AI Damage2017 Ford Explorer: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Ford Explorer filed 1,712 complaints with NHTSA, most often about structure and engine. The maker issued 113 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 1,712
- involving a crash
- 34
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 113
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Structure 39% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 14% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 5% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 4% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 4% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 4% of all complaints
- 8 Wheels 4% of all complaints
- Structure: 663 complaints (39% of all), 7 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Engine: 241 complaints (14% of all), 7 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Powertrain: 124 complaints (7% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
- Electrical system: 94 complaints (5% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 33.
- Engine and cooling: 77 complaints (4% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 13.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.3 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 14 complaints
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 11 complaints
- 3.5 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cylnamed in 11 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: AWD, FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 1,712 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 663 | 7 | 9 |
| Engine | 241 | 7 | 7 |
| Powertrain | 124 | 4 | 17 |
| Electrical system | 94 | 3 | 33 |
| Engine and cooling | 77 | 0 | 13 |
| Visibility | 77 | 1 | 2 |
| Steering | 76 | 1 | 4 |
| Wheels | 60 | 1 | 4 |
| Suspension | 58 | 4 | 6 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 44 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 34 | 9 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 23 | 2 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 22 | 6 | 3 |
| Tires | 22 | 0 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
My air bags did not deploy. Also, within the last year a seatbelt was not latching properly and I had to get it replaced. In addition to repairing the roof rack cover which flew off as I was driving one day. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle vibrated and made an abnormal clunking sound. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle felt like the front end suspension was fighting with the rear end suspension, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle,…
The car was up on ramps, to replace a sensor, in park and slipped out of gear rolling backwards with force. Someone could have been under or behind the vehicle. Other vehicles could have been behind, property could have been damaged.
There were no warning lights illuminated. The steering wheel was bent three inches toward the dashboard. The transmission was fractured during impact. The contact mentioned that the airbag deployed late and may have been too powerful. The impact forced the vehicle back about 40 feet.
intermittened starting problems, vechile wont start, clicks, then starts and power train light comes on. Waiting at a red light, press the gas and the car does not go, also when speeding up transmission slips.
At 28,000 miles, the vehicle emitted black smoke from the exhaust. Despite the mechanic’s efforts to identify the issue, no diagnostic codes were detected. Currently, the vehicle has accumulated 100,000 miles. The engine suddenly lost the ability to accelerate beyond 20 miles per hour.
On freeway, pushed brakes but vehicle did not stop or slow down resulting in multi car rear end collision. Auto braking and ABS features did not engage. Vehicle was towed and our insurance agent claim adjuster recommended we reach out to you. No warning lamps, messages, etc.
While backing out of our driveway the car started speeding up and the brakes failed. Even with repeated pumping of brakes the car wouldn’t stop. We finally jammed the shift lever into park and even then it continue moving for a short distance. We wiped out our neighbors mailbox.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 10 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 1% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Explorer has 617 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 1,712, above average.
What to check before buying
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- 25E10-S1 Owner letter
- NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 25E10 - Supplement #1 Certain 2018-2020 Model Year F-150…
NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 25E10 - Supplement #1 Certain 2018-2020 Model Year F-150 Vehicles With 3.3L Engines and 2016-2019 Model Year Explorer, Taurus, and Flex Vehicles With 3.5L Engines Powertrain…
- Certain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model Year Corsair and…
Certain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model Year Corsair and Escape, 2016-2024 Model Year Explorer, 2019-2020 Model Year Fusion, 2016-2018 Model Year Focus RS, 2022-2024…
- Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines…
Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
- Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless…
Ford 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 the master code. Unlike the integrated…
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns …
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes…
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in…
- "Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions
• Customer concern of a vibration or rough idle in D or R • Shudder while driving • Lack of engine RPM • Low performance, lack of acceleration on take off"
- While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal…
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some…
- This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some 2016 MKS, 2016-2017 Navigator, 2016-2018 F-150/Focus/C-MAX/Edge/Fiesta/MKX/Transit Connect/Mustang, 2017-2018 Continental/Fusion/MKZ, 2017-2019 Explorer, 2016-2019…
- All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code
If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory…
- For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an…
For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and testing methods. Ford…
NHTSA lists 113 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Ford Explorer?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: structure, engine, powertrain. Total complaints: 1,712. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (10%), windows, sunroof (8%), A/C or heater (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA lists 113 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2017 Ford Explorer from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2017 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.