What 1,665 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Ford Explorer

seal around front driver door and passenger doors are coming off and can cause a hazard. there is a recall issued for this from may 2025 but no remedy has been provided from ford for over a year now. this is not what i consider a remedy in a timely fashion as it could come off and possibly cause me to get into a crash.

NHTSA ODI 11748696

B pillar trim flew off while going down highway. Almost hit vehicle behind me.

NHTSA ODI 11748440

The trunk does not open. The lift gate error message comes on. The lights stay on longer than they should and the battery is drained. This all resulted after the b pillar flew off on the high way. I have had duct tape on my car for over a year and unable to access the trunk.

NHTSA ODI 11748550

This has happened several times where the transmission will not go into drive and makes an electronic noise while trying to shift into drive. If you turn the car off, open the driver's door, wait for complete power down then restart the vehicle, it will then go into drive. Sometimes it just takes one attempt, sometimes several. Seems to be a computer malfunction similar to a recent recall but for different year explorers.

NHTSA ODI 11747883

Vehicle was brought in to Magic city ford for a state inspection and was informed that there was a recall on the suspension to replace the tow link in the rear. Vehicle was inspected and tire tread level documented etc . Vehicle was driven 3,000 miles over the next 60 days, including a family trip to the beach. It was then noticed that the rear tires were completely bald on outer half of the tire with one showing cords. Vehicle was taken to Ford dealership who claimed that the vehicle had been aligned before it left the shop and that where was due to the rear control arms. Owner requested a printout with the before and after alignment information required. Dealership spent an hour trying to find the information and then provided a sheet lacking any of the identifiable information dated 5/1/2026, when the vehicle was there on 4/30/2026. It's truly scary to think what would have happened had I not noticed the tires condition. I do not believe that the rear tires were ever aligned. This is an all-wheel drive vehicle, so internal damage is possible. Ford is refusing to cover anything because it's been 60 days.

NHTSA ODI 11748045

My Explorer had Recall 21S32 completed at the dealership on April 1st. The remedy for recall 21S32 was insufficient. Within a month and a half I began hearing a metal clanking noise coming from the rear of the Explorer when I went over bumps. Very quickly the clanking became a lot of frequent loud squeaking. I brought it back to the dealership and they immediately heard the noise and were able to diagnose the problem as coming from the driver side rear wheel knuckle bushing. The service manager and the master technician both agreed that the suspension problem are a direct result of the recall work that was completed. While the Toe-link recall work was done correctly, the new torque placed on the knuckle bushing directly relating to the recall work has caused it to fail. It is obvious that the underlying defect caused the rear wheel knuckle to fail, leaving the vehicle unstable. Ford corporate is refusing to resolve the secondary structural damage caused by their defective safety component and their Safety Department refuses to provide a timeline for assistance.

NHTSA ODI 11747719

Received recall 25V347 in June of 2025. They still say the parts are not available. The driver side B-pillar trim came loose a few months ago. The dealer (lithia ford, Boise, ID) said I would have to pay over $600 to have them repair it and the money would not be refunded when the recall parts are available. Not having the parts available for over a year is unreasonable.

NHTSA ODI 11746201

Regarding Safety Recall Notice 25S53 / NHTSA Recall 25V347, I received the recall literature June 2025. This past week, a trim piece in this recall came off the vehicle while in motion. This is a safety hazard and can cause accidents. Upon reaching out to Ford, NO remedy is available and might have something (might) November 2026. That is too long to wait for other pieces to fall off and possibly create accidents. I can't understand why it has taken over a year now to come up with a remedy. Obviously they are aware of the seriousness of this failure, and this should be addressed ASAP!

NHTSA ODI 11746093

My 2017 Ford Explorer XLT with approximately 236,000 miles has an ongoing EVAP/fuel vapor system problem that causes the vehicle to hesitate, stumble, and attempt to stall. The problem occurs most frequently after refueling and also when the fuel level is low. The check-engine light comes on repeatedly, and despite numerous repair attempts, the issue has not been corrected. Repairs and parts replaced have included the purge valve, EVAP-related sensor(s), charcoal canister(s), and associated tubing. Significant money has been spent diagnosing and repairing this condition, but the symptoms continue. After filling the fuel tank, the engine may run rough, hesitate, lose power, and attempt to stall. This creates a safety concern because the vehicle can unexpectedly lose power or stall while driving, entering traffic, slowing for intersections, or operating in other traffic situations. The condition has persisted despite replacement of multiple EVAP system components. Based on the repeated failures and inability to permanently correct the issue, I believe this may indicate a defect affecting other vehicles of the same model year. I am requesting that this issue be investigated due to the potential safety risk associated with engine hesitation, loss of power, and stalling.

NHTSA ODI 11744673

The contact was the manager at a used auto dealer, and the inventory included a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the driver's side exterior A-pillar trim had detached and fell off the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that parts for the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

NHTSA ODI 11744409

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the driver's side A-pillar trim had detached, and the passenger's side A-pillar trim was loose and lifting. Additionally, the rear passenger's side door trim had detached. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11744444

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood with the Check Engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road, and the contact inspected the vehicle and became aware of smoke coming from underneath the vehicle. The failure reoccurred while the contact and the contact's minor children were traveling. A nearby Police Officer assisted the contact. The contact informed the officer that the vehicle was recently purchased from a CarMax. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the nearby CarMax. The vehicle was taken to CarMax, where the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine had severe fluid leaks. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was shipped back to the residence a month later. The failure reoccurred and was a persistent failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to CarMax twelve times due to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

