2017 Ford Explorer recalls & complaints

1. Suspension

What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.

What could happen: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2017 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V435000 (manufacturer code 19S17).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

2. Wheels / tires

What's wrong, in plain English: A wheel or tire can fail while driving. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.

What could happen: A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2017 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 17E048000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

3. Steering

What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. The steering gear heat shield fasteners may corrode, allowing the heat shield to detach.

What could happen: If the heat shield detaches, the steering gear may overheat, increasing the steering effort required by the driver, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers to inspect and replace the heat shield fasteners as needed, free of charge. The recall began on September 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S23.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2017 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 17V530000 (manufacturer code 17S23).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

4. Seats

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. 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."

What could happen: If the occupant is not adequately restrained in the event of a crash, they have an increased risk of injury.

The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat back frame, free of charge. The recall began on June 7, 2017. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C08.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2017 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 17V332000 (manufacturer code 17C08).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

5. Engine

What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. 5L GTDI engines. Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components.

What could happen: An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the turbocharger oil supply tubes, free of charge. The recall began on January 31, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S46.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2017 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V925000 (manufacturer code 16S46).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

6. Body / structure

What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.

What could happen: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge. The interim owner notification letter was mailed on June 22, 2021. Owner notification letters (remedy available) were mailed on October 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2017 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 21V316000 (manufacturer code 21S22).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

7. Suspension

What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. 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 c…

What could happen: A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 16V-245, 19V-435, and 20V-675. Certain vehicles previously repaired will need to return for the new remedy.…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2017 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 21V537000 (manufacturer code 21S32).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

8. Suspension

What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. 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 unde…

What could happen: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle attached to the rear suspension toe link and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S62.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2017 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 20V675000 (manufacturer code 20S62).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

9. Body / structure

What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.

What could happen: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2017 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 24V031000 (manufacturer code 24S02).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

10. Body / structure

What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.

What could happen: Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will repair the B-pillar trim, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated November 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2017 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 25V347000 (manufacturer code 25S53).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

11. Engine

What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

What could happen: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

The fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notif…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2017 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 25V685000 (manufacturer code 25SA4).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

12. Suspension

What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.

What could happen: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will replace the toe links, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S08. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 21V537. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) inv…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2017 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 26V101000 (manufacturer code 26S08).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

13. Body / structure

What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.

What could happen: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Own…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2017 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 26V448000 (manufacturer code 26S54).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

14. Seats

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. The seat frames may have sharp edges.

What could happen: Occupants my contact the sharp edges when reaching between the power front seat and center console, increasing their risk of injury.

The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install protective tape on the exposed inside edge and tab of the power seat frames, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S29.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2017 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V651000 (manufacturer code 19S29).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Most complained-about parts: Body / structure (662), Unknown Or Other (378), Engine (318), Transmission / drivetrain (123), Electrical system (94).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.