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 17 of 67

May 5, 2025Body & structure

My 2017 Ford Explorer is leaking water through faulty welds in the rear hatch area. A review of many complaints online reporting the same thing shows this is a very common and repeated issue with many Ford Explorer years and has never been addressed by Ford. The complaints are all the same as water leaks in from the faulty welds and causes water to pool in the interior, especially in the spare tire well after leaking down the interior. All the complaints show a chronic weld issue and needs addressed. Notices issue last year but thought it was sunroof drains plugged. Noticed it is actually faulty cracked welds this year

NHTSA ODI 11659059

May 5, 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 made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available 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 11659091

May 2, 2025Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal whining sound. The message to "See Owner’s Manual" was displayed with a wrench symbol. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate, nearly causing a crash. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact stated that upon shifting from park(P) to drive(D), the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was towed to Matt's Repairs, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be covered because the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

NHTSA ODI 11658548

May 1, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear driver’s side C-pillar had started to crack. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 29,900.

NHTSA ODI 11658166

May 1, 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 made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11658217

Apr 29, 2025Fuel system

Water pump failure, causing over heating in vehicle , not even 100,000miles. Causing to leave us stranded on the road. Apparently there's a lot of complains for this pump causing issues. Please look into this and start a recall process.

NHTSA ODI 11657431

Apr 28, 2025Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the contact became aware that there was white smoke coming from the exhaust. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the turbocharger oil supply tubes had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not 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 65,000.

NHTSA ODI 11657347

Apr 26, 2025Body & structure

I am waitning for A pilar under recall over year and Ford never had that part available I check with the dealer on monthly bases they said the part never came.

NHTSA ODI 11656988

Apr 25, 2025Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for routine maintenance, the mechanic discovered an oil leak coming from one of the turbochargers. The contact later discovered oil leaking on the floor of the garage. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the contact was informed that the turbocharger and turbocharger oil lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V925000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 54,966.

NHTSA ODI 11656686

Apr 24, 2025

My parking pawl failed. Other 2017 explorers have the recall but mine doesn’t? Dealership says mines not effected but it broke? Hardly seams fair. I was able to jump back in and stop it before it rolled out of the driveway and almost hit my neighbors.

NHTSA ODI 11656477

Apr 24, 2025Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal, a warning chime sounded, and the "Low Oil Pressure" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The message disappeared after depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for a diagnostic test; however, no fault was found with the vehicle. However, the contact was informed that the oil pressure sensor needed to be replaced, and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the VIN related to the failure. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 67,000.

NHTSA ODI 11656558

Apr 24, 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 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 11656581

Apr 24, 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 made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the trim started flapping in the wind. The contact's husband used silicone to secure the trim. The contact had received the recall letter and scheduled an appointment with the dealer. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, and while removing the silicone, the A-pillar trim was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the dealer placed duct tape on the windshield. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11656593

Apr 22, 2025Body & structure

Side trim with door unlock pad on it detached and blew of into the wind and almost flew into a vehicle behind me when I was Traveling down the interstate at about 70 mph, the posted speed limit. Luckily it did not strike the driver behind me but it was to close for comfort. They are put on the same way practically as the a trim that there already is a recall on.

NHTSA ODI 11655983

Apr 18, 2025Engine

The engine did not start and had a burning smell coming out. The SUV was towed to a Ford dealer to find out the engine block has to be replace. The SUV has been well maintain through out the years of ownership. It has 84000.00 miles on it. After some research, my SUV is not the only one that this has happened. It seems FORD explorer with an ecoboost engine have this issue. 2017 Ford Explore with an EcoBoost engine-ENGINE LONG BLOCK AND RETESTING (VERIFIED CONCERN AND PERFORMED DIAGNOSIS, FOUND COOLANT BOTTLE EMPTY AND ENGINE TO NOT CRANK BUT WHEN TURNING KEY THE ENGINE ATTEMPTS TO CRANK BUT STOPS, HAND VERIFIED THAT CRANK SHAFT WAS LOCKED AND FOUND HYDRO-LOCKED ENGINE DUE TO COOLANT INTRUSION) Fail $11,690.90

NHTSA ODI 11655359

Apr 18, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front windshield trim detached and flew off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that parts were not available for the repair. 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 failure; however, the manufacturer was unable to confirm when parts would become available. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11655393

Apr 17, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact's wife received notification of NHTSA Campaign number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and removed the front passenger's side A-pillar trim. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 95,500.

NHTSA ODI 11655284

Apr 15, 2025Airbags

The air bag light is illuminated as a result of a worn/damaged connection to the rear inflatable seat belt connector.

NHTSA ODI 11654690

Apr 15, 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the driver's side A-pillar trim was blown off the vehicle by the slipstream. The contact had called a local dealer, but the dealer was unable to repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11654777

Apr 15, 2025

Vehicle was inspected for 24S02 a-pillar recall in October. Nothing is updated or addressed if the a-pillars pass inspection. that closed the recall. now, the a-pillars have become loose as stated in ford's letter to the owner "may become detached" and Ford is saying that the recall no longer will cover this because it passed the initial inspection 4 months ago.

NHTSA ODI 11654778

Apr 15, 2025Steering

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH to the residence, the power steering became inoperable. The contact stated that the steering wheel was previously pulling to the right. The message that the “Lane Assist Steering Lost - Check Park Assist: Service Advancetrac” warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was previously taken to the local dealer for a tire rotation, oil change, and alignment, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 89,415.

NHTSA ODI 11654791

Apr 15, 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 while driving approximately 70 MPH, the driver's side windshield exterior A-pillar trim separated and flew off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the passenger's side windshield exterior A-pillar trim was also detaching. The dealer contacted the manufacturer, but the manufacturer informed the dealer that the recall parts were on backorder. 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 and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11654794

Apr 15, 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 made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side A-Pillar trim detached. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11654846

Apr 14, 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 made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 75 MPH, the A-pillar trim on the windshield separated from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired; however, the dealer was contacted. The dealer informed the contact that parts were on backorder to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 82,200. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11654539

Apr 11, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving in rainy weather conditions, the contact noticed that water was leaking inside the cabin through the passenger's side of the windshield, the windshield seal was deteriorating. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. 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 162,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11654025

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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 →