2017 Ford Explorer Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2017 Explorer most often write about exterior trim coming loose — especially the windshield A-pillar moldings and, less often, the roof rails — with many complaints filed because replacement parts were not yet available under existing safety recalls. A second theme is engine and cooling trouble, most notably coolant leaks traced to the internal water pump, which some owners say led to engine replacement. Transmission complaints, including hesitation, harsh shifting and loss of power, round out the sample.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Windshield A-pillar and roof trim detaching

   • 743 complaints (44%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 7.7 yrs old (328 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $991 (median of 30 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Complaints describe the plastic trim along the windshield A-pillars loosening, flapping, cracking, or blowing off while driving, sometimes with wind noise or whistling and water getting inside the cabin. Several owners say the roof rail covers or antenna housing also came loose, and some report repeated replacements. Many say the dealer confirmed the problem but that repair parts were not yet available under the recall, so tape was used as a temporary fix. Reported across a wide mileage range from about 35,000 to 150,000 miles, often at highway speeds.

   Recall 24V031000Recall 25V347000Recall 21V316000Recall 26V448000

   What to check: Ask whether the A-pillar and B-pillar trim recall repairs have been completed and whether parts were actually installed, not just taped. Inspect both windshield edges, the roof rails and the keypad trim for looseness, gaps or water stains.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11722968, filed 2026-03, 47,979 miles

   “The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the driver's side trim detached and was flapping. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the trim needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11585133, filed 2024-04, 61,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Coolant loss and internal water pump leak

   • 248 complaints (15%)
   • median 49,500 mi at 3.9 yrs old (136 state mileage)
   • 15 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $4,000 (median of 29 quotes)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe finding coolant puddles under the front of the vehicle, needing to top up the reservoir repeatedly, and an overheating message appearing while driving. In some complaints the dealer traced the loss to the engine-mounted water pump, and in others coolant was found in the cylinders or mixed with engine oil, with an engine replacement recommended. Some complaints also mention exhaust or coolant odors inside the cabin. Mostly reported between roughly 60,000 and 190,000 miles.

   Recall 16V925000Recall 25V6850003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the coolant level and look for residue or staining near the front of the engine, and ask whether the water pump has been serviced. A coolant smell in the cabin or oil that looks milky is worth investigating before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When backing up and the wheel is turned there's a hesitation then what feels like I hit something. (a clunk w/o the noise ) then when break peddle is pressed the car shimmies bad . I also smell antifreeze coming from the heater vents .brought it back to dealership for them to fix it since it was just purchased there .. They had it for 5 days .. Nothing got fixed. They turned front rotors and topped off fluids. I do believe that I have a bad rear tow bearing or a u-joint. Breaks not sure but the car is worse than before. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11364774, filed 2020-10, 29,000 miles

   “One week ago, my family and I took a trip in a recently purchased Explorer where we all experienced symptoms of poisoning. We are currently getting the vehicle services by the dealership. However, we are not confident that the fix will be corrected as it seems like there are more than one location where the leak can take place. I'd like to be included in the investigation for the carbon monoxide detection in the Ford explorers. If you have anyone to point us too in regards to making this a recall on these vehicles it would be appreciated. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11414145, filed 2021-04, 46,700 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission hesitation, shudder and loss of power

   • 180 complaints (11%)
   • median 53,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (105 state mileage)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $7,450 (median of 14 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Complaints describe the vehicle hesitating or failing to accelerate from a stop, shuddering or vibrating while driving, and in some cases shifting in and out of gear with a warning light. Several owners say the dealer diagnosed transmission failure and rebuilt or replaced the transmission, and some mention repeated repair attempts without the warning light going away. Typically reported between about 15,000 and 120,000 miles.

   6 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the powertrain control module reprogram or transmission extended coverage programs were applied, and test drive from a stop and at steady speed for shudder or delayed engagement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Re: 2017 Ford Explorer. Car dying out on acceleration from a stop. A scary thing happened on rt #619 today in hartville. That is, the car died out halfway out onto the roadway, it pauses for some seconds where the accelerator does nothing. Then it picks up by itself. The throttle does nothing. None of these actions are desirable. These behaviors put us in great danger. So let's see, this happened twice in the morning I brought it to the dealership (monday 01-06-2020). And, it happened once the 2nd day back to me on friday 01-31-2019. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11306450, filed 2020-02, 15,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while accelerating from a stationary position. Additionally, the vehicle would not properly accelerate while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was diagnosed with a faulty transmission. The transmission was rebuilt. The vehicle later experienced a fractured transmission bracket and was towed to the local dealer. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11554808, filed 2023-11, 57,850 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine misfire and oil or coolant in cylinders

   • 196 complaints (12%)
   • median 85,500 mi at 6.7 yrs old (90 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,750 (median of 28 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners report the check engine light coming on, rough running and, in a few cases, the engine stalling or failing while driving. Complaints describe dealers finding oil or coolant intrusion at the pistons and spark plugs, and in some cases recommending engine replacement; one owner also reported a turbo oil leak with smoke from the tailpipe. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 100,000 miles.

   Recall 16V9250003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for service records on spark plugs, ignition coils and any oil consumption checks, and have a pre-purchase inspection look for oil or coolant residue on the plugs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to safely drive the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11585218, filed 2024-04, 61,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the tailpipe started smoking. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to 2 different independent mechanics however, the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a turbo oil leak and internal water pump engine leak. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11591011, filed 2024-05, 73,000 miles

Buying note. Check that the outstanding structure recalls for the A-pillar and B-pillar trim have actually been repaired with parts installed, and look closely at coolant level and any signs of coolant or oil mixing before buying. A pre-purchase inspection focused on the cooling system, transmission behavior and electrical accessories is worth the cost on this model year.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.