2017 Ford Explorer Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 58about this part
- Share
- 3%of 1,704 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 58 complaints about the suspension of the 2017 Ford Explorer, 3% of the 1,704 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“Rear suspension toe link recall: driving approximately 50 miles/hr with my husband behind the wheel and myself and our 3 children in this family vehicle, this rear suspension broke. We live in rural saline county and drive gravel daily. The incident happened while entering a bridge on a highway. …”
NHTSA complaint #11221178, filed 2019-06, 58,000 miles“I have 2 recalls that my dealer wont fix because they wont get me a rental car while my is repaired.my question who is responsible if injury or death occurs because of these recalls ?”
NHTSA complaint #11414953, filed 2021-05, 24,500 miles“Left side rear suspension toe link fracture in my car ocurred when the car was in service on a highway! After the failure mode ocurred, we lost the control of the car and we front crashed against a truck. Fortunatelly a fatality does not ocurred but it was closed, only body injuries and a lost car. This failure mode has a recall and campaign under the number 20v675000, Ford dealer in mexico does not wants to take full resposibilty over the catastrofic failure and defects coming from the oem! They just rejected my claim. I need help on this issue asap. …”
NHTSA complaint #11414167, filed 2021-04, 31,250 miles“Vehicle has an NHTSA recall notice#:19v435 and a Ford issued recall#:19s17 which indicates as follows: recall description: rear suspension toe link replacement. Risk to safety: a fracture of a rear toe link significantly diminishes steering control, increasing the risk of a crash! I have contacted 3 different deals in my area (ecino, ca, 91316) all said that the replacement parts are currently unavailable. In addition, on thursday, june 27th, 2019 I have contacted Ford motor company to see if the issue can be resolved but I got the same answer. …”
NHTSA complaint #11223098, filed 2019-06, 28,526 miles“Cars rear end sways all over the place almost spun out on highway. I did some research and saw numerous recalls on the toe link in the rear of vehicle and have a good feeling its faulty again. I see it was replaced numerous times do to recall. Was wondering if there's like a warranty on recall work done”
NHTSA complaint #11703125, filed 2025-12Related recalls
- 26V101000Feb 20, 2026Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.Covers: Ford Explorer 2017–2019
- 21V537000Jul 15, 2021Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana…Covers: Ford Explorer 2013–2017
- 20V675000Mar 12, 2021Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of…Covers: Ford Explorer 2013–2017
- 19V435000Jun 10, 2019Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.Covers: Ford Explorer 2011–2017
Related service bulletins
- 10232579Feb 7, 2023Certain 2011-2017 Model Year Explorer Vehicles Rear Wheel Knuckle Replacement REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT Program Terms: added 21R01 and 21R02 REASON FOR PROVIDING A NO-COST…
- 10226951Nov 4, 2022Certain 2011-2017 Model Year Explorer Vehicles Rear Toe Link Replacement Under Safety Recall 21S32, some of the affected vehicles exposed to a highly corrosive environment where…
- 10208271Feb 18, 2022This program provides a no-cost, one-time repair (if needed) to the rear wheel knuckles for six (6) months from the Repair Order (RO) opening date for field service actions 21S32…
- 10189755Mar 19, 2021Certain 2013 through 2017 Model Year Explorer and Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles that are Registered or Sold in Certain States/Provinces; Rear Toe Link Ball Joint Inspection…
- 10189760Mar 8, 2021Certain 2013 through 2017 Model Year Explorer and Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles that are Registered or Sold in Certain States/Provinces Rear Toe Link Ball Joint Inspection…
- 10176938Jun 5, 2020For 2013-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles that require rear wheel knuckle and bushing assembly repairs, dealers are advised to follow Workshop Manual (WSM) Procedures and use service…
- 10166446Sep 12, 2019This SKU is a Suspension Lateral Link. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to revise the design similar to the OEM supercession associated with…
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 3% |
| 2024 | 3 | 14% |
| 2023 | 14 | 13% |
| 2022 | 13 | 5% |
| 2021 | 15 | 3% |
| 2020 | 36 | 3% |
| 2019 | 11 | 4% |
| 2018 | 23 | 3% |
| 2017 | 58 | 3% |
| 2016 | 73 | 3% |
| 2015 | 83 | 5% |
| 2014 | 103 | 6% |
| 2013 | 79 | 4% |
| 2012 | 22 | 3% |
| 2011 | 24 | 2% |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 6 | 3% |
| 2006 | 5 | 1% |
| 2005 | 15 | 3% |
| 2004 | 37 | 3% |
| 2003 | 63 | 6% |
| 2002 | 422 | 13% |
| 2001 | 43 | 11% |
| 2000 | 62 | 7% |
| 1999 | 65 | 5% |
| 1998 | 111 | 6% |
| 1997 | 105 | 6% |
| 1996 | 97 | 7% |
| 1995 | 93 | 11% |
| 1994 | 65 | 5% |
| 1993 | 59 | 6% |
| 1992 | 60 | 9% |
| 1991 | 33 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2017 Ford Explorer
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 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 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