VehicleVerdict

2017 Ford Explorer engine problems

The 2017 Ford Explorer has 311 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 15% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

311

Engine complaints

15%

Share of year

7

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Explorer engine complaints by model year494 complaints1990: 2 complaints1991: 66 complaints1992: 84 complaints1993: 68 complaints1994: 89 complaints1995: 55 complaints1996: 96 complaints1997: 227 complaints1998: 212 complaints1999: 112 complaints2000: 102 complaints2001: 47 complaints2002: 214 complaints2003: 91 complaints2004: 116 complaints2005: 47 complaints2006: 227 complaints2007: 38 complaints2008: 25 complaints2009: 5 complaints2010: 17 complaints2011: 104 complaints2012: 93 complaints2013: 292 complaints2014: 263 complaints2015: 292 complaints2016: 494 complaints2017: 311 complaints2018: 120 complaints2019: 24 complaints2020: 131 complaints2021: 55 complaints2022: 26 complaints2023: 11 complaints2024: 1 complaints2025: 7 complaints2026: 4 complaints
Explorer engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

16V925000EngineDecember 22, 2016 · 1,163 units

Defect

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.

What owners report

“The car was up on ramps, to replace a sensor, in park and slipped out of gear rolling backwards with force. Someone could have been under or behind the vehicle. Other vehicles could have been behind, property could have been damaged. The cars door caught the building and pulled it all the way back…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 14, 2026 · crash

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2017 Ford Explorer have?

NHTSA has 311 complaints about the 2017 Ford Explorer engine — 15% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2017 Ford Explorer engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 16V925000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.