2017 FORD EXPLORER — Owner-Reported Problems

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-08-22 1,664 complaints · 14 recalls
Most-reported system: STRUCTURE (598 complaints · 35.9%)
Safety signals:
  • Crashes 33
  • Fires 11
  • Injuries 50
  • Deaths 0
Compare with 2016 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Component Problem Distribution

Share of owner complaints filed for each vehicle system (unaffected by sales volume)

Component Problem Distribution STRUCTURE appears in 598 of 1,664 owner complaints (35.9%) in this vehicle snapshot. STRUCTURE: 598 complaints, 35.9% of reports STRUCTURE 598 · 35.9% · 1 crash reports 1 fire reports ENGINE: 228 complaints, 13.7% of reports ENGINE 228 · 13.7% · 2 crash reports 2 fire reports POWER TRAIN: 97 complaints, 5.8% of reports POWER TRAIN 97 · 5.8% · 3 crash reports VISIBILITY: 69 complaints, 4.2% of reports VISIBILITY 69 · 4.2% STEERING: 54 complaints, 3.3% of reports STEERING 54 · 3.3% · 1 crash reports WHEELS: 50 complaints, 3.0% of reports WHEELS 50 · 3.0% · 1 crash reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: 48 complaints, 2.9% of reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 48 · 2.9% · 1 crash reports 4 fire reports SUSPENSION: 48 complaints, 2.9% of reports SUSPENSION 48 · 2.9% · 4 crash reports FUEL SYSTEM: 30 complaints, 1.8% of reports FUEL SYSTEM 30 · 1.8% UNKNOWN OR OTHER: 695 complaints, 41.8% of reports UNKNOWN OR OTHER 695 · 41.8% · 11 crash reports 5 fire reports 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER is an NHTSA classification artifact and is always listed last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
STRUCTURE 598 35.9% 1 crashes · 1 fires
ENGINE 228 13.7% 2 crashes · 2 fires
POWER TRAIN 97 5.8% 3 crashes · 0 fires
VISIBILITY 69 4.2% 0 crashes · 0 fires
STEERING 54 3.3% 1 crashes · 0 fires
WHEELS 50 3.0% 1 crashes · 0 fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 48 2.9% 1 crashes · 4 fires
SUSPENSION 48 2.9% 4 crashes · 0 fires
FUEL SYSTEM 30 1.8% 0 crashes · 0 fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 695 41.8% 11 crashes · 5 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Problem & Recall Timeline

Observed complaint volume and manufacturer recall actions over time

Problem & Recall Timeline Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jul 2016; the first recall shown was reported in Dec 2016. 2016-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2016-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2017-Q1: 13 owner reports 13 2017-Q2: 16 owner reports 16 2017-Q3: 67 owner reports 67 2017-Q4: 42 owner reports 42 2018-Q1: 35 owner reports 35 2018-Q2: 24 owner reports 24 2018-Q3: 36 owner reports 36 2018-Q4: 24 owner reports 24 2019-Q1: 33 owner reports 33 2019-Q2: 27 owner reports 27 2019-Q3: 36 owner reports 36 2019-Q4: 30 owner reports 30 2020-Q1: 19 owner reports 19 2020-Q2: 14 owner reports 14 2020-Q3: 14 owner reports 14 2020-Q4: 16 owner reports 16 2021-Q1: 22 owner reports 22 2021-Q2: 26 owner reports 26 2021-Q3: 28 owner reports 28 2021-Q4: 19 owner reports 19 2022-Q1: 20 owner reports 20 2022-Q2: 17 owner reports 17 2022-Q3: 27 owner reports 27 2022-Q4: 32 owner reports 32 2023-Q1: 69 owner reports 69 2023-Q2: 66 owner reports 66 2023-Q3: 68 owner reports 68 2023-Q4: 49 owner reports 49 2024-Q1: 57 owner reports 57 2024-Q2: 59 owner reports 59 2024-Q3: 58 owner reports 58 2024-Q4: 55 owner reports 55 2025-Q1: 87 owner reports 87 2025-Q2: 119 owner reports 119 2025-Q3: 112 owner reports 112 2025-Q4: 73 owner reports 73 2026-Q1: 63 owner reports 63 2026-Q2: 57 owner reports 57 2026-Q3: 26 owner reports 26 Owner reports Jul 2016 Jul 2026 Recall campaign 16V925000 ◆ Recall campaign 16V925000 Recall campaign 17V332000 ◆ Recall campaign 17V332000 Recall campaign 17E048000 ◆ Recall campaign 17E048000 Recall campaign 17V530000 ◆ Recall campaign 17V530000 Recall campaign 19V435000 ◆ Recall campaign 19V435000 Recall campaign 19V651000 ◆ Recall campaign 19V651000 Recall campaign 20V675000 ◆ Recall campaign 20V675000 Recall campaign 21V316000 ◆ Recall campaign 21V316000 Recall campaign 21V537000 ◆ Recall campaign 21V537000 Recall campaign 24V031000 ◆ Recall campaign 24V031000 Recall campaign 25V347000 ◆ Recall campaign 25V347000 Recall campaign 25V685000 ◆ Recall campaign 25V685000 Recall campaign 26V101000 ◆ Recall campaign 26V101000 Recall campaign 26V448000 ◆ Recall campaign 26V448000 Investigation EA17002 ● Investigation EA17002 Investigation PE23001 ● Investigation PE23001
  • Campaign 16V925000 was reported 66 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 19V435000 was reported 489 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 20V675000 was reported 1,130 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 21V316000 was reported 1,641 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 21V537000 was reported 1,255 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 24V031000 was reported 2,630 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 25V347000 was reported 3,120 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 25V685000 was reported 3,314 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 26V101000 was reported 2,936 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 26V448000 was reported 3,537 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2016-Q3 Owner reports 2
2016-Q4 Owner reports 7
2017-Q1 Owner reports 13
2017-Q2 Owner reports 16
2017-Q3 Owner reports 67
2017-Q4 Owner reports 42
2018-Q1 Owner reports 35
2018-Q2 Owner reports 24
2018-Q3 Owner reports 36
2018-Q4 Owner reports 24
2019-Q1 Owner reports 33
2019-Q2 Owner reports 27
2019-Q3 Owner reports 36
2019-Q4 Owner reports 30
2020-Q1 Owner reports 19
2020-Q2 Owner reports 14
2020-Q3 Owner reports 14
2020-Q4 Owner reports 16
2021-Q1 Owner reports 22
2021-Q2 Owner reports 26
2021-Q3 Owner reports 28
2021-Q4 Owner reports 19
2022-Q1 Owner reports 20
2022-Q2 Owner reports 17
2022-Q3 Owner reports 27
2022-Q4 Owner reports 32
2023-Q1 Owner reports 69
2023-Q2 Owner reports 66
2023-Q3 Owner reports 68
2023-Q4 Owner reports 49
2024-Q1 Owner reports 57
2024-Q2 Owner reports 59
2024-Q3 Owner reports 58
2024-Q4 Owner reports 55
2025-Q1 Owner reports 87
2025-Q2 Owner reports 119
2025-Q3 Owner reports 112
2025-Q4 Owner reports 73
2026-Q1 Owner reports 63
2026-Q2 Owner reports 57
2026-Q3 Owner reports 26
Recall campaign 1 16V925000
Recall campaign 1 17V332000
Recall campaign 1 17E048000
Recall campaign 1 17V530000
Recall campaign 1 19V435000
Recall campaign 1 19V651000
Recall campaign 1 20V675000
Recall campaign 1 21V316000
Recall campaign 1 21V537000
Recall campaign 1 24V031000
Recall campaign 1 25V347000
Recall campaign 1 25V685000
Recall campaign 1 26V101000
Recall campaign 1 26V448000
Defect investigation 1 EA17002
Defect investigation 1 PE23001
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Safety Recalls (14)

Official safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA

  1. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 16V925000

    Report date
    Component:
    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
    Consequence:
    An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 17E048000

    Report date
    Component:
    SUSPENSION
    Consequence:
    A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 17V332000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    If the occupant is not adequately restrained in the event of a crash, they have an increased risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 17V530000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    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.
    Remedy:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 19V435000

    Report date
    Component:
    SUSPENSION
    Consequence:
    A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    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 19S17.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 19V651000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    Occupants my contact the sharp edges when reaching between the power front seat and center console, increasing their risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  7. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 20V675000

    Report date
    Component:
    SUSPENSION
    Consequence:
    A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  8. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 21V316000

    Report date
    Component:
    STRUCTURE
    Consequence:
    A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    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 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S22.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  9. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 21V537000

    Report date
    Component:
    SUSPENSION
    Consequence:
    A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    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. 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 Ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S32.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  10. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 24V031000

    Report date
    Component:
    STRUCTURE
    Consequence:
    A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    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 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  11. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 25V347000

    Report date
    Component:
    STRUCTURE
    Consequence:
    Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    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 25S53.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  12. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 25V685000

    Report date
    Component:
    EQUIPMENT
    Consequence:
    An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    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, 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 customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  13. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 26V101000

    Report date
    Component:
    SUSPENSION
    Consequence:
    A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    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) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 25, 2026.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  14. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 26V448000

    Report date
    Component:
    STRUCTURE
    Consequence:
    A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    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, are expected to be mailed August 24, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in September 2026. 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 Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Complaint Narrative Explorer

Verbatim owner-reported defect narratives from NHTSA public records

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-08-21
Safety incident filters
Showing 0 of 1664 complaints · page 1 of 67

No complaints match the current filters.
EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Data sourced from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Snapshot date: 2026-08-21.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources