2017 Ford Explorer Driver assistance Problems

Rear camera view is completely distorted when in use During times of rain, car wash or high humidity

NHTSA ID

11722780

Incident

Mar 12, 2025

I am filing a safety defect complaint regarding my 2017 ford explorer. The B pillar has broke in half a couple of years ago and nearly struck a vehicle behind me and if the remaining trim piece detaches, it could become a serious risk of collision, injury or property damage. it states NHTSA works to prevent unsafe traveling which is why I'm writing this. I have contacted Ford customer service and dealerships multiple times with no luck of anything. I have had to continuously tape the area to door which is not ordeal nor a forever fix. The b pillar is held on by wires that are slowly breaking. The wires lead to a hole that is inside my door. the opening exposes from the outside, meaning if it rains or snows, it is getting inside the hole, into my car door. If the recall piece ever came in, my door has already experienced neglect and issues. I'm concerned this will lead to corrosion, electrical complications and additional mechanical failures. Also, if it is not taped up correctly, air blows directly into the car door, into the cabin while driving onto my feet causing extreme cold exposure and physical harm and making it hard to operate the vehicle. It's very painful and also not ideal, especially when I also have a full time job and 3 kids to worry about. I currently owe 12k still on the vehicle and want to replace it with a safer vehicle. I should not have to be miserable every single day and put me and my kids in danger and also let my vehicle deteriorate while i wait for this recall piece on top of having to pay the remaining balance of this vehicle. I respectfully request that nhtsa review this complaint and investigate before anymore physical, emotional, financially harm is done.

NHTSA ID

11712412

Incident

May 9, 2023

When driving and going to make a turn or change lanes . The steering wheel will stick and have a little jerk . Had it looked at but could not find anything. It’s been happening since July . I’m afraid it might not turn when I want it to . My husband did notice it when I drove him to airport . Wondering if recall on this .

NHTSA ID

11692718

Incident

Jul 1, 2025

Ya me marco el funcionamiento del motor

NHTSA ID

11692240

Incident

Oct 9, 2025

Constant fail of O2 sensor and ABS causing check engine and ABS lights to come on. After diagnosis, did research and it is a common problem on Ford Explorers

NHTSA ID

11687050

Incident

Sep 10, 2025

At 28,000 miles, the vehicle emitted black smoke from the exhaust. Despite the mechanic’s efforts to identify the issue, no diagnostic codes were detected. Currently, the vehicle has accumulated 100,000 miles. The engine suddenly lost the ability to accelerate beyond 20 miles per hour. After several months of repairs involving multiple turbo replacements, it was determined that the engine was severely damaged and should have been replaced over 50,000 miles ago. The engine was subsequently replaced, but only a year later, it failed again. After replacing the first engine, the vehicle’s performance deteriorated significantly. The vehicle required another visit to the shop for several months, resulting in another engine replacement. Over the course of several months, the vehicle lost all power and exhibited difficulty shifting into reverse. Consequently, it failed to reverse and was involved in an accident.

NHTSA ID

11664601

Incident

Jun 29, 2023

The car has a hard time with acceleration and I hear clunking noises

NHTSA ID

11645218

Incident

Feb 22, 2025

Transmission is not shifting correcting. Will be traveling down the road and loses power, loses it's acceleration. When trying to proceed after making a stop at a light, car will not go. Bucks hard when putting in reverse. I heard there was a recall on the torque converter's awhile back, but I never received any notification about it. Now that I know, the ford dealerships are telling me there are no recalls for this.

