2017 Ford Explorer body & structure problems

The 2017 Ford Explorer has 639 body & structure complaints filed with NHTSA — 32% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

639

Body & Structure complaints

32%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Body & Structure complaints by year

Explorer body & structure complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

25V347000Body & StructureMay 23, 2025 · 492,145 units

Defect

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

Dealers will repair the B-pillar trim, free of charge. 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.

24V031000Body & StructureJanuary 19, 2024 · 1,889,110 units

Defect

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. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed Feburary 16, 2024. 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.

21V316000Body & StructureMay 5, 2021 · 616,967 units

Defect

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.

What owners report

“ON MAY 20TH 2020, I DROVE THE CAR FROM MY HOUSE TO THE GROCERY STORE, AN APPROXIMATE 7 MILES DRIVE. I PARKED THE CAR ON THE PARKING LOT, A FEW SECONDS AFTER LEAVING THE CAR WHITE SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AS THE SECONDS PASSED THE WHITE SMOKE CONVERTED INTO A FIRE IN THE ENGINE, 5…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 20, 2020 · fire

Common questions

How many body & structure complaints does the 2017 Ford Explorer have?

NHTSA has 639 complaints about the 2017 Ford Explorer body & structure — 32% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2017 Ford Explorer body & structure?

Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the body & structure: 21V316000, 24V031000, 25V347000.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.