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

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that he noticed a coolant leak coming from the water pump. The coolant level was low, so the contact added coolant. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11511797

While driving on the freeway the passenger side windshield side panel flew off the car completely. It looks as though the clips that hold it on all failed. This seems to be a known issue with this model of car.

NHTSA ODI 11511845

Need a new transmission when I need to press the gas it won’t go it like I’m just pushing the gas in park

NHTSA ODI 11511500

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

Vehicle began overheating and repair shop advised it appears to be a water pump issue. The vehicle only has 107000 miles on it. Was quoted $2500-3000 for repair due to pump being built into the engine.

NHTSA ODI 11510913

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

Pulled my Explorer into the driveway because the temperature gauge came on While driving up my hill. Then when pulling in the driveway there was fluid leaking throughout my driveway and then there was a big puddle. I had it towed to a local service station in my town and I just got the estimate. The water pump was no good. I have only 74,599 miles on my SUV. I just found out that in the past (2011-2016) Explorers had issues with the water pumps. I brought it to a local auto repair station because I couldn't get my explorer in for 3 weeks at a local dealership.

NHTSA ODI 11508733

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

The trim and seals around the front windshield are cracked and coming apart. This has caused parts to fly off potentially hitting other cars. This has happened in multiple occasions.

NHTSA ODI 11508421

"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

Internal water pump failed. Dealer indicated that it needs replacement at a cost of $4,000. This is a know issue for Ford Explorer models for multiple years going back to 2011 including the model year 2017. Ford has not recalled the vehicles with this safety issue. Vehicles can overheat and cause engine damage including my location in the Phoenix Desert.

NHTSA ODI 11507982

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on various occasions while the vehicle was parked, there was a fluid leak underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the water pump and radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it remained awaiting parts for the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.

NHTSA ODI 11507381

On December 19, 2022, while driving to work in the morning on Interstate 580 I heard some cracking noises coming from outside my vehicle then all of a sudden I see something fly off the right side of my windshield. I immediately looked in my rearview mirror and see a piece of what appeared to be plastic bouncing off the ground luckily no one was hurt nor did it hit another car but it could have easily considering the force with which it ripped off. Once I arrived at work I noticed the right side of the windshield trim panel was gone there were no warning lights or alert notices on the vehicle prior to this incident. I had this same piece replaced approx 3-4 years ago believing that it was our fault (per the service department at the Ford dealership) for driving the truck through a brush-type carwash since then we NEVER returned to those types of carwashes. The car is available for inspection as we have not had the part replaced. In January I came across a news article in USA TODAY regarding this same issue occuring to others yet no recall has been issued!

NHTSA ODI 11507533

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

While driving under 80 mph on the highway my passenger side panel flew off and almost hit the vehicle behind me. I was able to locate the panel after having to drive in reverse on the shoulder for a few minutes. This is my second ford explorer and it flew off on my drive side on the first vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11507225

Windshield trim piece covering passgener side windshield pillar flew off while driving at highway speed. Sounded like something hit the vehicle, but once we stopped, I realized a piece of the car had flown off.

NHTSA ODI 11507025

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

Wind pulled the ‘A’ pillar trim off the vehicle, breaking g the plastic trim and rubber gasket. This is a know problem that FORD has not issued a recall on, but should.

NHTSA ODI 11506515

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the driver’s side windshield trim panel suddenly dislodged from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the trim panel. The contact stated that while driving on another occasion, the failure occurred with the passenger’s side windshield trim panel. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer who replaced the trim panel. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 3,000.

NHTSA ODI 11506173

While we were driving the door trim on the front passenger side of our 2017 Ford Explorer blew off. We had it replaced by the Ford dealer in Anderson, IN on December 9, 2020. It has again blown off while we were driving in June of 2022. We were on the freeway both times and it could have hit another car.

NHTSA ODI 11505515

The trim and gasket around the windshield has become broken and cracked within the first 60k miles. The gasket has come loose and was flapping against the windshield while driving. In order to replace the trim must be broken off. Ford refused to fix and said would be $1200 to fix. If you look at many explorers from these model years it’s a recurring thing they they know about. This needs to be recalled because it can come off and fly and hit the vehicle behind us.

NHTSA ODI 11505562