general problems of the 2017 Ford Explorer - part 1

I was driving on the interstate and the b pilar from my vehicle flew off, hit my passenger side window, and merely missed the vehicle traveling behind us. This incident could have caused a big accident.

The recall for the roof rails was not properly fixed. Ford is not willing to fix their mistake.

The lift gate glass shattered / exploded while sitting at a red light.

When driving my car, you can hear wind noise like the windows are down and it's loud enough to where I can't hear my kids most of the time when they need something from the backseats. These two recalls have been in place since may 2025 and there is still no remedy to fix this almost a year later. I have not taken it to a dealership but plan to this Friday 02/27/26.

The passenger side silver cover came off the top rail of my 2017 Ford Explorer. This sould be covered by Ford safety recall 21s22. I was told by my local Ford dealer my mileage was over the mileage limit of 152,000. My current mileage is 152,197. 7; I can send a picture. Any item(s) flying off a vehicle should be a safety concern and covered by any recalls. Does Ford and/or NHTSA want to limit the age and/or mileage for safety recall? I was told by my local Ford dealership, this was a 'customer satisfaction' issue and only addressed if the problem was evident at the time of inspection. I've had my vehicle in for routine maintenance (oil change, tire rotation, etc) on a very regular basis. Normally I leave with instructions to fix any recalls on the vehicle. This was not addressed on previous maintenance instances because the broken top rail was not showing signs of distress. (my terms based on the conversation with the local dealership service personnel. ) are you kidding me??? I would expect these types of issues to be addressed/fixed prior to failure. Once failure occurs, the potential for roadway damage has happened. I'm having problems uploading my files on your system.

There is an odor in the passenger cabin. Seems unsafe.

Since Ford issued the first recall notice for recall 24s02, I have been contacting my local Ford dealerships every few months to check whether the replacement parts were available. Each time, I am told the parts are still not in stock. As of today, multiple pieces of my vehicle have flown off while I was driving. This has become a serious safety hazard. Most recently, while driving on the freeway, a part detached from my car and the vehicles behind me had to swerve to avoid hitting it. I am increasingly concerned for my safety and the safety of others on the road. At this point, my vehicle does not feel safe to drive, but I have no alternative transportation. This appears to be a straightforward part for Ford to manufacture and replace, yet the delay has been unreasonable. Something needs to be done— I cannot continue driving a vehicle where pieces are literally coming off while in motion.

The windshield outer trim pillar molding has flown off my vehicle twice while driving on the highway. This last time it almost hit someone on a motorcycle. What is Ford going to do to fix this?.

It is known that for the specific year make and model that the water pump goes out around 100,000 miles. This water pump was built as an internal water pump, which is not typical for most cars. In order to fix this part, the engine has to be taken out and lots of parts have to be disassembled just to get to it. The part itself is fairly cheap, but the labor cost thousands of dollars due to where it is located. Ford knowingly built this car and put that pump where it is at and therefore should be reliable to pay the cost when it is so common that this part goes out around 100,000 miles. If it is a known issue that occurs on these models frequently then it should become a recall because a failing water pump can cause significant issues within the engine and make the vehicle in operable.

Exterior windshield a-pillar flew off on the highway and Ford said the repair was suppose to be ready on the latter half of 2024. This repair is not being dealt with in a timely manor. Manufacturer recall number 24s0. Nhtsa recall number24v031.

A buzzing started coming from my front dash. My mechanic pointed out the molding/trim on the windshield is basically disintegrating because of cheap quality materials.

Unknown. The rubber seal for the windshield wiper cowl is completely deteriorating. This is a known common problem as the Ford dealership parts department stated. With this rubber seal deteriorating its possible for wind to get under the cowling and blow it off while driving down the road causing a hazard for surrounding drivers.

I am unable to renew my registration due to not being able to complete / repair the recalls. Dealer does not have the parts for the repair therefore my vehicle will not pass inspection for the renewal. This has caused many troubles and issues, I am being pulled over by police and constantly worried they might tow my vehicle for expired registration.

