Diagsheet

2017 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet

Seat belt or seat problems

  • 38owner reports
  • 46,500median miles
  • 4involved a crash

Newest report Sep 3, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

38 of the 1,683 complaints on this car describe seat belt.

Tick what matches of 38 reports

12
6
4
4
6

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the buckle (11 reports).

Recalls and investigations

2 recalls on the seat belts cover the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

19V-651Sep 11, 2019
Seats

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with power front seats. The seat frames may have sharp edges.

Risk and remedy
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.
17V-332May 22, 2017
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner

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 and remedy
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.

NHTSA investigations into the seat belts on the Explorer

PE03-020opened May 21, 2003
Seats · model years 1998 to 2001

Front seat back recliner attachment. Closed sep 5, 2003, led to recall 03V-281.

NHTSA summary
BY LETTER DATED AUGUST 4, 2003, FORD NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 03V281) INVOLVING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2001 FORD EXPLORER / MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 4-DOOR, MY 1998-2000 FORD EXPLORER 2-DOOR AND MY 2001-2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT AND SPORT TRAC VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HIGH BACK SEATS.COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK RECLINED WITHOUT WARNING.A BOLT BETWEEN THE UPPER SEAT RECLINER ATTACHMENT AND THE SEAT BACK FRAME MAY FRACTURE.FORD WILL REPLACE THE BOLT THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT.BASED ON FORD'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
EA02-011opened Jul 2, 2002
Seat Belts · model years 1995

Safety belt assembly failure. Closed may 21, 2003.

NHTSA summary
ODI RECEIVED 18 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND FORD IDENTIFIED ANOTHER FOUR REPORTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS INDICATE INABILITY TO LATCH THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAUSED BY A BROKEN LATCH RELEASE SPRING.NONE OF THESE 22 REPORTS RESULTED IN ANY INJURIES OR CRASHES.NO COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS.FORD CONDUCTED LIFE-CYCLE TESTING ON 6 FIELD SAMPLE BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.THE RESULTS OF THAT TESTING DEMONSTRATED THAT THE TESTED BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES COULD BE EXPECTED TO OPERATE PROPERLY BEYOND THE EXPECTED LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.BASED ON THE LIMITED NUMBER OF REPORTS AND COMPLAINTS RECEIVED, AND A DECLINING COMPLAINT TREND, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXIST DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PE02-007opened Jan 23, 2002
Seat Belts · model years 1995

Safety belt assembly. Closed jul 2, 2002.

NHTSA summary
EA01-008opened Feb 26, 2001
Seat Belts · model years 1999 to 2000

Seat belt webbing. Closed apr 25, 2002.

NHTSA summary
ODI OPENED PE00-044INVESTIGATION ON NOVEMBER 3, 2000, BASED ON A REPORT REGARDING THE DEATH OF THE OCCUPANT OF THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT IN A 2000 MODEL YEAR FORD EXPLORER XLS INVOLVED IN A ROLL-OVER CRASH.IT IS ALLEGED THAT THE WEBBING OF THE BUCKLE PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY FAILED DURING THE CRASH.THE OCCUPANT WAS PARTIALLY EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE, THEREBY SUSTAINING FATAL INJURIES.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN OPENED FOR FURTHER STUDY.
PE00-044opened Nov 3, 2000
Seat Belts · model years 2000

Seat belt webbing. Closed feb 26, 2001.

NHTSA summary
ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON NOVEMBER 3, 2000, BASED ON A REPORT REGARDING THE DEATH OF THE OCCUPANT OF THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT IN A 2000 MODEL YEAR FORD EXPLORER XLS INVOLVED IN A ROLL-OVER CRASH.IT IS ALLEGED THAT THE WEBBING OF THE BUCKLE PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY FAILED DURING THE CRASH.THE OCCUPANT WAS PARTIALLY EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE, THEREBY SUSTAINING FATAL INJURIES.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED FOR FURTHER STUDY.
PE92-084opened Oct 23, 1992
Seats · model years 1990 to 1991

Front seat track failure. Closed feb 26, 1993.

NHTSA summary
There is no summary currently available

None of these investigations covers the 2017 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 27,000 and 78,000 miles, from the 19 reports that gave a mileage.

116
417
518
519
420
321
122
123
224
925
326

What owners wrote

“My back seatbelts are not working and my family feels unsafe without being able to put the seatbelts on.”

Filed Jul 23, 2026

“Rear passenger side seat belt strap is twisted and stuck in fully extended position.”

Filed Dec 4, 2025

“Passenger side/right side second row bucket seat = seat belt broke. Called numerous dealerships and were on a waiting list of over 350 that need a seatbelt. No seat belts available. Unable to fix problem. Safety issue due to no seat belt. No warning lamps or messages.”

Filed Apr 11, 2025

“Passenger seatbelt frayed, inside electrical goes haywire when cold weather, transmission slipping was rebuilt under warranty lasted one week and is slipping again shifting hard, B panels falling off A panel was recalled but panel wasn’t?”

Filed Mar 9, 2025

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 4 of 38 reports involved a crash and 7 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.

Other problems on this car