10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 3 / 2
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 14 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 8,710 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.
Was making loud buzzing noises and cracking noise while driving. The whole bottom is now gone. This been going on about 1-2 years now, when this all started. Need all the pillars replaced immediately. I drive to work in this vehicle and it's a 40-minute commute one way.
- Taylors, SC, USA
About 4 years ago it was a recall to the roof rail trim disconnection, which mine was totally fine but since it was a recall I took it to the dealer to be replace. Now while I was driving on the highway I saw the right trim flight away. I called the dealer that replaced to see what they can do since I feel this is a continue problem a defective part. I even show them the left side is coming off but their answer was that it was a recall part and the part was already replaced it and is nothing they can do now. I really feel they should be responsible to replaced it again since it is a recurring problem. I didn't have any issue with the original one and the one they replaced both are defective.
- Bartlett, IL, USA
The windshield trim is unattaching piece by piece. There is been a recall issued in January 2024. The dealership still does not have parts to make the repair over a year later. Manufacturer Recall Number24S02 NHTSA Recall Number24V031 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available
- Pearland, TX, USA
While driving a certain speed i hear noise in main windshield area
- Louisville , KY, USA
This pertains to the B-Pillar trim recall. It should be noted that not only does the trim fall off but if it is the trim with the entry keypad, that can cause a short circuit that effects other parts of the car operation. Recently this happened to this vehicle and a fuse blew under the drivers side dash fuse 11 5 amp fuse. This fuse blows and the rear hatch will no longer open. We called about this in June when this happened and the dealer said it was unrelated to the trim that fell off and they would charge us $600 to look at it. After finding the same issue on Youtube and the fix posted we purchased the part and installed ourself for $50. This complaint is stating that the recall needs to have the liftgate included as a symptom.
- Manchester, NH, USA
Front window trim/ A pillar detached while driving on October 18,2024. Contacted dealership for replacement at the end of October 2024, and each month following, they brought vehicle in for inspection but have never replaced the trim piece. It has now been 9 months, I have called the dealer every month to follow up and have been told every time they still do not have the part to fix it. I am concerned that the trim on the other side of the car could fly off and cause damage to my vehicle or others.
- Ballico, CA, USA
The following is a letter I sent to Ford. I've yet to hear back from them. This is a picture of what happened in my 2017 Explorer on Thursday, June 5, 2025. As I unlocked and got into my car, I realized the seat was moving forward. I tried to get out of the seat, but it was difficult because the space was closing in. I managed to squeeze out of the space before it totally closed me in and pinned me between the seat and steering wheel. As you can see from the picture, the seat is as close to the steering wheel and console as possible. The steering wheel was 7 inches from the seatback and 7 inches from the seat bottom. The seat was 2 inches from the console. This is extremely dangerous. This is not the first time this has happened. This has occurred at least ten times. Sometimes it is when I get in the vehicle as happened June 5. One time I was pinned between the steering wheel and seat and my legs were jammed into the console. Fortunately, I was able to extricate myself with only a few scrapes and bruises. While it is happening, I try the side buttons that control the seat and other ways to stop it, but nothing I do stops the movement once it begins. The only way to avoid being pinned in is to get out while the seat is moving. Other times it has happened when I am not in the car. I unlock and open the door to get in and the seat has moved itself and is as far up to the steering wheel as physically possible. The first time this happened; I told the service desk at the dealer when I was having work done on the SUV. They checked and said they couldn-??t find anything wrong with it.`
- Clarene, NY, USA
In my 2017 Ford Explorer, that backup camera is experiencing issues that sound related to the current recall on 2021-2024 Ford Explorers. The image is all distorted, the backup assist lines are not present, the screen will go black or grey with distortion.
- Wharton, NJ, USA
Back up camera fails to operate at times when vehicle is in reverse. Potential for backing collision or fatality.
- Toano, VA, USA
Display screen/Navigation screen is flashing continuously. This is affecting the use of the back up camera which could potentially cause damage to vehicles or persons. This also is affecting thr use of hands free operation.
- Warren, MI, USA
faulty front grill
- Jonesboro, GA, USA
I am submitting this complaint regarding a recurring turbocharger issue in my 2017 Ford Explorer Sport (VIN: [XXX] ). In April 2024, I was forced to replace the turbocharger system at a cost of approximately $2,500. Despite the repair, my vehicle continues to have serious performance issues. Most recently, the check engine light returned, and a diagnostic scan from O-??Reilly Auto Parts showed error code P219A -?" Bank 1 Air/Fuel Ratio Imbalance. This code indicates that the engine is still not functioning correctly-?"pointing to a likely underlying or unresolved defect. During the initial failure, oil leaked extensively into the engine bay and burned off in thick white smoke while I was driving. It was a serious safety concern, and the cause was consistent with Ford-??s existing recall for this engine (NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V925000), which was limited to the Police Interceptor Utility model despite the civilian Sport version using the same 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine and components. It is extremely concerning that my vehicle-?"outside of the official recall range-?"suffered the same turbo failure and now continues to show problems even after a costly repair. Either the mechanic-??s initial repair was incomplete, or the core design flaw that caused the issue in the first place is still at play, meaning this problem may continue to repeat itself. I respectfully request that: 1.Ford expand the recall to include vehicles with the same components and failures, regardless of their designation. 2.NHTSA investigate the scope of this issue across the broader 2017 Explorer Sport lineup. 3.Ford provide reimbursement or support for the costly repair, which has not resolved the issue. 4.Ford issue a technical service bulletin or revised part guidance if this is an ongoing engineering issue. I am happy to provide full documentation, photos, and service records if needed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Eldon, MO, USA
There has been a long standing recall on the pillars for over a year, however ford continuously does not have the parts in stock. I have been awaiting repair for over a year with no date in sight.
- Citra, FL, USA
Water pump has gone out, and is a known issue with the explorers, plus they have made these very difficult to to replace and require partial engine tear down.
- Citra, FL, USA
The windshield trim on my 2017 Ford exploer which is the actual recall on this vehicle blew off while traveling on a major highway slamming into my windshield and into the next lane just missing another vehicle causing them to swerve violently to avoid being hit by the windshield trim! I have been Communicating with the dealership where I had purchase my vehicle from the time I first received my recall notice, what possibly 5-6 months. Now I am concerned that the other one may do the same and fly off and the resolt being worse!
- West Chester , PA, USA
Engine block timing plate cover has a defect crack in it causing an oil leak and fire hazard.
- Saint Augustine, FL, USA
My parking pawl failed. Other 2017 explorers have the recall but mine doesn-??t" Dealership says mines not effected but it broke" Hardly seams fair. I was able to jump back in and stop it before it rolled out of the driveway and almost hit my neighbors.
- Garden City, MI, USA
Vehicle was inspected for 24S02 a-pillar recall in October. Nothing is updated or addressed if the a-pillars pass inspection. that closed the recall. now, the a-pillars have become loose as stated in ford's letter to the owner "may become detached" and Ford is saying that the recall no longer will cover this because it passed the initial inspection 4 months ago.
- Manheim, PA, USA
The sunroof gets stuck in the tilted open position and sunshades will not close. This creates an unsafe condition if it starts to rain. Cannot secure the vehicle. This problem is very common and there are many complaints and how to fix videos on the internet. I contacted Ford At first they were cooperative and offered to help with the repair. Then suddenly they refused to help with the repair. This left me with a $1200 bill at the dealer. It is a common failure, it was occurring on the previous model year and was not addressed, it requires proprietary tools to fix. There is low incentive to Ford to fix if they can make a profit from the failure. just one online example there are many videos and how to repair post and complaints: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Jacksonville, NC, USA
- Saratoga Springs, UT, USA