Ford Explorer / 2017

2017 Ford Explorer problems

Owners have filed 2,042 complaints about the 2017 Ford Explorer with NHTSA. Structure accounts for 31.7% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of engine at 11.6%. A further 18.0% were filed without a specific system named.

Complaints2,042

Crashes54

Fires16

Injuries67

Deaths0

What owners report breaking

Structure 31.7% · 648

Unknown or other 18.0% · 367

Engine 11.6% · 236

Power train 6.2% · 126

Electrical system 4.6% · 94

Engine and engine cooling 3.8% · 77

Steering 3.7% · 76

Wheels 2.9% · 60

Severity

Of those complaints, 54 describe a crash, 16 describe a fire and 67 report an injury.

Reading the numbers

Across the 33 model years of the Ford Explorer in this data, 2017 sits 8th by complaint volume. 2002 draws the most.

Filings are rising — 894 in the last three years against 556 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.

The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 46,000 miles.

In owners' own words

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the windshield trim panel started to detach from the windshield and partially separated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, who informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,720. Structure · reported at 73,720 miles

While driving on the interstate the second day that we had the car, bought it used the right side window A pillar trim came off the car and landed on the interstate and broke in pieces. Several cars behind us had to swerve to keep from hitting the parts. Could have caused a very bad accident as there was a lot of cars on the road. I see that this a major issue with the Explorers and should be recalled due to safety. Structure

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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Structure

Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Safety recalls

Checking NHTSA for open recalls…

Other Ford Explorer years

2014 2,043 complaints · 24.3% steering 2015 2,217 complaints · 18.2% structure 2016 3,025 complaints · 19.3% structure 2018 875 complaints · 32.8% structure 2019 337 complaints · 43.9% structure 2020 1,681 complaints · 28.1% power train

Compare all 33 model years →