2017 Ford Explorer engine problems

Related recalls

• Recall 16V925000Dec 22, 20161,163 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

  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.

  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 say

1. Filed Oct 5, 2026VAEngine

   Sudden catastrophic engine failure due to coolant mixing. This resulted in a safety issue due to time and location of the event. From online consumer reports this event happens just after 100,000 miles to the 2017 Ford Explorer SUV's and is a KNOWN event that Ford has NOT disclosed. Regular maintenance can NOT prevent this event and stopping the use of the vehicle only helps if it is immediate and the problem known. That Ford hasn't disclosed this possibility of failure nor…

   NHTSA complaint #11768953 · source
2. Filed Oct 4, 2026VAEngine

   Engine hesitated, kept hesitating/slowing down until 2017 Ford Explorer just stopped. Towed SUV to Koons Ford Service Center. Charged $200 for diagnostic assessment. Informed that oil/coolant mix due to water pump failure. Diagnose: replace Engine Long Block and Hardware and thermostat. Costing $11,195.04 for job. Never mentioned what happened to cause this. At another dealership, mechanic told us of the NHTSA Recall 25V685000 regarding this malfunction. Note: Koons Ford has…

   NHTSA complaint #11768825 · source
3. Filed Sep 11, 202655,000 miLATowedEngine

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH on the interstate, the engine light illuminated and the vehicle stopped in the middle lane. The contact was able to maneuver and coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road. The instrument panel was illuminated afterwards. The contact stated that the failure was like NHTSA Action Number: DP26008 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was towed by Firestone and then towed to the local…

   NHTSA complaint #11763586 · source
4. Filed Aug 8, 2026VAEngine

   Driving down the highway and checkengine light came on when I was headed to work. The vehicle lost power due to misfire with engine. I check the spark plugs and there is oil all over sparkplugs and the coil packs. This is a serious issue and needs to be addressed by ford immediately, they need to put a new engine in or pay me to get this fixed.

   NHTSA complaint #11755673 · source
5. Filed Jul 16, 2026VAEngine

   A strong exhaust smell comes through the cabin during acceleration at speeds higher than 35 mph. Worries us for possible co2 exposure coming through if exhaust smell can come through. But ford dealership has said it passes the recall standards. Still uneasy

   NHTSA complaint #11750760 · source
6. Filed Jun 15, 202686,000 miFLEngine

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood with the Check Engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road, and the contact inspected the vehicle and became aware of smoke coming from underneath the vehicle. The failure reoccurred while the contact and the contact's minor children were traveling. A nearby Police Officer assisted the…

   NHTSA complaint #11744271 · source
7. Filed Jun 9, 2026OKEngine

   Car was running fine then went to start and received warning about car being too hot. Checked coolant and it was low. Refilled and drove home. Upon arriving engine light came on. PO301 code. There was coolant intrusion into the cylinders, leading to engine failure. Rough idle when starting. Did not drive after this. Went to start and car will not start at all. Symptoms include: Coolant loss with no visible leaks White exhaust smoke Rough idle or misfires P0300 / P0301 /…

   NHTSA complaint #11742877 · source
8. Filed May 27, 2026CAEngineSeats & Seat BeltsTransmission & Drivetrain

   I’ve had three transmissions replaced from 2023 to 2026. Ford no longer makes 2017 Ford Explorer transmissions so I keep getting bad parts. In 2026 engine light came on , coolant leaking into cylinders, $11K to fix. This car has left me stranded on the side of the road , not to mention months at the dealership trying to find transmission parts. Ford Corporation refuses to buy back vehicle based on lemon law. Rear seatbelts defective.

   NHTSA complaint #11740383 · source
9. Filed May 26, 2026MOEngine

   Car started to overheat randomly, no signs of issues before, replaced the water pump for the second time in a year (2025 and again 2026). Continued having issues & white smoke puffing, turned out to have an oil leak due to piston rings being melted to the pistons, causing all spark plugs (prior repalced) and engine to be bad. Car is continuing to worse, sputters just sitting after you start it. Smells like burnt oil. Too dangerous to drive so it’s been sitting for weeks…

   NHTSA complaint #11740275 · source
10. Filed Apr 19, 2026OHEngine

    Coolant keeps going low. No visible leaking spots. Been to 2 mechanic's. Both said Ford defective engine block. Coolant leaking into cylinder 1. Recommended engine replacement. Check engine light. Verified 300 # codes. Misfire. Foul and rough start ups. Been on 4 or 5 months.

    NHTSA complaint #11732231 · source
11. Filed Apr 16, 2026GAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    My 2017 Ford Explorer suddenly started vibrating intensely whenever I am at a stop or start slowing down. Episodes of hesitation when attempting to take off from a start with significant rpm surges. I am told I need to have my torque converter replaced. My vehicle has 84,697 miles on it, and was bought brand new from a dealer. I already had to have a new engine a month ago. This level of multiple engine and powertrain failures puts consumers and other drivers at risk for…

    NHTSA complaint #11731706 · source
12. Filed Apr 15, 2026CABody & StructureEngineSteering

    I am reporting a serious safety concern with my 2017 Ford Explorer. The vehicle currently has approximately 93,752 miles and has become increasingly unreliable and unsafe to operate. On April 9, 2026, while my wife was driving home from work, the vehicle overheated, creating a dangerous situation and risk of sudden breakdown. This is especially concerning as the vehicle is used to transport children. Recently, after taking the vehicle in for an oil change, I was informed of…

    NHTSA complaint #11731347 · 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