Received recall notice 6/2025 regarding the A pillar covers and scheduled for repair. Ford representative came out and placed black adhesive tape on the A pillars and windows but did not replace the covers. It is now 11/2026 and no word on when pillar covers will be replaced.
2017 Ford Explorer body problems
661 complaints (39% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 76,000. 7 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 661
- of this car's complaints
- 39%
- typical mileage
- 76,000
- crashes
- 7
- recalls
- 4
Which part fails
- Body263
- Body: roof and pillars12
- Body: door6
- Interior panels: door1
- Body: trunk lid1
- Body: hood1
- Body: door: hinge and attachments1
- Body: door: handle: exterior1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Ford Explorer body problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2017 Ford Explorer body
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Structure: body
- What is wrong
- 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 the federal safety agency recall number 21V316. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on July 16, 2026.
Recall number 26V448000 · Recall details
Structure: body
- What is wrong
- 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 number 25V347000 · Recall details
Structure: body: roof and pillars
- What is wrong
- 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 number 24V031000 · Recall details
Structure: body
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 21V316000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Windshield trim molding Item detachment
On January 27, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-001 to investigate allegations of A-pillar trim panel detachment on model year (MY) 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles. At the time of opening, the office had received 164 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting this failure. ODI has received 671 VOQs regarding this failure, including 1 alleged crash and 2 alleged injuries. Some consumers have reported that the failure occurred while they were driving at highway speeds, with the detached trim panel entering the path of travel of the vehicle behind them, requiring the driver of the following vehicle to take evasive action. It is noteworthy that motorists who experience this type of road hazard are less likely to accurately identify the subject vehicle the item detached from and report the event to the federal safety agency. In its April 17, 2023 response to ODI’s information request, Ford provided 175 consumer complaints (including field reports) and 14,162 warranty claims related to A-pillar trim panel detachment. Ford relayed that the subject vehicles utilize a plastic A-pillar bracket, which is bolted to the vehicle structure during assembly. The A-pillar trim panel is attached to the bracket utilizing 7 plastic clips. Contributory factors which have been identified by Ford as leading to the subject defect include incomplete installation at the assembly plant, inadequate part stack up, damage to fasteners during installation, and failure to follow proper repair procedure during windshield replacements or other services. On January 19, 2024, Ford filed safety recall 24V‑031 for MY 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles to address the subject defect. In the Part 573 Safety Recall Report, Ford identified that a detached A-pillar trim panel can create a road hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall remedy includes an inspection of the existing A-pillar trim panel and, if necessary, the replacement of the component. The remedy A-pillar trim panels will be installed with an additional adhesive for robustness and utilize an inspection procedure to ensure full engagement of all the retention clips during installation. In view of the recall action being taken by Ford, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
PE23001
What 2017 Ford Explorer owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle, the contact became aware that the driver’s side B-pillar door trim was detaching. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was contacted and stated that the cost of the repair was not covered because the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure) however, the parts to complete the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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.
B-Pillar trim on drivers side detached/broke in half and flew off in traffic. Since then, electrical panel on the driver door messed with the locks. locks no longer work, back tailgate ajar warning is on (even though the tailgate is closed) unable to open to open the tailgate (stuck in lock)
B-pillar is coming off, not allowing keypad to lock/unlock. Remedy has not come available in over a year.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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. The dealer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
See attached document for complaint.
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 that the parts were unavailable until July 2027. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 63,500.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency 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 driver’s and front passenger’s side door B-pillar trims had detached. The contact duct-taped the front and rear driver's side roof rail covers and the driver’s and front passenger’s side door B-pillar trims. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The contact had to pay for the front and rear driver's side roof rail covers to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
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.
Questions about the 2017 Ford Explorer body
Does the 2017 Ford Explorer have body problems?
Owners have filed 661 complaints about the body of the 2017 Ford Explorer, 39% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2017 Ford Explorer body problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 76,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2017 Ford Explorer body?
Yes, 4 recalls: 26V448000, 25V347000, 24V031000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Explorer have the most body problems?
The Ford Explorer model years with the most body complaints are 2017 (661 complaints), 2016 (592 complaints) and 2002 (486 complaints).
Other 2017 Ford Explorer problems
Engine 305Transmission 125Electrical 94Visibility 77Steering 76Wheels 60Suspension 58Fuel system 49Airbags 34Seat belts 23Brakes 22Tires 22Acceleration 21Driver assistance 21Seats 16Lights 12Locks 5
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