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.
Other or unspecified, Jun 26, 2023
The locks on my vehicle are going out one door at a time. Seems like a reoccurring problem for many Ford Explorer owners. No warnings given. Key fobs don't work only manual opening of the lock by pulling it up.
Power train, Jun 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was jerking while shifting from park(P) to drive(D), and while shifting from drive(D) to park(P). Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to respond while shifting between gears. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked, hesitated, and made an abnormally loud sound while driving from a complete stop. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that she read on the news that the failure was related to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was unknown.
Engine, Jun 26, 2023
For the third time in six months I had an unintended acceleration when stopped and shifting from drive to reverse or the other way. The rpm’s go way up, if I didn’t have my foot on the brake the vehicle may have crashed, injured someone, etc. Ford dealer was not helpful at all, saying they had no prior reports. I had same problem on previous Explorer but traded it in.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the rear driver’s side door failed to open as needed. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the rear driver’s side door latch to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the rear passenger’s side door latch experienced a similar failure. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the rear passenger’s side door latch to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 21, 2023
Over the time of ownership for this Ford Explorer (original owner) the window trim and the gasket under the trim has continued to fall off. The gasket on the passenger side has come out enough to where when you are driving it is slapping the window which is very distracting and unsafe to the driver. Most of the gasket has already ripped off. I contacted Ford and they refused to cover it under the warranty. The trim is a one time use item so to replace it they must break it and it cost over $1000 per Ford. This needs to be a recall item it is unsafe!
Structure, Jun 19, 2023
Driver side windshield trim detached from vehicle while driving at highway speed. Do not have the actual trim, have photographs of the A-post where trim detached. Safety of other drivers at risk due to part flying off vehicle at highway speeds. A quick Google search shows this as an issue for many drivers. No inspection of the issue completed. No warning lamps or messages. Rubber trim around windshield began to degrade and rattle could be heard on occasion at highway speeds.
Other or unspecified, Jun 18, 2023
The windshield trim, A post, drivers side is loose and in jeopardy of falling off. I am going to have this repaired. But, should this come off during driving it could affect another driver. I have seen multiple vehicles like mine missing these pieces. Please investigate and see if a recall is needed to avoid accidents on our freeways.
Suspension, Air bags, Jun 17, 2023
Before the safety recalls for the rear suspension the vehicle made a loud noise almost like helicopter blades from the rear. It stopped after the recall was fixed but has started again. The air bag light has been on since about a month after I bought the vehicle. After about 9 attempts of taking it to the ford dealership for them to look at it with no luck I believe it’s due to a broken seatbelt in the rear that nobody has a part for.
Power train, Jun 17, 2023
kI started experiencing some vibration while in the stopped position while in either reverse or drive. I had a few components replaced (throttle body, spark plugs, ignition coils, and vacuum pump. None of these helped alleviate the symptoms. I also had the transmission flushed. Additional symptoms ensued including, but not limited to, the car failing to accelerate, beginning to lose power while driving, etc. I had a mechanic come to access the vehicle and the Valvoline General Mgr come and confirm the mechanic's findings. The transmission ultimately failed on me while I was driving. The car has been incapacitated for almost 3 weeks to date while I researched the best route for repair. I did contact the Ford Consumer Line about the CSP 20N07. They told me they could not help me even though my symptoms were exactly as described within the verbiage.
Tires, Jun 14, 2023
Hankook Ventus S1 Noble 2 P255R20 A/S BSW Tires 23,041 miles 2017 Ford Explorer Sport. These are the tires that came on the vehicle, there is only 23,041 miles on the vehicle and the tires are prematurely wearing on the outerside of all 4 tires. Chunks of the tire is pealing off. Hazardous to drive. The vehicle is not out of line, tires are rotated on schedule, and tire pressure maintained. Looks like defective tires, need to be investigated as safety recall. Ford Motor Company is aware of the problem and stated that we need they have a problem with those tires pealing and wearing out, most people have to replace around 20,000 to 30,000 miles. VERY DANGEROUS! I have safety inspections that shows tire are perfect.
Engine, Jun 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the head gasket had blown/failed coolant leaked into cylinder # 4. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Ford Corporate was contacted and informed of the problem as dealership did not manufacture the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with TSB: 19-2346; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
Suspension, Jun 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH in a rainstorm, the rear of the vehicle started to violently fishtail from side to side. The contact stopped and inspected the vehicle but found no failure. The vehicle was later re-inspected, and the contact discovered that the rear tires showed severe treadwear. The contact stated that the failure had occurred previously while his wife was driving the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was contacted, and a service appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 38,000. The contact stated that the vehicle needed an alignment and two new rear tires. The vehicle was repaired and the contact has it in their possession again.
Engine, Jun 13, 2023
Car overheating, coolant holder looks empty, I added coolant and it overflowed. Once I opened the air tank all the coolant came up from below and over flowed. Took to Ford of West Covina and they said I have a water pump leak. Yet I see no leaking ever in my garage or driveway. Car is fairly new and I always take it to get serviced on time and I am very caring to my cars. I took my car for service on 2/23/2023 to Ford of West Covina where I have always gone to and they didn’t tell me anything was wrong with my vehicle, but now looking at the after visit summary paper work it says coolant leak. The service team told me my vehicle was in good condition when I picked my car up.
Structure, Jun 13, 2023
My Wife, child, and I, were driving down the interstate and the exterior driver side panel by the windshield flew just flew off. When we stopped at a gas station it looked like serious deterioration to the seal and clips that held it together was present. The clips were all broken. On this same trip, we began to hear what sounded like bees buzzing in the dash. We stopped again to worry that something had to be going wrong. We did some research on the spot, and it seems to be the windshield cowl. After getting home it we did more research and it looks like these are very common issues, but when we talk to Ford, they just dismiss our concerns and tell us it's not covered under warranty. even though it's an apparent quality control issue on their part. We bought this vehicle used about 5 months ago and have put less than 5 thousand miles on it. We do not have the panel that flew off as we were unsure what had happened until we stopped down the road many miles at the next exit. The car itself is available to be inspected. Our safety was affected because this panel could have hit a motorist or become a road hazard.
Electrical system, Jun 13, 2023
My door do not lock/unlock automatically. It started with one door. Then that door started working and another door stopped working. Then that started working and a different door stopped working. This cycle kept happening until all doors stopped working. Then they started working again and then stopped working again. On several occasions the locks I couldn't unlock door with the key or open the door from the inside with handle/button or lever. Also tried to lock car manually only for the lever to pop right back up. So my car was left unsecured on many occasions. Door problems Started may of 2022 until recent
Engine, Jun 11, 2023
2017 Ford Explorer 92,361 miles. Car started over heating going 45 miles per hour. Pulled over and then had car towed to the mechanic. Mechanic said water pump was done and coolant had leaked in to the engine and engine was destroyed. Car needs a whole new engine replacement. This is happening with many Ford Explorers and Ford refuses to recall them or do anything about it!
Engine, Jun 8, 2023
1 week ago the check engine light came on as the car was very heated. Coolant was used and the warning went off. A few days later the car was taken to have an oil change and we realized the coolant level was low and there was old coolant fluid dried onto the underneath of the car and a bead of coolant seen. The car was taken to the garage and a leak was found in the water pump, with coolant leaking from the seep whole. The water pump is located underneath the engine which requires an expensive long process to remove the engine and other parts to fix. The car is only 6 years old with 83K miles and a major component has failed which can not be easily accessed. The water pump has now been moved to another location in more recent models. There is a class law suit in process involving many people to address this design flaw and safety hazard. One website alone has over 100 people complaining about this issue with many cars seizing completely on roads whilst in use. There is no recall currently for this problem but dealerships, auto shops are aware of the problem.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jun 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the engine overheating message was displayed on the instrument panel. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the coolant level was low, and added coolant to the reservoir. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics and was informed that the water pump had failed, causing a coolant leak. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Other or unspecified, Jun 8, 2023
As I was driving 70mph on the interstate my driver’s side windshield pillar molding flew off.
Other or unspecified, Jun 6, 2023
My wife took her 2017 Ford Explorer XLT to South Carolina from Florida. Upon her return last night, on 5 Jun 23 she was driving through Georgia and she heard a vibration coming from the drivers side windshield and then all of a sudden it stopped. When she parked inside our garage she noticed the drivers side A Pillar moulding trim piece had departed the vehicle and was missing. PN is BB5Z-7803145-AA.
Structure, May 30, 2023
When you hit the button to close the hatch whether it be by the hatch button, dash button or key fob button if something is in the way it doesn’t stop closing. So if your arm or a small child’s head, arm it would just keep closing. If it can’t latch it does go back up but that is only when it goes all the way down.
Structure, May 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while parked she observed paint bubbles, paint chippings, and corrosion on the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the aluminum paint needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Structure, May 29, 2023
The pillar trim windshield molding on both sides detached and flew off the vehicle while driving on the highway.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 29, 2023
The locks on the doors do not all unlock at the same time or lock at the same time. The passenger door has locked and would not unlock. My daughter had to climb through car to get out. If there’s an accident my kids can not safely exit the vehicle due to the locks. You can’t unlock it either from the inside. It randomly will unlock on its own.
Structure, May 29, 2023
Windshield trim flew off driving down the interstate, hit my side mirror, and passenger window. The trim piece put my family and me in a dangerous situation. It could have easily broken the window. No warning.