Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

2016 vs 2017 FORD EXPLORER

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 119 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 26.1% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table

Component	2016 share	2017 share	Share change
STEERING	19.3%	3.3%	▼ 16.0 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE	21.9%	35.9%	▲ 14.0 pts larger share
VISIBILITY	2.2%	4.2%	▲ 2.0 pts larger share
AIR BAGS	2.6%	1.1%	▼ 1.6 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	2.4%	0.9%	▼ 1.5 pts smaller share
FUEL SYSTEM	3.0%	1.8%	▼ 1.2 pts smaller share
WHEELS	1.9%	3.0%	▲ 1.2 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN	6.6%	5.8%	▼ 0.8 pts smaller share
ENGINE	14.3%	13.7%	▼ 0.6 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION	2.4%	2.9%	▲ 0.5 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.5%	2.9%	▲ 0.4 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS	1.5%	1.1%	▼ 0.3 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES	0.3%	0.6%	▲ 0.3 pts larger share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.2%	0.4%	▲ 0.3 pts larger share
TIRES	0.3%	0.4%	▲ 0.2 pts larger share
BACK OVER PREVENTION	0.3%	0.4%	▲ 0.1 pts larger share
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.3%	0.3%	▲ 0.1 pts larger share
LANE DEPARTURE	0.2%	0.1%	▼ 0.0 pts smaller share
PARKING BRAKE	0.0%	not reported	▼ 0.0 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	31.9%	41.8%	▲ 9.8 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

2016 15

Campaign components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EQUIPMENT, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN, SEATS, STRUCTURE, and SUSPENSION

2017 14

Campaign components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EQUIPMENT, STRUCTURE, and SUSPENSION

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21