2017 Ford Explorer UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
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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.
Recall was published 1/19/24 Manufacturer Recall Number 24S02 NHTSA Recall Number 24V031 It's been over two years and Ford is saying the replacement parts are still not available. This is unacceptable.
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.
Safety Recall Notice 24S02/NHTSA Recall 24V031 - Exterior A-pillar applique trim clip attachments may not be properly engaged due to improper assembly. Two-step solution is required: Ford dealer has to check to see if the clips are properly engaged or not, then, if not, must order the correct parts from Ford. I have been trying to correct this issue for over two years, but dealer says the parts are still on back order from Ford and repairs cannot be made.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Delay in available parts. Both A-pillar trim parts have detached from vehicle. Passengers side 6/2024, Drivers side 12/24.
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.
The windshield trim is unattaching piece by piece. There is been a recall issued in January 2024. The dealership still does not have parts to make the repair over a year later. Manufacturer Recall Number24S02 NHTSA Recall Number24V031 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available
While driving a certain speed i hear noise in main windshield area
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.
Back up camera fails to operate at times when vehicle is in reverse. Potential for backing collision or fatality.
Display screen/Navigation screen is flashing continuously. This is affecting the use of the back up camera which could potentially cause damage to vehicles or persons. This also is affecting thr use of hands free operation.
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.
There has been a long standing recall on the pillars for over a year, however ford continuously does not have the parts in stock. I have been awaiting repair for over a year with no date in sight.
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 reference to NHTSA Recall No: 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.
faulty front grill
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.
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.
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.
Manufacturer Recall Number24S02 NHTSA Recall Number24V031 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available
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
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Quick Summary
The 2017 Ford Explorer has 250 UNKNOWN OR OTHER complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.