Vehicle Recall IndexVIN decoding & NHTSA recall records

Model year 2017 · Ford

2017 Ford Explorer recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 13 safety recall campaigns for the 2017 Ford Explorer. The most recent was reported on July 14, 2026. Campaigns are matched by the model names in NHTSA's records: EXPLORER.

NHTSA data through October 6, 2026 · How these pages are built

Campaigns at a glance

Recall campaigns for the 2017 Ford Explorer, newest first
NHTSA numberReportedComponent
26V448000July 14, 2026Structure › Body
26V101000February 20, 2026Suspension › Rear
25V685000October 10, 2025Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater
25V347000May 23, 2025Structure › Body
24V031000January 19, 2024Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars
21V537000July 15, 2021Suspension › Rear
21V316000May 5, 2021Structure › Body
20V675000March 12, 2021Suspension › Rear
19V651000September 11, 2019Seats
19V435000June 10, 2019Suspension › Rear
17V530000August 28, 2017Steering
17V332000May 22, 2017Seats
16V925000December 22, 2016Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/Supercharger

Systems involved: Structure (4) · Suspension (4) · Seats (2) · Engine And Engine Cooling (1) · Equipment (1) · Steering (1)

Recall records

NHTSA 26V448000Manufacturer no. 26S54

Structure › Body

Report received by NHTSA
July 14, 2026
Owner notification
Not yet in the record
Recall initiated by
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Units potentially affected
288,314 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record
EXPLORER

Defect summary

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

Safety 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.

Source: NHTSA recall 26V448000, filed by Ford Motor Company. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 26V101000Manufacturer no. 26S08

Suspension › Rear

Report received by NHTSA
February 20, 2026
Owner notification
March 16, 2026
Recall initiated by
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Units potentially affected
412,774 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2017 Ford Explorer
May 16, 2017 – Not reported
Model names in the NHTSA record
EXPLORER

Defect summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.

Safety risk

A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the toe links, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S08. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 21V537. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 25, 2026.

Source: NHTSA recall 26V101000, filed by Ford Motor Company. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 25V685000Manufacturer no. 25SA4

Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater

Report received by NHTSA
October 10, 2025
Owner notification
Not yet in the record
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
59,006 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record
EXPLORER

Defect summary

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.

Safety risk

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

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 element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

Source: NHTSA recall 25V685000, filed by Ford Motor Company. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 25V347000Manufacturer no. 25S53

Structure › Body

Report received by NHTSA
May 23, 2025
Owner notification
Not yet in the record
Recall initiated by
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Units potentially affected
492,145 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2017 Ford Explorer
Not reported – April 19, 2017
Model names in the NHTSA record
EXPLORER

Defect summary

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

Safety 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.

Source: NHTSA recall 25V347000, filed by Ford Motor Company. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 24V031000Manufacturer no. 24S02

Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars

Report received by NHTSA
January 19, 2024
Owner notification
July 18, 2024
Recall initiated by
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Units potentially affected
1,889,110 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record
EXPLORER

Defect summary

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.

Safety 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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 24V031000, filed by Ford Motor Company. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 21V537000Manufacturer no. 21S32

Suspension › Rear

Report received by NHTSA
July 15, 2021
Owner notification
March 16, 2022
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
631,176 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record
EXPLORER

Defect summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.

Safety risk

A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 16V-245, 19V-435, and 20V-675. Certain vehicles previously repaired will need to return for the new remedy. An interim notification letter notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2022. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S32.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 21V537000, filed by Ford Motor Company. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 21V316000Manufacturer no. 21S22

Structure › Body

Report received by NHTSA
May 5, 2021
Owner notification
October 1, 2021
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
616,967 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record
EXPLORER

Defect summary

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.

Safety 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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 21V316000, filed by Ford Motor Company. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 20V675000Manufacturer no. 20S62

Suspension › Rear

Report received by NHTSA
March 12, 2021
Owner notification
November 27, 2020
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
454,941 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record
EXPLORER

Defect summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin that were previously repaired under a prior recall numbers 16V-245 or 19V-435. The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fracture.

Safety risk

A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle attached to the rear suspension toe link and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S62.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 20V675000, filed by Ford Motor Company. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 19V651000Manufacturer no. 19S29

Seats

Report received by NHTSA
September 11, 2019
Owner notification
November 8, 2019
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
311,907 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2017 Ford Explorer
February 13, 2016 – October 25, 2017
Model names in the NHTSA record
EXPLORER

Defect summary

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

Safety 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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 19V651000, filed by Ford Motor Company. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 19V435000Manufacturer no. 19S17

Suspension › Rear

Report received by NHTSA
June 10, 2019
Owner notification
June 26, 2019
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
1,194,173 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2017 Ford Explorer
May 17, 2010 – January 25, 2017
Model names in the NHTSA record
EXPLORER

Defect summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.

Safety risk

A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 19V435000, filed by Ford Motor Company. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 17V530000Manufacturer no. 17S23

Steering

Report received by NHTSA
August 28, 2017
Owner notification
September 13, 2017
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
253 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2017 Ford Explorer
May 7, 2017 – May 10, 2017
Model names in the NHTSA record
EXPLORER

Defect summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Explorer, Taurus and Police Interceptor Utility and Sedan vehicles. The steering gear heat shield fasteners may corrode, allowing the heat shield to detach.

Safety risk

If the heat shield detaches, the steering gear may overheat, increasing the steering effort required by the driver, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers to inspect and replace the heat shield fasteners as needed, free of charge. The recall began on September 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S23.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 17V530000, filed by Ford Motor Company. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 17V332000Manufacturer no. 17C08

Seats

Report received by NHTSA
May 22, 2017
Owner notification
June 7, 2017
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
2,204 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2017 Ford Explorer
December 9, 2016 – December 10, 2016
Model names in the NHTSA record
EXPLORER

Components: Seats; Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner

Defect summary

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."

Safety 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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 17V332000, filed by Ford Motor Company. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 16V925000Manufacturer no. 16S46

Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/Supercharger

Report received by NHTSA
December 22, 2016
Owner notification
January 31, 2017
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
1,163 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2017 Ford Explorer
October 15, 2016 – November 2, 2016
Model names in the NHTSA record
EXPLORER

Defect summary

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.

Safety 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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 16V925000, filed by Ford Motor Company. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

Records reproduce NHTSA's published text for each campaign. Last record date for this page: July 14, 2026.