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

Windshield trim ripped off at highway speeds. Blocked driver vision and then flew into air striking vehicle behind. This could have caused a serious accident in either vehicle. I know you are researching for recall at this time. It should have been recalled years ago.

NHTSA ODI 11519235

Traveling at highway speeds the front passenger side door trim flew off the car. It looks like the adhesive that was holding it on gave out.

NHTSA ODI 11517317

The windshield trim flew off and almost caused two accidents and the car is unsafe to drive with this missing as well as what happens when the other one flies off. The trim on the top of the car, both of them have flown off and almost cause two additional accidents. The trim on the back is completely cracked and came that way on the car. This has been very dangerous and could harm my children and I and other drivers. As well as extremely stressful. I have three children's live at risk. There were 3 different incidents.

NHTSA ODI 11516532

Right side of windshield frame piece fell off while driving

NHTSA ODI 11516596

As with 2 million other Ford Explorer drivers my passenger side windshield trim came off.

NHTSA ODI 11516393

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the windshield trim panel started to detach from the windshield and partially separated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, who informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,720.

NHTSA ODI 11515783

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the driver’s side windshield pillar trim separated from the windshield, struck the driver’s side door window, and then struck the truck behind. The contact veered to the side of the road to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,253.

NHTSA ODI 11514774

Frame piece flew off while driving. This put other drivers at risk. I have taken pictures of multiple other Ford Explorers with the same missing piece on either side. Mine came off the drivers side.

NHTSA ODI 11514531

Door trim coming off of my well maintained 2017 Explorer in 3 places. Estimate for repair was obtained from Ford garage but I am angry I have to pay for this as it is no fault of mine that this is happening to my vehicle. I am worried these pieces will fly off and be a hazard to other drivers on the road, as I keep reading statements of this happening to others. Ford should stand behind their products when this is a potential safety hazard.

NHTSA ODI 11514595

The trim on the driver side of the windshield blew off while driving.

NHTSA ODI 11514237

Exterior windshield trim on passenger side. Yes it is available for inspection. This part flew off of our vehicle while driving on the highway. This part could have hit another vehicle and caused harm. Yes this is a known issue when I took my vehicle to Corwin Ford in Springfield MO. Service representative stated that this is under an Investigation for recall. Vehicle has not been seen by any other than service department with dealer. No warnings or messages of any kind.

NHTSA ODI 11512723

2018 Ford Explorer windshield trim panels detached and nearly flew while driving at highway speeds. I’ve also experienced the passenger side window panel detached while driving at highway speeds. The consequences of the defect could result in a detached panel hitting another vehicle's windshield, a driver, or even a pedestrian. This could cause a driver to swerve and cause a major accident. Ford must recall the defective panels and all panels immediately.

NHTSA ODI 11512755

While driving on the interstate going the speed limit of 70 mph the plastic windshield trim on the left side of the vehicle (driver’s side) became loose and flew off. This was alarming and caused a distraction that could have resulted in an accident. The trim piece is about 2-3 feet long and could have caused damage to the vehicles behind us. Or worse an accident. The trim appears to have also damaged the left side view mirror when it flew off as there are scratches and paint missing from the mirror housing now. Upon inspection of the location of the trim it appears there were plastic tabs holing on the trim that broke off. Due to safety the trim piece itself was not able to be recovered. The plastic seal around the windshield looks to be damaged as well. This is a major safety issue we feel Ford should address with a recall. Please advise. Thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11512812

The rubber lining around my windshield is falling off. It’s breaking into parts all across my windshield and is coming apart. It’s my understanding this is a common problem with my year make and model.

NHTSA ODI 11512832

Body trim around window fell off while driving on freeway. Vehicle is available for inspection. Safety risk would be to other drivers who could be hit by part flying off. Fortunately, no person or vehicle was struck when part flew off my car. Car has not been inspected since incident. There was no warning or symptom prior to incident.

NHTSA ODI 11512366

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the roof rail detached and flew off the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 68,280.

NHTSA ODI 11511642

A-post (passenger side) trim because detached at high speed, striking another car.

NHTSA ODI 11511123

I was driving on the interstate highway- I-20 in Alabama going eastbound at approx. 70 mph. Suddenly, the driver's side windshield trim moulding blew off without any warning. Mileage was 51,278. The safety issue is that this trim moulding is approx. 18 inches long - 4 inches wide which may have hit another vehicle as it departed my vehicle at highway speeds. I further read that approx. 170 Ford Explorer owners have also reported the identical issue, so I wanted the goverment to be aware that this occurred and hopefully there is a full recall. The dealer wants $650 to replace this moulding.

NHTSA ODI 11511031

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal knocking sound was coming from the windshield. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the front, passenger side windshield trim panel was cracked in several places. The contact called the dealer about the failure and was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 48,120.

NHTSA ODI 11510542

Traveling at Highway speed (70mph) on level road without unusual road conditions is clear daytime weather, the drivers side windshield pillar trim separated from the vehicle, and the drivers side mid pillar trim loosened, but did not separate. No other vehicle damage occurred. The vehicle had been purchased from a Dealer in Bowie Tx, 15 minutes before the incident. The dealer has agreed to repair the damage.

NHTSA ODI 11509149

At highway speed the Windshield-Outer Trim Molding Pillar Driver Left Side departed the vehicle. I saw something flicker by but did not know what it was until I stopped and saw the missing trim piece.

NHTSA ODI 11509068

While driving on the interstate the second day that we had the car, bought it used the right side window A pillar trim came off the car and landed on the interstate and broke in pieces. Several cars behind us had to swerve to keep from hitting the parts. Could have caused a very bad accident as there was a lot of cars on the road. I see that this a major issue with the Explorers and should be recalled due to safety.

NHTSA ODI 11508283

"A" pillar window trim fails to remain affixed to the vehicle. After just a year of new vehicle ownership, on at least 15 different occasions, my passenger side "A" window trim or driver's side window trim would fly off while in travel. This usually occurs on the highway at any speeds exceeding 40 mph. I feel that this creates a safety issue and a financial burden as the piece and sometimes the mounting bracket have to be purchased at each incident. The safety issues are a somewhat large part of the vehicle separates and goes flying into any following traffic. The separation from the vehicle is usually a noisy and distracting affair for the operator/driver. Further, following traffic has to avoid the now airborne part. An additional safety concern is the missing part exposes the edges of the windshield, possibly affecting the integrity of the windshield, not to mention little protection from rain, water or snow. Lastly, the missing part creates a very unsightly vehicle. Attached are pictures of my vehicle without the part and my 2023-2022 eBay purchases. The document shows 6 replacements/purchases in just over a one year period. I have purchased both very expensive OEM parts and after market parts, with the same unfortunate results. I am not an engineer, but it appears that poor design allows 45+ mph wind to get under the trim, forcing it away and off the windshield pillar. Please, consult with any 2011-2019 Ford Explorer owner and I'm sure they have a similar story. I make a habit of looking at other Ford Explorers on the road and at least half the affected years vehicles are missing the windshield trim. I'm not one that complains frequently, but this is ridiculous and potentially dangerous.

NHTSA ODI 11508082

piller moldings between the front and rear windows became loose and one came off. this creates a hazard to other vehicles on the road. we had them replaced by Earnhardt ford in Chandler AZ on 2/10 2023. .

NHTSA ODI 11507489

Traveling west on I90 out of Boston a piece of the bodywork (plastic trim sealing the windshield) on the passenger side of the car tore away and flew into the path of vehicles behind. The car has been inspected and repaired by a Ford dealer to the expense of $250 parts and labor. I have filed a complaint with Ford. They simply said that they would not pay for the damage. Nevertheless, this should not be happening. The bodywork should not failing while driving. No police or insurance representatives have been involved. And there was no indication this would happen prior to the incident on Thursday, January 26, 2023.

NHTSA ODI 11506376