Home · 2017 Ford Explorer Police Intercept · Complaints

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

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (1,671)Crash / fire / injury (61)Body & structure (645)Engine (235)Transmission & drivetrain (122)Electrical system (91)Engine & cooling (76)Steering (74)Visibility & wipers (74)Wheels (60)Suspension (55)Fuel system (49)

Newest first · 1,671 complaints · page 67 of 67

Mar 21, 2017Speed controlFuel system

LAST NIGHTS AS I DROVE MY NEW 2017 EXPLORER OFF THE LOT WITH ONLY 11 MILES ON IT, I DROVE ON SURFACE STREETS AND THEN ONTO THE HIGHWAY. AFTER I GOT UP TO 65 MPH THE EXPLORER STARTED TO LOSE ACCELERATION ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD TO GET OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT AND THEN HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY GETTING THE CAR TO MOVE FROM 0 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR TO GET BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP USING THE SIDE STREETS. I NOW HAVE A LOANER CAR AND I WAS FIRST TOLD IT COULD BE THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY, AND THEN AFTER A HOOKUP TO THE COMPUTER WAS TOLD IT WAS IN TRANSPORT MODE - HOWEVER NOTHING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REGISTERED ANY PROBLEMS. I HAD TEST DRIVEN THE CAR ON SATURDAY 3/18/17 USING BOTH SURFACE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, AND LAST NIGHT (3/20/17) I WAS ABLE TO GET IT UP TO SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY AGAIN. THE EXPERIENCE WAS VERY SCARY AS I HAD TO MANEUVER OUT OF TRAFFIC TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AT SPEED BELOW 40 MPH UNTIL I COULD GET TO THE SIDE STREETS.

NHTSA ODI 10967562

Mar 7, 2017Engine

EXHAUST GASES ENTERING THE PASSENGER CABIN, CAUSING BAD SMELL, USUALLY UNDER LOAD, DURING HILL CLIMBING, MODERATE TO HARD ACCELERATION WHEN JOINING INTERSTATE OR FASTER ROADS, AC IN USE, WITH OR WITHOUT RECIRCULATION ON, SYMPTOMS OF SORE RUNNY EYES AND HEADACHE AND NAUSEA IN CHILDREN AND OTHER OCCUPANTS. CONFIRMED TODAY BY DEALER WHO HAS IMPLEMENTED AN ATTEMPTED FIX. THIS IS A 2017 MODEL XLT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS SINCE VEHICLE FIRST PURCHASED. INITIALLY BELIEVED IT WAS SMELLS FROM OTHER VEHICLES, HOWEVER AS SYMPTOMS CONTINUED WITH OCCUPANTS SEARCH REVEALED KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE CONFIRMED BY DEALER TODAY AND ATTEMPTED FIX UNDERTAKEN.

NHTSA ODI 10959172

Mar 4, 2017AirbagsSeat belts

WITHIN THE FIRST 2 WEEKS OF GETTING MY VEHICLE THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH WOULD COME ON AND OFF RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING. RESTARTING THE CAR WOULD SOMETIMES FIX IT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TOOK 5 DAYS TO FIX IT. ENDED UP BEING THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT TENSIONER.

NHTSA ODI 10958642

Feb 23, 2017Wheels

2016 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK VENTUS S1 NOBLE 2 TIRES SIZE 255/50 R20. THE DOT CODE ON THE TIRES IS 5MNC 1AH 0716. THE VEHICLE ODOMETER SHOWS 4,186 MILES. ON FEBRUARY 19, 2017 WHILE DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AT LESS THAN 25MPH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SUFFERED A "CATASTROPHIC" SIDEWALL FAILURE RESULTING IN THE TIRE GOING COMPLETELY FLAT IN LESS THAT 1 MINUTE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE INSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. (THIS SEEMS TO BE THE SAME SYMPTOM FOR WHICH HANKOOK ISSUED AN EARLIER - JAN 2016 - RECALL.) ALL FOUR TIRES WERE PROPERLY INFLATED AS INDICATED BY THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM. TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE THE TIRE HAD NEVER STRUCK AN OBJECT THAT COULD HAVE WEAKENED THE SIDEWALL.

NHTSA ODI 10956614

Feb 14, 2017

SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS WHEN I HAVE MY A/C ON AT FREEWAY SPEEDS

NHTSA ODI 10954446

Feb 14, 2017

PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AUGUST 2016. SHORTLY THERE AFTER STARTING SUFFERING SEVERE HEADACHES. VISITED MY FAMILY DOCTOR IN NOVEMBER 2017 AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH MIGRAINE HEADACHES AND PRESCRIBED MEDICATION. WENT BACK TO DOCTOR DECEMBER 2016 BECAUSE MEDICINE WAS NOT HELPING. I WAS HAVING 2 HEADACHES A WEEK SO THEY TRIED A MORE AGGRESSIVE MEDICINE TO NO AVAIL. DOCTOR COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY! I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED HEADACHES UNTIL I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 10954449

Feb 14, 2017

AFTER HARD ACCELERATION THE CABIN FILLS WITH EXHAUST SMELL AND I GET A HEAD ACHE INSTANTLY WHEN YOU ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN AND IT CLEARS OUT OF THE CABIN. YOUR HEAD ACHE GOES AWAY. THE CAR IS FINE UNTIL YOU ACCELERATE AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 10954517

Feb 14, 2017

OUTSIDE VEHICLE EXHAUST ENTERS CAB AREA WHEN ACCELERATING WITH AIR CONDITIONER IS ON

NHTSA ODI 10954618

Feb 13, 2017

WHEN I DRIVE THE TRUCK LOST POWER AND THE GAS PEDAL DON'T WORK FOR 25 SEC. GO OFF AND ON AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY AND IN CITY STREETS. THIS HAPPENED IN THREE (3) DIFFERENT TIMES. THE DEALER DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS. CAR IS BEEN ON THE DEALER IN THREE(3) DIFFERENT TIMES.

NHTSA ODI 10954142

Feb 6, 2017Brakes

BRAKES ARE VERY SENSITIVE. WHEN APPLYING THEM YOU HAVE TO THINK A LOT ABOUT FOOT PRESSURE. UNLESS YOU WANT TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT 60 MPH. LOCAL FORD SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME HE KNOWS ABOUT THE SENSITIVITY AND NO FIX FOR IT AT THIS TIME. SO WE WILL WAIT TILL WE HAVE A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT OR SELL THE CARE AS IS.

NHTSA ODI 10949724

Jan 24, 2017

BACK UP CAMERA DOES NOT WORK ON A BRAND NEW CAR.

NHTSA ODI 10947476

Dec 30, 2016

THIS A POLICE PATROL VEHICLE USED AS A K-9 UNIT. DEPUTIES HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING OF HEADACHES AFTER SHIFT. LAST NIGHT THEY HAD TO BE SEEN BY EMS. THEY HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING OF A SULFUR SMELL INSIDE THE EXPLORER. THEY HAD THE FIRE DEPT CHECK THE CARBON MONOXIDE LEVELS AND IT WAS OVER 100PPM. IT IS AT A FORD DEALER NOW AND DO NOT KNOW WHEN IT WILL BE FIXED. THIS IS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW AND IT HAS ALWAYS DONE THIS WE JUST DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS.

NHTSA ODI 10938805

Nov 28, 2016Electrical systemLights

ON 09/15/16 WE PURCHASED A 2017 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED FROM SUPREME FORD OF SLIDELL, LA. TWO WEEKS AFTER HAVING THE SUV, WE NOTICED THE RIGHT TAIL LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING AT TIMES. ON 11/16/2016, WE DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR THE LIGHT. WHEN THE SALES MANAGER DROVE THE SUV TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THE REAR RIGHT TAILLIGHT WAS WORKING.. BUT WHEN THE SERVICE MANAGER LOOKED AT THE SUV, THE LIGHT WAS WORKING. BUT WHEN WE STARTED BACK TO DENHAM SPRINGS, LA, THE RIGHT TAILLIGHT STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN. I TOOK SEVERAL VIDEOS OF THE LIGHT RANDOMLY GOING OFF AND ON THE TRIP BACK HOME WITH MY IPHONE. I ATTACHED VIDEO OF THE LIGHT, I EDITED IT TO A SMALLER SIZE AND EMAILED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. ON 11/17/16 WE RECEIVED A REPLY FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER STATING; THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO VIDEO AND SEND IT TO US REGARDING THE TAILLAMP CONCERN YOU ARE HAVING WITH YOUR 2017 EXPLORER, THE NEXT TIME THE CONCERN DISPLAY ITSELF CONSISTENTLY, A RENTAL AT OUR EXPENSE FOR A DAY TO SEE IF WE CAN ISOLATE THE CAUSE. [XXX] SERVICE MANAGER SUPREME FORD SLIDELL [XXX] [XXX] I REPLIED TO THE DEALERSHIP; [XXX], THE NEW 2017 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED STILL HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT TAIL LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY WORKING ABOUT %50 OF THE TIME. I DO NOT THINK THERE WILL BE A TIME WHEN THE TAIL LIGHT WILL "CONSITTANTLY" GO OUT... THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT... THE VIDEO CLIP I SENT YOU IS JUST A SAMPLING OF THE TAIL LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY GOING OUT DURING OUR DRIVE HOME TO DENHAM SPRINGS... I AM CONCERNED WITH DRIVING THE "LEMON VEHICLE" AND BELEIVE THAT FORD NEEDS TO REPLACE THE "LEMON VEHICLE" WITH A PROPER WORKING NEW 2017 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED, WITH A ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL AS THE SALESPERSON STATED THE VEHICLE HAD. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10928431

Nov 16, 2016Fuel system

2017 FORD EXPLORER SPORT-WHEN MY CAR IS IN ACCELERATION THERE'S AN EXHAUST SMELL THAT CONSUMES THE CABIN. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME .

NHTSA ODI 10926507

Nov 12, 2016Fuel system

THIS IS A BRAND NEW EXPLORER 2017 WITH LESS THAN 700 MILES. I HAD TWO PROBLEMS; THE FIRST ONE IS SERIOUS. 1)THIS HAPPENED WITH ME TWICE; WHERE THERE WAS A FUEL LEAKING FROM THE CAR TO THE GROUND WHEN I FILLED THE CAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITH A FULL TANK. I BELIEVE THAT IF THE CAR ROLES OVER IN AN ACCIDENT IT IS GOING TO CATCH FIRE I WILL TRY TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. 2) THE GAS MILEAGE IN THIS CAR IS VERY DISAPPOINTING. THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMED THAT MPG IS 16/22, BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT IS LESS THAN 13 IN CITY. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED.

NHTSA ODI 10925582

Nov 6, 2016Body & structure

VERY STRONG EXHAUST SMELL IN CABIN AFTER HARD ACCELERATION. THE AC WAS ON AND IN THE RECIRCULATION POSITION. THE SMELL IS STRONG AND THE CABIN MUST BE VENTED BY ROLLING THE WINDOWS DOWN TO EVACUATE THE SMELL.

NHTSA ODI 10924538

Nov 5, 2016Seat belts

REAR SEAT BELT DOES NOT FASTEN PROPERLY WHEN A COSMETIC DOOR BECOMES JAMMED IN THE MECHANISM. SEAT BELT WAS RENDERED UNUSABLE AND COULD EFFECT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE REAR SEATS. DESIGN FLAW EXPECTED, NO ABUSE TO COMPONENTS AND BRAND NEW VEHICLE. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING OR NOT- THE SEATBELTS FAILED TO WORK (FASTEN). IN THE ATTACHED PICTURES YOU CAN SEE MY FINGER PUSHING ON THE DOOR THAT BECAME JAMMED- IN THE OTHER PICTURE YOU CAN SEE THE DOOR WAS REMOVED BY THE DEALER AFTER IT FAILED (CAUSING THE SEATBELT TO NO LONGER FUNCTION).

NHTSA ODI 10924396

Oct 17, 2016Electrical systemEngine

AFTER A STOP, THE CAR WAS AT STATIONARY, WAS NOT ABLE TO START THE CAR BY PUSHING THE START BUTTON, GAVE ME ERROR ON THE DASHBOARD "FULL ACCESSORY POWER ACTIVE". TRIED TO TURN IT OFF, AFTER MULTIPLE TIMES OF TRYING, WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR, IT HAS 606 MI ON IT.

NHTSA ODI 10916675

Oct 12, 2016Steering

2017 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ALERT GAUGE MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAYS FAILURE OF COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM, TRACKING CONTROL SYSTEM AND STEERING SYSTEM. ATTEMPTS TO REPLACE/REPAIR SENSOR AND STEERING COLUMN FAILS. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER A SENSOR WAS REPLACED. TWO DAYS LATER, THE DEALER CALLED THE CONSUMER AND INFORMED HIM THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED AND STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI 10913513

Sep 21, 2016

FULL ACCESSORY POWER ACTIVE ERROR MESSAGE - RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE WHEN I STARTED THE CAR TO DRIVE OUT MY DRIVEWAY, THE CAR WAS FULLY LOCKED UP HAD TO TURN OFF AND RE-START.

NHTSA ODI 10908380

Sep 13, 2016

I HAVE A 2017 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAS A EXHAUST LEAK THAT I SMELL WHEN I ENTER THE HIGHWAY. I ALSO SMELL THIS ODOR WHEN I TOW MY WAVE RUNNER. THE ODOR IS SO STRONG THAT MY SON VOMITED WHILE IN THE VEHICLE. I TOOK MY 2017 FORD EXPLORER TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT CAN NOT FIX IT. THIS IS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE THAT I CANNOT DRIVE AND FORD DOES NOT CARE. WHAT CAN I DO? I GOOGLED THIS ISSUE TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE IS HAVING THIS ISSUE AND I FOUND THAT THERE IS A LAWSUIT AGAINST FORD FOR THIS SAME ISSUE WITH 2011-2015 FORD EXPLORERS. WHY IS FORD STILL SENDING OUT NEW VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP ME GET MY EXPLORER FIXED OR REPLACED. AGAIN I TRIED TO GET REPAIRED BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT CANNOT FIX IT. I'M VERY WORRIED ABOUT CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING !! PLEASE HELP!!

NHTSA ODI 10906040

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How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2017 Ford Explorer Police Intercept verdict →