Model year
2017 Ford Explorer
NHTSA lists 13 recalls and 1,703 complaints for the 2017 Ford Explorer (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 2 recalls and 9 complaints under EXPLORER POLICE INTERCEPT. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are STRUCTURE (376), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (373), STRUCTURE:BODY (262). NHTSA lists 2 investigations. NHTSA rated 2 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 18–22 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,050–$3,700, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 952 complaints
- 2001 375 complaints
- 2002 3,295 complaints
- 2003 1,131 complaints
- 2004 1,304 complaints
- 2005 497 complaints
- 2006 630 complaints
- 2007 208 complaints
- 2008 148 complaints
- 2009 33 complaints
- 2010 115 complaints
- 2011 1,197 complaints
- 2012 829 complaints
- 2013 2,237 complaints
- 2014 1,684 complaints
- 2015 1,810 complaints
- 2016 2,462 complaints
- 2017 1,703 complaints
- 2018 734 complaints
- 2019 299 complaints
- 2020 1,241 complaints
- 2021 447 complaints
- 2022 271 complaints
- 2023 111 complaints
- 2024 21 complaints
- 2025 107 complaints
- 2026 42 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
26V448000 · Jul 14, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
26V101000 · Feb 20, 2026
SUSPENSION:REAR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
25V685000 · Oct 10, 2025
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
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…
25V347000 · May 23, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
24V031000 · Jan 19, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
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.
21V537000 · Jul 15, 2021
SUSPENSION:REAR
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,…
21V316000 · May 5, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
20V675000 · Mar 12, 2021
SUSPENSION:REAR
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…
19V651000 · Sep 11, 2019
SEATS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with power front seats. The seat frames may have sharp edges.
19V435000 · Jun 10, 2019
SUSPENSION:REAR
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.
3 more recalls are in the NHTSA file for this name and are not listed here. Campaign numbers above link to NHTSA.
Complaints
1,703 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 34, fire flag on 11, injury field 51, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| EXPLORER POLICE INTERCEPT | 2 | 9 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA17002 | Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE; STRUCTURE:BODY | Jul 27, 2017 | Jan 17, 2023 |
| PE23001 | Windshield trim molding Item detachment · STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS | Jan 27, 2023 | Feb 8, 2024 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR SUV AWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.174 | NHTSA photo |
| 4 DR SUV FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.164 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer FWD · 2.3L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 27 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Explorer FWD · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Explorer 2WD FFV · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 17 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Explorer AWD · 2.3L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 25 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Explorer AWD · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Explorer AWD FFV · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 16 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Explorer AWD · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 22 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2017 Ford Explorer at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.