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

As I was driving on the freeway, the windshield trim panel flew off my car. This put the safety of the cars behind me in jeopardy as it did or could have hit them or caused an accident by people attempting to avoid running over it in the road. I took my car to a Ford and they said this car is notorious for having this problem and they see it all the time. The previous owner of this car said that the trim on the opposite side had flown off too and had to have It replaced as well.

NHTSA ODI 11522732

As I was driving down the freeway the panel between the front and rear passenger door flew off. Noticed today that the driver side one is loose and it holds the keyless entry pad.

NHTSA ODI 11522746

On March 22, 2023 at approximately 10:15 am CDT, while heading south on Interstate 310 in Kenner, Louisiana, the passenger side windshield molding flew off the car while traveling just over 60 mph. I was coming out of a curve from exiting I-10W onto I-310. Not sure if it hit another vehicle as there were other vehicles in general area at the time, but did not see exactly where part landed. The part was not recoverable for inspection. There were no previous warning messages or noticeable issues with the part on the vehicle prior to the incident. I brought vehicle to Ford dealer and was told there is no recall for this item and the cost to replace is $396.80 for parts and labor at my expense. I believe this is a defect and should be reviewed with the manufacturer. I have seen two other Ford Explorers in New Orleans and Kenner with the same issue.

NHTSA ODI 11522301

Yesterday I was driving on the highway and the molding next to windshield driver's side of the car flew away. We heard a loud nose when we stopped, we saw that the molding was complete gone. It could have hit another vehicle or a person

NHTSA ODI 11522125

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced unintended surging and engine revving. During the failure the driver had difficulty stopping the vehicle while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while driving at various speeds, and also while the vehicle was stationary and idling. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 35,000.

NHTSA ODI 11521717

Was driving at highway speeds when a hitting sound was heard to the body. Could not determine while driving what or where the noise came from. Later discovered the RH side a-pillar trim had detached from the car. Unsure whether the trim piece affected other vehicles on the road.

NHTSA ODI 11521518

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side windshield trim detached. Additionally, while driving at 80 MPH, the driver’s side windshield trim detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,415.

NHTSA ODI 11521583

Driver side A pillar windshield molding came flying off while driving on highway at 70 mph on I95. It detached from vehichle and slammed into my windshield caused it to crack and caused multiple scratches. Then flew over my vehichle and landed in the lane of travel, multiple other explorer owners said they experienced the same issues and dealer told me it was a common issue on these vehicles but no recall ha been issued.No warning lights or inspection by insurance.

NHTSA ODI 11521366

Passenger side Window trim. Trim detached flying off at traffic behind almost striking vehicle traveling directly behind my vehicle on interstate. No inspections have been completed by any professionals at this time. trim retainer is broke in half while still attached to the car. the trim piece itself was unable to be safely recovered. rubber along windshield next to trim came loose minutes before.

NHTSA ODI 11521228

Outer plastic A-Pillar Trim detaching from body of vehicle, putting other drivers at risk of vehicle parts coming off and hitting vehicle or causing accident

NHTSA ODI 11521269

August 28, 2021 I was driving on the interstate when out of nowhere the rubber moulding/trim on my passenger side came partially detached and continued to bang up my window for the remainder of my trip (about 20 minutes at that time) until I could safely pull over and see what was happening. Majority of the rubber was missing and continued to disintegrate and fall off over the last 2 years. Yesterday, May 7, 2023, I was again driving on the highway when the entire pillar trim/moulding and rubber flew off the driver's side going 60+ mph which hit my mirror and side door chipping the paint on it's departure from my vehicle. This is obviously a major safety issue and needs to be a recall immediately. I've had nothing but continuous problems with this poorly manufactured vehicle (including the roof racks STILL not being repaired after over 10 repairs from the local Ford service department). Thank God no other car was around to get hit by the flying parts off my car!

NHTSA ODI 11520920

While driving, a large piece of debris came off of my windshield area causing the vehicle next to me to swerve. The remaining material was flapping in the air at highway speeds causing a startle reaction. I initially thought I had hit something. When stopped, I discovered the material in question was coming from around the windshield. Large portions of the material are coming loose.

NHTSA ODI 11520769

I've had both passenger and driver side Windshield A-Pillar Molding rip off while driving on highway which thankfully no one was behind me but could have causes serious damage if it hit another vehicle going 70 mph. Both of these have failed to stay intact/ place

NHTSA ODI 11520145

I was driving down the interstate and the passenger side pillar molding appliqué completely dislodged and flew off behind me, narrowly missing a vehicle behind me. Had I not already been in the furthest left lane, it would have hit another car. When I arrived to my destination, I checked the same part on the drivers side, which includes the electric keypad entry, and it was also pulling away at the top. I contacted the ford dealership. They said this was a commonly known issue, but unfortunately was only recalled up until the 2016 model so I would have to pay to replace the complete molding all around each window and possibly onto the windshield. Their comment was that it’s basically only attached with 3M double sided tape.

NHTSA ODI 11520120

Own a 2017 Ford Explorer, bought new. Took into Ford today for routine maintenance, rotate tires, Oil & Filter. Vehicle has approximately 85,000 miles on it. Upon completion tech advised me they found a radiator leak towards the front of the car. When asked if it was radiator or something else, tech advised they wouldn't know until vehicle was broken down to find where leak was from. Took to independent mechanic to check the issue. Faulty water pump was found to be causing the problem. Reservoir was found empty. No warning lights ever came on. Repairs are being done and am notifying Ford.

NHTSA ODI 11519855

Windy conditions here driving along highway and the windshield cover blew off and unsure if hit another car or not but this should not be blowing off a vehicle which I'll have to now replace in addition to a safety hazard to others driving

NHTSA ODI 11519884

The A-pillar trim is coming off on both sides. I currently have a recall for the roof rails for the same type problem (dealer is booked out) where they can also fly off while driving. I googled the A-pillar concern I am having and it seems to be wide spread.

NHTSA ODI 11519563

The windshield trim has fallen off twice, almost hitting the vehicles behind us. We are about to replace them a 3rd time.

NHTSA ODI 11519592

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

Panels by windshield one flew off on interstate and other is loose I'm scared this going rip off and cause an accident I see all same models have same issue. Please recall asap. I need this fixed and is a manufacturing defect.

NHTSA ODI 11519350

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH from a complete stop, and depressing the accelerator pedal, there was a significant amount of white smoke coming out the exhaust pipes. The contact stated that upon attempting to make a U-turn to return to the residence, the smoke impaired her visibility of the other vehicles, and a truck nearly crashed into the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact returned to her lane and continued driving straight forward. The contact then pulled into a gas station and parked the vehicle. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed a trail of oil from the front driver's side wheel to the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the driver's side turbo charger had fractured and had leaked oil into the catalytic converter, the O2 sensors. The mechanic informed the contact that the the oil was also coming out of the exhaust pipes and spattered on the rear windows. The mechanic diagnosed that the driver's side turbo charger, the catalytic converter, the O2 sensors needed to be replaced. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V925000 (Engine And Engine Cooling) as the VIN was included. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 103,715.

NHTSA ODI 11519079

While driving down the highway the windshield trim molding flew off vehicle on the driver’s side. At a later date the passenger one also flew off while driving on the highway with a vehicle behind me. Luckily never hit it. Since then I have seen numerous Ford Explorers with the same incident and spoke with them with the same occurrence.

NHTSA ODI 11519106

While driving at normal highway speeds, the piece of black trim on the passengers side of windshield flew off. Thankfully I was alone on the road so it did not strike another passenger. I took the vehicle to Ford. The service managed admitted that they had several issues with pieces falling off, but since it was not under warranty or recall I had to pay full price to have it fixed. This could have easily caused damage to another vehicle. I've noticed almost daily several Ford Explorers driving around with trim missing due to this same issue.

NHTSA ODI 11518585

Tow links from my vehicle is going bad. Vehicle fish tails a little on the highway when traveling on uneven surface. Knuckles have been replaced and Link-Stabilizer on both side by my mechanic. Ford STATED they replaced in May 2022 (never did) I had the original parts that came with vehicle. Ford refuses to reimburse. I'm concern now that the tow links are going bad and vehicle will soon be unsafe to drive.

NHTSA ODI 11518145

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