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2017 Ford Explorer problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
No elevated drivetrain complaint concentration in the available NHTSA records for the 2017 Ford Explorer. Engine, transmission and fuel system account for 25% of relevant complaints.
Better than 79% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Does the 2017 Ford Explorer have engine or transmission problems?
Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 414 of 1,703 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2017 Ford Explorer concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (25%). For comparison, the 2016 scores 30% and the 2018 scores 24%. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
How the 2017 compares with other Ford Explorer years
Of the 14 Ford Explorer years with enough complaints to score, the 2017 is the 6th-worst on engine and transmission share (25%). The worst is the 2020 (53%), the best the 2011 (16%). By volume, the 2017 drew 1,703 complaints (414 drivetrain), against 2,478 for the 2016 and 733 for the 2018.
Ford Explorer years to avoid and best years →
2010 Explorer problems · 2011 Explorer problems · 2012 Explorer problems · 2013 Explorer problems · 2014 Explorer problems · 2015 Explorer problems · 2016 Explorer problems · 2017 · 2018 Explorer problems · 2019 Explorer problems · 2020 Explorer problems · 2021 Explorer problems · 2022 Explorer problems · 2023 Explorer problems
The rest of the picture on the 2017 Ford Explorer
- The mileage where it happens. When owners of the 2017 Ford Explorer said the problem showed up, and the range most of them fell in.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 414 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
2017 Ford Explorer engine recalls
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns on the 2017 Ford Explorer involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 14 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
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.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater…
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.
Risk: An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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…
12 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model. Checked October 3, 2026.
Checking one particular 2017 Ford Explorer? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
Get a history report from EpicVIN Before you pay: EpicVIN’s $1 offer is a 3-day trial (up to 5 reports) that renews at $49.99 a month unless you cancel. Other plans are listed under “View all our packages” at checkout. We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. It does not change what this page reports.Questions people ask about the 2017 Ford Explorer
Does the 2017 Ford Explorer have engine or transmission problems?
Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 414 of 1,703 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2017 Ford Explorer concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (25%). It describes the model year, not any one car, so an inspection still matters.
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Ford Explorer?
Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2017 Ford Explorer is structure: 661 of 1,703 complaints (39%) name it, followed by engine (237) and power train (123). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap. Engine, transmission and fuel-system complaints together make up 25% of the relevant total.
Is the 2017 Ford Explorer reliable?
On the engine and transmission, nothing stands out: 25% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain, below the 33% line where we call a signal elevated. That is better than 79% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 14 Ford Explorer years we score, it ranks 6th-worst. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2017 Ford Explorer?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns on the 2017 Ford Explorer involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 14 in total: 25V685000 (equipment: electrical: engine block heater), 16V925000 (engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Ford Explorer years are better?
Among the Ford Explorer years we track, the 2011 (16%), the 2012 (19%) and the 2023 (19%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2017 (25%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/ford-explorer
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.