10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 4
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 25,311 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
On May 20th 2020, I drove the car from my house to the grocery store, an approximate 7 miles drive. I parked the car on the parking lot, a few seconds after leaving the car white smoke started to come from under the hood, as the seconds passed the white smoke converted into a fire in the engine, 5 minutes later the car was lost due to fire.
- Galion, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 mph, a piece of equipment detached from the vehicle. The contact stated that the panel which housed the digital locking system that opened the vehicle detached. The contact secured the part using tape. The vehicle was taken to the mossy Ford dealer, located at 4570 mission bay dr, san diego, ca 92109 where panel was re-attached. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
- San Diego, CA, USA
Vehicle has an intermittent issue where it will lose all power (stall), and electronic components will inherent sporadic behavior, for instance the vehicle will refuse to completely shut-off. The error message on the dash show "power steering assist failure". this typically happens on a daily basis after the vehicle has sat for the night. It is a safety concerns as the car will randomly stall on the interstate driving at interstate speeds. The vehicle is under Ford's extended warranty, and has been to (2) separate dealers to troubleshoot. The first dealer could not reproduce the issue, the dealer it is currently at, has been able to reproduce the issue multiple times, but not sure the root of the problem, as it doesn't store any codes. The dealer believes it is a high speed can network malfunction. It has been in the repair shop for a total of 12 weeks. I have video's of the occurrences, as well as voice-mails from the dealership stating that they can reproduce the failure.
- Waynesville, OH, USA
On January 11, 2020, I turned on the ignition of my 2017 Explorer sitting in my driveway and immediately had 4 warning lights and multiple error messages appear. It was the ABS, stability control on and off lights and a wrench. Then there were multiple messages about my four wheel drive not working. I turned the car on and off several times trying to get all of the messages and to see if it would clear. After the third restart the entire dash panel went out completely except for the radio which stayed on continuously for 3 days until it got to the dealership on Monday. None of the vehicles basic necessities were working...no speedometer, gas lights, wipers, or climate control, etc. Only the engine, headlights, and taillights worked. The dealership is currently working on the vehicle and is claiming it is a battery problem. The service department has admitted they don't know if it will fix the problem but they are going to try it. They also stated that "the vehicle cleared itself after the battery died which it's not supposed to do". I have seen multiple reports about the exact same problem with different items being replaced, including the battery, to no avail. This is my family's primary vehicle and I regularly drive my 6 and 11 yr old children around in this vehicle. We also travel the highway and 4 lane suspension bridge extensively. Losing these basic systems could result in a life threatening situation for me and my family. I have seen complaints on the internet dating back to December 2016 and the problem is still occurring. The vehicle was in proper working condition, no major problems prior, and well below the mileage expected for a vehicle of this age when the issues occurred. I don't trust it now.
- Salem, NJ, USA
I bought my Explorer brand new. At 28,000 miles the battery was leaking and was replaced under warranty. The other day I did an oil change and noticed the battery was leaking again and causing corrosion. The acid is clearly visible on the battery. My vehicle is still under 3 years old and under 36 months. The battery is from 8/18/18. Now my vehicle has 52000 miles. Three different Ford shops coggin deland, gary yeoman, mullinax Ford refuse to replace it due to it being "original battery". this is poor customer service and no reason this should happen. When I asked gary rep if this was common and they stated "yes we see this alot and thats why we offer 7 year batteries". there is something wrong when a battery is being used per year per 28000 miles.
- Deland, FL, USA
Ford Explorer XLT "in-dash control screen blanks out-leaves no electronic control drive, odometer, speed, climate control, backup camera, steering wheel controls, turn signals etc"
- Lake Forest, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. While traveling on the highway at an unknown speed with the cruise control engaged, it suddenly disengaged on its own. The failure caused the vehicle to brake on its own and swerve from side to side. Sayville Ford (5686 sunrise hwy, sayville, NY 11782, (855) 561-1191) stated that the leasing mileage limit was exceeded, but they would not cover the costs. The manufacturer provided the same information as the contact. The contact also mentioned that the battery exploded, but the dealer dismissed the concerns and stated that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was 50,000.
- Manorville, NY, USA
While driving to work, while the vehicle was in motion, I heard a loud pop sound, engine began to smoke. Had vehicle towed in to local Ford dealership which indicated bad cell in manufacturers battery causing it to blow and spray battery acid all over engine components at 26,127 miles. Dealership did not follow proper procedure when replacing battery and left acid on engine and components. Battery acid had eaten through brake system components, wiring and caused severe corrosion under hood. By not addressing the safety concern when confronted and during multiple visits and phone E calls, brake system ABS failed causing a front end collision by slamming into another car in the interstate resulting from brake system failure.
- Newnan, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the bluetooth disconnected and the gps and temperature sensors were unresponsive. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was 50,000.
- Mount Airy, MD, USA
After the 2017 Ford Explorer Sport was started, the instrument panel was blank, the climate would not work, the wipers, blinkers, windows, etc. Would not operate. I tried restarting the vehicle multiple times to see if the problem would correct itself and it did not. I contacted the Ford dealership and they asked me to drop it off. It was pouring down rain and I could barely see to drive since the wipers would not work. I could not blinker to turn. Thankfully, I only had to drive about a mile to the Ford dealership. The car has only 21,000 miles on it. Unfortunately this is not the first issue with this brand new Explorer. The battery was replaced at 18,000 miles because it had corroded. The tires are all tearing. I really like the vehicle, just ashame these vehicles are not built with quality materials. I paid 46,000 for what I consider a luxury vehicle. Fortunately this is all under warranty.
- Highland, IL, USA
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. While driving, a burning odor emitted through the vents of the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact called autonation Ford scottsdale at (480) 630-2827 (located at 8555 E frank lloyd wright blvd, scottsdale, AZ 85260) and was informed to schedule an appointment. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000.
- Mesa, AZ, USA
I purchased my Ford Explorer 2017, in September of 2016, I have returned back to the dealer more than 10 times less than a 2 year period. My first problem was the truck would not get enough speed, unless I hit the gas 2 oir 3 times, the dealer came it wasn't a problem until the engine light came on, and than I was told it was a recall on it, but when I check, there was no recall on my VIN. I have 5 batteries since I had the truck, I ask them what is causing this, I never get a response. My ac/heat went out, I told them, I notice something coming in through the vents. I informed the dealer's repair department that it smelled like a rotten egg or just look like air coming in the vents. I never got an answer to that question. I tried calling Ford corporate office, but know one never returned my call.
- Washington, DC, USA
I was leaving a parking lot at the mall with my baby girl. I started the car and started to drive out of the parking garage when I realized my entire instrument panel was off. I couldn't see my speed limit, blinkers, fuel gauge, etc... nothing was on. I panicked and pulled over as soon as it was possible for me to do so. I shut the engine off, then started it back up, and still nothing in the instrument panel. I then shut off engine again, exited the vehicle, and proceeded to lock the car. At this point I heard everything shut off completely and so I got back in and started the car again. It worked okay after that.
- Chula Vista, CA, USA
I was driving on the highway and my car started shaking and sounding different. The vibrations kept getting worse. Then I was trying to accelerate and my speed was going down. I couldn't get my SUV to get any speed at all it got all the way down to zero mph and I had to coast to the nearest parking lot. The light on my dash said terrain management system failure. Luckily there weren't any cars behind me as it was at night time. I turned my car off and on again and tried to restart the computer with no luck. The owners manual says to recycle the key and try again. My car is push button start so that wasn't an option. I then looked on google to find the problem and saw there were multiple issues from multiple people that had the exact same experience. I had it towed to the dealer today and they said it was the throttle body had went bad. My SUV only has 40,000 miles on it.
- Winslow, IN, USA
I have encountered too many issues with this vehicle, my biggest issue has to do with what I thought I was having a "falling asleep at the wheel" issue. There were a few times last winter, after letting the car sit stationary and warm up, that I couldn't "stay awake" while driving home on the freeway. It happened once, twice, then continued, and it became apparent it was the vehicle, not me, that was causing this. It can be best described as the sensation right before being put under for a medical procedure. I would then come out of this unconcious state in potentlally deadly driving situations. I also noticed that my dog was being affected at the same time. I could see him getting anxious next to me, and then have what looked like a panic attack until I put the window down. He would keep his head outside the vehicle for a majority of the ride. I basically stopped using the heater. At the same time, the battery kept dying, and the vehicle would shut down and go into a "battery safe" mode, and it needed to be jumped every other trip. When I took the car to the dealer, they basically said there may be a problem, but they didn't have the replacement parts, and would call me when they got in. I never heard back from them. This is my 3rd and last lease with Ford, my previous 2 edges both had numerous electrical issues, including loosing power while driving. Now, I'm in an unsafe vehicle, and they won't even acknowledge the problem. I want out of my lease, but in my experience with Ford, the consumer looses every time. Can't fight them if they don't acknowledge the problem. I'm praying for my life, and other drivers lives that something get resolved quickly before someone looses their life. Doesn't seem fair that the consumer has to pay for the companies shortcomings...
- San Rafael, CA, USA
Driving down a dirt trail from a mountain outlook the cars electrical shut off. We had no control of brakes, or anything but stearing. Not to mention we were picking up major speed down a mountain, and bouncing everywhere. We had to swerve back and forth, hitting bushes and semi driving up the side of the mountain to try and slow down. Our whole family was in the car, including a two month old and a three year old. The only way we got it to work again was slamming the shifter into neutral and then pushing the restart button, but it was probably just our prayers that got the car to turn back on and give us brake control again. I'm afraid to drive my car in fear of it happening again.
- Saratoga Springs, UT, USA
My 2017 Ford Explorer XLT with base 3.5 V6 has been hard to start from the first week of ownership. It has less than 5000 miles on it now and isn't fixed. Ford dealership stated it would have to get worse before they could fix it. Vehicle shows no dtc's or any history! my wife has refused to drive it out of town due to the fear of it not starting at all. We have recorded over 30 videos of it not starting and have sent videos to Ford Motor Co. With the same response, cant fix it if it isn't broke. Apparently it will have to either break something internally and leave my wife and child stranded, before it will be diagnosed. It is a $40000 lemon that takes 3-4 times attempting to start before the engine will run. This weekend it took at least 30-40 seconds before vehicle started, then it would not idle correctly! still no dtc's! vehicle does this no matter the length of time engine has run or level of fuel" it does it during remote start or the push button. It does at times have a strong odor of gas after start-up, almost as if it was flooded? as a person in the automotive repair world, the absence of concern from Ford is shocking! so instead of trying to correct a issue before it becomes a danger, they would rather it become dangerous and then repair it" if it is a fuel related issue, then this is a potential hazard that needs to be addressed. The vehicle is getting worse, but as said earlier, it will have to completely not start before something is done. Ford Motor Co has not been very helpful, and now I am proud owner of vehicle that will not start correctly.
- Georgetown, TN, USA
When driving car lost all electrical functions, power steering, radio, lights, etc. I had it towed to service and they said nothing came up in diagnostics or error codes. I picked the car up and within a couple weeks it started happening again. Before it was only happening when I sat idle for a period of time and then started moving. Now it is all the time. I was driving down the highway and lost all power steering. It is very dangerous. I've reached back out to the dealership for service again and am waiting for a time available to go back in. I called Ford and they said they would notate it but could not provide me a loaner car while car was being fixed or help me any further and just to call the dealership. The problem is when it goes in to the dealership they don't see a error code and they have trouble replicating it. It has now happened to me when idle, at a stop light, while on the highway, while driving down a hill and while driving through a parking lot. There is no pattern or no way to tell when or how it happens. The photo was at a intersection.
- Novelty, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that they observed an abnormal odor of fumes throughout the vents. In addition, the contact stated the odor was so absorbent that it caused headaches. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 500.
- Ft Scott, KS, USA
- Palmer, AK, USA