Home · 2017 Ford Explorer Police Intercept · Complaints

What 1,671 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Ford Explorer Police Intercept

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (1,671)Crash / fire / injury (61)Body & structure (645)Engine (235)Transmission & drivetrain (122)Electrical system (91)Engine & cooling (76)Steering (74)Visibility & wipers (74)Wheels (60)Suspension (55)Fuel system (49)

Newest first · 1,671 complaints · page 11 of 67

Aug 13, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the driver's side A-pillar trim was ejected from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed the contact that parts to repair the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11680384

Aug 12, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the B-pillar trim on the driver’s side door started to detach. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the B-pillar trim had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and the dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The dealer informed the contact that the repair would not be eligible for reimbursement. 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 approximate failure mileage was 183,000.

NHTSA ODI 11680121

Aug 12, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim on both sides of the windshield became very loose and started to detach. The contact also stated that the B-pillar trim on both sides of the front door was loosened and had started to detach. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the A-pillar trim and B-pillar trim had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11680219

Aug 11, 2025Body & structure

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 that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the A-pillar trim detached from the driver's side of the windshield. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that there were no parts available for the repair. The dealer was unable to confirm when the parts would be available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11679762

Aug 11, 2025Body & structure

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 driver's side windshield exterior A-pillar trim had separated from the vehicle, and the passenger's side windshield exterior A-pillar trim had partially detached. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was inspected; however, the vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being 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 failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ODI 11679801

Aug 9, 2025Transmission & drivetrain

On [XXX] as I stopped at the stoplight my car started to shake/shudder when it was green I started to drive and it stopped. Then when I stopped again while in drive I experienced the same thing. Contacted the dealership where I've been servicing my car since I bought it. I was hoping they could take in that day but they were booked. Next available was July 17, 2025. They did a diagnostic on my car and said it was the motor mounts. Had to order the parts and will call when parts are in. Parts came in and it was scheduled. Took them all day and even after shop closed to put the motor mounts on. When I picked it up I was told it was still shaking/shuddering but not as bad. Told me to take it home and see. Called them back to bring it back in due to shaking/shuddering, they did another diagnostic this time its my torque converter. Total with parts and labor $2819.19 plus tax. I started doing some research and found this was a common problem for my type of car. It's on Fords customer satisfaction 20N07. My car fall meets all that is required. Contacted Ford multiple times and was turned down saying there was no recall for mines even though it was manufactured at that specific plant. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11679578

Aug 8, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s and driver’s side A-pillar trims detached and flew off the vehicle. The contact stated that when the first A-pillar trim detached, the contact was frightened and believed that the vehicle had been struck. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that parts were ordered, and on back order. The order date was October 2024. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, parts were not yet available. The contact stated that ten months waiting for the parts was an extremely long time to wait. 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 89,000.

NHTSA ODI 11679295

Aug 7, 2025SteeringElectrical system

I’ve been experiencing a buzzing sound whenever I turn the steering wheel, and the more I drive the vehicle, the louder the noise becomes. I took it to a local shop, and they advised me that the power steering rack is going bad — a very common issue in 2017–2019 Ford Explorers, especially around the 100,000-mile mark. They provided a quote of $2,652.86 to have it replaced. I was also warned that if it’s not replaced soon, the steering could lock up while driving, preventing me from turning the wheel, which poses a serious safety risk. No warning lights or dashboard messages have appeared, which makes the issue even more concerning.

NHTSA ODI 11679111

Aug 7, 2025Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was driving roughly, with white exhaust smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion in the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA ODI 11679113

Aug 6, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the B-pillar trim on the passenger’s side door 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 not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or 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 approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11678736

Aug 6, 2025Body & structure

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 dealer was contacted, and informed the contact that the part was on back order. The dealer stated the part was not expected to be available until approximately December 2025. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ODI 11678798

Aug 6, 2025Body & structureVisibility & wipersCrash

So for starters the visibility wipers should have a auto wiper function as in when it detects rain they will automatically come on. Well they do but they also come on at random intervals even when it’s not raining. Secondly the glove box design is horribly engineered and it falls apart by its self. My glove box flew open while driving down the road and caused me to run off the roadway with my kids in the car. Luckily my kids and I are safe and no one was hurt but something should be done about this. The tension cord that hooks to the glove box just snapped from the looks of it.

NHTSA ODI 11678875

Aug 6, 2025Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed coolant pump. The contact was informed that the coolant pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised to tow the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. In addition, the contact was informed that NHTSA would add the VIN to an unknown recall with similar failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

NHTSA ODI 11678893

Aug 5, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal clicking sound coming from the driver's side door. Upon arriving at the destination, the contact noticed that the driver's side exterior B-Pillar trim was loose. The contact used duct tape to hold the trim in place. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the driver's side exterior A-Pillar trim had also become loose, and the contact had used duct tape to hold the trim in place. The contact had received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V347000(Structure) and 24V031000(Structure), which are related to the failures. The contact had been calling an unknown local dealer to check for parts availability, but had been advised that parts were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

NHTSA ODI 11678462

Aug 5, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side A-pillar trim detached and flew off the vehicle. The contact stated that additional trim pieces had detached and flown off the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure, and a mobile appointment was scheduled. The contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact was informed that the dealer was unsure when parts would be available to repair the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 240V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11678519

Aug 5, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the driver's side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact used tape to secure the trim. 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 approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11678557

Aug 4, 2025SteeringSuspension

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while accelerating from a complete stop from a traffic light, the vehicle made an abnormally loud popping sound. The contact exited and inspected the vehicle but could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that upon attempting to resume driving, the steering wheel was uncontrollable, the suspension seemed to have failed, and the vehicle was sliding. The message "Terrain Management System Fault" was displayed. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

NHTSA ODI 11678163

Aug 2, 2025

Was making loud buzzing noises and cracking noise while driving. The whole bottom is now gone. This been going on about 1-2 years now, when this all started. Need all the pillars replaced immediately. I drive to work in this vehicle and it's a 40-minute commute one way.

NHTSA ODI 11677949

Aug 1, 2025

About 4 years ago it was a recall to the roof rail trim disconnection, which mine was totally fine but since it was a recall I took it to the dealer to be replace. Now while I was driving on the highway I saw the right trim flight away. I called the dealer that replaced to see what they can do since I feel this is a continue problem a defective part. I even show them the left side is coming off but their answer was that it was a recall part and the part was already replaced it and is nothing they can do now. I really feel they should be responsible to replaced it again since it is a recurring problem. I didn't have any issue with the original one and the one they replaced both are defective.

NHTSA ODI 11677725

Jul 31, 2025Body & structure

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI 11677453

Jul 31, 2025Body & structure

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 not yet available. The contact stated that both the driver's side and passenger's side exterior A-pillar and B-pillar trims had started to detach. The contact stated that the driver's side exterior trims had sustained more damages and could be separated from the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that wind was heard blowing through the pillars while driving at high speed. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that recall repair parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. 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 85,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11677548

Jul 31, 2025Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngineCrash

intermittened starting problems, vechile wont start, clicks, then starts and power train light comes on. Waiting at a red light, press the gas and the car does not go, also when speeding up transmission slips.

NHTSA ODI 11677550

Jul 30, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000(Structure) and 25V347000(Structure); however, the parts to do the recalls repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that an unknown windshield exterior A-pillar trim had detached, and the contact had glued the trim to the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not 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 90,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11677182

Jul 29, 2025Body & structure

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 not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the front driver’s and passenger’s side door B-pillar trims had started to detach. The contact stated that the windshield trim was detaching from around the windshield. Additionally, the A-pillar trim had fully detached from the A-pillar. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11676905

Jul 28, 2025Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the mechanic discovered an oil leak coming from the engine. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not under warranty and the contact was referred to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V925000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 98,403.

NHTSA ODI 11676620

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How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2017 Ford Explorer Police Intercept verdict →