In reference to NHTSA recall 25v347 & manufacturer recall no:25s53. According to Ford my VIN does not apply due to the dates within the recall. Both of my b pillar outside trim have been separated from the vehicle, just like it states in the recall. I replaced the passenger side last year, now my drivers side is blown off. Due to the sticky tape holding them on. When I asked Ford they said the recall is only for vehicles manufactured from chicago from 6/25/15 thru 4/5/17. Mine was manufactured on 28 may 2017. So my vehicle does not apply. However, I find it odd that both mine have failed just like it says in the recall but yet my vehicle does not apply. Seems fishy. I think the dates of this defect should be expanded and thus allowing my vehicle to be covered under the recall and Ford pay for the repairs.

About 4 years ago it was a recall to the roof rail trim disconnection, which mine was totally fine but since it was a recall I took it to the dealer to be replace. Now while I was driving on the highway I saw the right trim flight away. I called the dealer that replaced to see what they can do since I feel this is a continue problem a defective part. I even show them the left side is coming off but their answer was that it was a recall part and the part was already replaced it and is nothing they can do now. I really feel they should be responsible to replaced it again since it is a recurring problem. I didn't have any issue with the original one and the one they replaced both are defective.

While driving a certain speed I hear noise in main windshield area.

Windshield cowl grille damage (along with a-pillar molding trim damage) causing loose parts and wind with rattling sound. Cowl should also be included and replaced as part of recall.

The following is a letter I sent to Ford. I've yet to hear back from them. This is a picture of what happened in my 2017 Explorer on Thursday, June 5, 2025. As I unlocked and got into my car, I realized the seat was moving forward. I tried to get out of the seat, but it was difficult because the space was closing in. I managed to squeeze out of the space before it totally closed me in and pinned me between the seat and steering wheel. As you can see from the picture, the seat is as close to the steering wheel and console as possible. The steering wheel was 7 inches from the seatback and 7 inches from the seat bottom. The seat was 2 inches from the console. This is extremely dangerous. This is not the first time this has happened. This has occurred at least ten times. Sometimes it is when I get in the vehicle as happened June 5. One time I was pinned between the steering wheel and seat and my legs were jammed into the console. Fortunately, I was able to extricate myself with only a few scrapes and bruises. While it is happening, I try the side buttons that control the seat and other ways to stop it, but nothing I do stops the movement once it begins. The only way to avoid being pinned in is to get out while the seat is moving. Other times it has happened when I am not in the car. I unlock and open the door to get in and the seat has moved itself and is as far up to the steering wheel as physically possible. The first time this happened; I told the service desk at the dealer when I was having work done on the SUV. They checked and said they couldn’t find anything wrong with it. `.

To whom it may concern, I am writing to formally file a complaint with Ford. I request immediate assistance regarding multiple open recalls on my 2017 Ford Explorer platinum. Despite multiple attempts to have these recalls addressed by my local Ford dealership and others, they have refused to perform all the necessary repairs. When I asked if they could at least order the required parts, I was informed that they would not, due to the parts being on back order with no timeline of when they would be available. This situation has become increasingly concerning, as one of the un repaired recalls has now led to water intrusion inside my vehicle, causing additional damage. Along with other recalls that are further causing damage. I depend on my vehicle daily, and the ongoing delays and lack of action from the dealership have only worsened the condition of my vehicle. At this point, I am requesting further help. I believe this situation warrants urgent attention, as it involves manufacturer-issued safety recalls that remain unresolved through no fault of my own, after various attempts to get these recalls fixed. I would appreciate a prompt response confirming that this case has been escalated to the appropriate department.

Back up camera fails to operate at times when vehicle is in reverse. Potential for backing collision or fatality.

This pertains to the b-pillar trim recall. It should be noted that not only does the trim fall off but if it is the trim with the entry keypad, that can cause a short circuit that effects other parts of the car operation. Recently this happened to this vehicle and a fuse blew under the drivers side dash fuse 11 5 amp fuse. This fuse blows and the rear hatch will no longer open. We called about this in June when this happened and the dealer said it was unrelated to the trim that fell off and they would charge us $600 to look at it. After finding the same issue on youtube and the fix posted we purchased the part and installed ourself for $50. This complaint is stating that the recall needs to have the liftgate included as a symptom.

Faulty front grill.

