KnownCarProblems2017 Ford Explorer Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,702 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Ford Explorer, most often about the body and structure (39% of complaints, typically around 76,000 miles). It is 5th of 27 Explorer model years by number of complaints and has 13 recalls.
Most common 2017 Ford Explorer problems
Body and structure
658 complaints · 39%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, interior panels.
The adhesive holding on the panel covering on the driver door failed. This happened while traveling on the highway the panel pried loose and flapped against the car, cracking and sending a chunk of the plastic covering behind into traffic. This could have hit a motorcyclist or other vehicle and been very dangerous. I…
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the front side of the roof connected to the upper center of the windshield was severely corroded. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist unless the part was perforated. The contact stated that as the roof…
Other or unspecified
373 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 6,000 miles.
Traveling down interstate and sunroof exploded, sounded like a shot gun blast. Glass shattered, panel was pulled upward and no damage to the curtain.
Strong smell of exhaust inside the cabin. Vehicle has been back to Ford three times and has modifications completed but has not corrected the problem. It happens more at highway speed with the air on recirculate. The lat time I picked it up from the dealer I was told to not put it on recirculate which is not up to my…
Engine
305 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 42,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, cooling system, engine.
I smell exhaust in the cabin sometimes. I work out of my car a few hours a day, leaving it on and with air conditioning on while I go door to door and get headaches and super tired which I have never had in my life. I also get extremely sleepy after being in the car for more than an 40 minutes at a time. Sometimes I…
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. While driving 70 MPH and accelerating, there was an abnormal exhaust odor seeping into the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (ennis Ford, inc, 900 n interstate highway 45, ennis, tx 75119, (972) 875-90670) where it…
Transmission
124 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 55,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while accelerating from a stationary position. Additionally, the vehicle would not properly accelerate while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was diagnosed with a faulty transmission. The…
When gear is engaged in 'd' with engine on, vehicle moves without foot on throttle. When brake is applied to stop it, there comes a loud vibration from the engine which becomes nervous and tries to drag vehicle forward unless gear is put in 'n' or 'p'. It happens anytime vehicle is stationary with engine running…
Electrical
94 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 46,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel, wiring, ignition.
The SRS warning light on the dash is illuminated indicating that in the event of a collision the airbags will not deploy. Vehicle was taken to local Ford dealer where fault codes indicate that two wire harnesses or connectors need to be replaced. Cost of service was quoted as $1600. However, mileage (46,500) and age…
On may 20th 2020, I drove the car from my house to the grocery store, an approximate 7 miles drive. I parked the car on the parking lot, a few seconds after leaving the car white smoke started to come from under the hood, as the seconds passed the white smoke converted into a fire in the engine, 5 minutes later the…
Visibility and wipers
77 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 59,500 miles. Parts named most often: windshield, defroster/defogger/hvac system, sun/moon roof assembly, glass, side/rear.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the passenger front power window activated independently. The contact was concerned that the passenger in the front seat might be injured in the event the window should roll up independently with an arm or finger outside of the window. The contact called…
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the windshield molding on the passenger's side of the vehicle detached, flew off and hit the windshield of the vehicle behind her. There were no injuries sustained. The contact veered to the side of the road and made sure that the…
Steering
76 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 43,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. While driving 40 MPH, the power steering warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to rye Ford (1151 boston post rd, rye, ny 10580, ([phone]) where the contact was advised that vehicle was not included in any recalls.…
When going low speeds under 50 the car will jerk to the right and it's like someone else has control of the wheel then you have to jerk it back on the road. It has happened several times while I was driving and once when my husband drove. We thought we were going straight in a ditch. Help this is not safe.
Wheels and tires
76 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 20,000 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt, pressure monitoring and regulating systems, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs.
While driving the vehicle at approximately 20 MPH a loud noise was heard and the left rear tire rapidly deflated. Installed the factory spare tire. Noted a 2" long slice across the tread of the tire. Took to local mechanic for replacement. Mechanic discovered that the tire was not punctured. The tire failed. The other…
Purchased 2017 Ford Explorer february 2017 with original hankook ventus s1 noble2 255/50r20 105h tires. Have 20,000 miles and have been rotated at each oil change; have been experiencing low air pressure readings, chipping on tires, and extreme treadwear. Dealer suggested to contact hankook directly because others…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2017 Ford Explorer recalls
Body and structure: body
Risk: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
Suspension: rear
Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
Equipment: engine block heater
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: body
Risk: Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger b-pillar door trim may detach while driving.
Body and structure: roof and pillars
Risk: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: rear
Risk: A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: body
Risk: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: rear
Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seats
Risk: Occupants my contact the sharp edges when reaching between the power front seat and center console, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2017 ford explorer vehicles equipped with power front seats. The seat frames may have sharp edges.
Suspension: rear
Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seats: recliner
Risk: If the occupant is not adequately restrained in the event of a crash, they have an increased risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Engine: turbo/supercharger
Risk: An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Windshield trim molding item detachment
Summary
On january 27, 2023, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe23-001 to investigate allegations of a-pillar trim panel detachment on model year (my) 2011-2019 ford explorer vehicles. At the time of opening, the office had received 164 vehicle owner questionnaires (voqs) reporting this failure. Odi has received 671 voqs regarding this failure, including 1 alleged crash and 2 alleged injuries. Some consumers have reported that the failure occurred while they were driving at highway speeds, with the detached trim panel entering the path of travel of the vehicle behind them, requiring the driver of the following vehicle to take evasive action. It is noteworthy that motorists who experi
Exhaust odor in passenger cab
Summary
During the ea17-002 investigation, the agency reviewed and analyzed reports of exhaust odors in the passenger cabins of model year 2011 to 2017 ford explorers. This investigation required an approach that incorporated knowledge and expertise from the automotive, medical, environmental health, and occupational safety fields. The agency conducted an in-depth investigation that encompassed the review of over 6,500 consumer complaints, conducting field inspections, and testing the relevant vehicles, both independently and in coordination with ford and other entities. During the investigation, the evolution of ford service bulletins intended to reduce the level of exhaust odors and carbon monoxid
Questions about the 2017 Ford Explorer
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 Ford Explorer?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (658 complaints, typically around 76,000 miles); other or unspecified (373 complaints, typically around 6,000 miles); engine (305 complaints, typically around 42,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2017 Ford Explorer have?
- 13 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 14, 2026 (body and structure). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2017 a bad year for the Ford Explorer?
- It is 5th of 27 Explorer model years by number of complaints, with 1,702 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.