2017 Ford Explorer seats & seat belts problems

Related recalls

• Recall 19V651000Sep 11, 2019311,907 vehicles
  SEATS

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with power front seats. The seat frames may have sharp edges.

  Risk: Occupants my contact the sharp edges when reaching between the power front seat and center console, increasing their risk of injury.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install protective tape on the exposed inside edge and tab of the power seat frames, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S29.

• Recall 17V332000May 22, 20172,204 vehicles
  SEATS · SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Explorer, F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 vehicles equipped with a manual driver's seat back recliner mechanism. In the event of a crash, the seat back frame may not restrain the occupant due to having inadequate welds. As such, these vehicles may not meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202a, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."

  Risk: If the occupant is not adequately restrained in the event of a crash, they have an increased risk of injury.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat back frame, free of charge. The recall began on June 7, 2017. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C08.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 9, 2026MNSeats & Seat Belts

   There is a driver's safety-restraint malfunction with a failure mode such that the tongue (male end of seat-belt) will not insert normally into the buckle (female end) unless the red release button is depressed. The driver buckle failure results in a failure in the vehicle's personal safety system. The component has not been inspected or confirmed by a dealer, as Ford Motor Company has indicated this will be an out-of-pocket cost replacement due to the extended warranty on…

   NHTSA complaint #11763003 · source
2. Filed Sep 3, 2026COCrash1 injuredTowedAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

   Head on collision occurred XXX. A man was traveling east on XXX and ran the light at the intersection of [XXX]. I was heading south on [XXX] and hit his white truck. My air bags did not deploy. Also, within the last year a seatbelt was not latching properly and I had to get it replaced. In addition to repairing the roof rack cover which flew off as I was driving one day. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

   NHTSA complaint #11762051 · source
3. 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
4. Filed Jul 8, 2025NYElectrical SystemOther / UnknownSeats & Seat Belts

   The following is a letter I sent to Ford. I've yet to hear back from them. This is a picture of what happened in my 2017 Explorer on Thursday, June 5, 2025. As I unlocked and got into my car, I realized the seat was moving forward. I tried to get out of the seat, but it was difficult because the space was closing in. I managed to squeeze out of the space before it totally closed me in and pinned me between the seat and steering wheel. As you can see from the picture, the…

   NHTSA complaint #11671991 · source
5. Filed Jul 2, 202599,208 miSCElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while seated in the parked vehicle, the rear passenger’s side head restraint became unhinged. The contact stated that the exterior front driver’s side pin paddle had failed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the railings on the rear passenger’s side seats were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate…

   NHTSA complaint #11670783 · source
6. Filed Jun 25, 202585,000 miILSeats & Seat Belts

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to use the 2nd row seat belts, after further inspection, the 2nd row driver’s side seat belt buckle remained latched and failed to release from the buckle and the 2nd row passenger side seat belt failed to latch securely as intended. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer; however, parts were not yet available to repair the vehicle, and the warranty was not valid. The manufacturer was made aware…

   NHTSA complaint #11669211 · source
7. Filed Jun 5, 2025CAElectrical SystemLightingSeats & Seat Belts

   There is a constant drain on the battery and overnight the battery can go dead. I replace the battery every 6 months to a year and have been doing that ever since we purchased it. The dealership wants $250 to diagnose it. It's been a problem from day 1. Even when we took it to get serviced and they kept it overnight - the same thing happened at the dealership, but they just ignored it. That was when it was under warranty. I read on the internet that several people have this…

   NHTSA complaint #11665069 · source
8. Filed Apr 11, 2025ILSeats & Seat Belts

   Passenger side/right side second row bucket seat = seat belt broke. Called numerous dealerships and were on a waiting list of over 350 that need a seatbelt. No seat belts available. Unable to fix problem. Safety issue due to no seat belt. No warning lamps or messages.

   NHTSA complaint #11654028 · source
9. Filed Mar 9, 2025OKElectrical SystemSeats & Seat BeltsTransmission & Drivetrain

   Passenger seatbelt frayed, inside electrical goes haywire when cold weather, transmission slipping was rebuilt under warranty lasted one week and is slipping again shifting hard, B panels falling off A panel was recalled but panel wasn’t?

   NHTSA complaint #11647199 · source
10. Filed Feb 28, 2025104,000 miMTAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

    The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the air bag warning light intermittently illuminated while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with air bag light row #2 inflatable found on higher wire circuit installed, and the was fuse replaced. Additionally, row #2 buckle, rear center row passengers seat, rear driver seat…

    NHTSA complaint #11645633 · source
11. Filed Feb 8, 2025MNSeats & Seat Belts

    In a 2017 Ford Explorer Platinum the passenger 2nd row seatbelt malfunctions and will not extend. It is available for inspection. The seatbelt first binded (or became stuck) March 2024 and taken into Ford dealership and they reported "Upon inspection of seat belt, found to be internally binding at the retractor. Requires replacement." They ordered replacement but said it was on backorder, it took months before replacement arrived. When replacement arrived it was taken in to…

    NHTSA complaint #11641514 · source
12. Filed Jan 19, 202434,000 miNVSeats & Seat Belts

    The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contacted stated while reaching down between the driver's front side of the seat to retrieve an item, the sharp edge of the seat frame cut her hand. The contact also stated that several passengers had cut their hands while retrieving an item from the passenger’s side front seat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V651000 (Seats) however, the failure persisted. The…

    NHTSA complaint #11566491 · 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