2017 Ford EXPLORER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2017 Ford EXPLORER has 2007 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 25.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is body/structure problems (32% of all complaints), specifically: very strong exhaust smell in cabin after hard acceleration. the ac was on and in the recirculation position. the smell is strong and the cabin must be vented by rolling the windows down to evacuate the smell.. ⚠️ 12 fire reports filed.

12 fire reports 28 crash reports 37 injuries

2007

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

25.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

BODY/STRUCTURE

637 complaints

32%

• VERY STRONG EXHAUST SMELL IN CABIN AFTER HARD ACCELERATION. THE AC WAS ON AND IN THE RECIRCULATION POSITION. THE SMELL IS STRONG AND THE CABIN MUST BE VENTED BY ROLLING THE WINDOWS DOWN TO EVACUATE THE SMELL.
• WHEN DRIVING ON THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE TURNPIKE (70 MPH) THE MOLDING ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON RETURNING HOME I NOTICED THAT THE SAME PIECE ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE MOLDING OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. THIS HAPPENED MIDDAY ON SUNDAY, MAY 14, 20
• AFTER HARD TAKE OFF EXHAUST GETS IN CABEN CAUSING HEADACHES UNLESS YOU ROLL WINDOW DOWN DURING CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 7 crashes

“VERY STRONG EXHAUST SMELL IN CABIN AFTER HARD ACCELERATION. THE AC WAS ON AND IN THE RECIRCULATION POSITION. THE SMELL IS STRONG AND THE CABIN MUST BE VENTED BY ROLLING THE WINDOWS DOWN TO EVACUATE THE SMELL.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

365 complaints

18%

• I HAVE A 2017 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAS A EXHAUST LEAK THAT I SMELL WHEN I ENTER THE HIGHWAY. I ALSO SMELL THIS ODOR WHEN I TOW MY WAVE RUNNER. THE ODOR IS SO STRONG THAT MY SON VOMITED WHILE IN THE VEHICLE. I TOOK MY 2017 FORD EXPLORER TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM
• FULL ACCESSORY POWER ACTIVE ERROR MESSAGE - RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE WHEN I STARTED THE CAR TO DRIVE OUT MY DRIVEWAY, THE CAR WAS FULLY LOCKED UP HAD TO TURN OFF AND RE-START.
• 2017 FORD EXPLORER SPORT-WHEN MY CAR IS IN ACCELERATION THERE'S AN EXHAUST SMELL THAT CONSUMES THE CABIN. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME .

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 4 crashes

“I HAVE A 2017 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAS A EXHAUST LEAK THAT I SMELL WHEN I ENTER THE HIGHWAY. I ALSO SMELL THIS ODOR WHEN I TOW MY WAVE RUNNER. THE ODOR IS SO STRONG THAT MY SON VOMITED WHILE IN THE VEHICLE. I TOOK MY 2017 FORD EXPLORER TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

311 complaints

15%

• AFTER A STOP, THE CAR WAS AT STATIONARY, WAS NOT ABLE TO START THE CAR BY PUSHING THE START BUTTON, GAVE ME ERROR ON THE DASHBOARD "FULL ACCESSORY POWER ACTIVE". TRIED TO TURN IT OFF, AFTER MULTIPLE TIMES OF TRYING, WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR, IT HAS 606 MI ON IT.
• EXHAUST GASES ENTERING THE PASSENGER CABIN, CAUSING BAD SMELL, USUALLY UNDER LOAD, DURING HILL CLIMBING, MODERATE TO HARD ACCELERATION WHEN JOINING INTERSTATE OR FASTER ROADS, AC IN USE, WITH OR WITHOUT RECIRCULATION ON, SYMPTOMS OF SORE RUNNY EYES AND HEADACHE AND NAUSEA IN CHILDREN AND OTHER OCCUP
• ON JANUARY 27TH, 2017, MY WIFE AND I LEASED A NEW 2017 FORD EXPLORER. EVERY TIME WE OPERATE THE VEHICLE, WE GET EXTREMELY SICK (SOME SYMPTOMS WE EXPERIENCE ARE SORE THROAT, RUNNING NOSE, HEADACHES, AND NAUSEA THAT LAST HOURS AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE). THIS OCCURS ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES WHILE DRIVING/O

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 3 fire reports💥 7 crashes

“AFTER A STOP, THE CAR WAS AT STATIONARY, WAS NOT ABLE TO START THE CAR BY PUSHING THE START BUTTON, GAVE ME ERROR ON THE DASHBOARD "FULL ACCESSORY POWER ACTIVE". TRIED TO TURN IT OFF, AFTER MULTIPLE TIMES OF TRYING, WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR, IT HAS 606 MI ON IT.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

