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, Feb 9, 2023
Traveling west on I90 out of Boston a piece of the bodywork (plastic trim sealing the windshield) on the passenger side of the car tore away and flew into the path of vehicles behind. The car has been inspected and repaired by a Ford dealer to the expense of $250 parts and labor. I have filed a complaint with Ford. They simply said that they would not pay for the damage. Nevertheless, this should not be happening. The bodywork should not failing while driving. No police or insurance representatives have been involved. And there was no indication this would happen prior to the incident on Thursday, January 26, 2023.
Structure, Feb 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the driver’s side windshield trim panel suddenly dislodged from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the trim panel. The contact stated that while driving on another occasion, the failure occurred with the passenger’s side windshield trim panel. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer who replaced the trim panel. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 3,000.
Visibility, Feb 4, 2023
The trim and gasket around the windshield has become broken and cracked within the first 60k miles. The gasket has come loose and was flapping against the windshield while driving. In order to replace the trim must be broken off. Ford refused to fix and said would be $1200 to fix. If you look at many explorers from these model years it’s a recurring thing they they know about. This needs to be recalled because it can come off and fly and hit the vehicle behind us.
Structure, Feb 4, 2023
While driving, the driver side windshield trim flew off almost hitting a car behind me. While inspecting the vehicle, the other side is also starting to coming off, and the panel near the code to enter the drive side door is also starting to come off. The auto body shop has confirmed that this was a recognized problem by Ford and they have seen many Explorers come in with this issue and the body problem was tweaked in upgrades on 2020 explorers and later. Luckily the car behind me was not damaged and it didn't cause an accident but this is not safe & when calling the auto body shop, it would be over $1000 to repair both side windshield trim; not including the door panel that is also starting to dislodge. For this to be a known problem, this should be covered by Ford.
Structure, Feb 4, 2023
While we were driving the door trim on the front passenger side of our 2017 Ford Explorer blew off. We had it replaced by the Ford dealer in Anderson, IN on December 9, 2020. It has again blown off while we were driving in June of 2022. We were on the freeway both times and it could have hit another car.
Other or unspecified, Visibility, Feb 3, 2023
In October, 2022 I was traveling on interstate 75 in GA. Heard a strange sound in front of vehicle. When I stopped later, I noticed that the trim along the edge of my windshield was no longer there. Upon arriving in FL, later that week, I had Sunrise Ford in Ft. Pierce replace that windshield trim. They said that it was a pretty common problem.
Visibility, Feb 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40-45 MPH, the windshield trim panel detached from the windshield. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that the failure was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was repaired however, the contact stated that she repaired the trim panel at her own expense. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Visibility, Feb 3, 2023
In Jan 2023, the driver's side windshield plastic trim flew off my car. It was at night so I do not know if there was an issue behind me. This is the second time we experienced this issue. It happened last year on the same side. We brought it to the Ford dealership and their parts person told me that she had seen this regularly and have talked to Ford about it. They fixed it, and were going to charge me $600 for each side, total $1200 (asked them to reseat the other side). There was no warning that the trim was going to separate from the car and fly off. I see there is a Safety probe on this issue and believe there should be a recall and force Ford to fix this since there could be accidents, injuries and potential for death if the trim comes off and causes other drivers to lose control or hit a motorcycle driver directly. It would be like a spear coming at the motorcycle rider. Thank you.
Structure, Feb 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that she discovered that the side panel trim for the front passenger’s side window was missing from her vehicle upon exiting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they diagnosed that the adhesive had deteriorated causing the panel to detach from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that she had read an article regarding the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Structure, Feb 2, 2023
The driver side windshield panel thing flew off while I was driving.
Structure, Feb 2, 2023
I bought the 2017 Ford Explorer on 8/29/2020. The next month I drove to Nags Head, N.C. from Nashville, Tn. Sometime within an hour of arrival, the a piece of trim on the passenger side panel between the doors fell off while going over the bridges. We never saw it and did not know where it landed. I ordered a replacement from Ford Parts to replace it.
