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
1,700 reports, newest first.
Structure, Jul 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Other or unspecified, Jul 14, 2025
This pertains to the B-Pillar trim recall. It should be noted that not only does the trim fall off but if it is the trim with the entry keypad, that can cause a short circuit that effects other parts of the car operation. Recently this happened to this vehicle and a fuse blew under the drivers side dash fuse 11 5 amp fuse. This fuse blows and the rear hatch will no longer open. We called about this in June when this happened and the dealer said it was unrelated to the trim that fell off and they would charge us $600 to look at it. After finding the same issue on Youtube and the fix posted we purchased the part and installed ourself for $50. This complaint is stating that the recall needs to have the liftgate included as a symptom.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 13, 2025
Front window trim/ A pillar detached while driving on October 18,2024. Contacted dealership for replacement at the end of October 2024, and each month following, they brought vehicle in for inspection but have never replaced the trim piece. It has now been 9 months, I have called the dealer every month to follow up and have been told every time they still do not have the part to fix it. I am concerned that the trim on the other side of the car could fly off and cause damage to my vehicle or others.
Structure, Jul 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the passenger’s side B-pillar trim was loosened, and tape was used to hold the piece in place. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Jul 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Recently, the contact heard air entering through the A-pillar while driving at highway speeds. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Jul 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000(Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An unknown local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Jul 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Jul 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Jul 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Electrical system, Seats, Other or unspecified, Jul 8, 2025
The following is a letter I sent to Ford. I've yet to hear back from them. This is a picture of what happened in my 2017 Explorer on Thursday, June 5, 2025. As I unlocked and got into my car, I realized the seat was moving forward. I tried to get out of the seat, but it was difficult because the space was closing in. I managed to squeeze out of the space before it totally closed me in and pinned me between the seat and steering wheel. As you can see from the picture, the seat is as close to the steering wheel and console as possible. The steering wheel was 7 inches from the seatback and 7 inches from the seat bottom. The seat was 2 inches from the console. This is extremely dangerous. This is not the first time this has happened. This has occurred at least ten times. Sometimes it is when I get in the vehicle as happened June 5. One time I was pinned between the steering wheel and seat and my legs were jammed into the console. Fortunately, I was able to extricate myself with only a few scrapes and bruises. While it is happening, I try the side buttons that control the seat and other ways to stop it, but nothing I do stops the movement once it begins. The only way to avoid being pinned in is to get out while the seat is moving. Other times it has happened when I am not in the car. I unlock and open the door to get in and the seat has moved itself and is as far up to the steering wheel as physically possible. The first time this happened; I told the service desk at the dealer when I was having work done on the SUV. They checked and said they couldn’t find anything wrong with it.`
Structure, Jul 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the driver’s and passenger’s side windshield trims detached from the vehicle. Additionally, the luggage rack trim detached from the vehicle. The seal on the front driver's and passenger's side doors were detaching from the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Jul 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Jul 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the passenger’s side exterior A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and it was determined that the exterior A-pillar trim needed to be replaced; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Jul 7, 2025
I received an “important safety recall” regarding exterior applique trim pieces, possibly becoming loose and detaching from the car. This notice was received February 2024, indicating “when parts become available” I would be notified to schedule service. Parts were anticipated to be available toward the latter half of 2024. I still have not received notice of parts being available and have in fact had applique trim pieces loosen, putting myself and others at risk. Please advise me on what to do from here, as it is over one year past the initial notification.
Structure, Jul 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the passenger side A-pillar flew off the vehicle. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) and later 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Jul 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) and 21V316000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front driver’s side and passenger’s side A-pillar trims loosened and were shuddering. Two local dealers were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available for NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). Parts distribution disconnect for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure).
Wheels, Jul 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to change the tires on the vehicle and was unable to remove the lug nuts. The contact stated that the lug nuts on all four wheels were swollen. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 176,825.
Structure, Jul 2, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Structure, Jul 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH on two occasions, the passenger's side windshield exterior A-pillar trim separated from the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the trim was replaced twice, and the repair was covered by the insurance company. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Electrical system, Seats, Jul 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while seated in the parked vehicle, the rear passenger’s side head restraint became unhinged. The contact stated that the exterior front driver’s side pin paddle had failed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the railings on the rear passenger’s side seats were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 99,208.
Other or unspecified, Jul 2, 2025
In my 2017 Ford Explorer, that backup camera is experiencing issues that sound related to the current recall on 2021-2024 Ford Explorers. The image is all distorted, the backup assist lines are not present, the screen will go black or grey with distortion.
Structure, Jun 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim on the passenger’s side windshield started to detach. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 18,800. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Jun 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the passenger’s side B-pillar trim detached. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Jun 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE) and 25V347000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while washing the vehicle, the front driver’s side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that on another occasion, while driving 35 MPH, the interior trim located by the rear doors to the rear glass detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired for the most recent failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Structure, Jun 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side windshield A-pillar trim started to detach. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the passenger's side windshield A-pillar trim retention clips had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,660. VIN tool confirms parts not available.