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2017 Ford Explorer

Gas
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
7 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
35 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls2 critical14
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA1,693
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA22 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2017 Ford Explorer is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize or large SUV with 7 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Explorer FWD, is EPA-rated at 22 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 1693 complaints, most often about the structure. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Explorer FWDGasFWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo192722$2,850
Explorer AWDGasAWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo182521$2,950
Explorer 2WD FFVGasFWD3.5L 6-cyl172420$3,100
Explorer FWDGasFWD3.5L 6-cyl172420$3,100
Explorer AWDGasAWD3.5L 6-cyl162319$3,300
Explorer AWD FFVGasAWD3.5L 6-cyl162319$3,300
Explorer AWDGasAWD3.5L 6-cyl turbo162218$3,450

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 37595, 37598, 37597, 37596, 37599, 37600, 37601.

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Recalls (14)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Structure

26S54
288,314 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.RiskA detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S54. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 21V316. Vehicle Identification Numb
NHTSA campaign 26V448000reported Jul 14, 2026Ford Motor Company
▲high

Suspension

26S08
412,774 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.RiskA rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 25, 2026.
NHTSA campaign 26V101000reported Feb 20, 2026Ford Motor Company
!critical

Equipment

25SA4
59,006 vehicles
ProblemFord 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.RiskAn electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.FixOwners 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, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford
NHTSA campaign 25V685000reported Oct 10, 2025Ford Motor Company
▲high

Structure

25S53
492,145 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.RiskDoor trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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 25S53.
NHTSA campaign 25V347000reported May 23, 2025Ford Motor Company
▲high

Structure

24S02
1,889,110 vehicles
ProblemFord 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.RiskA detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
NHTSA campaign 24V031000reported Jan 19, 2024Ford Motor Company
▲high

Suspension

21S32
631,176 vehicles
ProblemFord 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.RiskA rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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. An interim notification letter notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2022. Owners may contact
NHTSA campaign 21V537000reported Jul 15, 2021Ford Motor Company
▲high

Structure

21S22
616,967 vehicles
ProblemFord 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.RiskA detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S22.
NHTSA campaign 21V316000reported May 5, 2021Ford Motor Company
▲high

Suspension

20S62
454,941 vehicles
ProblemFord 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.RiskA rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.FixFord 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.
NHTSA campaign 20V675000reported Mar 12, 2021Ford Motor Company
●moderate

Seats

19S29
311,907 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with power front seats. The seat frames may have sharp edges.RiskOccupants my contact the sharp edges when reaching between the power front seat and center console, increasing their risk of injury.FixFord 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.
NHTSA campaign 19V651000reported Sep 11, 2019Ford Motor Company
▲high

Suspension

19S17
1,194,173 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.RiskA fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.FixFord 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 19S17.
NHTSA campaign 19V435000reported Jun 10, 2019Ford Motor Company
▲high

Steering

17S23
253 vehicles
ProblemFord 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.RiskIf 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.FixFord 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.
NHTSA campaign 17V530000reported Aug 28, 2017Ford Motor Company
▲high

Seats

17C10
4 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor vehicles. The affected vehicles may be missing the two front inboard attachments for the second row seats. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating systems", and (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat belt assembly anchorages."RiskSeats with missing inboard attachments may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.FixFord will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to verify that they have the second row seat attachment studs, installing them if not, free of charge. The recall began on August 14, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C10.
NHTSA campaign 17V401000reported Jun 26, 2017Ford Motor Company
▲high

Seats

17C08
2,204 vehicles
ProblemFord 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."RiskIf the occupant is not adequately restrained in the event of a crash, they have an increased risk of injury.FixFord 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.
NHTSA campaign 17V332000reported May 22, 2017Ford Motor Company
!critical

Engine And Engine Cooling

16S46
1,163 vehicles
ProblemFord 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.RiskAn oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.FixFord 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.
NHTSA campaign 16V925000reported Dec 22, 2016Ford Motor Company

NHTSA defect investigations

Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars — Windshield trim molding Item detachment closed

On January 27, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-001 to investigate allegations of A-pillar trim panel detachment on model year (MY) 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles. At the time of opening, the office had received 164 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting this failure. ODI has received 671 VOQs regarding this failure, including 1 alleged crash and 2 alleged injuries. Some consumers have reported that the failure occurred while they were driving at highway speeds, with the detached trim panel entering the path of travel of the vehicle behind them, requiring the driver of the following vehicle to take evasive action. It is noteworthy that motorists who experi

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Feb 8, 2024 · action PE23001

Structure:Body — Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab closed

During the EA17-002 investigation, the agency reviewed and analyzed reports of exhaust odors in the passenger cabins of Model Year 2011 to 2017 Ford Explorers. This investigation required an approach that incorporated knowledge and expertise from the automotive, medical, environmental health, and occupational safety fields. The agency conducted an in-depth investigation that encompassed the review of over 6,500 consumer complaints, conducting field inspections, and testing the relevant vehicles, both independently and in coordination with Ford and other entities. During the investigation, the evolution of Ford service bulletins intended to reduce the level of exhaust odors and carbon monoxid

Opened Jul 27, 2017 · closed Jan 17, 2023 · action EA17002

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
1693complaints filed

34 involved a crash · 11 a fire · 51 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2016: 10 · 2017: 143 · 2018: 122 · 2019: 134 · 2020: 64 · 2021: 97 · 2022: 96 · 2023: 253 · 2024: 229 · 2025: 391 · 2026: 154

Most-cited components

Structure658
Unspecified373
Engine236
Power Train126
Electrical System94
Engine And Engine Cooling77

What owners describe

“The Electrical Water Pump failed. Had to replace the water pump and the Ford Dealer said my car isn't covered under the Customer Satisfaction Program 18L02. Which my vehicle is. Safe Concern is the car will over heat and the engine will cease. The Pump has been confirmed from a independent service center. The water pum…”Aug 3, 2021 · Engine And Engine Cooling · NHTSA owner report
“My car keeps saying charging system service now but I’ve checked my alternator and my battery and they are both good. And I’m not the only Ford that has this problem as well. Multiple people who have had Ford have this problem. It should be a recall at this point.”Jul 31, 2021 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“While driving on the freeway, I heard a clunking noise from the rear of my vehicle and immediately started to fishtail violently back and forth across all 3 lanes of the highway narrowly avoiding crashing into other cars on the highway while avoiding spinning or flipping the vehicle. I was able to gain control of the v…”Jul 29, 2021 · Wheels · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆17%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆16%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Explorer model years

F

2026 Ford Explorer

14 recalls · 33 complaints

F

2025 Ford Explorer

22 recalls · 97 complaints

F

2024 Ford Explorer

10 recalls · 19 complaints

F

2023 Ford Explorer

15 recalls · 108 complaints

F

2022 Ford Explorer

25 recalls · 263 complaints

F

2021 Ford Explorer

27 recalls · 421 complaints

F

2020 Ford Explorer

35 recalls · 1,209 complaints

F

2019 Ford Explorer

6 recalls · 293 complaints

F

2018 Ford Explorer

7 recalls · 731 complaints

F

2016 Ford Explorer

14 recalls · 2,468 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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