Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2017 Ford Explorer — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2023 to Dec 2024
The most reported issue is structure problems (553 complaints). 32 complaints involved crashes. 10 involved fires.
Open Safety Recalls (13)
NHTSA Campaign: 19V651000
Component: SEATS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with power front seats. The seat frames may have sharp edges.
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.
NHTSA Campaign: 19V435000
Component: SUSPENSION:REAR
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.
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.
NHTSA Campaign: 17E048000
Component: WHEELS:HUB
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.
Risk: A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 17V530000
Component: STEERING
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.
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.
NHTSA Campaign: 17V332000
Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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."
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.
NHTSA Campaign: 16V925000
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
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.
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.
NHTSA Campaign: 21V316000
Component: STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
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.
NHTSA Campaign: 21V537000
Component: SUSPENSION:REAR
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.
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.
NHTSA Campaign: 20V675000
Component: SUSPENSION:REAR
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.
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.
NHTSA Campaign: 24V031000
Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
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.
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. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 18, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
NHTSA Campaign: 25V347000
Component: STRUCTURE:BODY
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
Risk: Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The remedy is currently under development. 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 25V685000
Component: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
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.
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. 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 26V101000
Component: SUSPENSION:REAR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
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.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 1606)
Structure →9 issues
Your Explorer's exterior trim pieces are flying off while driving at highway speeds, creating a safety hazard from flying debris. This has happened multiple times since you've owned the vehicle, and there's an outstanding recall that hasn't been addressed. At speeds up to 75 mph, detached trim pieces could strike other vehicles or cause accidents, which is a serious concern even though Ford may classify it as cosmetic.
Parts you may need:
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The trim panel on your passenger side A-pillar (the structural support between your windshield and side window) detached while you were driving at 65 MPH. You've been notified about a recall for this issue, but your dealer says the replacement parts aren't available yet. Your vehicle has about 88,000 miles on it.
Parts you may need:
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Pieces of your vehicle's exterior trim are detaching while driving at highway speeds. Your roof rack trim flew off first, and then your mirror cover also detached and struck another vehicle. These parts are not staying securely fastened to your car.
Parts you may need:
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Your 2017 Ford Explorer's A-pillar and B-pillar trim pieces have damaged your window while driving, which has caused Law Enforcement to stop you multiple times. Ford has issued a recall (Campaign 24V031000) to fix this issue, but the replacement parts haven't been available yet, and your dealer says the repair is significantly delayed. The fix will involve replacing the damaged A-pillar and B-pillar trim pieces with properly fitted replacement parts.
Parts you may need:
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Your car's front driver's side B-pillar trim (the vertical panel between your front and rear doors) detached while being driven, exposing electrical wires underneath. Exposed wires could create an electrical hazard and potential safety risk. Your dealer confirmed this is related to an open recall (Campaign 25V347000) but said replacement parts won't be available until August 2026, leaving your vehicle unrepaired. Fixing this will require replacing the B-pillar trim panel and securing the exposed wiring.
Parts you may need:
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The trim pieces around both sides of your windshield (called A-pillar trim) started coming loose while you were driving. Your dealer confirmed these trim pieces need to be replaced as part of a recall, but the replacement parts aren't available yet. The manufacturer hasn't been notified of this issue directly.
Parts you may need:
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The decorative trim piece (A-pillar applique) on the outside of your 2017 Ford Explorer came loose and flew off while you were driving on the highway in May 2023. Ford issued a safety recall (24V031) for this part and sent you two recall notices promising replacement parts, but when you visited the dealership in 2024 and 2025, they refused to complete the recall repair and told you to buy an aftermarket replacement instead. The aftermarket part you purchased was poor quality, and you're frustrated that Ford hasn't honored its recall obligation. Fixing this will require either obtaining the proper OEM replacement trim piece from Ford or having the dealership properly install a quality replacement part.
Parts you may need:
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Your 2017 Ford Explorer has a recall notice for a structural issue, but the repair parts aren't available yet from your dealer. While driving, your driver's side A-pillar trim (the vertical support near the windshield) detached from the vehicle. The recall has been pending longer than a reasonable timeframe. The fix will likely involve replacing or reattaching the A-pillar trim to secure it to the windshield frame.
