2017 Ford Explorer Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 77about this part
- Share
- 5%of 1,704 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,600miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 77 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2017 Ford Explorer, 5% of the 1,704 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,600 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Twice since purchasing my new Explorer I have gotten deathly ill while driving, had to pull over and be taken by ambulance to the emergency room. I'm 70 years old and had thought it was a medical issue. However, I have been poked and probed for every possible aliment and all have come back negative and am in great health. Even my heart tests were outstanding. I saw the Explorer stories on the news, looked up carbon monoxide poisoning and note those were the symptoms I had. …”
NHTSA complaint #11011153, filed 2017-07, 8,900 miles“The car started overheating while on my way home from a trip. I had to get a wrecker to haul it in. Ford offered no help. It was the water pump. Milage at the time was 103,000, Cost to fix $3000. So no Thanksgiving for me this year.”
NHTSA complaint #11555510, filed 2023-11“I experienced the expulsion of coolant underneath the hood of my vehicle in the parking lot / driveways the past month or so. I took this into my mechanic and they diagnosed with water pump failure, need of timing chain assessment and 12 hours of expected labor. This issue has been recalled in Canada, but not here in the U.S. This is a significant amount of money to fix this and a safety issue as this vehicle is often driven in rural areas late at night. If inspection upon request is needed I can make it available.”
NHTSA complaint #11556076, filed 2023-11“The Electrical Water Pump failed. Had to replace the water pump and the Ford Dealer said my car isn't covered under the Customer Satisfaction Program 18L02. Which my vehicle is. Safe Concern is the car will over heat and the engine will cease. The Pump has been confirmed from a independent service center. The water pump has been inspected by my mechanic. When getting an oil change they said my coolant was really low. Went to my mechanic and they stated that the water pump is bad. He also stated that this was his 9th water pump replacement on the 2017 Ford Explorer.”
NHTSA complaint #11427580, filed 2021-08“The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and entering the freeway, the vehicle began to release exhaust fumes inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11581324, filed 2024-04, 97,000 milesRelated recalls
- 16V925000Dec 22, 2016Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-2017 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, 2017 Ford Explorer and Ford Explorer Police…Covers: Ford Explorer 2017, Flex 2016–2017, Lincoln MKT 2016–2017 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 10251952Mar 6, 2024For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak…
- 10222454Sep 1, 2022Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer Vehicles Equipped With the 2.3L Engine and 6F35 Transmission Powertrain Control Module Reprogram Submitting Owner Letters
- 10212177May 26, 2022Exhaust odor in vehicle
- 10201085Aug 19, 2021This program provides a no-cost, one-time repair (if needed) to the high-speed cooling fan relay and respective electrical terminals, if affected, to ten (10) years of service or…
- 10194428May 24, 2021Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
- 10184634Dec 10, 2020Some 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine may exhibit a vibration/rough idle when the vehicle is in DRIVE or REVERSE. The vehicle may also…
- 10180428Sep 25, 2020Some 2009-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbochargers may exhibit an oil leak from the turbocharger oil supply or return tubes, O-rings or 6.7L pedestal gasket…
- 10169895Dec 20, 2019Some 2013-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.5L twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with…
- 10164422Aug 27, 2019Some 2013-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.5L twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with…
- 10162412Jun 24, 2019Customer Satisfaction Program 19N05: Certain 2011-2017 Model Year Explorer Vehicles - Carbon Monoxide Concern
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 2 | 1% |
| 2021 | 10 | 2% |
| 2020 | 21 | 2% |
| 2019 | 6 | 2% |
| 2018 | 29 | 4% |
| 2017 | 77 | 5% |
| 2016 | 114 | 5% |
| 2015 | 66 | 4% |
| 2014 | 67 | 4% |
| 2013 | 67 | 3% |
| 2012 | 14 | 2% |
| 2011 | 21 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 10 | 5% |
| 2006 | 164 | 26% |
| 2005 | 29 | 6% |
| 2004 | 71 | 5% |
| 2003 | 69 | 6% |
| 2002 | 163 | 5% |
| 2001 | 39 | 10% |
| 2000 | 90 | 9% |
| 1999 | 100 | 7% |
| 1998 | 189 | 10% |
| 1997 | 198 | 11% |
| 1996 | 81 | 6% |
| 1995 | 45 | 5% |
| 1994 | 74 | 6% |
| 1993 | 55 | 6% |
| 1992 | 64 | 10% |
| 1991 | 52 | 9% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2017 Ford Explorer
659 complaintsOther or unknown
374 complaintsEngine
241 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
125 complaintsElectrical system
94 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
77 complaintsSteering
76 complaintsWheels
60 complaintsSuspension
58 complaintsFuel system
49 complaintsAir bags
34 complaintsSeat belts
23 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology