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2017 Ford Explorer seats problems

16 complaints (1% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 46,000. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints
16
of this car's complaints
1%
typical mileage
46,000
crashes
2
recalls
2

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

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 seats problems in other years

19911995200020052010201520202026

Related recalls

SeatsReported September 11, 2019 · 311,907 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 number 19V651000 · Recall details

Seats: front assembly: reclinerReported May 22, 2017 · 2,204 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 17V332000 · Recall details

What 2017 Ford Explorer owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 8, 2025 · Electrical, Seats · NY

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 seat is as close to the steering wheel and console as possible. The steering wheel was 7 inches from the seatback and 7 inches from the seat bottom. The seat was 2 inches from the console. This is extremely dangerous. This is not the first time this has happened. This has occurred at least ten times. Sometimes it is when I get in the vehicle as happened June 5. One time I was pinned between the steering wheel and seat and my legs were jammed into the console. Fortunately, I was able to extricate myself with only a few scrapes and bruises. While it is happening, I try the side buttons that control the seat and other ways to stop it, but nothing I do stops the movement once it begins. The only way to avoid being pinned in is to get out while the seat is moving. Other times it has happened when I am not in the car. I unlock and open the door to get in and the seat has moved itself and is as far up to the steering wheel as physically possible. The first time this happened; I told the service desk at the dealer when I was having work done on the SUV. They checked and said they couldn’t find anything wrong with it.`

Filed Jul 2, 2025 · Electrical, Seats · 99,208 miles · SC

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 failure mileage was 99,208.

Filed Jun 5, 2025 · Electrical, Lights · CA

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 same problem. I feel this should be a recall. I have a 2017 Ford Platinum

Filed Mar 30, 2024 · Electrical, Seats · NY

The driver side heated seat does not work at all the passenger side heated seat works just the driver side does not work

Filed Jan 19, 2024 · Seats · 34,000 miles · NV

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 the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V651000 (Seats) however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but transferred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 34,000.

Filed Aug 21, 2021 · Seats · NJ

My driver-side seat has a hole beginning from the midway left side due to the stitching coming apart. My dealer service rep was made aware of this issue and has told me it's not covered under any warranty. I feel it will become a serious safety issue because it contains the side impact airbag system devices that are enclosed in the area where the stitching is coming apart. I was also told it would cost me money to fix it. I do not feel that I should bear the financial burden to repair this problem due to faulty stitching. My service rep told me that 3 other vehicles came into the dealership with similar problems. I am willing for a Ford Motor company district service rep to inspect it and give me an acceptable solution to this dangerous issue. There was no warning of this problem. My vehicle only has 27000 miles on it! I have owned other vehicles with high mileages on them and NEVER had a seat become unstitched.

Filed Jan 2, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 73,400 miles · TX

My 3 yr old truck already has a leaking coolant line which come to find out is draining into the water line in the engine. I can't drive more than 5miles before I need to refill my coolant. In addition, the heating elements in both the driver and passenger seats has gone out. I thought it was a fuse and of course its something more.

Filed Dec 1, 2020 · Seats · 19,000 miles · UT

The front driver seat feels loose. When driving and taking a sharp curve or going over bumps the seat shifts.

Filed Nov 12, 2020 · Seats · IL

I noticed a strange noise when I made turns and it felt as if my driver seat made a slight movement. When the dealership finally looked at it thoroughly after 3 times they determined the bar under my seat that basically holds my seat in place was broke completely in half. No explanation. The car has never been in an accident and has less than 50,000 mi on it. They stated they have never seen anything like it charged me the deductible and fixed it my concern is that it was a manufacturing problem and if it hadn't noticed it and had an accident I felt like my seat would have detached. It was a little scary and disconcerting.

Filed Mar 11, 2020 · Seats · 34,621 miles · OH

Drivers side heated seat not working , truck only has 34624 miles .diag code b1034:40 , dealer will not repair out of warranty

Questions about the 2017 Ford Explorer seats

Does the 2017 Ford Explorer have seats problems?

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the seats of the 2017 Ford Explorer, 1% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2017 Ford Explorer seats problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 46,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2017 Ford Explorer seats?

Yes, 2 recalls: 19V651000, 17V332000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Explorer have bad seats?

The Ford Explorer model years with the most seats complaints are 1998 (70 complaints), 1999 (67 complaints) and 2020 (42 complaints).

Other 2017 Ford Explorer problems

Body 661Engine 305Transmission 125Electrical 94Visibility 77Steering 76Wheels 60Suspension 58Fuel system 49Airbags 34Seat belts 23Brakes 22Tires 22Acceleration 21Driver assistance 21Lights 12Locks 5

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