TroubleCAR
58
Trouble

2017 Ford Explorer

Complaints: 1601Avg mileage: 55,404 miSince: Sep 2016
CrashFire49 injured

Problem Areas

Structure
349
Unknown or Other
348
Structure:Body
245
Engine
224
Power Train
108
Electrical System
81
Steering
72
Wheels
58
Engine and Engine Cooling
53
Suspension
48

Complaints Over Time

Recent Complaints

SUSPENSION
138,871 miMar 24, 2026Watervliet, MI
Crash1 injured

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after the completion of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V675000(Suspension), the vehicle started experiencing suspension failures. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle vibrated and made an abnormal clunking sound. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle felt like the front end suspension was fighting with the rear end suspension, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle, and the vehicle crashed into a pole. The pole was damaged and bent. The vehicle sustained front-end damage. No police report was filed. The contact sustained seat belt burn and bruising on the right shoulder by the collar bone. The vehicle was driven to Sweets Auto Repair, where suspension repairs were performed. The contact stated that since 2023, the front and rear wheel hub assembly, the rear driver's side upper control arm, the front driver CV axle, the front stabilizer, and the front driver lower control arm and ball joint assembly had been replaced. Additionally, the sway bar link was replaced three times, all four tires were replaced due to premature wear on one occasion, and the front tires were replaced at 4,000 miles due to premature wear on another occasion. The front-end alignment was performed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to another certified independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side struts were loose and nearly detached, the front driver's side struts were finger tight, the front and rear sway bar links were internally worn out, and all four tires were prematurely worn out and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure on several occasions. The failure mileage was approximately 138,871.

AIR BAGS
135,000 miOct 3, 2025Mission, TX
Crash1 injured

The contact owned a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 15 MPH traveling southbound, the occupant of a Chevrolet Impala driving at approximately 55 MPH allegedly fell asleep, veered into her lane, and crashed into the driver's front end. There were no warning lights illuminated. The steering wheel was bent three inches toward the dashboard. The transmission was fractured during impact. The contact mentioned that the airbag deployed late and may have been too powerful. The impact forced the vehicle back about 40 feet. The driver sustained injuries resulting in broken rib bones, a broken sternum bone, and four herniated discs, and medical attention was provided. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The vehicle was towed to the auction lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage is approximately 135,000. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The VIN was not available.

ENGINE
Apr 1, 2023Bastrop, LA
Crash2 injured

My suv begin to run hot and instantly water begins to boil and I was trying to pull off the road immediately.with no warning from the forward collision as a car hit me. Got a quote from many dealerships or mechanics who says that the water pump failed and is a common problem with my suv and it quoted 2500 with a two week time frame because the water pump is built inside the engine no one wants to work on it due to risk. Help!

AIR BAGS
Oct 14, 2022Buckeye, AZ
Crash1 injured

Husband returning home, pulled into carport and as he removed foot from accelerator to brake, accelerator pedal kept accelerating. This caused explorer to hit carport awning, classic 65 mustang, 2007 Harley and shed. Airbags did not work. Accelerator is still pressed to floorboard.

SUSPENSION
Nov 4, 2021Minneapolis, USA, MN
Crash1 injured

Vehicle was WB on I94 in Minneapolis when the rear toe link fractured causing loss of steering control and a crash. The driver and injured party is [XXX]. I am his attorney. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

SUSPENSION:REAR
Aug 8, 2021SHOREWOOD, IL
Crash1 injured

Was driving 35mph and rear left toe link snapped causing the car to swerve into another car. There is a recall on it from Ford but I do not have any outstanding recalls.

AIR BAGS
Jun 24, 2021Lexington Park, MD
Crash1 injured

My daughter and I had a car accident she was driving and I was in the passenger side on April 28 the car side swiped us tried to avoid from hitting her in the back the seatbelts locked but the airbags never deployed none of the recalls were fixed and Ford denied my claims for nothing will not send out an investigator to check the car my insurance said it’s a total loss so I did get hurt in the accident and I want to be compensated please call me [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

SUSPENSION:REAR
31,250 miApr 27, 2021ELKHART, IN
Crash1 injured

LEFT SIDE REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK FRACTURE IN MY CAR OCURRED WHEN THE CAR WAS IN SERVICE ON A HIGHWAY! AFTER THE FAILURE MODE OCURRED, WE LOST THE CONTROL OF THE CAR AND WE FRONT CRASHED AGAINST A TRUCK. FORTUNATELLY A FATALITY DOES NOT OCURRED BUT IT WAS CLOSED, ONLY BODY INJURIES AND A LOST CAR. THIS FAILURE MODE HAS A RECALL AND CAMPAIGN UNDER THE NUMBER 20V675000, FORD DEALER IN MEXICO DOES NOT WANTS TO TAKE FULL RESPOSIBILTY OVER THE CATASTROFIC FAILURE AND DEFECTS COMING FROM THE OEM! THEY JUST REJECTED MY CLAIM. I NEED HELP ON THIS ISSUE ASAP. THIS UNIT WAS SOLD IN MEXICO, WE PLACED A REPORT WITH FORD MEXICO BUT THEY REJECTED, AND HIS ARGUMENT WAS THAT THE FAILURE ALREADY OCURRED AND THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE NOW! DEALER SAID THE SAME. THIS IS SERIOUS AND SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PART WAS PLACED BY FORD AND PASSED AS AN ""OK" PART, MANY LIFES ARE IN RISK NOW!!! AND THEY JUST SAID IS NOT THEIR ISSUE.*DT*DT*DT CONSUMER STATED THERE HAVE BEEN 8 RECALLS SUBMITTED TO NHSTA RELATED TO THIS VEHICLE SO FAR.*JB

STRUCTURE:BODY
42,000 miAug 2, 2020ROCKY FACE, GA
Crash1 injured

ABOUT A WEEK AGO MY VEHICLE WAS IDLING, BACKED STRAIGHT INTO THE TURNAROUND IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH THE CAR IN PARK. THE TWO PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WERE OPEN. MY DAUGHTERS AND I (UNBUCKLED) SAT THERE ABOUT TEN MINUTES WHILE THE ENGINE WAS CRANKED BUT IN PARK, WAITING ON MY HUSBAND TO FINISH UP GRABBING THINGS FOR THE VACATION WE WERE GETTING READY TO LEAVE ON. MY TWO YEAR OLD HAD MOVED TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, AND I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. MY DAUGHTER REACHED OVER AND PRESSED THE PUSH TO START BUTTON AS SHE HAS A HUNDRED TIMES AND KILLED THE ENGINE, BUT THIS TIME, WHEN THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, SOMETHING OBVIOUSLY CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO DISENGAGE AND WE WERE SENT ROLLING DOWN THE HILL BEHIND MY TURN AROUND. I TRIED TO CLIMB OVER AND HIT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. WE WERE FINALLY STOPPED WHEN OUR BACK END SMASHED INTO THE SECOND TREE WE HIT. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED BESIDES ME, AND IT WAS RELATIVELY MINOR WITH JUST BRUISING, PARTICULARLY SINCE I'M 7 MONTHS PREGNANT. MY CAR IS NOW COMPLETELY TOTALED AS A RESULT.

STRUCTURE:BODY
46,000 miSep 13, 2019PARKERSBURG, WV
Crash2 injured

ON 09/11/2019, AT APPROXIMATELY 6PM, WE WERE TRAVELING NORTH ON WV SR2 NORTH APPROXIMATELY 2.5 TO 3.0 MILES NORTH OF THE SR2 I-77 INTERCHANGE. 2017 FORD EXPLORER WAS STOPPED, WAITING ON OPPOSING TRAFFIC TO CLEAR, IN ORDER TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN INTO THE PARKING LOT OF CHURCH. VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED BY A DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP TRUCK IMPACTING SLIGHTLY OFF CENTER TOWARDS THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE 4 OCCUPANTS OF THE EXPLORER. THE DRIVER WAS A 39 YEAR OLD MALE. THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS A 36 YEAR OLD FEMALE. IN THE SECOND ROW WERE THE OTHER 2 PASSENGERS. ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS A 4 YEAR OLD FEMALE, FORWARD FACING IN A GRACO EXTEND2FIT CAR SEAT. THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS OCCUPIED BY A 7 YEAR OLD MALE IN AN EVENFLO BOOSTER SEAT. ALL PASSENGERS WERE WEARING APPROPRIATE RESTRAINING DEVICES. ALL PASSENGERS WERE SHAKEN UP, WITH EXTERNAL INJURIES TO BOTH DRIVERS SIDE OCCUPANTS. THE PROXIMATE CAUSE OF THE INJURIES WAS DUE TO FAILURE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE SEAT BASE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE CAUSING THE SEAT BACK TO FALL BACK ONTO THE 2ND ROW PASSENGER, STRIKING THE PASSENGER, AND THE HEADREST BENT AND PARTIALLY DETACHED. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE SEAT BACK WAS FULLY UPRIGHT AND THE SEAT WAS RESTING UPON THE LEGS OF THE JUVENILE FEMALE AFTER IMPACT. SHE SUFFERED CONTUSIONS TO HER LEGS FROM THE SEAT IMPACTING HER AND SHE SUFFERED A CONCUSSION AND LACERATION (REQUIRING 9 EXTERNAL SUTURES AS WELL AS SOME INTERNAL ONES) ABOVE HER RIGHT EYE, CAUSED BY EITHER THE HEAD OF THE DRIVER OR POSSIBLY THE HEADREST. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SUFFERED A LACERATION TO THE CROWN OF HIS HEAD REQUIRING 9 STAPLES TO CLOSE. THE DRIVER AND THE JUVENILE FEMALE WERE TRANSPORTED TO MARIETTA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IN MARIETTA OH WHERE THEY RECEIVED TREATMENT AND WERE RELEASED. RESPONDING TO THE SCENE WAS THE WAVERLY VFD AS WELL AS THE WOOD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND ST. JOSEPH'S AMBULANCE SERVICE.

STRUCTURE:BODY
46,000 miSep 12, 2019PARKERSBURG, WV
Crash2 injured

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A 2 VEHICLE ACCIDENT. EXPLORER WAS REAR ENDED BY A VEHICLE (DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP TRUCK) TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHILE EXPLORER WAS AT A STOP, WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. THE IMPACT WAS SLIGHTLY OFF CENTER TO THE DRIVER SIDE. THE DRIVER SEAT BACK COLLAPSED BACKWARDS CAUSING DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER TO COLLIDE RESULTING IN LACERATIONS AND HEAD INJURIES TO BOTH.

AIR BAGS
Apr 11, 2018DECATUR, GA
Crash4 injured

I RENTED A 2017 FROM ENTERPRISE. I WAS IN A BAD CAR ACCIDENT ON A STREET DOING MAYBE 20MPH TOTAL LOSS FRONT DAMAGE AND THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED I WENT INSIDE ANOTHER VEHICLE I NEVER SAW THE AIRBAG SHOWING ON WHILE DRIVING AND I HAD ON MY SEAT BELT. I NOW SUFFER WITH A SPINE PROBLEM CAUSE OF THIS ACCIDENT. I CANT BELIEVE AFTER A HARD IMPACT THAT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED

AIR BAGS
8,000 miJan 19, 2018ROSEVILLE, CA
Crash2 injured

WE WERE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT 9/22/17 DRIVING OUR FORD EXPLORER WHEN A PERSON RAN RED LIGHT AND "T BONED" US ON DRIVER SIDE RESULTING IN ALL AIR BAGS EXPLODING. DRIVER HAS SOME HEARING LOSS DUE TO SIDE DOOR BAGS AND CHEST INJURIES DUE TO STEERING WHEEL BAGS. I WAS IN RIGHT SIDE FRONT SEAT AND AIR BAGS RIPPED UP MY LEGS BELOW THE KNEES! STITCHES, HEMATOMA VAIN ISSUES AND STILL RECOVERING AFTER 4 MONTHS. I HAD A PUNCTURE WOUND FROM "SCREW" THAT HELD AIR BAG BELOW GLOVE COMPARTMENT? WONDERING IF MY AIR BAGS WERE DEFECTIVE?

STRUCTURE:BODY
9,400 miJan 11, 2018HARRISBURG, SD
Crash1 injured

MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON ICY ROADS ON DECEMBER 5. SHE WAS DRIVING OUR 2017 FORD EXPLORER WHICH WE HAD PURCHASED ON MAY 31, 2017. SHE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A COUNTRY HIGHWAY AND HEADED NORTH. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND SHE HAD JUST GOTTEN THROUGH THE INTERSECTION WHEN A VEHICLE THAT WAS HEADING SOUTH, LOST CONTROL AND HIT HER HEAD-ON. THE ATTACHED PICTURE SHOWS THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE SUSTAINED ON THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. BEYOND THIS DAMAGE, THE IMPACT WAS STRONG ENOUGH THAT A MOTOR MOUNT MOUNTING PIN WAS SHEARED CLEAN OFF THE MOTOR AS WAS THE COVER ON THE TIMING BELT. THE REBAR IN FRONT OF THE RADIATOR WAS SNAPPED COMPLETELY IN HALF. ALL THIS DAMAGE...AND THE AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS SUFFICIENT DAMAGE THAT THIS $50,000+ VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. I'VE CONTACTED THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN SIOUX FALLS, SD WHERE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. AS SOON AS I MENTIONED AIRBAGS, THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT ADDRESS OR COMMENT ON ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS I RAISED ABOUT THE VEHICLE SAFETY FEATURES. I'VE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY DIRECT. SAME STORY. AS SOON AS THE SUBJECT OF AIRBAGS WAS LOCKED FIRMLY IN THE MIND OF THE LADY I WAS TALKING WITH, SHE PROCEEDED WITH ABOUT TEN MINUTES OF QUESTIONS. AFTER SPENDING PROBABLY 20 MINUTES ON THE PHONE WITH THIS LADY, ALL I GOT WAS, "YOU NOW HAVE A CASE NUMBER IN OUR SYSTEM." WHEN I ASKED ABOUT GETTING ANY FOLLOWUP CORRESPONDENCE, I WAS TOLD, "ALL FUTURE CORRESPONDENCE WILL BE BETWEEN THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY." AND, I'VE HEARD NOTHING SINCE. BECAUSE MY WIFE WAS NOT AT FAULT IN THIS ACCIDENT, WE ARE DEALING WITH THE OTHER DRIVER'S INSURANCE COMPANY (FARM BUREAU) AND GETTING TREATED LIKE WE WERE THE PERPETRATORS INSTEAD OF THE VICTIMS.

AIR BAGS
13,100 miNov 17, 2017SIMPSONVILLE, SC
Crash1 injured

OUR 2017 FORD EXPLORER WAS INVOLVED IN A BAD ACCIDENT. WE WERE STRUCK ON THE DRIVER SIDE WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE STRIKE OCCURRED AT THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BACK TO THE DRIVERS DOOR. TRAVELING RATE OF SPEED OF THE STRIKING VEHICLE WAS APPROX. 50MPH. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER ADVISED THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. MY CONCERN IS WHILE WE WALKED AWAY WITH MINIMAL INJURY, NOT ONE AIRBAG IN THE CAR WENT OFF. THE ADJUSTER ADVISED THAT AT THE VERY LEAST THE SIDE IMPACT BAGS SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF. WANTING TO GET ANOTHER EXPLORER BUT AM CONCERNED THAT THE SAFETY SYSTEM DOES NOT FUNCTION AS IT IS DESIGNED TO.

SERVICE BRAKES
3,694 miJul 7, 2017DEERBONE HEIGHTS, MI
Crash1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH A WALL DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STRUCK THE STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN HER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TO THE GORNO FORD DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM MODERATE CHEST PAIN FROM STRIKING THE STEERING COLUMN AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,694.

ENGINE
Mar 14, 2026Smiths Grove, KY
Crash

The car was up on ramps, to replace a sensor, in park and slipped out of gear rolling backwards with force. Someone could have been under or behind the vehicle. Other vehicles could have been behind, property could have been damaged. The cars door caught the building and pulled it all the way back against the front fender.

VISIBILITY/WIPER
Aug 6, 2025Morgantown, KY
Crash

So for starters the visibility wipers should have a auto wiper function as in when it detects rain they will automatically come on. Well they do but they also come on at random intervals even when it’s not raining. Secondly the glove box design is horribly engineered and it falls apart by its self. My glove box flew open while driving down the road and caused me to run off the roadway with my kids in the car. Luckily my kids and I are safe and no one was hurt but something should be done about this. The tension cord that hooks to the glove box just snapped from the looks of it.

ENGINE
Jul 31, 2025newark, OH
Crash

intermittened starting problems, vechile wont start, clicks, then starts and power train light comes on. Waiting at a red light, press the gas and the car does not go, also when speeding up transmission slips.

ENGINE
Jun 3, 2025Rayville, LA
Crash

At 28,000 miles, the vehicle emitted black smoke from the exhaust. Despite the mechanic’s efforts to identify the issue, no diagnostic codes were detected. Currently, the vehicle has accumulated 100,000 miles. The engine suddenly lost the ability to accelerate beyond 20 miles per hour. After several months of repairs involving multiple turbo replacements, it was determined that the engine was severely damaged and should have been replaced over 50,000 miles ago. The engine was subsequently replaced, but only a year later, it failed again. After replacing the first engine, the vehicle’s performance deteriorated significantly. The vehicle required another visit to the shop for several months, resulting in another engine replacement. Over the course of several months, the vehicle lost all power and exhibited difficulty shifting into reverse. Consequently, it failed to reverse and was involved in an accident.

Other Explorer Years

Other Ford Models