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

At 60,492 exactly 492 miles after the powertrain warranty expired a wrench on the dash came on and upon further research it was a transmission fault, no power loss noted or change in performance. Key cycle cleared fault, after a little more operating time it would happen again. We took the car to Gosch Ford of Escondido where it was purchased to have the transmission serviced and diagnose the fault. We payed for an filter and oil service for the car and at that time was informed that the transmission did not require any maintenance services until 150,000 miles and that the fault that suddenly presented itself was a torque converter fault & to change out the whole transmission at a cost of 6,000 dollars to us. We reached out to Ford headquarters to plead with them since it prematurely failed before even the first service and we were told too bad so sad for you. Being our only means of transportation my wife had to drive it a bit more to and from work at just prior to our job layoff due to the covid emergency we could not afford 6k in repairs costs and we to this day are curious since many thousands of people have had the same problem across our nation. The same problems are occurring as when your department recalled the ford edge and fusion models. We have power going through the transmission just fine and without any dash warnings whatsoever it will kick itself out of gear then slam indiscriminately back into gear causing a sever health and safety matter during operation. We plead with you to please hear our call and the ones of many many thousands on the Ford Forums that are experinecing the same. Also according to the dealership all recalls have been performed on this vehicle yet the nhtsa site shows nothing has been performed. Thank you very much.

NHTSA ODI 11431999

The APIM is malfunction in my 2017 explorer. Accessories stay on after vehicle turned off, killed battery, vehicle collision sensors and camera intermediate malfunction. Cruise control intermittent function, GPS and screen options /operations inoperable

NHTSA ODI 11431391

The GPS, radio, backup camera, front facing camera and other items controlled by the APIM have been malfunctioning in the vehicle. The GPS will freeze, phones will not answer properly, the cameras will not engage often and the cruise control will occasionally malfunction. The only remedy is to replace the APIM. The vehicle is out of warranty on mileage so I am on my own to pay for the repair of the one item that controls almost all of the vehicle accessories, including heat/defrost, some lighting, etc.

NHTSA ODI 11431256

Started car back up after driving noticed mirrors on both doors didnt extend out. and both front door windows wouldn't work the the defroster was on and I had climate set for ac then the tire pressure monitoring fault came on Sync touch screen would not do anything , the radio was working But nothing else , rear windows worked and sunroof as well. I drove it home the defroster was on and would not go off I parked vehicle let it set for several hours and it is still doing the same thing I plan on taking it to dealership for inspection on monday Aug 30 2021 I'll call first thing in the morning

NHTSA ODI 11430953

The car sways when changing lanes on parkway

NHTSA ODI 11430059

My driver-side seat has a hole beginning from the midway left side due to the stitching coming apart. My dealer service rep was made aware of this issue and has told me it's not covered under any warranty. I feel it will become a serious safety issue because it contains the side impact airbag system devices that are enclosed in the area where the stitching is coming apart. I was also told it would cost me money to fix it. I do not feel that I should bear the financial burden to repair this problem due to faulty stitching. My service rep told me that 3 other vehicles came into the dealership with similar problems. I am willing for a Ford Motor company district service rep to inspect it and give me an acceptable solution to this dangerous issue. There was no warning of this problem. My vehicle only has 27000 miles on it! I have owned other vehicles with high mileages on them and NEVER had a seat become unstitched.

NHTSA ODI 11430016

Passenger side window trim molding detached while driving on highway. No previous issue with it being loose and no previous problems with trim. If there had been traffic behind or to the side, it could have caused damage to another's vehicle, injury to a person, or caused an accident. I directly went to a Ford dealer. I was told by service person that it is a known issue. I paid for the parts (one on order, as they no longer had all the parts in stock due to replacing other moldings) and was told that I would also have to pay for the installation (separate charge). Upon doing research on the internet I found that this is a known issue to Ford and has been listed for different years the Explorer has been made with this trim molding. If I had known of this issue I would not have purchased the vehicle and would have notified my parents when they purchased their 2016 Explorer. My previous Explorer (2013) did not have this trim and we were all very happy with it.

NHTSA ODI 11429444

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the contact heard a loud snap from the rear driver’s side of the vehicle which resulted in the contact losing control of the vehicle and the vehicle started to fishtail. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle and safely stopped the vehicle on the side of the road. Then the vehicle was towed to a dealer and was diagnosed and repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V675000 (Suspension). The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that they would authorize the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

NHTSA ODI 11428972

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the engine shield fractured and detached from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the engine shield and the failure was remedied. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,300.

NHTSA ODI 11428566

Was driving 35mph and rear left toe link snapped causing the car to swerve into another car. There is a recall on it from Ford but I do not have any outstanding recalls.

NHTSA ODI 11428265

The Electrical Water Pump failed. Had to replace the water pump and the Ford Dealer said my car isn't covered under the Customer Satisfaction Program 18L02. Which my vehicle is. Safe Concern is the car will over heat and the engine will cease. The Pump has been confirmed from a independent service center. The water pump has been inspected by my mechanic. When getting an oil change they said my coolant was really low. Went to my mechanic and they stated that the water pump is bad. He also stated that this was his 9th water pump replacement on the 2017 Ford Explorer.

NHTSA ODI 11427580

There seems to be an issue with exhaust entering the cabin of 2017 Ford Explorers. There is also a TSB out for this, but Ford refuses to do a recall. Exhaust should not enter the cabin of a vehicle. http://www.mhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/TSB-17-0044-Exhaust-Odor-in-Vehicle.pdf Below are some links that show others are having this issue. There is also a class-action lawsuit now against Ford for not fixing this issue. http://www.explorerexhaustsettlement.net/ https://www.motorbiscuit.com/the-ford-explorer-carbon-monoxide-lawsuit-finally-has-a-settlement/ https://www.motor1.com/news/314705/ford-explorer-exhaust-fumes-issue/ https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2019-ford-explorer-owners-say-suvs-making-them-sick/ https://www.explorerforum.com/forums/threads/bad-or-burnt-exhaust-smell-in-cabin-during-hard-acceleration.323597/page-117 https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/ford-explorer-owners-carbon-monoxide-nhtsa/ https://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explorer/2017/exhaust_system/exhaust_fumes_in_cabin.shtml

NHTSA ODI 11427611

My car keeps saying charging system service now but I’ve checked my alternator and my battery and they are both good. And I’m not the only Ford that has this problem as well. Multiple people who have had Ford have this problem. It should be a recall at this point.

NHTSA ODI 11427250

While driving on the freeway, I heard a clunking noise from the rear of my vehicle and immediately started to fishtail violently back and forth across all 3 lanes of the highway narrowly avoiding crashing into other cars on the highway while avoiding spinning or flipping the vehicle. I was able to gain control of the vehicle while it whipsawed back and forth with all four tires screeching and smoking slowing down to navigate to the shoulder out of harms way. It was one of if not the most frightening experiences I ever had as a motor vehicle operator. On inspection, I observed the rear left wheel was loosely connected to the drive train and severly out of alignment by ~30% which was what caused the vehicle to begin to fishtail and whipsaw so violently at freeway speed which at the time of mechanical failure was approximately 70 miles per hour. The road was clear, dry and void of any debris in the road.

NHTSA ODI 11427042

Trim pieces flying off while driving down highway. Keyless entry trim flew off while driving.

NHTSA ODI 11426389

WHEN BRAKING THE REAR SOUNDS LIKE IT IS DRAGGING AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CONFIRMED BY A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT SERVICE.CENTER. THE COMPONENT HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THERE ARE NO WARNING LAMPS, MESSAGES OR OTHER SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. IT FIRST APPEARED IN JUNE 2021

NHTSA ODI 11425321

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the driver’s side seat belt would not latch after multiple attempts. The seat belt chime sensor would active due to the seat belt not latching securely. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

NHTSA ODI 11424594

The contact owns a 2017 FORD Explorer. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. 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 not available.

NHTSA ODI 11424636

A Pillar trim broke and flew off. This happened on both sides of the windshield. Passenger side hit windshield and ejected over vehicle. Drivers side slammed to drivers door window then continued on behind vehicle. If window had been open the sharp edges plastic would have hit driver. Motorcycles or convertibles behind vehicle may also be in danger.

NHTSA ODI 11424268

While driving at highway speeds the vehicle lost power due to a main crankshaft bearing failure. The vehicle was repaired at a Ford Dealer and was not under warranty at the time. I was forced to pull off the road due to the loss of power while travelling on a busy highway creating an unsafe emergency situation. There was no warning lights or warnings of any given before the engine failure. It simply lost power and stopped working.

NHTSA ODI 11424321

Initially the cars check engine light came on intermittently for about 3 days, then one day while driving the wrench light came on and the car immediately started decelerating - almost as if I was breaking hard, and would not accelerate over 30. After turning it on and off multiple times the light went away for days until my appointment with the mechanic, that same day it came back on. We went to a Ford dealership and they said it was the throttle body and repaired it. Two weeks later the same issue occurred. I know this was a big issue in 2016 and earlier models, I believe the problem was never fixed in 2017 models. Our car is currently in the shop and they are "emailing Ford" about what to do. The first incident I was on the interstate when I stopped abruptly and the second was on the highway. I luckily had no one behind me both times otherwise this could've easily caused an accident.

NHTSA ODI 11423908

CURRENTLY LEFT REAR KNUCKLE AND LINK FAILING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. Dealership service dept will not cover under warranty even though Ford had put out a recall for other 2017 ford explorers. recall# 19V435000. Ford previously replaced under warranty the rear left wheel bearing and then rear axle on two separate service visits, which both services required removal and repressing rear knuckle bushing. Now several months later, i am experiencing severe loud noises from my left rear knuckle.

NHTSA ODI 11423527

While driving on a public road at approximately 55 mph the passenger side windshield trim piece flew off of my car. Fortunately, the piece did not strike any other vehicles on the road. I am now concerned that the driver's side windshield trim will also fly off while I am driving. At this time, Ford does not have a safety recall for this item. I have received a recall notice for another item. The notice indicates, "On your vehicle, it may be possible for the roof rail covers to become loose or detach from the vehicle". I scheduled an appointment to have this repaired but the service technician told me that they are not able to resolve the issue at this time. Apparently the initial "fix" did not work and Ford is trying to find another solution. These removable parts are a huge safety risk for everyone on the road. A recall and permanent solution is required to keep motorist safe. Thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11423503

My daughter and I had a car accident she was driving and I was in the passenger side on April 28 the car side swiped us tried to avoid from hitting her in the back the seatbelts locked but the airbags never deployed none of the recalls were fixed and Ford denied my claims for nothing will not send out an investigator to check the car my insurance said it’s a total loss so I did get hurt in the accident and I want to be compensated please call me [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11422211

THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD PILLAR MOLDINGS ARE LOOSE AND COMING OFF AND MAKING A VIBRATION SOUND WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OVER 30 MPH. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF THEM FLYING OFF WHILE DRIVING AND POTENTIALLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT TO OTHER MOTORISTS. PLASTIC MOLDING AT THE DOORS IS BE MELTING AND WARPING IN SEVERAL AREAS.

NHTSA ODI 11421626