Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
30,903 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2017 Ford Explorer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2017 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #46

Mar 012023

Explorer

  • miles

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

Need a new transmission when I need to press the gas it won-€™t go it like I-€™m just pushing the gas in park

- Raeford, NC, USA

problem #45

Dec 032022

Explorer

  • miles
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.

- Redding, CA, USA

problem #44

Nov 212022

Explorer

  • miles
On 11/21/22, my car -€˜lost-€™ it-€™s transmission at 72,704 miles. This is when a wrench light came on the dashboard, and the car went into limp mode-putting myself and my 2 children at risk while driving. I was luckily able to pull off the road. When I restarted the car, the light went off and allowed me to slowly drive back to my house. We had it towed to a Ford Dealership for further investigation. Prior to this incident, the car had been having intermittent issues with shifting gears on hills, and an occasionally clunking noise that paired with it. We had taken it to the dealership and asked them to investigate. They told us there were no issues, that the transmission was fine, which meant no codes. We had just had some powertrain issues resolved, due to other lights associated with the terrain management system. The issues continued, intermittently, but we were unable to get into another appointment prior to its failure. Once in, we were informed that it was -€˜rare-€™ and that while they hadn-€™t fully investigated the issue the prior time-there had been no computer codes to indicate this would happen. So, now we have no car and an $8200 bill to fix it, as quoted by our Ford Dealership

- Bath, ME, USA

problem #43

Jun 102022

Explorer

  • 60,000 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 various speeds, the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the vehicle would not properly shift gears while attempting to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission 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 local dealer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Universal City, TX, USA

problem #42

Oct 222022

Explorer

  • miles
Water pump: coolant leak, overheated engine.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #41

Oct 172022

Explorer

  • miles
No warning lights, took vehicle in for clicking noise - diagnosed ball joint repair. Also Ford dealers tells me my water pump is leaking and repair will cost over $3,500. I have read that this is a common problem and I would like to report it.

- Johnstown, OH, USA

problem #40

May 012022

Explorer

  • miles

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

I backed into a parking spot, put the car in park and turned the vehicle off. As I was getting ready to get out of the car, it rolled backwards into another car parked to my passenger side rear. My vehicle did not give any warning, no sensor alert, or anything!

- Linton, IN, USA

problem #39

Mar 152022

Explorer 4-cyl

  • 96,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while coming to a stop, the vehicle started to idle very rough. The contact stated that the transmission also shifted hard while driving. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 20N07 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER OF A RECALL THAT HAS SINCE EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR REINSTATED.

- Woodstock, GA, USA

problem #38

Jan 042020

Explorer

  • miles
At 60,492 exactly 492 miles after the powertrain warranty expired a wrench on the dash came on and upon further research it was a transmission fault, no power loss noted or change in performance. Key cycle cleared fault, after a little more operating time it would happen again. We took the car to Gosch Ford of Escondido where it was purchased to have the transmission serviced and diagnose the fault. We payed for an filter and oil service for the car and at that time was informed that the transmission did not require any maintenance services until 150,000 miles and that the fault that suddenly presented itself was a torque converter fault & to change out the whole transmission at a cost of 6,000 dollars to us. We reached out to Ford headquarters to plead with them since it prematurely failed before even the first service and we were told too bad so sad for you. Being our only means of transportation my wife had to drive it a bit more to and from work at just prior to our job layoff due to the covid emergency we could not afford 6k in repairs costs and we to this day are curious since many thousands of people have had the same problem across our nation. The same problems are occurring as when your department recalled the ford edge and fusion models. We have power going through the transmission just fine and without any dash warnings whatsoever it will kick itself out of gear then slam indiscriminately back into gear causing a sever health and safety matter during operation. We plead with you to please hear our call and the ones of many many thousands on the Ford Forums that are experinecing the same. Also according to the dealership all recalls have been performed on this vehicle yet the nhtsa site shows nothing has been performed. Thank you very much.

