2017 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 40owner reports
- 92,361median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Aug 8, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
301 of the 1,693 complaints on this car are about the engine. 40 of those describe engine failure.
Tick what matches of 40 reports
Engine failure on other Explorer years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (39 reports) and the turbo (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the engine cover the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components.
All 14 recalls on the 2017 Ford Explorer, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Explorer
Loss of motive power. Closed oct 31, 2024, led to recall 24V-635.
Exhaust odor in passenger cab. Closed jan 17, 2023.
Ford explorer exhaust odor. Closed sep 12, 2017.
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head. Closed jan 4, 2006.
Engine cooling fan cracks. Closed aug 31, 1994.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 76,000 and 133,000 miles, from the 25 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Own a 2017 Ford Explorer 2.3L EcoBoost with 116K miles, out of the blue the vehicle started to overheat the engine, with no coolant left in the reservoir. Took it to a mechanic who stated that the engine is not that old and that it was unsure of why the head gasket was blown. It is believed by many including a Class Action Law Suite that Ford is aware of the possible overheating issues with their EcoBoost engines.”
Filed May 13, 2025 · 116,000 miles
“Coolant on garage floor. Researched and found common among this engine, Called dealer. Said do not drive and get to dealer. Can cause engine seizure and breakdown if internal coolant leakage has started. Dealer stated they see at least one a week of this water pump problem.”
Filed Apr 4, 2025
“My transmission went out at 70k miles. Ford told me it was the engine causing the transmission to seize but since they didnât have an official recall on it, they wouldnât fix it. It cost me 5k to fix and they had to get 3 different transmissions from ford because the first two were defective. I was out of a car for 8 months”
Filed Mar 14, 2024 · 70,000 miles
“Head gasket failure allowing coolant to leak into cylinder 1. Starts rough, but could result in lost of power or engine failure while driving. Ford dealer has confirmed the issue and said this shouldn't happen to a car with only 77,500 miles on it (2017 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD 2.3L Ecoboost 4 cyl. engine). Have to repair or replace engine depending upon the extend of damage.”
Filed Feb 28, 2024 · 77,500 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 40 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Trim or a body panel comes off while driving 418 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 285 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 125 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 76 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 65 reports
- Water leaks into the cabin 61 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 59 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 57 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 51 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 50 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 39 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 34 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 34 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 30 reports
- Paint peels or body rusts 30 reports