2017 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the passenger's side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired after the most recent failure. The contact stated that the passenger’s side A-pillar trim was loose. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

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.

In January of 2025 the rear windshield suddenly blew a hole in it after starting the vehicle with the remote start. I was advised that due to the cold temperatures and then the heat from the rear defrost caused this to occur. On Wednesday 12/31/25, the same exact thing happened. My vehicle was parked at my home in the garage when I remote started it. A few minutes later, my daughter and I got in, started it, then proceeded to back up when we heard a loud boom. Same thing happened as the first issue in January of 2025. No reason, no damage and it blows a hole it in near the rear wiper. This is causing glass shards to explode into the interior.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the front driver's side B-Pillar trim had detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that parts were not available, and an inspection could not be performed. The contact stated that the battery was drained due to the failure. The vehicle was inoperable. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at 80 MPH, the front passenger’s side A-pillar trim had detached. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

I was driving down the road and my roof driver's side roof rail flew off. The previous owner had the recall addressed in 2023. The previous dealership who fixed the vehicle glued down the rails instead of installing new screws. There is dried glue now exposed where the roof rack use to be. When contacting Ford they claim there is no resolution but for me to fix my own roof rack though it was recalled for this issue. Thankfully no one was behind me when it flew off but it could have hit someone else or damaged my window that it hit when it flew off. The passenger side is also loose and showing the dried glue as well. Ford states that since the warranty period has expired there is nothing they can do. I cannot find the roof rail on the road to put it back and have been told it is $400+ just for the part. This is a safety hazard that was supposed to be fixed and there is no telling when the next one will come off as that is loosening as well.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the steering wheel became stiff with the message "Power Steering Loss" displayed. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and restarted; however, the failure persisted. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V530000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.

I am reporting a safety-related defect involving the electric power steering system on my 2017 Ford Explorer. The vehicle displays a “Steering System Fault” warning, and when this occurs the power steering assist is reduced or disabled, creating a safety risk during low-speed driving, turning, and parking. When the ignition is on with the engine off, multiple communication fault codes appear, including U0100, U0131, U0140, and U0151. After the engine is started, these communication codes disappear, but the steering fault warning remains illuminated and no active fault codes are stored. This behavior indicates the steering system enters a fail-safe state during startup and does not recover. The battery was tested and replaced. Fuses, relays, wiring, grounds, and voltage drop during engine cranking were checked and found to be normal. Steering system reset and relearn procedures were performed using diagnostic tools, but the issue persisted. No external electrical or communication network problems were identified. Based on these findings, the problem appears to be an internal failure of the electric power steering rack or its control module. The loss or reduction of steering assist can occur without warning and increases the risk of a crash. This issue is commonly reported on 2016–2018 Ford Explorer vehicles, suggesting a design or durability defect. I am submitting this complaint to request that NHTSA investigate this condition as a potential safety defect.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle, the A-pillar trim on both sides of the windshield was not functioning as designed. The contact also noticed water leaking from the windshield during inclement weather. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts for the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and a dealer representative visited the residence to inspect the vehicle. The dealer determined that the A-pillar trim had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, and the dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

While the car seat was properly installed and being used under normal conditions, the top tether strap pulled free from the anchor point. This caused the car seat to no longer be safely secured. The top tether is a critical safety component intended to limit forward movement of the car seat. Once the tether pulled free, the child’s safety was put at risk due to loss of proper restraint performance. The car seat has not been physically inspected by the manufacturer or other parties. The incident was reported to the manufacturer, but the manufacturer declined to evaluate the failure.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the driver's side A-pillar trim was blown off the vehicle by the slipstream. The contact called a local dealer and was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) in February 2025. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

There is an odor in the passenger cabin. Seems unsafe

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

See attached document for complaint. I’m writing to voice my concerns about my inability to have my vehicle repaired. I’ve received these safety recall notices for years. Every year I call both local Ford dealerships (Classic Ford of Columbia, Dick Smith Ford) and both tell me I must leave my vehicle for 7 to 10 days or longer and without access to a loaner vehicle. Any assistance that you can provide to have the Safety Recall repairs completed on my vehicle will be appreciated.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, there was an abnormal flapping sound coming from the vehicle. Upon looking through the driver's side mirror, the contact noticed that the driver's side B-pillar trim was loose. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer the next day and was informed by the manager to go back home and glue the part to the door until the remedy was available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact attempted to reach the manufacturer but never received an answer or call back. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Several local dealers were made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that water had started to leak inside the vehicle, through the passenger’s side windshield, during heavy rain. The vehicle was not diagnosed; however, the contact linked the failure to the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 110,000.

Rear passenger side seat belt strap is twisted and stuck in fully extended position.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the passenger’s side B-pillar trim was becoming loose near the top of the trim. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, when the dealer was contacted, the contact was informed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.

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.

Cars rear end sways all over the place almost spun out on highway. I did some research and saw numerous recalls on the toe link in the rear of vehicle and have a good feeling its faulty again. I see it was replaced numerous times do to recall. Was wondering if there's like a warranty on recall work done

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. An unknown dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while having an Emission test performed on the vehicle to have the vehicle registered, the test discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. Upon purchase of the vehicle, the contact was provided a Carfax report that stated that the mileage was 103,000. The vehicle was a dealer sale purchased on November 23, 2025. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was approximately 103,000 and it was later discovered that the mileage was 243,402.

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 58,000. It was later discovered, upon checking with a local independent mechanic, that the mileage had been altered; however, unknown.

Complete failure of the water pump at 58000 miles.

The power steering went out with no warning. Stirring wheel went stiff and made it extremely hard to turn. All the traction and steering lights came on.

Roof rail brackets (snap pieces) broke off of both left and right side and roof rails fell off of car while driving.

Problem with the power steering. When turning to the right, the wheel sticks. I have to forces it past the parts that sticks. This happens at low and high speeds. 68,569 miles all maintenance done at Ford dealership.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the driver's side and passenger's side windshield exterior A-pillar trims and doors exterior B-pillar trims had become loose. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where black tape was used to secure the A-pillar trims and the molding at the top of the windshield. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V347000 (Structure) and 24V031000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and sent a technician to duct tape the front windshield and front driver’s and passenger’s side door trims. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim, front driver's and passenger's side door trims, and duct tape had detached. The contact stated that the failure resulted in electrical system failures for the front driver's side door panel, steering wheel control buttons, heated seats, horn, and speedometer. The radio remained in operation after the vehicle was turned off. The second dealer, Fritts Ford (8000 Auto Dr, Riverside, CA 92504); was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Coolant keeps going low. No visible leaking spots. Been to 2 mechanic's. Both said Ford defective engine block. Coolant leaking into cylinder 1. Recommended engine replacement. Check engine light. Verified 300 # codes. Misfire. Foul and rough start ups. Been on 4 or 5 months.

I am filing a complaint regarding Ford Recall 24502 / NHTSA Recall 24V031 for my 2017 Ford Police Interceptor Utility (Explorer-based). My vehicle’s A-pillar interior trim was identified as defective under this safety recall. For nearly two years, the repair has not been completed because the dealer claims the required parts are still on backorder. In that time, the A-pillar trim on my vehicle has become loose and is now detaching while driving, which creates a dangerous condition. The loose trim vibrates, moves, and could detach completely at highway speeds, posing a safety hazard to me and other drivers. Ford and the dealership have confirmed the recall but have not provided a repair, a temporary safety fix, or a loaner vehicle. I have repeatedly contacted the dealer, and they continue to tell me that Ford has not supplied the part. Because this is a federally mandated safety recall and the defect is actively creating a crash risk, I am requesting that NHTSA investigate Ford’s failure to provide parts or a remedy within a reasonable timeframe. This is an unresolved safety hazard, and Ford has not provided a solution.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the driver's side exterior door B-Pillar trim had detached. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the trim was secured with tape; however, the failure recurred while driving, causing the key entry pad mounted on the B-pillar to fracture in half. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,010.

My daughter was driving our 2017 Ford Explorer when the steering wheel locked up without warning, putting her life at risk. It mirrors the exact steering rack failure already recalled for 2011–2013 Explorers (Recall #14S06 / NHTSA 14V286000). We were told by a certified mechanic that the steering rack and gear failed, and that this is a common issue in these models. Ford has opened Case #xxx-xxx, but refuses to take responsibility or escalate the matter. They acknowledge several other recalls on this vehicle, but not the steering system — even though multiple 2016–2017 Explorer owners report similar failures. This is a serious safety hazard that could result in death. I am requesting an immediate NHTSA investigation into expanding the current steering rack recall to include 2017 model Explorers. Please escalate this complaint and notify me of any developments. I am collecting evidence and testimony from other Explorer owners with the same issue.

October 2025 check engine light came on, took to mechanic showed misfire in cylinder two and three. Replaced all plugs and coil packs, engine light went off. Engine light came back, hard start on November 26,2025 showed misfire in cylinder 2 and 3. Replaced those coil packs again, engine light off. February 2, 2026 engine light back on, hard start with vibration. Took vehicle to Mtn View Ford in Chattanooga to have diagnostic test done. Received call on February 9,2026 that the engine was in complete failure, coolant leaked into the cylinders, would require a 12,000 new engine at 84,328.6 miles on the vehicle. The vehicle had not been driven more than 50 miles per week in the past two years, had on time maintenance.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the driver's side windshield exterior A-pillar trim had separated from the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.

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?

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that at start up, the contact became aware that the ON/OFF ignition switch was fractured, and a half of the ignition switch was missing. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the ignition switch. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The contact called the dealer several times because the driver's and passenger side A-pillar trims were loose. The contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not informed the manufacturer of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Ya me marco el funcionamiento del motor

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the A-pillar trim on the driver’s and passenger’s sides of the windshield started to detach. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the B-pillar trim located on the passenger’s side started to detach. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, there was air coming from the driver’s side A-pillar. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where an inspection was performed, and the driver’s side A-pillar trim was replaced. The contact stated that almost three years after the A-pillar trim was replaced, the failure returned. The contact then received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was 47,979.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the driver's side B-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. In addition, the keypad panel was located on the driver’s side B-pillar. The wires were exposed to the elements. In addition, the fuse to the turn signals and the fuse to the trunk gate short-circuited and failed to function as intended. The contact found the B-pillar trim on the ground and taped it to the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that water had entered the keypad and short-circuited several fuses. The fuse for the turn signal and trunk gate was replaced. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to replace the fuses. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The vehicle remained with the dealer. The contact was awaiting a response from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 133,235.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the driver’s side exterior A-pillar trim detached from the windshield and flew off. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 146,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driver's side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle and was loose. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the passenger’s side A-pillar trim was loose. Most recently, the molding on the rooftop rails became loose. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired after the most recent failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

We were driving and heard a loud noise but didn’t see anything hit the car. We stopped and the trim around the windshield on the passenger side had completely detached and flew off while driving.

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.

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.

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.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger’s side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the front driver’s side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired after the most recent failure. The contact stated that the wiring for key fob and liftgate were located on the front driver’s side A-pillar. The contact stated that the liftgate failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.