2017 Ford Explorer Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 659about this part
- Share
- 39%of 1,704 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 659 complaints about the body and structure of the 2017 Ford Explorer, 39% of the 1,704 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 4 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.
“The driver's and passenger side windshield pillar moldings are loose and coming off and making a vibration sound while driving at any speed over 30 MPH. I have read multiple complaints of them flying off while driving and potentially causing an accident to other motorists. I have had them checked by the dealer and there is no recall for them.”
NHTSA complaint #11396036, filed 2021-02, 64,000 miles“As I was driving down the highway I had one of my plastic windshield pillars fly off. I pulled over and retrieved it and glued it back on. About 6 months later I had my other side fly off, unable to retrieve it and about 3 months ago I had my first side fly off again also unable to retrieve it. I had one of the pillars hit a passing vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11353524, filed 2020-09, 55,000 miles“On may 20th 2020, I drove the car from my house to the grocery store, an approximate 7 miles drive. I parked the car on the parking lot, a few seconds after leaving the car white smoke started to come from under the hood, as the seconds passed the white smoke converted into a fire in the engine, 5 minutes later the car was lost due to fire.”
NHTSA complaint #11328550, filed 2020-06, 45,000 miles“Roof rail covers have repeatedly blown off the vehicle while driving. They have been replaced by Ford under the 3 year/36k warranty 3 times on my vehicle, and have blown off on both sides. They are about 5 feet long pieces of plastic, and certainly present a hazard to cars on the highway behind me when they blow off. The design appears very poor, as they are snapped into place.”
NHTSA complaint #11183823, filed 2019-03, 32,000 miles“The trim molding is coming off the drivers side door at the top above the electronic keyless entry touch pad. At highway speeds it make a noise that I can hear as I am driving. I am afraid that it will break off and fly loose impacting another vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11406865, filed 2021-04, 40,000 milesRelated recalls
- 26V448000Jul 14, 2026Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.Covers: Ford Explorer 2016–2019
- 25V347000May 23, 2025Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.Covers: Ford Explorer 2016–2017
- 24V031000Jan 19, 2024Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim…Covers: Ford Explorer 2011–2019
- 21V316000May 5, 2021Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the…Covers: Ford Explorer 2016–2019
Related service bulletins
- 11029052Feb 24, 2026Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing…
- 10235153Apr 4, 2023For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to…
- 10187726Feb 1, 2021A new 3M adhesive is now available, allowing a longer working time, along with mixing nozzles and applicator. 3M Universal Adhesive Black Part Number 08223, 3M Static Mixing…
- 10184654Dec 8, 2020On some of the affected vehicles, the roof rail covers can become loose, which can lead to a visible gap between the cover and roof rail base assembly, rattling, and potential…
- 10177863Jul 13, 2020This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit…
- 10175895May 18, 2020Some 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2020 Escape/Fusion/MKZ, 2015-2018 Focus,2015-2019 MKC, 2015-2020 Edge/F150/Mustang, 2016-2018 MKX, 2016-2019 Explorer, 2017-2020 F-Super Duty…
- 10175890May 7, 2020Some 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles may exhibit roof rail covers that become loose or partially detached. This may be caused by a lack of retention of the clips securing the roof…
- 10163552Jul 4, 2019Some 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with a factory keyless entry keypad may exhibit a loose driver side B-pillar front door upper moulding. This may be caused by a lack of…
- 10159505Apr 5, 2019SSM 47914 - 2016-2019 Explorer roof rack cap trim clips now available. 2016-2019 Explorer roof rack cap clips are now available as a separate part. It is no longer necessary to…
- 10156863Feb 7, 2019Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 5% |
| 2025 | 7 | 7% |
| 2023 | 10 | 9% |
| 2022 | 11 | 4% |
| 2021 | 25 | 6% |
| 2020 | 45 | 4% |
| 2019 | 150 | 50% |
| 2018 | 288 | 39% |
| 2017 | 659 | 39% |
| 2016 | 591 | 24% |
| 2015 | 411 | 23% |
| 2014 | 276 | 16% |
| 2013 | 439 | 20% |
| 2012 | 144 | 17% |
| 2011 | 110 | 9% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 11 | 5% |
| 2006 | 11 | 2% |
| 2005 | 151 | 30% |
| 2004 | 426 | 33% |
| 2003 | 354 | 31% |
| 2002 | 486 | 15% |
| 2001 | 29 | 8% |
| 2000 | 29 | 3% |
| 1999 | 47 | 3% |
| 1998 | 48 | 2% |
| 1997 | 50 | 3% |
| 1996 | 63 | 4% |
| 1995 | 39 | 5% |
| 1994 | 158 | 13% |
| 1993 | 86 | 9% |
| 1992 | 62 | 10% |
| 1991 | 31 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2017 Ford Explorer
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 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