS AND HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN OFF-ROAD, PULLED A HEAVY LOAD, OR DRIVEN AGGRESSIVELY, AND IS IN IMMACULATE CONDITION OTHERWISE. THE VEHICLE WAS JUST IN FOR SERVICE JUST OVER 1 MONTH AGO SO I AM NOT SURE HOW THIS WAS NOT CAUGHT IN THE MULTI-POINT INSPECTION OR THE TIRE ROTATION THEY SUPPOSEDLY DID.
Wheels, Nov 10, 2017
HANKOOK VENTUS S1 NOBEL 2 SIZE 255/50R20 105H DOT 5MNC 1A H 1916 THESE TIRES HAVE 16,940 MILES (13 MONTHS SINCE BOUGHT IT) ON THEM AND CAME OEM ON 2017 FORD EXPLORER. THE TIRE TREAD IS PEELING AND SHREDDING. PREMATURE WEAR. I TOOK IT TO FORD AND THEY SAID THAT A SERVICE MESSAGE (SSM 46905) RELATIVE TO 2015-2018 EXPLORER- HANKOOK TIRES- CHIPPING, CUTTING AND/OR UNUSUAL/ACCELERATED TREAD WEAR. THE MESSAGE STATES " SOME 2015-2018 EXPLORER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK BRAND TIRES MAY EXHIBIT CHIPPING,CUTTING AND/OR UNUSUAL OR EVEN ACCELERATED TREAD WEAR.IF THE SIZE WALL IS MARKED AS:255/50R20 105H VENTUS S1 NOBLE 2CONTACT HANKOOK TECHNICAL SERVICES". THE DEALER DID AND HANKOOK KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT ONLY OFFERED A 50% DISCOUNT ON NEW TIRES AS A CORRECTIVE MEASURE. SO BASICALLY THEY SOLD BAD TIRES AN THE CUSTOMER HAS TO PAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
Wheels, Oct 25, 2017
THE SUBJECT VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 12,200 MILES ON OEM SUPPLIED HANKOOK VENTUS S1 NOBLE 2 TIRES. SIZE 255/50R20. TREAD IS PEELING OFF AND PREMATURE WEAR. 50K MILE RATED TIRE IS AT 5/32 @ APPROX. 12200 MILES WITH SCHEDULED ROTATION PERFORMED. FORD DEALER AND HANKOOK REP HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED HANKOOK IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THESE TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE SAFETY OF THESE TIRES. SEE ATTACHED PHOTO OF PEELED TREAD.
Wheels, Feb 23, 2017
2016 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK VENTUS S1 NOBLE 2 TIRES SIZE 255/50 R20. THE DOT CODE ON THE TIRES IS 5MNC 1AH 0716. THE VEHICLE ODOMETER SHOWS 4,186 MILES. ON FEBRUARY 19, 2017 WHILE DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AT LESS THAN 25MPH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SUFFERED A "CATASTROPHIC" SIDEWALL FAILURE RESULTING IN THE TIRE GOING COMPLETELY FLAT IN LESS THAT 1 MINUTE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE INSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. (THIS SEEMS TO BE THE SAME SYMPTOM FOR WHICH HANKOOK ISSUED AN EARLIER - JAN 2016 - RECALL.) ALL FOUR TIRES WERE PROPERLY INFLATED AS INDICATED BY THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM. TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE THE TIRE HAD NEVER STRUCK AN OBJECT THAT COULD HAVE WEAKENED THE SIDEWALL.