2017 Ford Explorer problems and recalls
Owners filed 873 complaints on the 2017 Ford Explorer in the last three full years, out of 1,691 on record. The most cited component is the Structure.
1,691
Complaints
14
Recalls
34
Crash reports
11
Fire reports
51
Injuries
37.5
Severity index
Severity index 37.5 Low. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.
Ranked 121 of 137 by severity index among 2017 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 12% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2017 ranking.
Components cited in complaints
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| STRUCTURE | 654 | 38.7% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 372 | 22.0% |
| ENGINE | 236 | 14.0% |
| POWER TRAIN | 123 | 7.3% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 93 | 5.5% |
| STEERING | 76 | 4.5% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 76 | 4.5% |
| WHEELS | 60 | 3.5% |
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 143 |
| 2018 | 122 |
| 2019 | 134 |
| 2020 | 64 |
| 2021 | 97 |
| 2022 | 96 |
| 2023 | 253 |
| 2024 | 229 |
| 2025 | 391 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 152 |
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 3.4x those in 2020 to 2022 (873 against 257).
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V651000 | 11/09/2019 | SEATS | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with power front seats. The seat frames may have sharp edges. |
| 19V435000 | 10/06/2019 | SUSPENSION:REAR | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension. |
| 17E048000 | 28/08/2017 | WHEELS:HUB | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feat |
| 17V530000 | 28/08/2017 | STEERING | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Explorer, Taurus and Police Interceptor Utility and Sedan vehicles. The steering gear heat shield fasteners may corrode, allowing the heat shield to detach. |
| 17V332000 | 22/05/2017 | SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Explorer, F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 vehicles equipped with a manual driver's seat back recliner mechanism. In the event of a crash, the seat back frame may not restrain the occupant due to having inadequate weld |
| 16V925000 | 22/12/2016 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-2017 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, 2017 Ford Explorer and Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on |
| 21V316000 | 05/05/2021 | STRUCTURE:BODY | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle. |
| 21V537000 | 15/07/2021 | SUSPENSION:REAR | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, P |
| 20V675000 | 12/03/2021 | SUSPENSION:REAR | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, |
| 24V031000 | 19/01/2024 | STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach. |
| 25V347000 | 23/05/2025 | STRUCTURE:BODY | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving. |
| 25V685000 | 10/10/2025 | EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolan |
| 26V101000 | 20/02/2026 | SUSPENSION:REAR | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture. |
| 26V448000 | 14/07/2026 | STRUCTURE:BODY | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle. |
Other Ford Explorer model years
Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 14 years side by side.
- 2012sev 26.0
- 2013sev 35.6
- 2014sev 34.3
- 2015sev 52.0
- 2016sev 30.2
- 2018sev 31.4
- 2019sev 29.8
- 2020sev 43.4
- 2021sev 53.6
- 2022sev 89.1
- 2023sev 84.0
- 2024sev 79.8
- 2025sev 62.0
Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-07. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.