general problems of the 2017 Ford Explorer

19 problems related to vehicle speed control have been reported for the 2017 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2017 Ford Explorer based on all problems reported for the 2017 Explorer.

1 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 09/10/2025

Constant fail of O2 sensor and abs causing check engine and abs lights to come on. After diagnosis, did research and it is a common problem on Ford Explorers.

2 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 02/22/2025

The car has a hard time with acceleration and I hear clunking noises.

3 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 12/04/2023

Car dies repeatedly while on the road driving and also while parked. Car has errors on dashboard when attempting to turn on, which I have a video of. First mechanic was able to replicate issue once and got some scan tool codes but he said after that, they all cleared out and he wasn't able to replicate. Car was given back to us, drove to store died and it wouldn't start in parking lot. Mechanic sent tow truck, car started when tow truck arrived. Took car to Ford, tech unable to replicate, car returned to us. Car died once again, which is when I took the error video and took the car back to Ford and showed service rep the video. Ford still unable to figure out the issue. We told Ford to keep the car because it isn't safe to drive until we find and fix the issue. Car has been in mechanic and Ford for about 4 months total.

4 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 09/01/2023

Transmission is not shifting correcting. Will be traveling down the road and loses power, loses it's acceleration. When trying to proceed after making a stop at a light, car will not go. Bucks hard when putting in reverse. I heard there was a recall on the torque converter's awhile back, but I never received any notification about it. Now that I know, the Ford dealerships are telling me there are no recalls for this.

5 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 06/29/2023

At 28,000 miles, the vehicle emitted black smoke from the exhaust. Despite the mechanic’s efforts to identify the issue, no diagnostic codes were detected. Currently, the vehicle has accumulated 100,000 miles. The engine suddenly lost the ability to accelerate beyond 20 miles per hour. After several months of repairs involving multiple turbo replacements, it was determined that the engine was severely damaged and should have been replaced over 50,000 miles ago. The engine was subsequently replaced, but only a year later, it failed again. After replacing the first engine, the vehicle’s performance deteriorated significantly. The vehicle required another visit to the shop for several months, resulting in another engine replacement. Over the course of several months, the vehicle lost all power and exhibited difficulty shifting into reverse. Consequently, it failed to reverse and was involved in an accident.

6 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 05/09/2023

I am filing a safety defect complaint regarding my 2017 Ford Explorer. The b pillar has broke in half a couple of years ago and nearly struck a vehicle behind me and if the remaining trim piece detaches, it could become a serious risk of collision, injury or property damage. It states NHTSA works to prevent unsafe traveling which is why I'm writing this. I have contacted Ford customer service and dealerships multiple times with no luck of anything. I have had to continuously tape the area to door which is not ordeal nor a forever fix. The b pillar is held on by wires that are slowly breaking. The wires lead to a hole that is inside my door. The opening exposes from the outside, meaning if it rains or snows, it is getting inside the hole, into my car door. If the recall piece ever came in, my door has already experienced neglect and issues. I'm concerned this will lead to corrosion, electrical complications and additional mechanical failures. Also, if it is not taped up correctly, air blows directly into the car door, into the cabin while driving onto my feet causing extreme cold exposure and physical harm and making it hard to operate the vehicle. It's very painful and also not ideal, especially when I also have a full time job and 3 kids to worry about. I currently owe 12k still on the vehicle and want to replace it with a safer vehicle. I should not have to be miserable every single day and put me and my kids in danger and also let my vehicle deteriorate while I wait for this recall piece on top of having to pay the remaining balance of this vehicle. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this complaint and investigate before anymore physical, emotional, financially harm is done.

7 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 12/03/2022

The transmission would slip and/or lag. This started around 65k miles. It was reported to the dealer, they couldn’t reproduce it. Then at 101k miles the engine started vibrating when in gear and idling. Motor mounts were replaced, but the problem persisted. Eventually got the entire transmission replaced.

8 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 10/14/2022

Husband returning home, pulled into carport and as he removed foot from accelerator to brake, accelerator pedal kept accelerating. This caused Explorer to hit carport awning, classic 65 mustang, 2007 harley and shed. Airbags did not work. Accelerator is still pressed to floorboard.

9 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 04/06/2021

August 2020: when passing a vehicle on the highway, applied gas pedal fully to the floor, it stuck. Vehicle continued to accelerate, pedal would not return to normal position. Had to get to shoulder, shove vehicle into neutral and turn off. Ford dealer reviewed, determined only likely cause could be the throttle body, replaced throttle body. April 2021: when accelerating on the highway, pressed pedal to floor, pedal once again stuck. Would not return to normal position, continued to accelerate. Moved to shoulder at high rate of speed, applied brakes as much as possible and put vehicle into neutral, then park. Vehicle completely revved out, engine at max rpms. Turned off vehicle. Waited a few minutes. Tried to turn vehicle back on, sounded like starter was stuck. Turned off vehicle. Waited a few moments, turned on and drove carefully home.

10 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 03/22/2021

*vehicle makes popping noise *jerks, loss of power when going down the road, hard to steer, push on gas and will not go. Engine light and wrench come on. Called dealer when first happened was told to turn off back on to reset. Have worked with dealer and manufacture. This is dangerous and I'm terrified to drive the vehicle. This will be at least the fourth time back in the shop for repairs. In addition to several calls.