NHTSA ODI 11744271

I am writing regarding recall 24s02, a pillar trim piece coming off. They did come of about a year ago. Woodland Ford ordered the recalled parts in January 2025. I am very frustrated at this point as is the dealership. We paid a lot of money for this vehicle and the car looks like something from a shady used car lot. Not a good look! This problem has gone on for way too long. I don’t want to hear excuses like supply chain issues or needing millions of these parts made to complete the job. These excuses are ridiculous. Ford should not be allowed to make any new Explorers and no new ones can’t be sold until this recall is resolved. They must have the parts mentioned to put on new Explorers as they are being built. I would like a pair of those for my vehicle. Also I would like Ford heavily fined and each customer paid $10k for their trouble. Our car was 60k so I think this request is reasonable. Don’t tell me to take it to dealer for temporary repairs. Those are not satisfactory and any mechanic will say the repair is unsatisfactory.

NHTSA ODI 11744036

Rear suspension toe links have failed after prior recall repair in Canada in May of 2022. The vehicle is now registered in the US and the recall repair has failed causing driving, suspension, and extreme tire wearing.

NHTSA ODI 11743282

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (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 contact stated that the front driver's and passenger's-side B-pillar trims had detached. The failure prevented the windows from rolling down and rendered the trunk inoperable due to an electrical short. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

NHTSA ODI 11743302

Car was running fine then went to start and received warning about car being too hot. Checked coolant and it was low. Refilled and drove home. Upon arriving engine light came on. PO301 code. There was coolant intrusion into the cylinders, leading to engine failure. Rough idle when starting. Did not drive after this. Went to start and car will not start at all. Symptoms include: Coolant loss with no visible leaks White exhaust smoke Rough idle or misfires P0300 / P0301 / P0302 codes Hydro-locked or destroyed engines

NHTSA ODI 11742877

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NTHSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available.  The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure. The local dealer was contacted.  The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.  The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

NHTSA ODI 11743038

The silver roof rack cover on both sides of vehicle completely came off of vehicle while driving. The clips broke off just like the problems listed in another recall for the same year Explorer. There is a recall for all models of the same year and make, however the Limited is excluded from the recall. If someone was behind me it could've resulted in a crash. This recall for this part needs to be for all models.

NHTSA ODI 11742587

The driver side headlight low beam LED stopped functioning. I noticed moisture inside the headlight housing. I bought a replacement headlight unit and a control module. The replacement headlight housing has also had the low beam go out, again. Now I have to purchase a module to see if the headlight itself is fine and it's possibly just the module that's going out. A lot of other people are having the same exact issue. This is ridiculous. How is this not a recall item?

NHTSA ODI 11742387

I had the rear toe links replaced under recall 21s32 on April 1, 2026. Within a month I started hearing a clunking noise from the back drivers side wheel whenever I hit a bump. My local mechanic looked at the Explorer and said the problem is the knuckle bushing. I contacted the Ford service department and asked them to fix it under customer satisfaction program 22N01. They told me I wasn’t eligible but for $185 they could do a diagnostic test and I’d be responsible for the full cost of any needed repairs.

NHTSA ODI 11742044

No warning. It was cold out. I ran into a store. Came back to my car and started it. The rear window defrost automatically turned on. I sat for a few minutes to let my car warm up and the back window exploded. I heard the loud explosion like a gun shot. Look back and the window exploded all into the vehicle. If I had a child in the 3rd row seat they would have had glass all over them. Possibly causing harm to any rear passenger. I since have had the window replaced. But after doing research about complaints. this has happened to several people. Even several times. This is a safety concern and should be thoroughly investigated!

NHTSA ODI 11741909

The A-pillar appliqué trim bordering my windshield on both sides has become loose and has been detaching and flying into the road unexpectedly while I’m driving. I have been waiting over 18 months now for parts to become available for this repair as the hazard continues to become worse. The recall details indicate “ FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS WORKING CLOSELY WITH ITS SUPPLIERS TO PRODUCE PARTS FOR THIS REPAIR. WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL NOTIFY YOU VIA MAIL TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR DEALER FOR REPAIRS TO BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE PARTS AND LABOR. PARTS ARE ANTICIPATED TO BE AVAILABLE TOWARD THE LATTER HALF OF 2024.” but I have yet to be contacted to have this repair completed. I am filing this complaint because Ford has failed to address this repair in a timely manner.

NHTSA ODI 11740600

I’ve had three transmissions replaced from 2023 to 2026. Ford no longer makes 2017 Ford Explorer transmissions so I keep getting bad parts. In 2026 engine light came on , coolant leaking into cylinders, $11K to fix. This car has left me stranded on the side of the road , not to mention months at the dealership trying to find transmission parts. Ford Corporation refuses to buy back vehicle based on lemon law. Rear seatbelts defective.

NHTSA ODI 11740383

While driving approximately 65-70mph on a straight stretch of road back end began to fish tail, unable to control the steering of the vehicle, vehicle slide to right, hitting a ditch, causing the vehicle to roll multiple times . Causing severe damage to car, and bodily injury to driver.

NHTSA ODI 11740490

Car started to overheat randomly, no signs of issues before, replaced the water pump for the second time in a year (2025 and again 2026). Continued having issues & white smoke puffing, turned out to have an oil leak due to piston rings being melted to the pistons, causing all spark plugs (prior repalced) and engine to be bad. Car is continuing to worse, sputters just sitting after you start it. Smells like burnt oil. Too dangerous to drive so it’s been sitting for weeks after pouring $3,000 into it to not have it fixed and now needing a new motor.

NHTSA ODI 11740275