2017 Ford Explorer Complaints

STRUCTURE — Filed 06/27/2025

07/17/2026 [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Attn: Ford Customer Relationship Center / Service Management Ford Motor Company [XXX] RE: IMMEDIATE ESCALATION DEMAND: Safety Recall 24S02 (NHTSA Campaign 24V031000) Vehicle: 2017 Ford Explorer VIN: [XXX] Servicing Dealership: Max Ford of Butler (Butler, [XXX]) To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally demand the immediate escalation and resolution of an open safety recall on my 2017 Ford Explorer. My vehicle is subject to Safety Recall 24S02 regarding the detachment of the exterior A-pillar windshield molding. I have been actively waiting on a dealership backorder list for twelve (12) months. This extreme delay is completely unacceptable for a federally mandated safety defect. The exterior trim pieces on my vehicle are now actively loose. Every day this vehicle is driven, it presents an immediate structural hazard to myself, my passengers, and other drivers on the road should the plastic trim completely detach at highway speeds. Furthermore, despite Ford’s official bulletin instructing dealerships to inspect and apply interim stabilization to loose trim while parts are delayed, my local dealership has failed to offer or complete this temporary safety service. I have been forced to manually tape down my own vehicle’s exterior panels using temporary automotive tape to mitigate the immediate risk of a highway accident. I am demanding the following immediate actions: 1.COPIS Parts Escalation: I demand that Ford Corporate immediately issue a COPIS (Customer Order Processing Information System) critical part inquiry for my specific VIN to manually pull and expedite the delivery of the updated A-pillar replacement kits and retention adhesive to my servicing dealer. 2.Regional Management Intervention: I request that a regional Ford parts and service manager contact me directly within three (3) business days to provide an exact, g INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ENGINE — Filed 07/01/2026

A strong exhaust smell comes through the cabin during acceleration at speeds higher than 35 mph. Worries us for possible co2 exposure coming through if exhaust smell can come through. But ford dealership has said it passes the recall standards. Still uneasy

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE — Filed 05/15/2024

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure). While driving approximately 60 MPH, the driver's side B-pillar trim detached and flew off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the residence, inspected, and confirmed that the driver’s side B-pillar trim was missing. The contact stated that the electrical system on the tailgate had stopped working as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was determined that the tailgate would not open because the electrical system was disconnected, and the trim had fallen off. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the dome light remained illuminated and turned off approximately 4-5 seconds later. Additionally, while the vehicle was in reverse(R) on several occasions, the dome light illuminated, and the contact was unable to see out of the rear window. The vehicle was not repaired because parts for the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 01/01/2022

This concern is related to the widespread failure of exterior paint / clear coat with Ford vehicles. What is known as "crows feet" - that is, the cracking of the clear coat - is becoming increasingly apparent on my black 2017 Ford Explorer Sport, which has been carefully maintained and garage kept for at least 50% of its life. The cracks look like sharp edges in the shape of a crow's foot left indentations in the paint. The appearance of the cracking on a metallic paint is difficult to capture with photos, but very apparent to the naked eye. The crows feet started showing-up approximately four years ago, and it was only recently that I learned what it was and that it is a "known" problem with Ford's paint. This problem is endemic of an issue with the paint, primer or hardener used by Ford during the manufacturing process. In other words, the issue is the result of poor materials and workmanship. Furthermore, the issue is widespread and known to have affected countless owners across multiple models and year models.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 07/01/2026

Transmission torque converter attempts to lockup when vehicle is in gear, at idle and brakes applied. This causes the engine rpm to drop or stall. This causes an unexpected delay and hesitation when accelerating from a stop followed by an unexpected acceleration surge. This issue has been confirmed by an independent service center. No computer codes or warning signals on the dash are present.

STRUCTURE — Filed 04/15/2025

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to complete the recall repair was unavailable. Additionally, while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the passenger-side B-pillar trim detached and blew onto the roadway. The contact stated that the driver had noticed that the passenger-side B-pillar trim was loose prior to the notification and incident. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 07/01/2026

seal around front driver door and passenger doors are coming off and can cause a hazard. there is a recall issued for this from may 2025 but no remedy has been provided from ford for over a year now. this is not what i consider a remedy in a timely fashion as it could come off and possibly cause me to get into a crash.

STRUCTURE — Filed 06/30/2026

B pillar trim flew off while going down highway. Almost hit vehicle behind me.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 06/10/2024

The trunk does not open. The lift gate error message comes on. The lights stay on longer than they should and the battery is drained. This all resulted after the b pillar flew off on the high way. I have had duct tape on my car for over a year and unable to access the trunk.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 01/01/2026

This has happened several times where the transmission will not go into drive and makes an electronic noise while trying to shift into drive. If you turn the car off, open the driver's door, wait for complete power down then restart the vehicle, it will then go into drive. Sometimes it just takes one attempt, sometimes several. Seems to be a computer malfunction similar to a recent recall but for different year explorers.