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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
12 / 0
Average Mileage:
19,208 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2017 Ford Explorer engine problems

engine problem

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2017 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 1 of 9)

problem #175

Apr 052024

Explorer

  • 61,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to safely drive the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

- Kent, WA, USA

problem #174

Mar 222024

Explorer

  • miles
There was a mechanical failure with the internal water pump that caused my engine to seize and render the vehicle non-operational. The water pump and motor have both been inspected by a certified mechanic who has deemed it as such. The vehicle could have broken down on the highway but I was one of the lucky ones that it did not. There was no warning of my engine being bad until the water pump was replaced. The weep hole in the pump caused coolant to enter my oil.

- Lake Stevens, WA, USA

problem #173

Feb 052024

Explorer

  • 52,877 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was running rough and was shuddering while starting and driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic twice. The mechanic determined that rodents had damaged the wiring underneath the hood. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, and the same assessment was made. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The dealer determined that the wiring underneath the hood and the wiring in the rear of the vehicle needed to be replaced due to rodent damage. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 52,877.

- La Grange, TX, USA

problem #172

Mar 112024

Explorer

  • 141,595 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where it was diagnosed that the crankshaft solenoid had failed. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there were metal shavings inside the engine. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 141,595.

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #171

Jan 012024

Explorer

  • miles
I have replaced all the starter coil packs in my engine and still have the same problem the codes read misfiring on multiple cylinders wich causes the car to lose power and pull back on the transmission while pushing on the gas pedal this is an ongoing problem

- Corinth, NY, USA

problem #170

Mar 272024

Explorer

  • miles
Vehicle began leaking coolant. No warning lights came on or anything. Took into repair center and they advised that the water pump needed to be replaced. Over $3,000 to repair and the car is barely over 100,000 miles. Seems to be a major defect as I have read many complaints about this issue.

- Parkton, MD, USA

problem #169

Mar 152024

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving on the highway at around 60 mph, I accelerated to pass a car and then the "power" just cut off. The check engine light came on and having my foot on the gas did nothing and the car began to decelerate. Then it started to cycle between kicking in and cutting off for a few seconds, as if it was "catching". Then as I moved over towards the shoulder for safety it resumed normal operation.

- Dunwoody, GA, USA

problem #168

Oct 172022

Explorer

  • miles
My transmission went out at 70k miles. Ford told me it was the engine causing the transmission to seize but since they didn-??t have an official recall on it, they wouldn-??t fix it. It cost me 5k to fix and they had to get 3 different transmissions from ford because the first two were defective. I was out of a car for 8 months

- Clermont, FL, USA

problem #167

Feb 122021

Explorer

  • miles
- 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.

- Elizabethtown, PA, USA

problem #166

Feb 192024

Explorer

  • 54,186 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the coils and spark plugs were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where a diagnostic was performed; the diagnostic test showed that coolant had leaked into cylinder #3. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance; the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 54,186.

- Anna, TX, USA

problem #165

Mar 012024

Explorer

  • 131,178 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On Friday March 1, 2024 approximately 10:30pm. My SUV caught on fire while parked and off.

- Owings Mills, MD, USA

problem #164

Feb 092024

Explorer

  • miles
Head gasket failure allowing coolant to leak into cylinder 1. Starts rough, but could result in lost of power or engine failure while driving. Ford dealer has confirmed the issue and said this shouldn't happen to a car with only 77,500 miles on it (2017 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD 2.3L Ecoboost 4 cyl. engine). Have to repair or replace engine depending upon the extend of damage.

- Fremont, NE, USA

problem #163

Feb 282024

Explorer

  • miles
Since owning vehicle with around 60k, 2 serpentine belts have been replaced, high pressure hose replaced, water pump is now failing. Looking online, this vehicle has been plagued with issues and no recalls" A failing water pump from 2011 models on" Not sure how a car can have over $10k in problems and no recalls.

- Cromwell, CT, USA

problem #162

Feb 012024

Explorer

  • 76,115 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the odor of burning oil was present coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the "Power Take Off Unit" was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 76,115.

- York, PA, USA

problem #161

Feb 052024

Explorer

  • miles
The water pump is in the engine on this vehicle. You have no clue if it is leaking and it can cause your vehicle's engine to blow. It is also a very very costly repair for a water pump.

- Streator, IL, USA

problem #160

Jan 222024

Explorer

  • miles
Issue with CAM Phasers when looking into the problem I noticed there was a recall for other 3.5 EcoBoost engines on other models but not on a Ford Explorer with the same engine.

- Lakeside, CA, USA

problem #159

Jan 192024

Explorer

  • 162,609 miles
Exhaust fumes entering inside vehicle when idling and driving on the road. Must drive with windows open and still cannot drive for over a few miles. Get a headache and effects lungs. Vehicle is now parked and cannot use. Exhaust is leaking near engine. Looks like a cracked manifold. Unsafe to use. Date this occurred is an estimate because I do not know how long this has been a problem. There are other 2017 models with the same issue.

- Grand Saline, TX, USA

problem #158

Nov 202023

Explorer

  • miles
Car wouldn't start. All the water had run out due to coolent leak near water pump and in finding it they found leak near front engine mount. These are problems that other 2017 explorer owners have also complained about online. In addition, Kirkland Ford stated they are backed up on repairing the toe link and roof repair due to lack of certified mechanics. The 2017 whole vehicle should have been recalled due to the cheap parts used which has caused me to continually go in to have recalls fixed. While there they end up causing more issues causing me thousands in repair bills. I have scheduled with independent car repair shop for them to give me estimate of repairing the above items for January 10 the first date they had available.

- Kirkland, WA, USA

problem #157

Dec 042023

Explorer

  • miles
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.

- Cibolo, TX, USA

problem #156

Nov 202023

Explorer

  • miles
I experienced the expulsion of coolant underneath the hood of my vehicle in the parking lot / driveways the past month or so. I took this into my mechanic and they diagnosed with water pump failure, need of timing chain assessment and 12 hours of expected labor. This issue has been recalled in Canada, but not here in the U.S. This is a significant amount of money to fix this and a safety issue as this vehicle is often driven in rural areas late at night. If inspection upon request is needed I can make it available.

- Olathe, KS, USA

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