Over memorial day weekend 2025, the a-pillar exterior trim on my 2017 Ford Explorer detached and flew off while I was driving. This matches the Ford recall (NHTSA recall no. 25v347, Ford recall no. 25s53) covering a-pillar trim detachment. Since then, I have been waiting for the replacement part. My dealership confirmed my Explorer is covered under the recall but said they do not know when repair parts will be available. As of late August 2025 (over three months later), no repair has been offered and no estimated timeline has been provided. Safety/function concerns: the missing a-pillar trim causes a loud whistling noise while driving, which is distracting and could impact driver focus. Detached trim is a road hazard to other drivers and pedestrians if it flies off while in motion. The vehicle now appears defective and unfinished, raising concerns about quality and value. Attempts to resolve: contacted my Ford dealership immediately after the trim fell off. They confirmed the recall but stated no parts are available. I drove over an hour round trip for them to look it over and then send me home and that's all that has happend. Have followed up several times since memorial day and am always told “no eta” for the part. Complaint: I believe waiting months for a critical recall repair is unreasonable. Ford should be required to provide either a timely repair, a safe temporary solution, or other accommodations until permanent replacement parts are available.

Water pump has gone out, and is a known issue with the Explorers, plus they have made these very difficult to to replace and require partial engine tear down.

Engine block timing plate cover has a defect crack in it causing an oil leak and fire hazard.

The windshield trim on my 2017 Ford exploer which is the actual recall on this vehicle blew off while traveling on a major highway slamming into my windshield and into the next lane just missing another vehicle causing them to swerve violently to avoid being hit by the windshield trim! I have been communicating with the dealership where I had purchase my vehicle from the time I first received my recall notice, what possibly 5-6 months. Now I am concerned that the other one may do the same and fly off and the resolt being worse!.

In my 2017 Ford Explorer, that backup camera is experiencing issues that sound related to the current recall on 2021-2024 Ford Explorers. The image is all distorted, the backup assist lines are not present, the screen will go black or grey with distortion.

Vehicle was inspected for 24s02 a-pillar recall in October. Nothing is updated or addressed if the a-pillars pass inspection. That closed the recall. Now, the a-pillars have become loose as stated in Ford's letter to the owner "may become detached" and Ford is saying that the recall no longer will cover this because it passed the initial inspection 4 months ago.

I received recall 24v031 in Feb '24, a pillar defect. I took my vehicle to the Ford dealer and had it inspected in Aug of '24. It was satisfactory at that time. Eight months later, it started rattling and flew off my car as I drove on the interstate. I called the dealer and was told that it was repaired in Aug '24. I explained that it was not repaired, only inspected and given the ok to drive it. I'm still waiting for it to be replaced. I now have an issue with the b pillar notice 25s53. It is loose at the top and will probably detach as I drive down the road. This is a safety hazard to anyone driving behind me. The dealer refuses to remedy either one of these issues.

My parking pawl failed. Other 2017 Explorers have the recall but mine doesn’t? dealership says mines not effected but it broke? hardly seams fair. I was able to jump back in and stop it before it rolled out of the driveway and almost hit my neighbors.

The sunroof gets stuck in the tilted open position and sunshades will not close. This creates an unsafe condition if it starts to rain. Cannot secure the vehicle. This problem is very common and there are many complaints and how to fix videos on the internet. I contacted Ford at first they were cooperative and offered to help with the repair. Then suddenly they refused to help with the repair. This left me with a 1200. 00 bill at the dealer. It is a common failure, it was occurring on the previous model year and was not addressed, it requires proprietary tools to fix. There is low incentive to Ford to fix if they can make a profit from the failure. . Read more...

Manufacturer recall number24s02 NHTSA recall number24v031 recall statusrecall incomplete, remedy not yet available.

The roof trim piece flew off while driving and almost hit the car behind me. The other side looks loose as while. I know the a pillars have an open recall on them as while but they said those parts arent available. I already talked with the dealer but they said no recall is available for this roof trim and I think there should be.

Engine coolant leak. Come to find out it is the internal water pump, which several mechanics stated is a "common motor design flaw" with these vehicles. The repair for this is $3500! not a small amount for a average person with low income. If Ford is aware of this common issue, why is nothing being done to protect their customers like me. I'd like to hear from someone in regards to this, as I have always been a loyal Ford consumer, but this will change after this.

The a pillar trim has detached from the windshield while I was driving on the highway, it almost hit the car behind me. There was no warning before it became detached. When calling to see if parts were available I was told that they had been on back order for a year and they had no idea when parts would be available.