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

NHTSA Recall Number 24V031. Exterior A-pillar applique trim flew off my vehicle while driving on I-95 in Florida in May 2023. This part is on my 2017 Ford Explorer and is listed on the NHTSA safety recall, 24V031, which was initiated in 2023. I have received two recall notifications from Ford, the first saying that the parts would be available in early 2024. I brought my vehicle to my local Ford dealership in 2024 and again in 2025, and when I called to follow up in February 2026, they said that Ford is not honoring this recall and has done nothing to get the replacement parts, telling customers that if they really want the parts, they should order them from an after market parts supplier. I did that, but the after market part was inferior. So, at this point in time, I am extremely frustrated and am filing this complaint to get an official response from Ford.

NHTSA ODI 11727537

the safety problem is a known recall that remains unfixed since 2024 and should have higher priority for FORD then they currently do. Since owning the vehicle there have been numerous occasions where when on highway speeds the trim flies off. First two times there was nobody behind us but the third time a piece flew off of the trim causing the car behind us dramatically. Luckily no accident was caused but potential for flying debris should be a higher priority for you and FORD as well. Debris should be a major concern specially in highway with speed up to 75mph debris can be deadly. Honestly this debris is a ticking time bomb for anyone driving with these trims that have not popped off yet. We dont need to wait for someone to be seriously hurt or killed in order to move up this repair in priority. I believe FORD and maybe even you guys consider this a low priority becaue it is "cosmetic" but flying debris can be deadly specially when we know its an issue last 2 years

NHTSA ODI 11727358

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the passenger’s side A-pillar trim detached from the front windshield. The contact received several notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted several times in reference to the recall but was informed that parts were not available; occasionally, there were no responses. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

NHTSA ODI 11726921

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. 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 contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s side A-pillar trim detached near the windshield. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11726668

First my Roof rack trim flew away on the freeway, Now my mirror cover flew away on the freeway as well hitting a car begin me ....

NHTSA ODI 11726287

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar and B-pillar trim pieces damaged the window, causing the contact to be pulled over by Law Enforcement several times. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. 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 made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 158,200.

NHTSA ODI 11726462

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. While the contact's daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's side B-pillar trim detached. In addition, the contact stated that the electrical wires were exposed. The contact stated that the exposed wires might result in electrical failure with the vehicle and were unsafe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was confirmed that the failure was a result of the unrepaired recall. The contact was informed that the front driver's side B-pillar trim needed to be detached. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the parts were ordered and would be available in August 2026. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ODI 11725825

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the passenger's side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired after the most recent failure. The contact stated that the passenger’s side A-pillar trim was loose. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

NHTSA ODI 11725840

The pillers where in inspected by the dealership and determined that they need to be replaced and one of the recalls have been for over 2 years and the other is for over 8 months. I called Ford and they just told me the parts are still not availabe as the dealer Walker Ford in Clearwater also claims.

NHTSA ODI 11725211

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 upon further inspection, the driver’s and passenger’s side B-pillar trims were loose. 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 made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

NHTSA ODI 11725226

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the A-pillar trim detached from the front windshield. No warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The local dealer was notified, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted by chat, and informed the contact that parts were not yet available and that another notification would be sent when parts were available. The failure mileage was approximately 121,613.

NHTSA ODI 11725296

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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ODI 11725001

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim detached, and duct tape was used to secure the piece into place. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure), 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. 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 76,000.

NHTSA ODI 11723638

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, there was air coming from the driver’s side A-pillar. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where an inspection was performed, and the driver’s side A-pillar trim was replaced. The contact stated that almost three years after the A-pillar trim was replaced, the failure returned. The contact then received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was 47,979.

NHTSA ODI 11722968

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 while his son was driving approximately 60-70 MPH, the driver's side door exterior B-Pillar trim, where the keyless entry pad was installed, fractured and partly flew off the vehicle, causing the keyless entry pad to remain illuminated or to blink constantly. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced an abnormal battery drainage since the failure. The dealer was contacted, and a service appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the part for the recall repair would be available by August 2026. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ODI 11723066

According to the recall of the a-pilar which can lead to the safety of the road and people on the road. There as yet to be a solution to fix this issue on the ford explorer which leave an open recall. Ford is highly responsible for not finding a remedy to fix this is for the safety of the owner of vehicle and other drivers on the road.

NHTSA ODI 11722112

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ODI 11721776

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 while replacing the windshield wipers, the trim around the front windshield detached. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. 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 98,000.

NHTSA ODI 11721485

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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ODI 11720631

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the front driver's side B-pillar trim was fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that previously the manufacturer issued a recall for the toe links, and the recall repair was performed. The contact stated that, according to the manufacturer, the part that was replaced was the part under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11720363

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the passenger’s side B-pillar trim was becoming loose near the top of the trim. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, when the dealer was contacted, the contact was informed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.

NHTSA ODI 11720157

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The local dealer was contact about the recall and the A-pillar trims were replaced. The contact then stated that while driving 65 MPH, the passenger’s side A-pillar trim flew off the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the part for the repair was on backorder. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11719941

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 repairs. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issues. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ODI 11719014

There is currently a safety recall 25S53 for B pillar trim that is out but Ford says my SUV is not covered under it. The B pillar trim is in fact beginning to fall off now.

NHTSA ODI 11717816

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was on backorder. 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 contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11717599