2017 Ford Explorer exterior lighting problems
11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the exterior lighting on the 2017 Ford Explorer — 1% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The trunk does not open. The lift gate error message comes on. The lights stay on longer than they should and the battery is drained. This all resulted after the b pillar flew off on the high way. I have had duct tape on my car for over a year and unable to access the trunk.”
filed Jul 6, 2026
“The driver side headlight low beam LED stopped functioning. I noticed moisture inside the headlight housing. I bought a replacement headlight unit and a control module. The replacement headlight housing has also had the low beam go out, again. Now I have to purchase a module to see if the headlight…”
filed Jun 5, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Exterior Lighting problems in other Explorer years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Explorer | 3 | 3% |
| 2023 Explorer | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 Explorer | 4 | 2% |
| 2021 Explorer | 8 | 2% |
| 2020 Explorer | 51 | 4% |
| 2018 Explorer | 4 | 1% |
| 2016 Explorer | 6 | 0% |
| 2015 Explorer | 17 | 1% |
| 2014 Explorer | 25 | 1% |
| 2013 Explorer | 25 | 1% |
| 2012 Explorer | 6 | 1% |
| 2011 Explorer | 6 | 1% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2017 Ford Explorer
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.