2017 Ford Explorer body & structure problems

Related recalls

• Recall 26V448000Jul 14, 2026288,314 vehicles
  STRUCTURE:BODY

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.

  Risk: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S54. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 21V316. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.

• Recall 25V347000May 23, 2025492,145 vehicles
  STRUCTURE:BODY

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.

  Risk: 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.

• Recall 24V031000Jan 19, 20241,889,110 vehicles
  STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

  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.

  Risk: 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. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.

• Recall 21V316000May 5, 2021616,967 vehicles
  STRUCTURE:BODY

  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.

  Risk: 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 say

1. Filed Sep 16, 2026160,000 miAZBody & Structure

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to perform the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the driver's side and passenger's side B-pillar trims detached from the vehicle. The contact used tape and hot glue to reattach the B-pillar trims to the vehicle.…

   NHTSA complaint #11764718 · source
2. Filed Sep 9, 202663,500 miCABody & Structure

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving, the driver's side B-Pillar trim detached and was hanging off the vehicle with the wiring exposed. The contact used a bungee cord to secure the driver's side B-Pillar trim to the vehicle. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the parts to repair the vehicle were unavailable. The contact was informed…

   NHTSA complaint #11763185 · source
3. Filed Sep 8, 2026122,000 miNJBody & Structure

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure); however, the failure recurred with the front and rear driver's side roof rail covers detaching. The contact also received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of…

   NHTSA complaint #11762786 · source
4. Filed Sep 5, 2026CABody & StructureLightingOther / Unknown

   Ever since my B pillar came off my car my cabin lights stay on longer than usual and my trunk cant be opened, both being an inconvenience. Dealer agreed the lights stay on because of what broke off but since theres no remedy they cant do anything about it. Ive already had to purchase a battery and will soon prob going to need to again but ford will not pay for one despite it being they're fault.

   NHTSA complaint #11762396 · source
5. Filed Sep 4, 2026120,000 miCABody & Structure

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the front driver’s door B-pillar trim had detached, causing the liftgate to not open as needed. The message "Liftgate Ajar" was displayed with an audible chime,…

   NHTSA complaint #11762240 · source
6. Filed Sep 2, 2026SCBody & StructureVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a crack in the front windshield and water was leaking into the vehicle. The contact was concerned about the electrical system failing from becoming wet. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure) and 26V448000 (Structure). The local was contacted in person, and the contact was advised that the parts were on back order. The vehicle was inspected, and the contact was…

   NHTSA complaint #11761670 · source
7. Filed Sep 1, 2026GABody & Structure

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 26V448000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but offered no assistance. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11761389 · source
8. Filed Aug 24, 202671,789 miSCBody & Structure

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s side door B-pillar trim detached and was hanging by the wires, which became frayed. The message "Liftgate Ajar" was displayed while the liftgate was closed. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not…

   NHTSA complaint #11759049 · source
9. Filed Aug 20, 2026CABody & Structure

   I know there is a current recall, but I have NO idea why FORD is taking almost 2 years now for a remedy. Now the trim piece under this recall is starting to separate from the driver side. This also has electrical functions (keyless entry), and is making driving the vehicle a challenge as who knows when the piece will fully separate from the vehicle. HELP PLEASE, there has to be a faster way to get this recall work done.

   NHTSA complaint #11758208 · source
10. Filed Aug 17, 202681,000 miTXBody & Structure

    The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The dealer was contacted, and the driver’s side A-pillar trim was taped down to avoid becoming detached. However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a…

    NHTSA complaint #11757397 · source
11. Filed Aug 13, 2026100,000 miMIBody & Structure

    The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side B-pillar trim detached and flew off the vehicle. The contact stated that the B-pillar trim struck another vehicle. In addition, the driver's side B-pillar trim was fractured. The contact stated that the driver's side B-pillar trim was reattached but was still loosened. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that parts were…

    NHTSA complaint #11756707 · source
12. Filed Aug 12, 2026130,000 miIDBody & Structure

    The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the driver’s side A-pillar trim…

    NHTSA complaint #11756522 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology