The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the passenger-side rear tire was low on air pressure. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact observed wires exposed on the inner tread of the tire. Additionally, the contact inspected the driver-side rear tire and observed exposed wires sticking out from the inner sidewall. The contact stated that the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V537000 (Suspension) was completed in October 2025. The contact associated the tire failure with the recall. The dealer was notified of the failure by phone. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,400.
2017 Ford Explorer suspension problems
58 complaints (3% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 55,000. 4 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 58
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- typical mileage
- 55,000
- crashes
- 4
- recalls
- 4
Which part fails
- Rear2
- Rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly1
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 suspension problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2017 Ford Explorer suspension
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
- 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 the federal safety agency recall number 21V537. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on beginning February 25, 2026.
Recall number 26V101000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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 the federal safety agency 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.
Recall number 21V537000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 20V675000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 19V435000 · Recall details
What 2017 Ford Explorer owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
See attached document for complaint.
New Tow Link replacement from recall 20S62 damage my new Tires. New redesign Toe links are unable to hold alignment and are damaging tires prematurely. I have called the dealer that performed the Service (Citrus Motors in Ontario California) and spoke with Service Manager Cesar. I told him the problem I was having to find a solution, he could not help me. He suggested I pay $280 for a diagnostic and if alignment was the problem that will go towards it. I told him I can not afford to be paying for alignment when the new part can not hold alignment. I request a reimbursement for my new tires for collateral damage from the recall and he said they do not offer reimbursements, they told me to reach out to Ford Customer Service. I reached to Ford Customer Service and they pointed me back to the Dealer. Seems like Ford does not want to take responsibility for they bad replacement parts that do not hold alignment. Seems like there are a lot of customers with this issue and are having to spend hundreds of dollars on replacing the Toe links with after market adjustable Toe Links and installing new tires and having them realigned.
Vehicle was brought in to Magic city ford for a state inspection and was informed that there was a recall on the suspension to replace the tow link in the rear. Vehicle was inspected and tire tread level documented etc . Vehicle was driven 3,000 miles over the next 60 days, including a family trip to the beach. It was then noticed that the rear tires were completely bald on outer half of the tire with one showing cords. Vehicle was taken to Ford dealership who claimed that the vehicle had been aligned before it left the shop and that where was due to the rear control arms. Owner requested a printout with the before and after alignment information required. Dealership spent an hour trying to find the information and then provided a sheet lacking any of the identifiable information dated 5/1/2026, when the vehicle was there on 4/30/2026. It's truly scary to think what would have happened had I not noticed the tires condition. I do not believe that the rear tires were ever aligned. This is an all-wheel drive vehicle, so internal damage is possible. Ford is refusing to cover anything because it's been 60 days.
My Explorer had Recall 21S32 completed at the dealership on April 1st. The remedy for recall 21S32 was insufficient. Within a month and a half I began hearing a metal clanking noise coming from the rear of the Explorer when I went over bumps. Very quickly the clanking became a lot of frequent loud squeaking. I brought it back to the dealership and they immediately heard the noise and were able to diagnose the problem as coming from the driver side rear wheel knuckle bushing. The service manager and the master technician both agreed that the suspension problem are a direct result of the recall work that was completed. While the Toe-link recall work was done correctly, the new torque placed on the knuckle bushing directly relating to the recall work has caused it to fail. It is obvious that the underlying defect caused the rear wheel knuckle to fail, leaving the vehicle unstable. Ford corporate is refusing to resolve the secondary structural damage caused by their defective safety component and their Safety Department refuses to provide a timeline for assistance.
Rear suspension toe links have failed after prior recall repair in Canada in May of 2022. The vehicle is now registered in the US and the recall repair has failed causing driving, suspension, and extreme tire wearing.
I had the rear toe links replaced under recall 21s32 on April 1, 2026. Within a month I started hearing a clunking noise from the back drivers side wheel whenever I hit a bump. My local mechanic looked at the Explorer and said the problem is the knuckle bushing. I contacted the Ford service department and asked them to fix it under customer satisfaction program 22N01. They told me I wasn’t eligible but for $185 they could do a diagnostic test and I’d be responsible for the full cost of any needed repairs.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim on both sides of the windshield started to detach. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 26V101000 (Suspension); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not available. The contact was informed that parts had been used to repair other vehicles after the contact had scheduled an appointment. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.
Steering is difficult and makes noises when turning
I was driving 30 MPH down a country road and the drivers side toe link broke about putting me in the ditch
Questions about the 2017 Ford Explorer suspension
Does the 2017 Ford Explorer have suspension problems?
Owners have filed 58 complaints about the suspension of the 2017 Ford Explorer, 3% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2017 Ford Explorer suspension problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 55,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2017 Ford Explorer suspension?
Yes, 4 recalls: 26V101000, 21V537000, 20V675000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Explorer have bad suspension?
The Ford Explorer model years with the most suspension complaints are 2002 (422 complaints), 1998 (111 complaints) and 1997 (105 complaints).
Other 2017 Ford Explorer problems
Body 661Engine 305Transmission 125Electrical 94Visibility 77Steering 76Wheels 60Fuel system 49Airbags 34Seat belts 23Brakes 22Tires 22Acceleration 21Driver assistance 21Seats 16Lights 12Locks 5
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