123 complaints

• UPON PARKING OUR BRAND NEW EXPLORER IN OUR DRIVEWAY (IT HAS A 10 DEGREE SLANT), WE TURNED OFF THE KEYLESS/PUSH BUTTON IGNITION, BUT MY HUSBAND ACCIDENTALLY HAD IT IN DRIVE. OUR SMALL CHILDREN WERE UNCLIPPING THEIR SEATBELTS AND STARTING TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN MY HUSBAND TOOK HIS FOOT OFF THE
• MY 2017 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH BASE 3.5 V6 HAS BEEN HARD TO START FROM THE FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP. IT HAS LESS THAN 5000 MILES ON IT NOW AND ISN'T FIXED. FORD DEALERSHIP STATED IT WOULD HAVE TO GET WORSE BEFORE THEY COULD FIX IT. VEHICLE SHOWS NO DTC'S OR ANY HISTORY! MY WIFE HAS REFUSED TO DRIVE
• I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY TO MAKE A LEFT. ONCE LIGHT CHANGED, I STEPPED ON THE GAS AND THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. I THEN HEARD A LOUD "THUMP" AND THOUGHT I'D BEEN HIT FROM THE REAR. WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED WAS THE TRANSMISSION, SLAMMED INTO GEAR AND PROCEEDED TO MOVE AT ABOUT 2-3 MP

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 4 crashes

“UPON PARKING OUR BRAND NEW EXPLORER IN OUR DRIVEWAY (IT HAS A 10 DEGREE SLANT), WE TURNED OFF THE KEYLESS/PUSH BUTTON IGNITION, BUT MY HUSBAND ACCIDENTALLY HAD IT IN DRIVE. OUR SMALL CHILDREN WERE UNCLIPPING THEIR SEATBELTS AND STARTING TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN MY HUSBAND TOOK HIS FOOT OFF THE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

90 complaints

• AFTER A STOP, THE CAR WAS AT STATIONARY, WAS NOT ABLE TO START THE CAR BY PUSHING THE START BUTTON, GAVE ME ERROR ON THE DASHBOARD "FULL ACCESSORY POWER ACTIVE". TRIED TO TURN IT OFF, AFTER MULTIPLE TIMES OF TRYING, WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR, IT HAS 606 MI ON IT.
• ON 09/15/16 WE PURCHASED A 2017 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED FROM SUPREME FORD OF SLIDELL, LA. TWO WEEKS AFTER HAVING THE SUV, WE NOTICED THE RIGHT TAIL LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING AT TIMES. ON 11/16/2016, WE DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR THE LIGHT. WHEN THE SALES MANAGER DROVE THE SUV T
• PROBLEMS WITH FORD SYNC 3 SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING: 1) NAVIGATION SYSTEM SHOWS INCORRECT LOCATION, AND DOES NOT PROVIDE GUIDANCE. CAR MUST BE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, AND RESTARTED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. 2) MOBILE PHONE SHOW CONNECTED AFTER STARTING T

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 5 fire reports💥 3 crashes

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 2007 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: VERY STRONG EXHAUST SMELL IN CABIN AFTER HARD ACCELERATION. THE AC WAS ON AND IN THE RECIRCULATION POSITION. THE SMELL IS STRONG AND THE CABIN MUST BE VENTED BY ROLLING THE WINDOWS DOWN TO EVACUATE THE SMELL.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: I HAVE A 2017 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAS A EXHAUST LEAK THAT I SMELL WHEN I ENTER THE HIGHWAY. I ALSO SMELL THIS ODOR WHEN I TOW MY WAVE RUNNER. THE ODOR IS SO STRONG THAT MY SON VOMITED WHILE IN THE VEHICLE. I TOOK MY 2017 FORD EXPLORER TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: AFTER A STOP, THE CAR WAS AT STATIONARY, WAS NOT ABLE TO START THE CAR BY PUSHING THE START BUTTON, GAVE ME ERROR ON THE DASHBOARD "FULL ACCESSORY POWER ACTIVE". TRIED TO TURN IT OFF, AFTER MULTIPLE TIMES OF TRYING, WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR, IT HAS 606 MI ON IT.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: UPON PARKING OUR BRAND NEW EXPLORER IN OUR DRIVEWAY (IT HAS A 10 DEGREE SLANT), WE TURNED OFF THE KEYLESS/PUSH BUTTON IGNITION, BUT MY HUSBAND ACCIDENTALLY HAD IT IN DRIVE. OUR SMALL CHILDREN WERE UNCLIPPING THEIR SEATBELTS AND STARTING TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN MY HUSBAND TOOK HIS FOOT OFF THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)