Visibility, Feb 2, 2023
The trim on my windshield is coming off. I saw an article about people reporting this. Due to funds I have just put some medical tape on it to keep it on. It was flying off on the interstate and I had to pull off the road and only had a first aid kit with medical tape in it. The trim is unfortunately built into the plastic of the car so you have to replace the entire thing. There are also small chips of glass coming off the actual windshield. My car has its original windshield. I feel like this is unsafe because it could just go flying off an impair your vision. My car is available for inspection. There were no warnings. The dealer inspected it and said it is a common problem and would be $700-$800 to repair.
Engine, Feb 1, 2023
Coolant intrusion into the motor causing the motor to overheat Ford recommend new motor but will not take responsibility of the cost. There was a recall on the 2.0 motor but not on the 2.3 and it is the same design of motor. The problem is the way Ford design the motor the new ones after 2017 are designed differently.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 1, 2023
Front drivers side trim piece for windshield flew off going 75mph on interstate. Had it replace and did it again a few months later. Passenger side is loose but has not come off yet.
Structure, Feb 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side front door trim panel detached. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer replaced the driver's side front door trim panel. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE23001 (Structure). The failure mileage was approximately 58,800.
Visibility, Feb 1, 2023
While driving down the road, the right-side windshield trim came off and struck the vehicle following me.
Structure, Feb 1, 2023
The cowl needs to be repaired. It makes an annoying buzzing sound inside of the car on the dashboard. It distracts the drive and the driver, I can't go over 40mph. I did my research and put masking type over it and it stopped the noise. I've only had the vehicle since 2019
Structure, Visibility, Feb 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the driver's side front window trim detached. The contact pulled over but was unable to locate the window trim. The dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the driver's side front window trim needed to be replaced; however, the replacement part was on backorder. The contact was able to purchase the replacement part online; however, he had to glue it to the front driver's side window due to fractured clips used to secure the window trim in place. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.
Structure, Feb 1, 2023
Left windshield trim suddenly detached while driving on freeway, which presents the risk of flying debris striking other cars; since I was in the left lane during the incident in the middle of Nebraska and it landed in the median, no others were known to be struck. Since the problem was a known issue within a Ford Explorer owner's group on Facebook, I simply ordered a replacement part soon after it happened and did not notify anybody. However, keep in mind that since I had a windshield crack and it was replaced with a new trim panel in December 2022, the replacement part is not available anymore as well.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 1, 2023
The transmission would slip and/or lag. This started around 65k miles. It was reported to the dealer, they couldn’t reproduce it. Then at 101k miles the engine started vibrating when in gear and idling. Motor mounts were replaced, but the problem persisted. Eventually got the entire transmission replaced.
Visibility, Feb 1, 2023
The windshield trim became detached near the hood of the vehicle while driving on the freeway. I attempted to secure it back down but some of the clips had gotten brittle and broken. I taped it down until I could get off the freeway and get it repaired. It ended up detaching again and flying off the car. The replacement piece doesn’t seem to attach well either and seems like it’s only a matter of time before it happens again.
Structure, Jan 31, 2023
Driving from Lubbock Texas home to Carlsbad New Mexico on January 18. Very windy out. At approximately 6:00 pm my wife and I heard a noise like something light hit our windshield. It was dark when we got home and we went to bed. Got up to go to the office in the am and same the drivers side A pillar windshield trim piece missing. Saw that there was a recall for this issued in Dec 2022. Went to the Ford Dealer and they said this vehicle was not in the recall list. Why?
Structure, Jan 31, 2023
At the end of December 2022, my entire right side of my windshield trim piece flew off on the highway. In addition, my right side passenger applique has come off twice on the highway since summer of 2021. The second one was a replacement and it only lasted less than a year before flying off while on the highway again in the fall of 2022. Pictures attached show the windshield piece completely cracked and flew off taking the seal with it.
Structure, Jan 31, 2023
Windshield trim panel flew off my car while traveling at highway speeds. I was traveling on the highway when suddenly the trim and seal under the trim flew off my car and got caught on my side mirror. I was in the middle of a trip nowhere near a ford dealer and had to tape up my car so that it was protected from the elements. I had to pay hundreds of dollars to fix this problem on my own.
Engine, Jan 26, 2023
Water pump leaking