"How reliable is the 2017 Ford Explorer?"

"Based on 1927 NHTSA complaints, the 2017 Ford Explorer has a median complaint mileage of 45000 miles. The most common issue is Structure."

"What are common problems with the 2017 Ford Explorer?"

"The most frequently reported component in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 Ford Explorer is Structure, accounting for a significant portion of the 1927 total complaints filed."

2017 Ford Explorer: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 1927 complaints

1927

Total Complaints

45,000mi

Median Mileage

Structure

Top Issue

Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

15,000 25th Percentile

45,000 Median Mileage

80,250 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Structure

348

Unknown Or Other

344

Body

242

Engine

224

Power Train

106

Electrical System

Steering

Wheels

Engine And Engine Cooling

Suspension

Severity Assessment

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"I HAVE A 2017 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAS A EXHAUST LEAK THAT I SMELL WHEN I ENTER THE HIGHWAY. I ALSO SMELL THIS ODOR WHEN I TOW MY WAVE RUNNER. THE ODOR IS SO STRONG THAT MY SON VOMITED WHILE IN THE VEHICLE. I TOOK MY 2017 FORD EXPLORER TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM..."

"FULL ACCESSORY POWER ACTIVE ERROR MESSAGE - RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE WHEN I STARTED THE CAR TO DRIVE OUT MY DRIVEWAY, THE CAR WAS FULLY LOCKED UP HAD TO TURN OFF AND RE-START."

"2017 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ALERT GAUGE MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAYS FAILURE OF COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM, TRACKING CONTROL SYSTEM AND STEERING SYSTEM. ATTEMPTS TO REPLACE/REPAIR SENSOR AND STEERING COLUMN FAILS. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER A SENSOR WAS REPLAC..."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

When Does Each Component Fail?

Median mileage at complaint for top components.

Structure 348 complaints

25th: 61,250 mi Median: 81,600 mi 75th: 110,000 mi

Unknown Or Other 344 complaints

25th: 353 mi Median: 5,750 mi 75th: 22,350 mi

Body 242 complaints

25th: 12,250 mi Median: 38,350 mi 75th: 58,750 mi

Engine 224 complaints

25th: 3,600 mi Median: 22,158 mi 75th: 60,500 mi

Power Train 106 complaints

25th: 29,000 mi Median: 50,000 mi 75th: 89,765 mi

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

TX: 210 CA: 209 FL: 162 OH: 83 NY: 75 VA: 74 NC: 70 GA: 65 MI: 64 NJ: 61

Who Files Complaints?

0.8%

Original Owners

99.2%

Second+ Owners

Ford Explorer — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

Year	Complaints	Median Mileage	Top Issue	Crashes
1991	764	113,804	Tread/Belt	70
1992	848	125,000	Tread/Belt	54
1993	1151	107,248	Tread/Belt	98
1994	1531	97,541	Tread/Belt	124
1995	1048	125,000	Tread/Belt	107
1996	1818	127,000	Tread/Belt	248
1997	2149	100,000	Tread/Belt	180
1998	2374	100,000	Tread/Belt	219
1999	1737	80,000	Tires	143
2000	1203	77,938	Tires	115
2001	500	90,500	Tires	82
2002	4095	79,000	Automatic Transmission	178
2003	1368	74,000	Automatic Transmission	70
2004	1647	65,000	Automatic Transmission	69
2005	604	70,000	Body	30
2006	788	60,000	Power Train	18
2007	271	69,000	Power Train	14
2008	215	78,000	Electrical System	8
2009	49	67,000	Vehicle Speed Control	8
2010	155	48,000	Power Train	13
2011	1481	65,000	Steering	48
2012	1013	62,000	Steering	14
2013	2757	74,000	Steering	61
2014	2011	64,000	Steering	48
2015	2138	54,600	Unknown Or Other	52
2016	2940	45,647	Steering	56
2018	819	42,000	Structure	23
2019	306	50,000	Structure	2
2020	1544	12,600	Power Train	50
2021	492	38,400	Power Train	21
2022	308	28,000	Power Train	25
2023	126	8,500	Unknown Or Other	11
2024	21	5,080	Unknown Or Other	0
2025	111	2,289	Electrical System	11

Active Recalls (13)

Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.

Seats

Campaign 19V651000 | 11/09/2019

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

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.

Rear

Campaign 19V435000 | 10/06/2019

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

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

Hub

Campaign 17E048000 | 28/08/2017

A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.

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.

Steering

Campaign 17V530000 | 28/08/2017

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.

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.

Recliner

Campaign 17V332000 | 22/05/2017

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

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.

Turbo/Supercharger

Campaign 16V925000 | 22/12/2016

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

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.

Body

Campaign 21V316000 | 05/05/2021

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

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 s

Rear

Campaign 21V537000 | 15/07/2021

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

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 f

Rear

Campaign 20V675000 | 12/03/2021

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

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 r

Roof And Pillars

Campaign 24V031000 | 19/01/2024

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

Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 18, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.

Body

Campaign 25V347000 | 23/05/2025

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

The remedy is currently under development. 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 r

Engine Block Heater

Campaign 25V685000 | 10/10/2025

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipat

Rear

Campaign 26V101000 | 20/02/2026

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

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

General Vehicle Maintenance

Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.

Follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule in your owner's manual
Don't ignore warning lights — early diagnosis prevents expensive repairs
Keep records of all maintenance and repairs
Use OEM or equivalent-quality parts for repairs
Address unusual noises, vibrations, or smells promptly

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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28