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 13 of 67

Jul 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 local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet 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 issue. Recently, the contact heard air entering through the A-pillar while driving at highway speeds. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11672879

Jul 11, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the passenger’s side B-pillar trim was loosened, and tape was used to hold the piece in place. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11672895

Jul 10, 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11672496

Jul 9, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11672357

Jul 8, 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 while driving approximately 65 MPH, the driver’s and passenger’s side windshield trims detached from the vehicle. Additionally, the luggage rack trim detached from the vehicle. The seal on the front driver's and passenger's side doors were detaching from the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11671928

Jul 8, 2025Electrical systemSeats

The following is a letter I sent to Ford. I've yet to hear back from them. This is a picture of what happened in my 2017 Explorer on Thursday, June 5, 2025. As I unlocked and got into my car, I realized the seat was moving forward. I tried to get out of the seat, but it was difficult because the space was closing in. I managed to squeeze out of the space before it totally closed me in and pinned me between the seat and steering wheel. As you can see from the picture, the seat is as close to the steering wheel and console as possible. The steering wheel was 7 inches from the seatback and 7 inches from the seat bottom. The seat was 2 inches from the console. This is extremely dangerous. This is not the first time this has happened. This has occurred at least ten times. Sometimes it is when I get in the vehicle as happened June 5. One time I was pinned between the steering wheel and seat and my legs were jammed into the console. Fortunately, I was able to extricate myself with only a few scrapes and bruises. While it is happening, I try the side buttons that control the seat and other ways to stop it, but nothing I do stops the movement once it begins. The only way to avoid being pinned in is to get out while the seat is moving. Other times it has happened when I am not in the car. I unlock and open the door to get in and the seat has moved itself and is as far up to the steering wheel as physically possible. The first time this happened; I told the service desk at the dealer when I was having work done on the SUV. They checked and said they couldn’t find anything wrong with it.`

NHTSA ODI 11671991

Jul 8, 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 manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11672016

Jul 7, 2025Body & structure

I received an “important safety recall” regarding exterior applique trim pieces, possibly becoming loose and detaching from the car. This notice was received February 2024, indicating “when parts become available” I would be notified to schedule service. Parts were anticipated to be available toward the latter half of 2024. I still have not received notice of parts being available and have in fact had applique trim pieces loosen, putting myself and others at risk. Please advise me on what to do from here, as it is over one year past the initial notification.

NHTSA ODI 11671625

Jul 7, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the passenger’s side exterior A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and it was determined that the exterior A-pillar trim needed to be replaced; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11671683

Jul 7, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. 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 contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11671813

Jul 3, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) and 21V316000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front driver’s side and passenger’s side A-pillar trims loosened and were shuddering. Two local dealers were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available for NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). Parts distribution disconnect for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure).

NHTSA ODI 11670980

Jul 3, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the passenger side A-pillar flew off the vehicle. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) and later 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet 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 issue. The failure was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11671142

Jul 2, 2025

In my 2017 Ford Explorer, that backup camera is experiencing issues that sound related to the current recall on 2021-2024 Ford Explorers. The image is all distorted, the backup assist lines are not present, the screen will go black or grey with distortion.

NHTSA ODI 11670744

Jul 2, 2025Electrical systemSeats

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while seated in the parked vehicle, the rear passenger’s side head restraint became unhinged. The contact stated that the exterior front driver’s side pin paddle had failed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the railings on the rear passenger’s side seats were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 99,208.

NHTSA ODI 11670783

Jul 2, 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 while driving 65-70 MPH on two occasions, the passenger's side windshield exterior A-pillar trim separated from the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the trim was replaced twice, and the repair was covered by the insurance company. The vehicle was 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 60,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11670792

Jul 2, 2025Body & structure

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI 11670816

Jul 2, 2025Wheels

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to change the tires on the vehicle and was unable to remove the lug nuts. The contact stated that the lug nuts on all four wheels were swollen. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 176,825.

NHTSA ODI 11670891

Jun 30, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the passenger’s side B-pillar trim detached. The local dealer was contacted. 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 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11670198

Jun 30, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim on the passenger’s side windshield 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 contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 18,800. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11670330

Jun 27, 2025Latches & locks

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the front passenger’s side door failed to open as intended. The contact stated that after several attempts using the key fob to unlock the door, the door failed to open. In addition, the code to unlock the door failed to work as intended. The contact's daughter manually locked and unlocked the door. The contact stated that when the door was opened manually, the panic alarm activated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the rear driver's side door failed to open as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired after the most recent failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11669689

Jun 27, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side windshield A-pillar trim 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 vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the passenger's side windshield A-pillar trim retention clips had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,660. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11669706

Jun 27, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE) and 25V347000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while washing the vehicle, the front driver’s side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that on another occasion, while driving 35 MPH, the interior trim located by the rear doors to the rear glass detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired for the most recent failure. 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 unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11669812

Jun 26, 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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirm parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11669522

Jun 25, 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 contact stated that the exterior A-pillar trim had detached. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11669139

Jun 25, 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 contact stated that the exterior A-pillar trim had detached. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11669150

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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 →