10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
14 / 0
Average Mileage:
9,112 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2017 Ford Explorer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #220

Dec 032022

Explorer

  • miles
I was driving in the highway and one of the roof racks went off flying and almost hit the car behind me. After I stopped I checked the other rack and it is also lose and coming off.

- North Providence, RI, USA

problem #219

Jan 012021

Explorer 6-cyl

  • miles
IN JANUARY 2021 I had a recall for the roof rails on my 2017 Ford Explorer - it took them a year to get the parts due to covid but they finally fixed the roof rails. About one month ago the roof rails started to pop back up - I made appointment at local Ford Dealership in Fuquay Varina, NC. The told me the recall was closed and they were not responsible for them coming up again as they repaired them for the recall. Once recall is closed out that is it.. nothing can be done. Is this correct? They finally agreed to cover 60 percent and I would have to pay 40 percent. Is this correct. Why should I have to pay out of pocked when the repair did not fix the problem. I contacted Ford at [XXX],[XXX] and they told me the same thing and said I only had until December 21 to make a decision. How can this be fair. Please help. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #218

Oct 132022

Explorer 6-cyl

  • miles
Sunroof leaked & water dripped into top center light assembly and down either side of the windshield support frames, then into the back of the plastic panels under them, continuing down the supports that lead to far left & right frames and into the carpet under the rubber mats.Very concerned about water mixing with electrical parts of the lights in the overhead area over the dash & starting a fire.Tried to open sun roof so I could wipe the channels dry and reclose sunroof but the electric components to it stopped working probably due to water damage, so sunroof was now partially opened to the environment. Vehicle is available at my home in my driveway mostly covered by a blue tarp until I take it to the Ford dealer next week on Thursday to get inspected, checked & fixed (I hope).Was initially scared the water leak mixing with electricity of the overhead front lights & dripping behind the dash panel on either side of the front seats might create a spark and catch something on fire, but got fortunate and didn-€™t happen.Do not know if Ford dealer can reproduce it until they check it next weeThurs, but one of representatives at dealership repair shop mentioned they are aware of a common problem where if the sunroof is not cleaned & checked regularly the drain channels can get clogged and cause water to leak inside the car-my reply -€œwhy would Ford built car that leaks through the roof when it rains-€, could leak into electrical components inside the car-got no reply. Asked if this was the problem if Ford would fix it and pay for it and reply was we have to check it first to see what causes it and go from there. Told them I don-€™t use the sunroof and have not opened it, and was told it can still happen.Best friend saw it, have not reported it to police, insurance company will not look at it unless I submit a claim which I haven-€™t yet.Waiting to hear how much it will cost.No warning signs of problem until water started dripping from front overhead lights.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #217

Sep 072022

Explorer

  • miles
After having the fan replaced on my vehicle less than 200 miles put on it the AC compressor went out.

- Ranger, TX, USA

problem #216

Aug 122022

Explorer

  • miles
Window trim on the winshield flew off while driving. Apparently this is a common issue with explorers, as when I went to the Ford Dealership to inquire about replacement they knew exactly what i was talking about and that they have tons of people coming in about it and that they are shocked that it hasnt been a recall so far. I was told that even the owner of the dealership has an explorer and it happened to theirs as well. When the trim flew off i was driving on the interstate going 70 mph- Not only is it faulty but if it were to hit someone they could be injured.

- Fairmont, WV, USA

problem #215

Apr 202022

Explorer

  • miles
The windshield trim has flown off of my car twice. It's happened twice bc I repaired and then 3 mos. later it happened again. The 1st time it flew off I was driving home in rush hour traffic in downtown fort worth, tx and it flew off into the oncoming traffic. I could have seriously injured someone or caused a wreck, having car parts flying off at high rates of speed in the middle of a major city.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #214

Jul 022022

Explorer

  • miles
Water pump failed and coolant leaked into the engine

- Sanger, CA, USA

problem #213

Jan 212022

Explorer

  • miles
I received two letters about this recall and scheduled an appointment with a ford dealer. When I showed up for the appointment they said it would take them a few days to even look at the vehicle and if the recall was not valid I would be charged. This was at the Bell Ford dealer in Phoenix.

- Glendale , AZ, USA

problem #212

May 112022

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,281 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after his wife exited the vehicle from the front driver-€™s side door, while attempting to open the rear driver-€™s side door, the vehicle began to roll backwards and knocked her to the ground. The contact's wife was taken to the hospital to seek medical attention but was not injured. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,281. The contact has stated that they have been in communicate with several Ford dealerships as well as their corporate offices. Neither of them have been able to replicate the issue and resolve it.

- Mckinney, TX, USA

problem #211

Apr 282022

Explorer

  • miles
2017 ford 62,000 miles got vehicle brand new. On the freeway water light appears low coolant high temperature. I take vehicle water pump needed to be replaced. Vehicle is 2000 miles over and 5 Months over the warranty

- Santa Ana , CA, USA

problem #210

Mar 252022

Explorer

  • miles
The front windshield passenger side trim. Plastic trim flew off the windshield while driving 65 miles an hour in Tennessee on Hwy 111 near cookeville. It flew off but I was able to retrieve it from the side of the road. It could easily have hit a car behind or beside me. A flying object of any type at 65 miles an hour is dangerous. No inspection by a dealer or anyone has been done. I did get a verbal estimate of repair at $600 or more by a Ford dealer. They have to remove the windshield to repair it. The only warning I got was when I heard it flap once or twice and then saw it fly off. I believe the cause is due to Ford using plastic A clips and a plastic trim. 8 plastic A clips are one the windshield and then the trim pops on with a little strip of tape. All but 1 A clip is broken and a piece of the trim that attached to the A clip was still attached to the car. When you research this incident you see that it has occurred on many other vehicles and when I spoke to the Ford service center they knew exactly what I was talking about. So Ford is aware of this issue.

- Dawsonville, GA, USA

problem #209

Jan 132021

Explorer

  • miles
Window trim flew off while driving striking another cars windshield. Causing that driver to swerve.

- Apple Valley , CA, USA

problem #208

Feb 262020

Explorer

  • miles
Airbag light illuminated on dash board. No airbags in vehicle working. Have taken vehicle to the dealership 7-9 times to be serviced, always told it is a sensor that is loose or a seatbelt. This was not reported on the Carfax when I got the vehicle and started shortly after. I was once told none of the airbags in the bag of the vehicle were functioning but taping the senor (under the seat) with electrical tape fixed it. So many recalls on this vehicle, too dangerous to drive with no working airbags. Also the recall on the roof racks cause my vehicle to leak when it rained, ford service told me this was not possible. never looked at the problem and after the recall was fixed (after I asked twice) the vehicle stopped leaking, now the sunroof does not work. I have contacted Ford Cooperate about these issues also and they refused to help.

- Bristol, TN, USA

problem #207

Jan 212022

Explorer

  • miles
Both back doors of explorer closed at same time and back window completely shattered. It was cracked around edges and had a giant hole in it. (Husband took the photos and didn-€™t take one of whole window.)

- Waterford, CT, USA

problem #206

Feb 072022

Explorer

  • miles
When I had to drive with 1 inch of snow on the road it felt like my rear end was going to come out of my car. My rear end was all over the place and has been getting worse when driving in snow and rain. This is putting my children life at risk especially since there's a recall on my vehicle and there's still no parts to fix it. I want a rental car until someone gets this issues fixed! Someone is seriously going to be injured or this problem and the recall that can't be fixed. I'm scared for my safety to even drive it in the snow or rain but I have to work. This is a huge issue and I'm not sure why this is still an ongoing issue

- Wch, OH, USA

problem #205

Sep 242021

Explorer

  • miles
2 open recalls with no solution or date of resolution to be given.

- Tonawanda, NY, USA

problem #204

Jan 162022

Explorer

  • miles
I have 4 recalls on my vehicle that multiple Ford Dealerships tell me that they can not fix because of parts not being available or no remedy is available. This has been going on for almost a year now. With these recalls, I feel that my car is not safe to drive. What needs to be done.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #203

Nov 012021

Explorer

  • miles
The keyless entry door panel on the driver-€™s side door is coming undone and vibrates while driving. Others have said theirs has come off the vehicle while driving. Will be contacting the dealership.

- Ruther Glen, VA, USA

problem #202

Nov 012021

Explorer

  • miles
Ford Explorer 2017 SYNC/APIM malfunction. Touch screen and controls stop responding almost right after system starts. Troubleshoots indicate to perform master reset, software update, battery replacement but no difference. Software update is risky due system becomes unresponsive as per the original issue. Safety issues include but not limited to the responsiveness of controls as -GPS becomes unavailable -Navigation stop working/updating which indicates wrong directions and enter unwanted roads ending into a safety issue -AC or Heating can't be controlled, then depending of situation, this can affect health -Radio volume can't be modified, this can cause a safety issue -USB SYNC iOS/Android can't connect as systems is unresponsive, if it gets connected, navigation is affected.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #201

Sep 232021

Explorer

  • miles
The clear trim panels by the driver side door with the electronic numbers to unlock the doors, came off while I was driving on the highway going 70mph. Which resulted in lights going off on on in the cabin of the car, as well as my back tailgate flying open while driving. The clear panel was attached to wires which was reported to me to have caused multiple fuses to be blown one of which was the tailgate door. Once I pulled over to close the door, the door had to be forced closed and the warning light tailgate ajar remained on as well as all the lights in the cabin remained on. Once I was able to park my car none of the lights would turn off once the engine was off and the car would not lock. Both of these panels on the drivers side and passenger side had to be replaced, in addition to the front pillars on the windshield due to all of them coming detached from the car. This is a huge safety concern that needs to be addressed. The owner of the car had to pay for all repairs.

- Fuquay-Varina, NC, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »