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EnginePart report

2017 Ford Explorer Engine Problems

Complaints
241about this part
Share
14%of 1,704 total for the year
Median mileage
23,350miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 241 complaints about the engine of the 2017 Ford Explorer, 14% of the 1,704 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 23,350 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My 3 yr old truck already has a leaking coolant line which come to find out is draining into the water line in the engine. I can't drive more than 5miles before I need to refill my coolant. In addition, the heating elements in both the driver and passenger seats has gone out. I thought it was a fuse and of course its something more.”

NHTSA complaint #11386195, filed 2021-01, 73,400 miles

“While driving, usually during fast acceleration no matter the speed, there is the smell of exhaust in the cabin of the vehicle. I have already taken the vehicle to the dealership where I bought it and they say they couldn't find anything wrong. The smell of exhaust is present almost every time I drive the vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #10984741, filed 2017-05, 2,000 miles

“There's exhaust fume in the cabin my wife has suffered severe headache after 60 mins of driving included my 20months old baby. My car has already been repaired once and is in the shop again because I left a co2 senors in back seat and has gone off multiple times. Ford is not being very helpful because I don't want the car anymore. It is a huge safety concern and I don't want my wife and toddler in the vehicle at all.”

NHTSA complaint #11062345, filed 2018-01, 16,500 miles

“Smell of egg/sulfur in the cabin of the car after rapid acceleration. I had notified the dealership at my last oil change. They didn't seem concerned about it. The smells has continued. Dealership is now telling me to wait till nov 1st. This has been happening since I bought the car in dec 2016 and has steadily gotten worse. I didn't think it was a big deal since the dealership didn't seem concerned.”

NHTSA complaint #11035999, filed 2017-10, 10 miles

“2017 Ford Explorer sport awd had the courtesy service for the exhaust bulletin done. I don't know what they fixed because the car still smells of exhaust when I accelerate hard. Trying to merge onto the highway on ramps comes to mind. Or if accelerate hard from a stop light in the city. Pretty much have to lower the windows. Dealers are useless they just claim the vehicles are safe. Have had this issue since purchased new.”

NHTSA complaint #11149621, filed 2018-11, 15,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026614%
202587%
202415%
2023109%
20223011%
20215011%
20201179%
2019196%
20189613%
201724114%
201638216%
201522713%
201419812%
201322510%
20127910%
2011837%
20101412%
2009412%
20082114%
20072813%
2006589%
2005173%
2004443%
2003222%
2002491%
200162%
200091%
199940%
199860%
199740%
199620%
199520%
199310%
199230%

Other parts of the 2017 Ford Explorer

Body and structure
659 complaintsOther or unknown
374 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
125 complaintsElectrical system
94 complaintsEngine cooling
77 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