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2017 Ford Explorer: engine stalls while driving

27 of the 1,706 complaints about the 2017 Ford Explorer describe engine stalls while driving.

owner complaints
27
of this car's complaints
2%
typical mileage
70,000
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 29 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Engine stalls while driving by model year

What owners say

Filed Jul 10, 2026 · Transmission · OH

Transmission torque converter attempts to lockup when vehicle is in gear, at idle and brakes applied. This causes the engine rpm to drop or stall. This causes an unexpected delay and hesitation when accelerating from a stop followed by an unexpected acceleration surge. This issue has been confirmed by an independent service center. No computer codes or warning signals on the dash are present.

Filed Jun 17, 2026 · Fuel system · GA

My 2017 Ford Explorer XLT with approximately 236,000 miles has an ongoing EVAP/fuel vapor system problem that causes the vehicle to hesitate, stumble, and attempt to stall. The problem occurs most frequently after refueling and also when the fuel level is low. The check-engine light comes on repeatedly, and despite numerous repair attempts, the issue has not been corrected. Repairs and parts replaced have included the purge valve, EVAP-related sensor(s), charcoal canister(s), and associated tubing. Significant money has been spent diagnosing and repairing this condition, but the symptoms continue. After filling the fuel tank, the engine may run rough, hesitate, lose power, and attempt to stall. This creates a safety concern because the vehicle can unexpectedly lose power or stall while driving, entering traffic, slowing for intersections, or operating in other traffic situations. The condition has persisted despite replacement of multiple EVAP system components. Based on the repeated failures and inability to permanently correct the issue, I believe this may indicate a defect affecting other vehicles of the same model year. I am requesting that this issue be investigated due to the potential safety risk associated with engine hesitation, loss of power, and stalling.

Filed Apr 23, 2026 · Transmission · 176,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH on the highway, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. No warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 176,000.

Filed Oct 27, 2025 · Transmission · ME

When i start the vehicle, and press the bbrake and shift into drive, the vehicle shakes and jolts. When I remove my foot from the break to push the gas petle, there is a hesitation/stall out unless I push it quickly. The shaking and jolting occurs when the vehicle is in drive and reverse, but stops when the car is in neutral or park. In order to operate the vehicle in traffice, I have to put it in neutral at stop signs and traffic lights, or it will shake, jolt and stall out. This can not be safe!

Filed Jul 14, 2025 · Fuel system · 94,084 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked and vibrated. In addition, the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was able to partially coast to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,084.

Filed Feb 27, 2025 · CA

the transmission has gone out for a second time 3 years ago the transmission was replaced as part of fords customer satisfaction and after 3 years of driving the car started acting weird stalling or not wanting to go- now it will not start after taking to the ford dealership they informed me it was the same problem they had previously fixed, and it was no longer under warranty I would have to pay for a whole new transmission- to be honest I still owe money on this car and could not afford a repair of over 7000 -It was already fixed just 3 years ago how is the Transmisson faulty for a second time? there needs to be recall on this part/

Filed Feb 13, 2025 · Engine · 140,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle began vibrating abnormally, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle stalled and the contact was forced to park on the side of the road to attempt to restart the vehicle. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was coolant intrusion into engine, which caused damages to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Dec 16, 2024 · Engine · 131,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle shuddered abnormally and almost stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence and while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that water and coolant were leaking under the engine compartment. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.

Filed Apr 25, 2024 · Engine · 61,000 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to safely drive the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

Filed Dec 1, 2023 · Transmission · 126,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. After restarting the vehicle, the failure reoccurred. The contact added transmission fluid to the vehicle and later the vehicle was restarted and driven to the residence; however, the failure later reoccurred. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 126,000.

Filed Aug 18, 2023 · Engine · TX

Water pump failure. Engine light came on. By the time I could pull off the freeway (1 minute) the engine had stalled and the car wouldn't start. Towed to repair shop and learned the pump failure had allowed water and oil to mix throughout the engine. Metal shavings were found in the engine. Engine had to be replaced. Total cost before the vehicle was ready: over $11,000

Filed Aug 11, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · 43,833 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and making a right turn, the steering wheel did not return to center. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed to respond normally while turning the steering wheel to center. Additionally, the contact stated that the instrument cluster went black, and the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over safely and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that the “System Communication Error" message was displayed on the infotainment screen after the restart. The contact later had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the wiring harness and the GWM harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The contact stated that after the repair, the battery had started to drain very quickly. The vehicle was towed back to the same dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 43,833.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/superchargerReported December 22, 2016 · 1,163 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 16V925000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2017 Ford Explorer stalling

Is engine stalls while driving a common problem on the 2017 Ford Explorer?

27 of 1,706 owner complaints about the 2017 Ford Explorer (2%) mention engine stalls while driving. The model year with the most reports is 1998.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2017 Ford Explorer?

There is 1 recall and 29 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2017 Ford Explorer

Fuel smell 87Check engine light 60Overheating 58Engine failure 42Loss of power 28Jerking 24Fire or smoke 23Shudder 20Wipers 20Misfire 19Transmission failure 19Hesitation 18Water leak 18Airbag light 16Power steering loss 16Harsh shifting 15Windshield crack 14Backup camera 13Tire blowout 12Headlights 10Seat belt 10Key fob 9Premature wear 9Slipping 9Won't start 9Ball joint 8Grinding brakes 8Door locks 8Steering lock-up 8Adaptive cruise 7ABS 6Oil consumption 6No deployment 5

All model years of the Ford Explorer

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