Parts you may need:
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The trim panel on your passenger-side A-pillar (the vertical support between the windshield and door) has detached from your vehicle while driving on more than one occasion. The dealer was contacted both times but didn't repair the issue, and the trim has remained loose. This happened around 122,000 miles on your 2017 Ford Explorer.
Parts you may need:
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Suspension →2 issues
After a Ford suspension recall was completed on your 2017 Explorer, you experienced severe vibration and clunking sounds while driving, followed by loss of control at 30 MPH that caused a crash into a pole. Since 2023, you've had multiple suspension components replaced including control arms, CV axles, struts, and sway bar links multiple times, along with premature tire wear, but the problem persists—a mechanic later found loose and detached struts and worn sway bar links. The fix will likely involve properly securing or replacing the struts, replacing worn sway bar links and bushings, and investigating the root cause of premature wear affecting multiple suspension parts.
Parts you may need:
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While driving at 30 mph on a country road, your driver's side toe link broke, which nearly caused you to go off the road into a ditch. This sudden failure affected your vehicle's steering control and stability.
Parts you may need:
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Unknown Or Other →2 issues
While driving on the interstate, the B pillar (the vertical support beam between your front and rear doors) detached from your vehicle and struck your passenger window, narrowly missing the car behind you. This could have caused a serious accident if it had hit the other vehicle or caused you to lose control.
Parts you may need:
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Your vehicle is a retired police interceptor that still has police insignias and markings on it, which could be misused for impersonation or fraud. The vehicle has open recalls that need to be addressed. You may want to contact the seller and Ford to have the police markings removed and all recalls completed before using the vehicle.
Parts you may need:
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Engine →1 issue
Your 2017 Ford Explorer's internal water pump failed, allowing coolant to leak into the engine oil and contaminate it, which caused the engine to seize. You may notice coolant leaking near the oil pan, loss of coolant, bubbling in the coolant reservoir, or loss of heat from the vents before failure occurs. This is a serious safety issue because the engine could suddenly seize while you're driving, causing loss of power and reduced steering control with little or no warning. The fix will require replacing the internal water pump and performing a complete engine oil and coolant flush to remove contamination.
Parts you may need:
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Electrical System,structure,unknown Or Other →1 issue
Your vehicle may contain police-related markings or equipment that could be mistaken for an actual police vehicle. This creates a safety and legal risk, as it could facilitate impersonation of law enforcement. Additionally, your vehicle has an open recall that needs to be addressed.
Parts you may need:
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Electrical System,exterior Lighting,unknown Or Other →1 issue
Your vehicle is equipped with red and blue auxiliary emergency lights that are illegal for civilian use and reserved for law enforcement only. The seller knew about these lights when selling the vehicle. Your vehicle also has open recalls and mechanical/electrical/lighting issues that need maintenance.
Parts you may need:
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Electrical System,visibility/wiper →1 issue
The rubber seal around your windshield was dry rotting and falling off, and a recall was supposed to fix it. When the dealer completed the repair in October 2025, they only replaced the left and right seals but refused to fix the top and bottom without charging you $800 extra. Since the repair, you're experiencing a loud whistling noise at 40 mph, water is leaking inside the vehicle, and the windshield wipers are turning on by themselves. The water leak has also caused electrical system problems that put you at risk of being stranded, especially since your vehicle is your only reliable transportation to medical appointments. Fixing this will likely require replacing the remaining windshield seals and diagnosing any water damage to the electrical system.
Parts you may need:
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Power Train →1 issue
Your transmission unexpectedly shifted in and out of gear while driving, causing vibration, and your transmission warning light came on. Restarting the vehicle didn't fix the problem. A Ford dealer diagnosed a transmission failure and recommended replacing the entire transmission.
Parts you may need:
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Visibility/wiper →1 issue
Your rear tailgate window has unexpectedly shattered twice while the car was parked with the engine running—once in February 2026 and again in March 2026. This could indicate a manufacturing defect or stress issue with the glass. The repair will likely involve replacing the rear tailgate window assembly.
Parts you may need:
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Steering,suspension →1 issue
Your steering wheel is hard to turn and makes noises when you're turning. This could indicate problems with your power steering system or suspension components that need inspection and repair.
Parts you may need:
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Related Vehicles
Other Ford Explorer years: