10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
14 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,154 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.

problem #345

Mar 202026

Explorer

  • miles
I was driving on the interstate and the B pilar from my vehicle flew off, hit my passenger side window, and merely missed the vehicle traveling behind us. This incident could have caused a big accident.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #344

Mar 172026

Explorer

  • miles
The recall for the roof rails was not properly fixed. Ford is not willing to fix their mistake.

- Morganton, GA, USA

problem #343

Apr 152025

Explorer

  • miles
I received recall 24V031 in Feb '24, A pillar defect. I took my vehicle to the Ford dealer and had it inspected in Aug of '24. It was satisfactory at that time. Eight months later, it started rattling and flew off my car as I drove on the interstate. I called the dealer and was told that it was repaired in Aug '24. I explained that it was not repaired, only inspected and given the OK to drive it. I'm still waiting for it to be replaced. I now have an issue with the B pillar notice 25S53. It is loose at the top and will probably detach as I drive down the road. This is a safety hazard to anyone driving behind me. The dealer refuses to remedy either one of these issues.

- New Braunfels, TX, USA

problem #342

Jan 192024

Explorer

  • miles
Recall was published 1/19/24 Manufacturer Recall Number 24S02 NHTSA Recall Number 24V031 It's been over two years and Ford is saying the replacement parts are still not available. This is unacceptable.

- Youngstown, OH, USA

problem #341

Jan 132026

Explorer

  • miles
When driving my car, you can hear wind noise like the windows are down and it's loud enough to where I can't hear my kids most of the time when they need something from the backseats. These two recalls have been in place since May 2025 and there is still no remedy to fix this almost a year later. I have not taken it to a dealership but plan to this Friday 02/27/26.

- Denham Springs, LA, USA

problem #340

Feb 102026

Explorer

  • miles
The lift gate glass shattered / exploded while sitting at a red light.

- Cicero, NY, USA

problem #339

Jan 012026

Explorer

  • miles
The passenger side silver cover came off the top rail of my 2017 Ford Explorer. This SOULD be covered by Ford Safety Recall 21S22. I was told by my local Ford dealer my mileage was over the mileage limit of 152,000. My current mileage is 152,197.7; I can send a picture. Any item(s) flying off a vehicle should be a safety concern and covered by ANY recalls. Does Ford and/or NHTSA want to limit the age and/or mileage for safety recall? I was told by my local Ford dealership, this was a 'customer satisfaction' issue and only addressed if the problem was evident at the time of inspection. I've had my vehicle in for routine maintenance (oil change, tire rotation, etc) on a very regular basis. Normally I leave with instructions to fix any recalls on the vehicle. This was not addressed on previous maintenance instances because the broken top rail was not showing signs of distress. (My terms based on the conversation with the local dealership service personnel.) Are you kidding me"?" I would expect these types of issues to be addressed/fixed prior to failure. Once failure occurs, the potential for roadway damage has happened. I'm having problems uploading my files on your system.

- Denison, TX, USA

problem #338

Jan 012024

Explorer

  • miles
Safety Recall Notice 24S02/NHTSA Recall 24V031 - Exterior A-pillar applique trim clip attachments may not be properly engaged due to improper assembly. Two-step solution is required: Ford dealer has to check to see if the clips are properly engaged or not, then, if not, must order the correct parts from Ford. I have been trying to correct this issue for over two years, but dealer says the parts are still on back order from Ford and repairs cannot be made.

- Goleta, CA, USA

problem #337

Dec 032025

Explorer

  • miles
There is an odor in the passenger cabin. Seems unsafe

- Wendell, NC, USA

problem #336

Nov 272025

Explorer

  • miles
Since Ford issued the first recall notice for Recall 24S02, I have been contacting my local Ford dealerships every few months to check whether the replacement parts were available. Each time, I am told the parts are still not in stock. As of today, multiple pieces of my vehicle have flown off while I was driving. This has become a serious safety hazard. Most recently, while driving on the freeway, a part detached from my car and the vehicles behind me had to swerve to avoid hitting it. I am increasingly concerned for my safety and the safety of others on the road. At this point, my vehicle does not feel safe to drive, but I have no alternative transportation. This appears to be a straightforward part for Ford to manufacture and replace, yet the delay has been unreasonable. Something needs to be done-?" I cannot continue driving a vehicle where pieces are literally coming off while in motion.

- Citrus Heights, CA, USA

problem #335

May 092022

Explorer

  • miles
Vehicle: 2017 Ford Explorer Issue: Hood paint peeling / paint delamination Component: Exterior / Structure / Body / Paint Safety Concern: Corrosion risk and impaired visibility Description: The paint on the hood of my 2017 Ford Explorer is peeling and delaminating down to the bare aluminum, starting at the front edge and spreading across the hood. This is a known and widespread issue on 2013-?"2018 Ford Explorers involving defective paint adhesion on aluminum body panels. Ford previously issued TSB 17-0062 and Customer Satisfaction Program 19N01 addressing this exact problem. My vehicle is experiencing the same failure pattern described in these bulletins. The paint peels off in sheets, exposing bare metal to corrosion. This creates a safety concern because corrosion in this area can weaken the structure, and loose/chipped paint can detach while driving. Ford dealers acknowledge the issue but state that the program has expired, even though the defect continues to occur. This appears to be a manufacturing defect that affects a large number of Ford vehicles and needs further investigation and manufacturer accountability, dependability and loyalty, positivity and innovation (which happen to be FORD-??s Core Values)to solve the manufacturers defect problems. Further service concerns at Michigan City Ford Dealership include: 1. Previously scheduled oil change, nobody present on the building except 1 guy at back desk down hallway watching YouTube videos, didn-??t know where my key was, after searching, located my key and unaware that the oil change had not occurred until I brought it up, Ford employee asked if I would like to reschedule without apology, I declined. 2. A pillar recall: only half repaired on 11/17/2025 due to not properly ordering all parts after multiple inspections. Advisor said he would be -??stealing-?? the parts from another customers appointment to finish A pillar recall on 11/19/2025. More time and energy cost to customer due to lack of accountability.

- Laporte, IN, USA

problem #334

Oct 172025

Explorer

  • miles
The windshield outer trim pillar molding has flown off my vehicle twice while driving on the highway. This last time it almost hit someone on a motorcycle. What is Ford going to do to fix this?

- Manhattan, KS, USA

problem #333

Jul 012025

Explorer

  • miles
To whom it may concern, I am writing to formally file a complaint with ford. I request immediate assistance regarding multiple open recalls on my 2017 Ford Explorer Platinum. Despite multiple attempts to have these recalls addressed by my local Ford dealership and others, they have refused to perform all the necessary repairs. When I asked if they could at least order the required parts, I was informed that they would not, due to the parts being on back order with no timeline of when they would be available. This situation has become increasingly concerning, as one of the un repaired recalls has now led to water intrusion inside my vehicle, causing additional damage. Along with other recalls that are further causing damage. I depend on my vehicle daily, and the ongoing delays and lack of action from the dealership have only worsened the condition of my vehicle. At this point, I am requesting further help. I believe this situation warrants urgent attention, as it involves manufacturer-issued safety recalls that remain unresolved through no fault of my own, after various attempts to get these recalls fixed. I would appreciate a prompt response confirming that this case has been escalated to the appropriate department.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #332

Sep 162025

Explorer

  • miles
Exterior windshield A-pillar flew off on the highway and ford said the repair was suppose to be ready on the latter half of 2024. This repair is not being dealt with in a timely manor. Manufacturer Recall Number 24S0. NHTSA Recall Number24V031.

- Kalispell, MT, USA

problem #331

Sep 042025

Explorer

  • miles
UNKNOWN. The rubber seal for the windshield wiper cowl is completely deteriorating. This is a known common problem as the ford dealership parts department stated. With this rubber seal deteriorating its possible for wind to get under the cowling and blow it off while driving down the road causing a hazard for surrounding drivers.

- Willis, TX, USA

problem #330

Sep 192025

Explorer

  • miles
It is known that for the specific year make and model that the water pump goes out around 100,000 miles. This water pump was built as an internal water pump, which is not typical for most cars. in order to fix this part, the engine has to be taken out and lots of parts have to be disassembled Just to get to it. The part Itself is fairly cheap, but the labor cost thousands of dollars due to where it is located. Ford knowingly built this car and put that pump where it is at and therefore should be reliable to pay the cost when it is so common that this part goes out around 100,000 miles. if it is a known issue that occurs on these models frequently then it should become a recall because a failing water pump can cause significant issues within the engine and make the vehicle in operable.

- Libertyville, IL, USA

problem #329

Sep 142025

Explorer

  • miles
A buzzing started coming from my front dash. My mechanic pointed out the molding/trim on the windshield is basically disintegrating because of cheap quality materials.

- Leesburg, VA, USA

problem #328

Jul 152025

Explorer

  • miles
Windshield cowl grille damage (along with A-pillar molding trim damage) causing loose parts and wind with rattling sound. Cowl should also be included and replaced as part of recall.

- Skipperville, AL, USA

problem #327

Aug 012022

Explorer

  • miles
I recently found out about a Ford recall regarding the backup cameras malfunctioning which did not include my vehicle even though my vehicle is showing the unsafe defect. The backup camera goes fuzzy/glitchy as well as black sometimes while backing up.

- Berwick, LA, USA

problem #326

Jul 012021

Explorer

  • miles
The B pillar trim pieces from the recall have not been fixed. They are, in fact, detached and do make noise while driving. I have called fords in the area multiple times and they do not know when they will have parts.

- Berwick, LA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »