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

My two back doors wont lock or unlock. Very frustrating

NHTSA ODI 11555183

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while accelerating from a stationary position. Additionally, the vehicle would not properly accelerate while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was diagnosed with a faulty transmission. The transmission was rebuilt. The vehicle later experienced a fractured transmission bracket and was towed to the local dealer. The transmission and transmission bracket were replaced but the check engine warning light continued to illuminate. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine had experienced coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 57,850.

NHTSA ODI 11554808

The A pillar panel on the windows are a hazard. While driving yesterday the panel flew off and hit the car behind us causing the driver to over react and almost crash into several other vehicles. Ford has been unhelpful with this matter on making these safe.

NHTSA ODI 11554843

My 2017 Ford Explorer XLT - eco boost (72,524 miles) vehicle was misfiring (running really rough) at startup the last week or so and the engine light came on and stayed on. The vehicle was serviced in July of this year and there was no mention of the problem. Upon paid inspection today (11/10/23) and diagnosis at my local AAA Car repair service they reported the following: Engine code P0303 - no 3 misfire. The no 3 plug is very clean, which is not good (as it likely means a leak of coolant from head gasket). Upon pulling the number 3 plug, it was confirmed that there was a coolant leak from the Head Gasket. AAA car repair indicated that this was not normal for a car with this low of mileage and shouldn't happen this soon. They said they did not do this type of work and advised I check with Ford corporate to see if there was a recall or extended warranty. I called Ford Corporate, and they did not see any recalls or information that could help with the repair, and they advised I reach out to the NHTSA to see if there might be other reports or investigations underway and if not, to open one. The vehicle has only been inspected by the AAA Service garage and is now back home in my garage and available for inspection upon request. NOTE: in researching this issue on line, I did find several articles and links of videos with this problem. There are safety issues, especially when pulling out in traffic or accelerating, as the vehicle sputters and does not run smoothly or go as fast as expected and could cause an accident. 

NHTSA ODI 11554574

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon inspection of the vehicle, there was an unknown fluid was underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who determined that the water pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 95,000.

NHTSA ODI 11554330

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the driver's side keyless entry panel detached from the vehicle. The contact stated while driving, the panel fell off and was sticking out, but eventually snapped in half. Additionally, the liftgate lost power. The contact duct taped the panel to the door. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While driving at an unknown speed, the panel detached. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11554046

2017 Ford Explorer windshield trim is starting to come off. Pieces have flown off behind the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11553726

windshield molding is falling apart. Windshield cowl fell apart and had to be replaced. Now rest of molding falling apart, as well as interior door molding.

NHTSA ODI 11553152

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after moving the vehicle in the driveway, she became aware of a puddle of coolant had formed under the engine compartment. The contact refilled the coolant reservoir and noticed that a puddle had formed. The contact stated later while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the temperature warning light illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

NHTSA ODI 11552852

I noticed a couple of months ago that the rubber gasket that lines my windshield on both sides has started to crack. Within the last month pieces of it started to fly off while driving, even at standard speeds of 45mph. I started looking for replacement parts and cost for having this repaired but could not afford the dealership cost. Last week while driving on a busy highway at 72mph my passenger side windshield pillar molding completely detached from my car and flew into traffic behind me. Luckily, it did not hit any vehicles but was run over by several behind me. There are multiple complaints about this being a VERY common issue with Ford Explorers from 2011-2019. I'm unsure why this hasn't been recalled yet as most owners of these vehicles have had to replace them on their own. I've seen several reports of this costing upwards of $1000 of done by the dealership. As an owner of this vehicle, I expect when I pay $30,000+ that it be a vehicle that is safe not only for my family but others traveling around us. There are no warning signs of this happening and it's very dangerous. Ford has been made aware by multiple complaints and nothing is being done to correct the issue.

NHTSA ODI 11552459

The trim of our windshield flew off and almost caused an accident. Water got in and caused damage shortly after.

NHTSA ODI 11552235

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the contact heard a slapping sound coming from the vehicle and became aware that the front driver’s side windshield trim had detached and struck the vehicle behind. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,000.

NHTSA ODI 11552093

Rubber front windshield trim is deteriorating in the sun. Pieces are braking off while driving & causes a whistling sound.

NHTSA ODI 11551412

The front windshield gasket on our 2017 Explorer is disintegrating, cracked and brittle. Today a chunk broke off as I was driving.

NHTSA ODI 11551167

Mechanic confirmed water pump failure. Explorer was brought to mechanic for issue with heater. Upon inspection by mechanic, the coolant was low. Mechanic filled the coolant and left the vehicle idling. Water was seen leaking from undercarriage. Vehicle cannot be safely driven until water pump is replaced. Minimum cost of $2000 to complete repair.

NHTSA ODI 11550807

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rubber on the window trim between the passenger’s side front door and windshield had started to separate. One day while driving at highway speeds, the window trim detached from the vehicle. The contact stated that the rubber on the driver side window trim had also started to separate. The contact believed that the panel would also detach. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11550564

THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AT TIMES. WHEN GOING TO ANOTHER LANE OR PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC, IT WILL SURGE LOOSING POWER. I NOTICED IT SHORLTY AFTER PURCHASING IT. IGNORED IT FOR A LONG TIME BUT HAVE HAD TO DRIVE IT MORE LATELY AND FEEL UNSAFE DOING SO. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY ANYONE. IT HAS LESS THAN 25,000 MILES ON ITAND THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE

NHTSA ODI 11550218

The passenger side exterior windshield pillar trim piece flew off while driving on I20 west of Dallas Tx. Could have hit the car behind me.

NHTSA ODI 11549946

While driving cross country, driver began to experience lag in acceleration and delayed shifting. In some cases, noted transmission was not down shifting. At destination, the check engine light came on and we took the vehicle into a Ford dealership for repair. It should be noted that there was a low coolant light just prior to the trip and we filled up approximately a quart to bring it back to serviceable limits. The dealer called after several hours to explain the car would need a new 2.3L EcoBoost engine and new Automatic transmission. The engine had evidence of coolant in the engine/oil. The transmission was diagnosed to have a failure of an internal component. The vehicle was been regularly serviced for the 79000 miles with no previous warning lights. We currently have the vehicle in our garage trying to decide if it's worth fixing for $25000 quoted by the dealer.

NHTSA ODI 11549631

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front windshield molding separated and detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was informed that the parts needed to complete the repair were out of stock. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11549239

continuous highway cruise speed shudder in 6th gear between 50 and 60 MPH

NHTSA ODI 11548835

mechanic noticed water pump leaking at only 61,000 miles and ford refused to help because it was "out of warranty". water pump needed to be replaced which was a 3 day $2300 job. With the amount of people that have had this exact same issue you would think Ford would take action on their equipment. Really starting to regret buying so many Fords.

NHTSA ODI 11548837

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the message "Coolant Overheating" was displayed, and the vehicle started to overheat. The contact drove to an independent mechanic, where she was informed that there was no coolant in the vehicle, and that coolant had leaked due to the water pump failure. The mechanic added coolant to the vehicle and referred the contact to the dealer for the repair. The contact drove back to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the same assessment was made. The dealer informed the contact that the water pump needed to be replaced, and that the failure was a known failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist due to the mileage of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11548628

Driving down the highway last night and passenger side windshield pillar cover flew off. Don't know what effect it may have had on any vehicles behind us.

NHTSA ODI 11548344

Driver side windshield trim came off while driving on freeway at 70mph We saw something fly off and pulled over to check and the trim was gone Don’t know what happened to trim, praying it didn’t damage anyone else’s car or cause an accident

NHTSA ODI 11548034