11 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 02/12/2021

- transmission/torque convertor has and is failing. Results in lack of acceleration during launch, sluggish vehicle operation and shudder - known issue with this make/model/year of vehicle. Failure of the above began at 40,000 some miles and is presently not driveable at only 67,000 miles without an $8-$10,000 repair for a new transmission. - confirmed with dealer the above issue and is in writing and submitted case #cas-47518676-k5y6y7 with Ford directly. Located letter sent to dealerships regarding this very issue dated 10/2020. - vehicle has not been in any accidents, but am receiving a "warning" light indicating failure.

12 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 01/30/2021

The apim is malfunction in my 2017 Explorer. Accessories stay on after vehicle turned off, killed battery, vehicle collision sensors and camera intermediate malfunction. Cruise control intermittent function, gps and screen options /operations inoperable.

13 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 04/02/2020

As I was driving the Explorer the cross traffic alert sensors went hayware, then the navigator, radio, hvac, and everything else froze did commands on its own. The part assist mode came on it own, steering wheel controls would not work and car started to take control. Very scary as the car was taking commands I could not control. Took it to the local Ford dealer where it was determined to be the accessory protocol interface module (apim). My vehicle is just out of warranty and Ford motor company would not help. Very dangerous, cost me $1,200. Ford had this same problem on earlier models and recalled, but not on mine. This failure need to be addressed and if not fixed could lead to a serious accident. Ford needs to issue a recall. Ford was no help to me, very disappoint in Ford and their neglect to mine and my families stafey.

14 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 12/03/2019

Ford Explorer XLT "in-dash control screen blanks out-leaves no electronic control drive, odometer, speed, climate control, backup camera, steering wheel controls, turn signals etc".

15 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 09/20/2019

Tl- the contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, when depressing the accelerator pedal and the vehicle decelerated to 20 mph. The contact was able to park on the side of the road. The contact stated no warning lights was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to local dealer hertrich Ford Lincoln located at 1427 bay rd, milford, DE 19963,(302) 725-0031, where made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired as of yet. The manufacturer has been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 28,000. Dp.

16 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 09/21/2018

I purchased my Ford Explorer 2017, in September of 2016, I have returned back to the dealer more than 10 times less than a 2 year period. My first problem was the truck would not get enough speed, unless I hit the gas 2 oir 3 times, the dealer came it wasn't a problem until the engine light came on, and than I was told it was a recall on it, but when I check, there was no recall on my VIN. I have 5 batteries since I had the truck, I ask them what is causing this, I never get a response. My ac/heat went out, I told them, I notice something coming in through the vents. I informed the dealer's repair department that it smelled like a rotten egg or just look like air coming in the vents. I never got an answer to that question. I tried calling Ford corporate office, but know one never returned my call.

17 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 08/01/2018

The vehicle has completely shut down while in motion and while parked on multiple occasions. The vehicle has also had multiple instances where it accelerates on its own, the most notable being when it will apply full acceleration while in a corner. This has been reported to both the local dealership networks and Ford corporate with no willingness to document the issues or investigate. The date of first instance has been notated below. This vehicle has been parked due to these safety concerns and replaced prior to lease expiration.

18 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 01/15/2018

I have encountered too many issues with this vehicle, my biggest issue has to do with what I thought I was having a "falling asleep at the wheel" issue. There were a few times last winter, after letting the car sit stationary and warm up , that I couldn't "stay awake" while driving home on the freeway. It happened once, twice, then continued, and it became apparent it was the vehicle, not me, that was causing this. It can be best described as the sensation right before being put under for a medical procedure. I would then come out of this unconcious state in potentlally deadly driving situations. I also noticed that my dog was being affected at the same time. I could see him getting anxious next to me, and then have what looked like a panic attack until I put the window down. He would keep his head outside the vehicle for a majority of the ride. I basically stopped using the heater. At the same time, the battery kept dying, and the vehicle would shut down and go into a "battery safe" mode, and it needed to be jumped every other trip. When I took the car to the dealer, they basically said there may be a problem, but they didn't have the replacement parts, and would call me when they got in. I never heard back from them. This is my 3rd and last lease with Ford, my previous 2 edges both had numerous electrical issues, including loosing power while driving. Now, I'm in an unsafe vehicle, and they won't even acknowledge the problem. I want out of my lease, but in my experience with Ford, the consumer looses every time. Can't fight them if they don't acknowledge the problem. I'm praying for my life, and other drivers lives that something get resolved quickly before someone looses their life. Doesn't seem fair that the consumer has to pay for the companies shortcomings. . .

19 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 03/20/2017

Last nights as I drove my new 2017 Explorer off the lot with only 11 miles on it, I drove on surface streets and then onto the highway. After I got up to 65 mph the Explorer started to lose acceleration on the highway. I had to get off at the next exit and then had great difficulty getting the car to move from 0 to 30 miles per hour to get back to the dealership using the side streets. I now have a loaner car and I was first told it could be the electronic throttle body, and then after a hookup to the computer was told it was in transport mode - however nothing on the instrument panel registered any problems. I had test driven the car on Saturday 3/18/17 using both surface streets and highways, and last night (3/20/17) I was able to get it up to speed on the highway again. The experience was very scary as I had to maneuver out of traffic to get off the highway at speed below 40 mph until I could get to the side streets.


Other Vehicle Speed Control related problems of the 2017 Ford Explorer

Vehicle Speed Control problems
19
Cruise Control problems
3
Accelerator Pedal problems
1

Explorer Service Bulletins
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Explorer Defect Investigations