NHTSA ID

11636279

Incident

Sep 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing rough idling while in drive(D) and reverse(R). Additionally, the contact stated that while driving from a complete stop and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated while responding. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal closer to the floorboard, the vehicle responded as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the failure was related to Ford Campaign Number: 20N07. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under the Campaign. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA ID

11598042

Incident

Jun 21, 2024

Mileage

98,000 mi

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon shifting the vehicle into reverse, he became aware that the center screen failed to display a rearview, potentially compromising the back-over prevention system. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the APIM. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ID

11578506

Incident

Mar 8, 2024

Mileage

140,000 mi

in 2019 with 55,000 miles on my 2017 Ford Explorer limited the screen which displays the front and rear cameras stopped working. after taking in for repair we had to replace the APIM module. then last week our 2018 Ford fusion with 35,000 miles had the same part fail. upon further research it appears that there are alot of Fords that have had the same problem. I'm filing this complaint because I believe Ford should be held responsible for making faulty parts.

NHTSA ID

11577976

Incident

Mar 18, 2024

- Transmission/torque convertor has and is failing. Results in lack of acceleration during launch, sluggish vehicle operation and shudder - Known issue with this make/model/year of vehicle. Failure of the above began at 40,000 some miles and is presently not driveable at only 67,000 miles without an $8-$10,000 repair for a new transmission. - Confirmed with dealer the above issue and is in writing and submitted Case #CAS-47518676-K5Y6Y7 with Ford directly. Located letter sent to dealerships regarding this very issue dated 10/2020. - Vehicle has not been in any accidents, but am receiving a "warning" light indicating failure.

NHTSA ID

11576723

Incident

Feb 12, 2021

Car dies repeatedly while on the road driving and also while parked. Car has errors on dashboard when attempting to turn on, which I have a video of. First mechanic was able to replicate issue once and got some scan tool codes but he said after that, they all cleared out and he wasn't able to replicate. Car was given back to us, drove to store died and it wouldn't start in parking lot. Mechanic sent tow truck, car started when tow truck arrived. Took car to Ford, tech unable to replicate, car returned to us. Car died once again, which is when I took the error video and took the car back to Ford and showed service rep the video. Ford still unable to figure out the issue. We told Ford to keep the car because it isn't safe to drive until we find and fix the issue. Car has been in mechanic and Ford for about 4 months total.

NHTSA ID

11558419

Incident

Dec 4, 2023

This vehicle has many blind spots and the blind spot alert only works sometimes. The locks only work sometimes too. It consistently does not lock the passenger side door with the lock or the key fob. When I was in traffic someone was able to open the door.

NHTSA ID

11534429

Incident

May 28, 2023

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!

NHTSA ID

11514894

Incident

Dec 8, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11504831

Incident

Dec 3, 2022

Husband returning home, pulled into carport and as he removed foot from accelerator to brake, accelerator pedal kept accelerating. This caused explorer to hit carport awning, classic 65 mustang, 2007 Harley and shed. Airbags did not work. Accelerator is still pressed to floorboard.

NHTSA ID

11489341

Incident

Oct 14, 2022

We had an issue with Fuse 34, it popped and sent warning lights to the dash regarding safety systems and sensors, as well as the cameras in front and back stopped working. We replaced the fuse and it held for a while, but then popped again. I noticed a lamp flickering one day on the front of the vehicle, and upon further inspection saw that the front camera and wiring harness had started on fire. The wiring harness is fully melted and there are signs of smoke and fire damage on the front of the car. I took the vehicle to a Ford dealer who confirmed their wiring harness had failed, but will not take responsibility for the issue. The care only has about 45k miles on it. I called to their corporate office who also rejected any liability. Obviously this is more than just the money for repairs, but a safety hazard that they will not respond to.

NHTSA ID

11488957

Incident

Sep 28, 2022

On freeway, pushed brakes but vehicle did not stop or slow down resulting in multi car rear end collision. Auto braking and ABS features did not engage. Vehicle was towed and our insurance agent claim adjuster recommended we reach out to you. No warning lamps, messages, etc. went off at the time or had gone off previously.