- Santa Ysabel, CA, USA

problem #37

Apr 232021

Explorer

  • 61,000 miles
My transmission on a previous Ford Explorer and now this Ford Explorer have started to give me issues around the 3rd year of ownership. Transmission slips, jerks, and car cut off for around 10 seconds 4 separate times now. I can't get an appointment at the dealership so it's hard to have car looked at. Also leaking transmission fluid and RPM jumps high throughout drive. This has happened while driving on city streets and freeways. Transmission is rougher on roads that involve uphill and downhill.

- Moreno Valley, CA, USA

problem #36

Feb 192021

Explorer

  • 30,000 miles

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

The vehicle had loose K member bolts, bent struts, loose exhaust system. This was found when we took vehicle in for first oil change

- Gold Canyon, AZ, USA

problem #35

Mar 222021

Explorer

  • 30,000 miles
*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.

- Ada, OK, USA

problem #34

Feb 012021

Explorer

  • miles
Explorer truck started leaking coolant from water pump. In parked position a puddle started to form under it.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #33

Jan 272021

Explorer

  • 63,604 miles
This issue already has an NHTSA id number 10156860 leaking pdu. The particular failure of this unit leaks oil onto hot exhaust and according to a local service center is a fire risk putting occupants and property in potential harms way. It appears to be a very well documented and common failure and in my opinion should be a recall due to the safety concerns. The cost of repair varies across the country however appears to range between $1800-$4000 mine although failed pre warranty expiration by the time I was able to get it into the dealership I was 3600 miles over my drivetrain warranty. They are potentially offering "some financial assistance" through some Ford loyalty program however I have yet to see what that will look like.

- Ona, WV, USA

problem #32

Jun 012020

Explorer

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while sitting idle, the vehicle suddenly started to shake violently. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, when the vehicle needed to switch gears, the vehicle would rev up in speed, slightly stall, and then jolt forward. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer - andy mohr Ford (2713 E main St, plainfield, in 46168; (317) 836-2299) and repaired under an unknown seat and liftgate recall however, the mechanic was not able to identify the cause of the failure. The contact stated that after the repair the failure increased in occurrence. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The contact confirmed that the vehicle was not included in a power train recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #31

Nov 192020

Explorer

  • miles
My Explorer has 70.000 miles and the transmission started to make sounds when is in motion like metal to metal and when I acelerate is geting worst and when it shift it jump at 3.000 RPM I bring the Explorer to the dealer and im waiting for diagnostic

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #30

Apr 012020

Explorer

  • miles
Our 2017 Ford Explorer has been having this issue for about 6 months where every time it reaches a speed of 30 mph you feel the gear kicking in hard. The vehicle jerks after it sounds like it struggles to get into that next gear. As time passes it is more noticeable and stronger it does not matter the speed or road.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #29

Aug 202020

Explorer

  • 29,000 miles
When backing up and the wheel is turned there's a hesitation then what feels like I hit something. (a clunk w/O the noise ) then when break peddle is pressed the car shimmies bad. I also smell antifreeze coming from the heater vents.brought it back to dealership for them to fix it since it was just purchased there.. they had it for 5 days.. nothing got fixed. They turned front rotors and topped off fluids. I do believe that I have a bad rear tow bearing or a U-joint. Breaks not sure but the car is worse than before. Still smell antifreeze and there's a dark film on the windshield which indicates a bad heater core. I've brought this to the attention of the dealership bit they won't return my calls or emails or texts. I believe I was sold a lemon. There's an oxidation on the engine and a black stain on bottom of engine. Also the exhaust manifolds have been replaced. This is a 2017 and shouldn't have this many issues.

- Big Lake, MN, USA

problem #28

Nov 012019

Explorer

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph, the steering wheel vibrate and the front end of the vehicle shook and vibrated. The tires were replaced and rotated however, the failure continued. Additionally, while shifting gears, an abnormal booming sound was coming from the transmission. The contact indicated that the failure occurred while releasing off the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to orange park Ford located at 7700 blanding blvd, jacksonville, fl 32244 however, the failures were not duplicated. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.

- Middleburg, FL, USA

problem #27

Apr 072020

Explorer

  • 65,000 miles
When I'm driving the transmission kicks back and hesitates this has been happening since I've purchased the vehicle, almost like its stalling.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?