2017 Ford Explorer complaints

Passenger side Window trim. Trim detached flying off at traffic behind almost striking vehicle traveling directly behind my vehicle on interstate. No inspections have been completed by any professionals at this time. trim retainer is broke in half while still attached to the car. the trim piece itself was unable to be safely recovered. rubber along windshield next to trim came loose minutes before.

Outer plastic A-Pillar Trim detaching from body of vehicle, putting other drivers at risk of vehicle parts coming off and hitting vehicle or causing accident

August 28, 2021 I was driving on the interstate when out of nowhere the rubber moulding/trim on my passenger side came partially detached and continued to bang up my window for the remainder of my trip (about 20 minutes at that time) until I could safely pull over and see what was happening. Majority of the rubber was missing and continued to disintegrate and fall off over the last 2 years. Yesterday, May 7, 2023, I was again driving on the highway when the entire pillar trim/moulding and rubber flew off the driver's side going 60+ mph which hit my mirror and side door chipping the paint on it's departure from my vehicle. This is obviously a major safety issue and needs to be a recall immediately. I've had nothing but continuous problems with this poorly manufactured vehicle (including the roof racks STILL not being repaired after over 10 repairs from the local Ford service department). Thank God no other car was around to get hit by the flying parts off my car!

While driving, a large piece of debris came off of my windshield area causing the vehicle next to me to swerve. The remaining material was flapping in the air at highway speeds causing a startle reaction. I initially thought I had hit something. When stopped, I discovered the material in question was coming from around the windshield. Large portions of the material are coming loose.

I was driving down the interstate and the passenger side pillar molding appliqué completely dislodged and flew off behind me, narrowly missing a vehicle behind me. Had I not already been in the furthest left lane, it would have hit another car. When I arrived to my destination, I checked the same part on the drivers side, which includes the electric keypad entry, and it was also pulling away at the top. I contacted the ford dealership. They said this was a commonly known issue, but unfortunately was only recalled up until the 2016 model so I would have to pay to replace the complete molding all around each window and possibly onto the windshield. Their comment was that it’s basically only attached with 3M double sided tape.

I've had both passenger and driver side Windshield A-Pillar Molding rip off while driving on highway which thankfully no one was behind me but could have causes serious damage if it hit another vehicle going 70 mph. Both of these have failed to stay intact/ place

Own a 2017 Ford Explorer, bought new. Took into Ford today for routine maintenance, rotate tires, Oil & Filter. Vehicle has approximately 85,000 miles on it. Upon completion tech advised me they found a radiator leak towards the front of the car. When asked if it was radiator or something else, tech advised they wouldn't know until vehicle was broken down to find where leak was from. Took to independent mechanic to check the issue. Faulty water pump was found to be causing the problem. Reservoir was found empty. No warning lights ever came on. Repairs are being done and am notifying Ford.

Windy conditions here driving along highway and the windshield cover blew off and unsure if hit another car or not but this should not be blowing off a vehicle which I'll have to now replace in addition to a safety hazard to others driving

The A-pillar trim is coming off on both sides. I currently have a recall for the roof rails for the same type problem (dealer is booked out) where they can also fly off while driving. I googled the A-pillar concern I am having and it seems to be wide spread.

The windshield trim has fallen off twice, almost hitting the vehicles behind us. We are about to replace them a 3rd time.

Windshield trim ripped off at highway speeds. Blocked driver vision and then flew into air striking vehicle behind. This could have caused a serious accident in either vehicle. I know you are researching for recall at this time. It should have been recalled years ago.

Panels by windshield one flew off on interstate and other is loose I'm scared this going rip off and cause an accident I see all same models have same issue. Please recall asap. I need this fixed and is a manufacturing defect.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH from a complete stop, and depressing the accelerator pedal, there was a significant amount of white smoke coming out the exhaust pipes. The contact stated that upon attempting to make a U-turn to return to the residence, the smoke impaired her visibility of the other vehicles, and a truck nearly crashed into the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact returned to her lane and continued driving straight forward. The contact then pulled into a gas station and parked the vehicle. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed a trail of oil from the front driver's side wheel to the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the driver's side turbo charger had fractured and had leaked oil into the catalytic converter, the O2 sensors. The mechanic informed the contact that the the oil was also coming out of the exhaust pipes and spattered on the rear windows. The mechanic diagnosed that the driver's side turbo charger, the catalytic converter, the O2 sensors needed to be replaced. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V925000 (Engine And Engine Cooling) as the VIN was included. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assis

While driving down the highway the windshield trim molding flew off vehicle on the driver’s side. At a later date the passenger one also flew off while driving on the highway with a vehicle behind me. Luckily never hit it. Since then I have seen numerous Ford Explorers with the same incident and spoke with them with the same occurrence.