NHTSA ID

11479574

Incident

Aug 11, 2022

Our model is a platinum explorer with the panoramic sunroof. Apparently there is a sunroof leak which due to the way the headliner is made , fills the headliner (holds like a bowl) then either spills out at the front of the vehicle or rear depending on going forward , reverse, accelerating, braking, uphill, or downhill etc. The front is worse because of the electrical in the overhead lights, sunroof motors, and lane departure at the rear view mirror. Also everything electronic below on the dashboard and center console. There are high expenses related to replacing these electronics due to water damage in addition to the driver being suddenly started by a wave of water crashing down on them while accelerating or braking.

NHTSA ID

11477591

Incident

May 9, 2022

April 5th 2022 I took my 2017 ford explorer limited to City Ford here in Columbia City Indiana because the steering was sticking. It had been sticking slightly at times for several weeks prior to this. They couldn't find any problem. So in June 2022 my wife and I load up and leave for Virginia for vacation. The slight sticking got worse after several hours on the road, and finally the driver assist went out completely. making it most difficult to steer. A dangerous situation. Also I had no hill descent, no 4 wheel drive, park assist, cruise control. A multitude of warnings. I took it to Barton Ford in Suffolk Va. and was told it needed a rack and pinion steering which cost me over $3100.00 and over $600.00 for a rental during the time it took to complete the job. I noticed that I was charged for new bolts also. I researched and found that there was a previous recall on a select few of these explorers due to bolt failure. My explorer should have been selected, but there is no open recall on this explorer. Barton Ford told me that my vehicle wasn't effected by the recall. I believe Ford Motor Company should reimburse me for what it cost me.

NHTSA ID

11472103

Incident

Jun 15, 2022

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!

NHTSA ID

11469449

Incident

May 1, 2022

The APIM is malfunction in my 2017 explorer. Accessories stay on after vehicle turned off, killed battery, vehicle collision sensors and camera intermediate malfunction. Cruise control intermittent function, GPS and screen options /operations inoperable

NHTSA ID

11431391

Incident

Jan 30, 2021

Initially the cars check engine light came on intermittently for about 3 days, then one day while driving the wrench light came on and the car immediately started decelerating - almost as if I was breaking hard, and would not accelerate over 30. After turning it on and off multiple times the light went away for days until my appointment with the mechanic, that same day it came back on. We went to a Ford dealership and they said it was the throttle body and repaired it. Two weeks later the same issue occurred. I know this was a big issue in 2016 and earlier models, I believe the problem was never fixed in 2017 models. Our car is currently in the shop and they are "emailing Ford" about what to do. The first incident I was on the interstate when I stopped abruptly and the second was on the highway. I luckily had no one behind me both times otherwise this could've easily caused an accident.

NHTSA ID

11423908

Incident

Jun 16, 2021

AUGUST 2020: WHEN PASSING A VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY, APPLIED GAS PEDAL FULLY TO THE FLOOR, IT STUCK. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, PEDAL WOULD NOT RETURN TO NORMAL POSITION. HAD TO GET TO SHOULDER, SHOVE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN OFF. FORD DEALER REVIEWED, DETERMINED ONLY LIKELY CAUSE COULD BE THE THROTTLE BODY, REPLACED THROTTLE BODY. APRIL 2021: WHEN ACCELERATING ON THE HIGHWAY, PRESSED PEDAL TO FLOOR, PEDAL ONCE AGAIN STUCK. WOULD NOT RETURN TO NORMAL POSITION, CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. MOVED TO SHOULDER AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED, APPLIED BRAKES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND PUT VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL, THEN PARK. VEHICLE COMPLETELY REVVED OUT, ENGINE AT MAX RPMS. TURNED OFF VEHICLE. WAITED A FEW MINUTES. TRIED TO TURN VEHICLE BACK ON, SOUNDED LIKE STARTER WAS STUCK. TURNED OFF VEHICLE. WAITED A FEW MOMENTS, TURNED ON AND DROVE CAREFULLY HOME.

NHTSA ID

11406846

Incident

Apr 6, 2021

Mileage

98,000 mi