The 2017 Explorer is plagued by catastrophic 3.5L EcoBoost engine failures and transmission cooling issues that can bankrupt unsuspecting buyers. The naturally-aspirated 3.5L V6 is significantly more reliable, while the 2.3L EcoBoost has moderate turbo concerns but avoids the worst problems.
Symptoms: knocking or ticking from lower engine, sudden loss of power, metal shavings in oil, engine seizure without warning, check engine light with misfire codes
Fix: Direct injection carbon buildup starves cylinders causing detonation that destroys rod bearings. Requires complete engine replacement or full rebuild including pistons, bearings, rods, machining. 25-35 labor hours for R&R and rebuild.
Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure / Transmission Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission slipping or shuddering, delayed engagement, milky/pink transmission fluid, coolant loss with no visible leak, overheating transmission
Fix: Internal cooler in radiator fails allowing coolant into transmission fluid, destroying clutch packs. Requires transmission replacement/rebuild, radiator replacement, full cooling system flush. If caught early (cooler only): 4-6 hours. If transmission damaged: 15-20 hours total.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200 (cooler only) or $4,500-7,000 (with transmission)
Rear Suspension Toe Link Fracture
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: clunking from rear suspension over bumps, unstable handling or wandering, uneven rear tire wear, visible crack in rear lower control arm, rear wheels visibly out of alignment
Fix: Stamped steel rear toe links crack and fracture, creating dangerous handling. Ford issued recalls (18S32, 19S42) but coverage limited. Replace both rear toe links and alignment. 2-3 hours per side plus alignment.
Symptoms: rattling noise on cold start that disappears when warm, loss of boost pressure, check engine light with underboost codes P0299, reduced power in acceleration, turbo whistle or grinding
Fix: Wastegate actuator arm wears or internal wastegate flapper breaks loose causing rattle and boost control issues. Requires turbocharger replacement. 6-8 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $1,800-2,800
PTU (Power Transfer Unit) Fluid Leak and Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: whining or grinding from front differential area, fluid leak on passenger side of transmission, vibration during acceleration, AWD malfunction warning, burning smell
Fix: PTU seal fails causing fluid loss, then unit overheats and destroys internal gears. Ford never scheduled PTU fluid changes (sealed for life myth). If caught early, reseal and fluid service: 3-4 hours. If failed internally: 8-10 hours for replacement.
Estimated cost: $400-700 (reseal) or $2,200-3,500 (replacement)
A-Pillar Trim Separation / Water Intrusion
Common · low severity
Symptoms: headliner sagging near windshield, wind noise at highway speeds, water dripping on driver during rain, musty smell in cabin, visible gap between windshield and A-pillar trim
Fix: Adhesive fails allowing A-pillar trim and windshield seal to separate. Recall 19S21 addresses some VINs. Requires windshield removal, clean/re-adhesive, and trim clips. 4-6 hours.
Estimated cost: $400-800
Front Wheel Hub Bearing Premature Wear
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: humming or grinding that increases with speed, noise changes when turning, ABS or traction control warning lights, vibration through steering wheel, wheel play when jacked up
Fix: Front hub bearings fail prematurely, likely due to seal design. Replace hub bearing assembly. 2-2.5 hours per side.
Estimated cost: $350-550 per side
Owner tips
If buying a 3.5L EcoBoost, get pre-purchase oil analysis and borescope inspection - walk away from any with bearing material in oil
Check transmission fluid color immediately - any pink/milky appearance means cooler has failed, walk away
Change PTU fluid every 30,000 miles despite no factory interval - $150 service prevents $3,000 failure
Inspect rear toe links for cracks during every alignment or tire rotation - this is a safety-critical item
The naturally-aspirated 3.5L V6 avoids most catastrophic issues - strongly prefer this engine if buying used
Hard pass on any 3.5L EcoBoost model unless you have $10K set aside for engine replacement; the NA 3.5L V6 is the only Explorer worth considering used, and even then budget for transmission cooler preventive replacement.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
Consequence: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the toe links, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S08. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 21V537. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 25, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
STRUCTURE:BODY · 25V347000
2025-05-23
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
Consequence: Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The remedy is currently under development. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated November 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S53.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS · 24V031000
2024-01-19 · PE23001
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
Consequence: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 18, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
SUSPENSION:REAR · 21V537000
2021-07-15
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. 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.
Consequence: A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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. Certain vehicles previously repaired will need to return for the new remedy. An interim notification letter notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2022. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S32.
STRUCTURE:BODY · 21V316000
2021-05-05
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.
Consequence: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge. The interim owner notification letter was mailed on June 22, 2021. Owner notification letters (remedy available) were mailed on October 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S22.
SUSPENSION:REAR · 20V675000
2021-03-12
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin that were previously repaired under a prior recall numbers 16V-245 or 19V-435. The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fracture.
Consequence: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle attached to the rear suspension toe link and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S62.
SEATS · 19V651000
2019-09-11
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with power front seats. The seat frames may have sharp edges.
Consequence: Occupants my contact the sharp edges when reaching between the power front seat and center console, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install protective tape on the exposed inside edge and tab of the power seat frames, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S29.
SUSPENSION:REAR · 19V435000
2019-06-10
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Consequence: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.
WHEELS:HUB · 17E048000
2017-08-28
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.
Consequence: A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
STEERING · 17V530000
2017-08-28
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Explorer, Taurus and Police Interceptor Utility and Sedan vehicles. The steering gear heat shield fasteners may corrode, allowing the heat shield to detach.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers to inspect and replace the heat shield fasteners as needed, free of charge. The recall began on September 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S23.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER · 17V332000
2017-05-22
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Explorer, F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 vehicles equipped with a manual driver's seat back recliner mechanism. In the event of a crash, the seat back frame may not restrain the occupant due to having inadequate welds. As such, these vehicles may not meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202a, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
Consequence: If the occupant is not adequately restrained in the event of a crash, they have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat back frame, free of charge. The recall began on June 7, 2017. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C08.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER · 16V925000
2016-12-22
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-2017 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, 2017 Ford Explorer and Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components.
Consequence: An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the turbocharger oil supply tubes, free of charge. The recall began on January 31, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S46.
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