While driving at normal highway speeds, the piece of black trim on the passengers side of windshield flew off. Thankfully I was alone on the road so it did not strike another passenger. I took the vehicle to Ford. The service managed admitted that they had several issues with pieces falling off, but since it was not under warranty or recall I had to pay full price to have it fixed. This could have easily caused damage to another vehicle. I've noticed almost daily several Ford Explorers driving around with trim missing due to this same issue.

Tow links from my vehicle is going bad. Vehicle fish tails a little on the highway when traveling on uneven surface. Knuckles have been replaced and Link-Stabilizer on both side by my mechanic. Ford STATED they replaced in May 2022 (never did) I had the original parts that came with vehicle. Ford refuses to reimburse. I'm concern now that the tow links are going bad and vehicle will soon be unsafe to drive.

Traveling at highway speeds the front passenger side door trim flew off the car. It looks like the adhesive that was holding it on gave out.

Vibration or rough idle in drive and reverse. Shudder while driving Lack of engine RPM Low performance, lack of acceleration on take off. Mechanic found and replaced the following. Broken Transmission Mount, Replaced Front & Rear Engine Mounts. Transmission is not shifting correctly and the Mechanic stated that the oil was black and smelt burnt.

The automatic locks on both right passenger sides quit working. It imposes a danger because if you are trying to get out of the vehicle you can’t if it’s locked. If it’s left unlocked then it imposes a danger if someone is trying to get into your vehicle that you don’t want and you can’t lock them out.

The windshield trim flew off and almost caused two accidents and the car is unsafe to drive with this missing as well as what happens when the other one flies off. The trim on the top of the car, both of them have flown off and almost cause two additional accidents. The trim on the back is completely cracked and came that way on the car. This has been very dangerous and could harm my children and I and other drivers. As well as extremely stressful. I have three children's live at risk. There were 3 different incidents.

Right side of windshield frame piece fell off while driving

As with 2 million other Ford Explorer drivers my passenger side windshield trim came off.

Passenger side A-Pillar Front Molding Outer Trim Shield detached from vehicle while driving.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the windshield trim panel started to detach from the windshield and partially separated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, who informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,720.

While driving my Ford Explorer, the rubber seal trim piece on the driver began to come loose and flap around smacking onto the windshield and side front windows. Luckily, there were no other cars next to me when I swerved slightly after being started by the pieces slamming against the car. Since then, the both the driver and passenger side trim pieces have come completely off. I have not taken the vehicle into Ford to get the pieces replaced because I researched the parts required and it is an expensive fix given the way Ford originally installed the trim molding pieces. This should most certainly be a recall as it could result in serious accidents.

The power liftgate on my Ford Explorer slammed down on me when I attempted to put groceries into my car in the store parking lot. My liftgate had given no warning signs of malfunction, and then one day I open it with the key fob button, it opens all the way and while it was opening I was standing ready to load groceries into the back and the second it reached the fully open position, it came slamming down on my head. I am so fortunate that I was not holding my baby when this occurred. I could have been seriously injured if I had been standing at a different angle. The liftgate opens with the interior button in the vehicle and with the key fob, but once it is fully open it comes slamming down.

The torque converter has failed on a 2017 Ford Explorer 2.3L Ecoboost. There is a Customer Satisfaction Program 20N07 that was issued on October 9, 2020 and expired November 30, 2021 that this issue would have been covered under. The car has been to the dealership and they have confirmed that this is the issue but they are unable to do anything about it using this program because the program is no longer valid.

My suv begin to run hot and instantly water begins to boil and I was trying to pull off the road immediately.with no warning from the forward collision as a car hit me. Got a quote from many dealerships or mechanics who says that the water pump failed and is a common problem with my suv and it quoted 2500 with a two week time frame because the water pump is built inside the engine no one wants to work on it due to risk. Help!

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the driver’s side windshield pillar trim separated from the windshield, struck the driver’s side door window, and then struck the truck behind. The contact veered to the side of the road to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,253.

Frame piece flew off while driving. This put other drivers at risk. I have taken pictures of multiple other Ford Explorers with the same missing piece on either side. Mine came off the drivers side.

Door trim coming off of my well maintained 2017 Explorer in 3 places. Estimate for repair was obtained from Ford garage but I am angry I have to pay for this as it is no fault of mine that this is happening to my vehicle. I am worried these pieces will fly off and be a hazard to other drivers on the road, as I keep reading statements of this happening to others. Ford should stand behind their products when this is a potential safety hazard.

The trim on the driver side of the windshield blew off while driving.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that water was leaking from the sunroof into the overhead light and onto the display console. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

Side moldings on the windshield came off flying into oncoming traffic. Had them replaced and then had to go back in again to have them reattached cause they came lose again.

Both turbos failed and so did the water pump. Less than 90,000 miles. When the turbos failed, there was smoke from the tailpipes. Then there was noise under the hood. When the water pump failed, there was water leaking under the vehicle. Yes, the problem was diagnosed and fixed by the Ford dealership. One of the turbos was fixed last year. The water pump was fixed in December. The other turbo is waiting to be fixed because Ford changed the part due to manufacturing issues and we are currently going on 3 months without a vehicle. The turbos or water pump failure would have been a catastrophic engine failure at some point. Apparently this is a known issue with the 3.5L EcoBoost engines, but Ford has not issued a recall. Fortunately I have a Blue Oval Certified warranty on my Explorer, so the repair is covered. There were no lamps or warning lights during the part failures. I did not let the car overheat when the water pump was failing.

Exterior windshield trim on passenger side. Yes it is available for inspection. This part flew off of our vehicle while driving on the highway. This part could have hit another vehicle and caused harm. Yes this is a known issue when I took my vehicle to Corwin Ford in Springfield MO. Service representative stated that this is under an Investigation for recall. Vehicle has not been seen by any other than service department with dealer. No warnings or messages of any kind.

2018 Ford Explorer windshield trim panels detached and nearly flew while driving at highway speeds. I’ve also experienced the passenger side window panel detached while driving at highway speeds. The consequences of the defect could result in a detached panel hitting another vehicle's windshield, a driver, or even a pedestrian. This could cause a driver to swerve and cause a major accident. Ford must recall the defective panels and all panels immediately.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while accelerating after the vehicle was idling, the vehicle would emit a load roaring and grinding noise while shuddering and hesitating before accelerating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the torque converter failed and needed replacement, repointing, and reprogramming. The vehicle was currently being repaired. The failure was related to NHTSA ID Numbers: 10222455 (Power Train) 10187724 (Power Train), 10184652 (Power Train, Equipment Adaptive/Mobility), and 10181988 (Power Train). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

While driving on the interstate going the speed limit of 70 mph the plastic windshield trim on the left side of the vehicle (driver’s side) became loose and flew off. This was alarming and caused a distraction that could have resulted in an accident. The trim piece is about 2-3 feet long and could have caused damage to the vehicles behind us. Or worse an accident. The trim appears to have also damaged the left side view mirror when it flew off as there are scratches and paint missing from the mirror housing now. Upon inspection of the location of the trim it appears there were plastic tabs holing on the trim that broke off. Due to safety the trim piece itself was not able to be recovered. The plastic seal around the windshield looks to be damaged as well. This is a major safety issue we feel Ford should address with a recall. Please advise. Thank you.

The rubber lining around my windshield is falling off. It’s breaking into parts all across my windshield and is coming apart. It’s my understanding this is a common problem with my year make and model.

Body trim around window fell off while driving on freeway. Vehicle is available for inspection. Safety risk would be to other drivers who could be hit by part flying off. Fortunately, no person or vehicle was struck when part flew off my car. Car has not been inspected since incident. There was no warning or symptom prior to incident.

The windshield seal and trim are deteriorating and coming off. because of the risk, i have scheduled an appointment (April 2023) to repair at the dealer i purchased the vehicle from. windshield could fall out, pieces of material could hit other vehicles, leaks will damage the vehicle. the dealer will confirm at the appointment in April. no others have inspected the vehicle to date. no warning indicators

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that he noticed a coolant leak coming from the water pump. The coolant level was low, so the contact added coolant. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

While driving on the freeway the passenger side windshield side panel flew off the car completely. It looks as though the clips that hold it on all failed. This seems to be a known issue with this model of car.

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

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the roof rail detached and flew off the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 68,280.

A-post (passenger side) trim because detached at high speed, striking another car.

Vehicle began overheating and repair shop advised it appears to be a water pump issue. The vehicle only has 107000 miles on it. Was quoted $2500-3000 for repair due to pump being built into the engine.

I was driving on the interstate highway- I-20 in Alabama going eastbound at approx. 70 mph. Suddenly, the driver's side windshield trim moulding blew off without any warning. Mileage was 51,278. The safety issue is that this trim moulding is approx. 18 inches long - 4 inches wide which may have hit another vehicle as it departed my vehicle at highway speeds. I further read that approx. 170 Ford Explorer owners have also reported the identical issue, so I wanted the goverment to be aware that this occurred and hopefully there is a full recall. The dealer wants $650 to replace this moulding.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal knocking sound was coming from the windshield. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the front, passenger side windshield trim panel was cracked in several places. The contact called the dealer about the failure and was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 48,120.