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SeatsPart report

2017 Ford Explorer Seats Problems

Complaints
16about this part
Share
1%of 1,704 total for the year
Median mileage
40,310miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the seats of the 2017 Ford Explorer, 1% of the 1,704 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,310 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

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

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11255262, filed 2019-09, 46,000 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11255143, filed 2019-09, 46,000 miles

“There is a constant drain on the battery and overnight the battery can go dead. I replace the battery every 6 months to a year and have been doing that ever since we purchased it. The dealership wants $250 to diagnose it. It's been a problem from day 1. Even when we took it to get serviced and they kept it overnight - the same thing happened at the dealership, but they just ignored it. That was when it was under warranty. I read on the internet that several people have this same problem. I feel this should be a recall. I have a 2017 Ford Platinum”

NHTSA complaint #11665069, filed 2025-06

“Extremely sharp metal tabs stick out nearly 1 from the inboard side of both driver and passenger seats. Tabs are intended to hold plastic tabs on seat covers however both of mine were not installed properly or had come off in the 6 months we'd owned the vehicle. This tab cut my hand wide open and cut tendons while reaching for my keys that had dropped. Surgery was required. A friend who owns a 2016 Explorer confirmed these sharp tabs as well. …”

NHTSA complaint #11048841, filed 2017-11

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Seats: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026717%
202533%
2024210%
202311%
202252%
2021174%
2020413%
201931%
201871%
2017161%
2016321%
2015161%
201470%
2013100%
201220%
201171%
20102017%
200939%
20082718%
20072412%
2006112%
200531%
200460%
2003121%
2002301%
2001246%
2000394%
1999685%
1998704%
1997382%
1996292%
1995192%
1994202%
1993303%
1992203%
1991163%

Other parts of the 2017 Ford Explorer

Body and structure
659 complaintsOther or unknown
374 complaintsEngine
241 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 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2017 Ford Explorer

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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