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

I have a 2017 Ford Explorer with a 2.3 EcoBoost Four-Cylinder with 59k mileage. Back in November of 2021 My Ford dealership said Coolant is leaking into the Cylinder head causing the car to misfile after a check engine light diagnoses. This causes the car to overheat and can cause major issues. Now i need my entire engine replaced. I have a read that this a know issue in other Ford SUVs in but not in a Ford Explorers, however I have the same engine type. This is a problem for the Ford EcoBoost four-cylinder engines produced since 2010.

NHTSA ODI 11447002

INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH

NHTSA ODI 11445173

The keyless entry door panel on the driver’s side door is coming undone and vibrates while driving. Others have said theirs has come off the vehicle while driving. Will be contacting the dealership.

NHTSA ODI 11443706

The airbag light on driver's side goes on randomly, seems with automatic movement of seat each time I get in and out of the car. If the airbag doesn't work it impairs my degree of safety in involved in an accident. The vehicle has not yet been inspected as it is $125 per hour to have it looked at. No other warning lamps or signals. It just randomly goes on and off - and stays on while driving.

NHTSA ODI 11443464

Ford Explorer 2017 SYNC/APIM malfunction. Touch screen and controls stop responding almost right after system starts. Troubleshoots indicate to perform master reset, software update, battery replacement but no difference. Software update is risky due system becomes unresponsive as per the original issue. Safety issues include but not limited to the responsiveness of controls as -GPS becomes unavailable -Navigation stop working/updating which indicates wrong directions and enter unwanted roads ending into a safety issue -AC or Heating can't be controlled, then depending of situation, this can affect health -Radio volume can't be modified, this can cause a safety issue -USB SYNC iOS/Android can't connect as systems is unresponsive, if it gets connected, navigation is affected.

NHTSA ODI 11443268

The clear trim panels by the driver side door with the electronic numbers to unlock the doors, came off while I was driving on the highway going 70mph. Which resulted in lights going off on on in the cabin of the car, as well as my back tailgate flying open while driving. The clear panel was attached to wires which was reported to me to have caused multiple fuses to be blown one of which was the tailgate door. Once I pulled over to close the door, the door had to be forced closed and the warning light tailgate ajar remained on as well as all the lights in the cabin remained on. Once I was able to park my car none of the lights would turn off once the engine was off and the car would not lock. Both of these panels on the drivers side and passenger side had to be replaced, in addition to the front pillars on the windshield due to all of them coming detached from the car. This is a huge safety concern that needs to be addressed. The owner of the car had to pay for all repairs.

NHTSA ODI 11442217

I have been trying to get the first repair done, now the second. (I also have another Ford vehicle that has a recall that I haven't been able to schedule. I am told parts are unavailable or the repairs can't be done for months. Calls to Ford, like today to the number on the new recall, leaves you holding for over 36 minutes. Then it turned out to be a dealership in Pennsylvania. The chat function doesn't work. If you want to send any sort of email, from my experience I had to agree to receiving ads. The other recall is for VIN [XXX]. I am concerned about continuing to allow my family to drive these vehicles. Can you advise how I can proceed? Thanks. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11441753

I have 3 broken motor mounts in my 2017 Ford Explorer that is causing loss of power in my vehicle. I see that the 2020-2021 Ford Explorer was recalled for the same issue. My mechanic has had several ford explorers in for the same issue. This is going to cause accidents if not recalled to be fixed.

NHTSA ODI 11441560

The windshield trim piece on the passenger side started making a noise while I was going down the interstate and suddenly flew off. It caught me off guard and almost made me swerve and the car behind me had to swerve it as it landed on the road luckily he was paying attention and didn’t hit anyone else. The whole incident could have ended worse

NHTSA ODI 11440387

The rack and pinion failed; these parts were replaced by Ford at my expense and Ford kept the old parts. The safety of myself, my passengers, and other drivers was put at risk because the steering would catch while in a curve and cause the driver to be unable to steer momentarily. This caused me to almost drive head-on into a semi tractor-trailer, as the steering was not responding to my turning the wheel, but did just in time to avoid the collision. This steering catch also caused over-steering as a result of the steering not responding. The problem was reported to Burns Ford of York and the rack and pinion were replaced on 10/21/21. The vehicle was only inspected by Burns Ford of York. The catch in the steering first started in July of 2021 and progressively got worse. As the symptoms worsened, the loss of traction warning light would often come on when the steering caught.

NHTSA ODI 11440388

Vehicle was WB on I94 in Minneapolis when the rear toe link fractured causing loss of steering control and a crash. The driver and injured party is [XXX]. I am his attorney. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11439371

Smell in car when driving on freeway or using air conditioner. Burning eyes, nose running, sore throat, feeling sick.

NHTSA ODI 11439258

Back window Just spontaneously shattered, nothing hit came out from work and it was shattered.

NHTSA ODI 11439121

the ribs that are on the roof of the car are loose

NHTSA ODI 11438323

The windshield gasket along with the door gaskets are all becoming thin and thatching. While driving on he freeway the windshield rubber gasket on the driver side began to flap around as it has apparently lost it's full seal. I noticed much of the rubber gaskets on the door as well are loose and not properly functioning. It appears the rubber used is poor quality as this should not happen on a car that is only 4 years old. I asked the dealership and they indicated it seemed to be normal wear and tear. I can't imagine how this could be normal wear and tear on a car only 4 years old. This problem needs to be looked at as it seems Ford is using an inferior rubber product on its vehicles. This will cause harm especially from the windshield issue.

NHTSA ODI 11437745

When vehicle is cold the brake pedal is normal 2inches movement. After 10 miles or so the pedal moves 4or 5 inches. After the vehicle cools down again the pedal returns to 2 inches again. The ford dealer does not know what the problem is.

NHTSA ODI 11437827

We had a catastrophic failure of the passenger side rear toe link. Causing loss of control of the vehicle No injuries thankfully The dealership and the Ford motor declined to toe the vehicle for repair due to its age. So a new part was ordered through Ford and work was do e locally Less than 30 miles later we had the same catastrophic failure of the same part. This time my entire family including my 14 month old were in the car and we were very lucky that we were not killed but once again there were no injuries or collisions. The part is on recall and their is no remedy part available at this time for replacement. The dealership and Ford are grossly aware and have declined to assist at this time. Ford states its the dealerships responsibility and the dealership states they can do nothing without an authorization from Ford. Because we have experienced 2 catastrophic failures that nearly killed us I think that these cars should be pulled from the road for everyone's safety. I also feel that since their is no part available to remedy the situation Ford should institute something so that owners are not without vehicles and can care for their families and go to work i am very disappointed We avoided death two times due to this recall

NHTSA ODI 11437001

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that she noticed the paint was bubbled up and paint was peeling off the hood of vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where informed it was manufacturer defect and the hood needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified who referred contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11436877

Passenger side windshield trim flew off while at highway speeds without any warning of it being broken or in need of repair. Flew off into traffic behind me.

NHTSA ODI 11436709

Pieces of the windshield trim have flown off while driving. The keyless entry door panel is loose and vibrates while driving. Others have said theirs has come off the vehicle while driving. Will be contacting the dealership. Absolutely no warning for this.

NHTSA ODI 11435182

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V537000 (Suspension). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The part was not available for repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.

NHTSA ODI 11434521

All of the plastic trim around my car including the both my passenger and driver side windshield trim molding pieces on the exterior of the car are coming very loose. I'm worried it may become dangerous if they fly off while driving.

NHTSA ODI 11433537

car stops an air-conditioned Bell Brooking due to bearing inside a clutch on the AC compressor !! I was on the highway and the car just stops I almost got hit from behind

NHTSA ODI 11433213

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that all four doors were corroded. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the mechanic diagnosed that the door pillars were rusted and were not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 55,895.

NHTSA ODI 11433017

About a week ago I started smelling coolant after shutting down the engine, took the vehicle to my mechanic and was informed that the water pump is going bad.

NHTSA ODI 11432502