2017 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet
Engine overheats or leaks coolant
- 125owner reports
- 90,000median miles
- $4,000median quote
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Jun 9, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
301 of the 1,693 complaints on this car are about the engine. 125 of those describe overheating.
Tick what matches of 125 reports
Overheating 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: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Most owners in this group notice the coolant before they notice the heat: a reservoir that keeps dropping, a sweet smell, or a bright puddle under the front of the car. Across the vehicles on this site, about four in five of these complaints mention coolant, a leak or a puddle, and roughly two in five mention the temperature gauge or overheating.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the water pump (75 reports), the head gasket (13 reports), the coolant hose or reservoir (13 reports) and the radiator (6 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.
What owners paid
24 of the 125 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $3,000 to $6,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 72,524 and 110,000 miles, from the 78 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Brought car in for 100,000 mile tune up on 11/21. On 11/30, used the heater for the first time since having tune up done and the heater was blowing only cold air. Brought into ford today and was told that the water pump has a leak and needs to be replaced at a cost of $5,000. Car has 100,550 miles on it, mostly only driven on city roads and not freeway.”
Filed Dec 2, 2024 · 100,550 miles
“2.3L 4 cylinder engine has coolant intrusion causing a blown head gasket and requiring a super expensive repair that should be falling to Ford not the consumer. This is a design flaw and should be fixed ASAP. Coolant should not be intruding and leaking. This engine has around 76,000 miles and has only been owned for 1 year. Very disappointed in this.”
Filed Nov 19, 2024 · 76,000 miles
“2017 Ford Explorer 2.3L Ecoboost with 77,000 miles. Check engine light came on and I scanned the car for a cylinder 3 misfire. Changed all spark plugs and coil packs. Cleared the code and Cylinder 3 misfire is showing again. Overheating while idle. Car appears to be gulping down coolant with no sign of leaks.”
Filed Jul 19, 2024 · 77,000 miles
“Vehicle began leaking coolant. No warning lights came on or anything. Took into repair center and they advised that the water pump needed to be replaced. Over $3,000 to repair and the car is barely over 100,000 miles. Seems to be a major defect as I have read many complaints about this issue.”
Filed Mar 27, 2024 · 100,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 125 reports involved a crash and 3 people were hurt. 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 Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- Trim or a body panel comes off while driving 418 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 285 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
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 40 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