2017 Ford Explorer: Engine complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 305 owner complaints for the 2017 Ford Explorer that list the engine component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11770400 (filed 10/11/2026): “Both turbochargers on my 2017 ford explorer platinum with the 3.5l ecoboost v6 have failed. the first turbocharger failed and was replaced in 2025. on august 10, 2026, at about 138,000 miles, the second turbocharger failed: the vehicle lost power and poured thick white smoke from the exhaust as engi…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11770425 (filed 10/11/2026): “This is a second complaint for the same vehicle. complaint number 11770400, filed today, understated the failure history, and i am filing this one so the complete record is in the database. vehicle: 2017 ford explorer platinum, 3.5l ecoboost v6, vin [xxx]. the first turbocharger failure occurred i…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11768953 (filed 10/05/2026): “Sudden catastrophic engine failure due to coolant mixing. this resulted in a safety issue due to time and location of the event. from online consumer reports this event happens just after 100,000 miles to the 2017 ford explorer suv's and is a known event that ford has not disclosed. regular mai…”
Likely causes
These complaints do not establish a single root cause; read the examples above and get a diagnosis.
Fix, in plain English
No single fix is established by these reports. Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer about technical service bulletins (TSBs) or extended warranty coverage, then have the system diagnosed.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range for this issue. Get a written quote after diagnosis.
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