CarProblemIndexSource: NHTSAData retrieved 2026-07-01

2017 Ford EXPLORER — Recalls, Complaints & Buying Checklist

Quick summary

Recalls: 13 official NHTSA recall(s) on record, e.g. Seats.

Most-reported issue: Structure (615 owner reports of 1659 total).

Before you buy: owners reported issues most often with Structure, Unknown Or Other — worth having these checked on a used example.

VIN check: confirm any open recall by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Used-car buying checklist

Based on this model’s reported issues. Tick as you inspect.

Owner-reported complaints by category

Counts are voluntary reports to NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many cars were sold — they are not a failure rate or safety ranking.
Structure615
Unknown Or Other303
Engine144
Power Train110
Electrical System79
Steering74
Engine And Engine Cooling71
Wheels46
Suspension41
Visibility/Wiper28

Official recalls

Seats — campaign 19V651000 (11/09/2019)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with power front seats. The seat frames may have sharp …

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with power front seats. The seat frames may have sharp edges.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Suspension:Rear — campaign 19V435000 (10/06/2019)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the…

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Wheels:Hub — campaign 17E048000 (28/08/2017)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for instal…

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Steering — campaign 17V530000 (28/08/2017)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Explorer, Taurus and Police Interceptor Utility and Sedan vehicles. The steering gear h…

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Explorer, Taurus and Police Interceptor Utility and Sedan vehicles. The steering gear heat shield fasteners may corrode, allowing the heat shield to detach.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner — campaign 17V332000 (22/05/2017)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Explorer, F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 vehicles equipped with a manual driv…

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Explorer, F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 vehicles equipped with a manual driver's seat back recliner mechanism. In the event of a crash, the seat back frame may not restrain the occupant due to having inadequate welds. As such, these vehicles may not meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202a, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger — campaign 16V925000 (22/12/2016)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-2017 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, 2017 Ford Explorer and Ford Ex…

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-2017 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, 2017 Ford Explorer and Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Structure:Body — campaign 21V316000 (05/05/2021)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers …

Ford 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 vehicle.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Suspension:Rear — campaign 21V537000 (15/07/2021)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Il…

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Suspension:Rear — campaign 20V675000 (12/03/2021)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware…

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin that were previously repaired under a prior recall numbers 16V-245 or 19V-435. The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fracture.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars — campaign 24V031000 (19/01/2024)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, …

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Structure:Body — campaign 25V347000 (23/05/2025)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach whi…

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Equipment:Electrical:Engine Block Heater — campaign 25V685000 (10/10/2025)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Linc…

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Suspension:Rear — campaign 26V101000 (20/02/2026)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Compare related vehicles

Previous year: 2016 Ford EXPLORERNext year: 2018 Ford EXPLORERRival: 2017 Toyota HIGHLANDERRival: 2017 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEESame class: 2017 Ford ESCAPESame class: 2017 Honda CR-VSame class: 2017 Honda PILOT
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Source: U.S. NHTSA (api.nhtsa.gov), public domain. Data retrieved 2026-07-01 · data v0.1.
This page is general information, not medical, legal, or safety advice. Complaint data is voluntarily reported to NHTSA and is unverified; a complaint count is not a danger or failure rate. Always confirm open recalls for a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with the manufacturer.