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

Vibration or rough idle in drive and reverse. Shudder while driving Lack of engine RPM Low performance, lack of acceleration on take off. Mechanic found and replaced the following. Broken Transmission Mount, Replaced Front & Rear Engine Mounts. Transmission is not shifting correctly and the Mechanic stated that the oil was black and smelt burnt.

NHTSA ODI 11516701

The automatic locks on both right passenger sides quit working. It imposes a danger because if you are trying to get out of the vehicle you can’t if it’s locked. If it’s left unlocked then it imposes a danger if someone is trying to get into your vehicle that you don’t want and you can’t lock them out.

NHTSA ODI 11516792

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

Passenger side A-Pillar Front Molding Outer Trim Shield detached from vehicle while driving.

NHTSA ODI 11516188

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

While driving my Ford Explorer, the rubber seal trim piece on the driver began to come loose and flap around smacking onto the windshield and side front windows. Luckily, there were no other cars next to me when I swerved slightly after being started by the pieces slamming against the car. Since then, the both the driver and passenger side trim pieces have come completely off. I have not taken the vehicle into Ford to get the pieces replaced because I researched the parts required and it is an expensive fix given the way Ford originally installed the trim molding pieces. This should most certainly be a recall as it could result in serious accidents.

NHTSA ODI 11515525

The power liftgate on my Ford Explorer slammed down on me when I attempted to put groceries into my car in the store parking lot. My liftgate had given no warning signs of malfunction, and then one day I open it with the key fob button, it opens all the way and while it was opening I was standing ready to load groceries into the back and the second it reached the fully open position, it came slamming down on my head. I am so fortunate that I was not holding my baby when this occurred. I could have been seriously injured if I had been standing at a different angle. The liftgate opens with the interior button in the vehicle and with the key fob, but once it is fully open it comes slamming down.

NHTSA ODI 11515526

The torque converter has failed on a 2017 Ford Explorer 2.3L Ecoboost. There is a Customer Satisfaction Program 20N07 that was issued on October 9, 2020 and expired November 30, 2021 that this issue would have been covered under. The car has been to the dealership and they have confirmed that this is the issue but they are unable to do anything about it using this program because the program is no longer valid.

NHTSA ODI 11515190

My suv begin to run hot and instantly water begins to boil and I was trying to pull off the road immediately.with no warning from the forward collision as a car hit me. Got a quote from many dealerships or mechanics who says that the water pump failed and is a common problem with my suv and it quoted 2500 with a two week time frame because the water pump is built inside the engine no one wants to work on it due to risk. Help!

NHTSA ODI 11514894

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

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that water was leaking from the sunroof into the overhead light and onto the display console. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

NHTSA ODI 11513221

Side moldings on the windshield came off flying into oncoming traffic. Had them replaced and then had to go back in again to have them reattached cause they came lose again.

NHTSA ODI 11512969

Both turbos failed and so did the water pump. Less than 90,000 miles. When the turbos failed, there was smoke from the tailpipes. Then there was noise under the hood. When the water pump failed, there was water leaking under the vehicle. Yes, the problem was diagnosed and fixed by the Ford dealership. One of the turbos was fixed last year. The water pump was fixed in December. The other turbo is waiting to be fixed because Ford changed the part due to manufacturing issues and we are currently going on 3 months without a vehicle. The turbos or water pump failure would have been a catastrophic engine failure at some point. Apparently this is a known issue with the 3.5L EcoBoost engines, but Ford has not issued a recall. Fortunately I have a Blue Oval Certified warranty on my Explorer, so the repair is covered. There were no lamps or warning lights during the part failures. I did not let the car overheat when the water pump was failing.

NHTSA ODI 11513029

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

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while accelerating after the vehicle was idling, the vehicle would emit a load roaring and grinding noise while shuddering and hesitating before accelerating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the torque converter failed and needed replacement, repointing, and reprogramming. The vehicle was currently being repaired. The failure was related to NHTSA ID Numbers: 10222455 (Power Train) 10187724 (Power Train), 10184652 (Power Train, Equipment Adaptive/Mobility), and 10181988 (Power Train). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11512803

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 windshield seal and trim are deteriorating and coming off. because of the risk, i have scheduled an appointment (April 2023) to repair at the dealer i purchased the vehicle from. windshield could fall out, pieces of material could hit other vehicles, leaks will damage the vehicle. the dealer will confirm at the appointment in April. no others have inspected the vehicle to date. no warning indicators

NHTSA ODI 11512041