2017 Ford Explorer Problems

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.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 21V316.

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.

Fix: Dealers will replace the toe links, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 21V537.

The engine block heater may crack and leak coolant. When it is plugged in, the leak can cause an electrical short circuit, which raises the risk of a fire.

Fix: Do not plug in the block heater until it is fixed; the dealer will replace the block heater free of charge.

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.

Fix: Dealers will repair the B-pillar trim, free of charge. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated November 2026.

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.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years.

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.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 16V-245, 19V-435, and 20V-675.

The retention pins holding the roof rail covers can loosen, letting the covers come off the vehicle. A detached cover can become a road hazard and raise the risk of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will install new push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips or roof rail covers, free of charge.

The outer section of a rear suspension toe link can break. If it does, the driver can lose steering control, which raises the risk of a crash.

Fix: A dealer will inspect the cross-axis ball joint knuckle attached to the rear toe link and replace it if needed, at no cost to you.

The metal seat frames on some power front seats may have sharp edges. Occupants can cut or scrape themselves on those edges when reaching between the seat and the center console.

Fix: Dealers will install protective tape on the exposed edges of the power seat frames at no charge.

The rear suspension toe links can break under normal stress. If one fractures, the vehicle's handling can change suddenly, which raises the risk of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will replace the rear suspension toe links and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckles if needed, free of charge.

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.

Fix: Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application.

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.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers to inspect and replace the heat shield fasteners as needed, free of charge.

The welds on the seat back frame may be too weak, so in a crash the seat may not properly hold the occupant. This raises the risk of injury because the seat and head restraint may not meet federal safety standards.

Fix: The dealer will inspect the seat back frame and replace it if needed, at no cost to you.

5L GTDI engines. 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.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the turbocharger oil supply tubes, free of charge.