Is the 2017 Ford Explorer a bad year?
1,706 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Explorer years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2017 Ford Explorer are in line with other Explorer years. Body structure stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2017 Explorer owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 76,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 661 (39%) | 52k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 287 (17%) | 14k–94k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 125 (7%) | 30k–96k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 94 (6%) | 29k–80k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 58 (3%) | 42k–100k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Air bags | 34 (2%) | 40k–76k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 23 (1%) | 29k–83k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 77 (5%) | 19k–75k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 76 (4%) | 30k–62k miles · mostly behind | — |
| WheelsSTANDS OUT | 60 (4%) | 14k–24k miles · mostly behind | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Fuel system | 49 (3%) | 10k–41k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 22 (1%) | 8k–40k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Tires | 22 (1%) | 16k–28k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 21 (1%) | 6k–39k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 76,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,706 complaints: 34 mention a crash · 11 mention a fire · 36 report an injury · 55 say the car was towed.
224 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Exhaust fumes leaking in to the cab of the suv. Causes a rotten egg smell, and has left my son and I nauseous many times.
Driving down a dirt trail from a mountain outlook the cars electrical shut off. We had no control of brakes, or anything but stearing.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 76,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2017 Ford Explorer: 14
The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle. A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The rear suspension toe links may fracture. A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in. An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving. Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach. A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link. A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle. A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fracture. A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The seat frames may have sharp edges. Occupants my contact the sharp edges when reaching between the power front seat and center console, increasing their risk of injury.
The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension. A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
The steering gear heat shield fasteners may corrode, allowing the heat shield to detach. 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.
These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end. A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
In the event of a crash, the seat back frame may not restrain the occupant due to having inadequate welds. As such, these vehicles may not meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202a, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems." If the occupant is not adequately restrained in the event of a crash, they have an increased risk of injury.
Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components. An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 179
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2017 Ford Explorer. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: Customer concern of a vibration or rough idle…
For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM)…
During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper…
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Windshield trim molding Item detachment
Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab
Neighbouring years
2016 Explorer: 2,465 complaints, keep it · 2018 Explorer: 735 complaints, keep it.
Every Ford Explorer year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Explorer years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2017 Ford Explorer a bad year?
1,706 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Explorer years. At 76,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Ford Explorer?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: body structure (661), engine (287), transmission and drivetrain (125), electrical system (94), suspension (58).
How many recalls does the 2017 Ford Explorer have?
14 recall campaigns list this model year: Body structure (NHTSA 26V-448), Suspension (NHTSA 26V-101), Equipment (NHTSA 25V-685), Body structure (NHTSA 25V-347) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.