2017 Ford Explorer

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to perform the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the driver's side and passenger's side B-pillar trims detached from the vehicle. The contact used tape and hot glue to reattach the B-pillar trims to the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

See attached document for complaint.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH on the interstate, the engine light illuminated and the vehicle stopped in the middle lane. The contact was able to maneuver and coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road. The instrument panel was illuminated afterwards. The contact stated that the failure was like NHTSA Action Number: DP26008 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was towed by Firestone and then towed to the local dealer, where the engine was replaced. The manufacturer was contacted, and two letters were sent, three emails were sent to the CEO, and two phone calls were made to Ford Customer Service, who opened a case, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 55,000.

There is a driver's safety-restraint malfunction with a failure mode such that the tongue (male end of seat-belt) will not insert normally into the buckle (female end) unless the red release button is depressed. The driver buckle failure results in a failure in the vehicle's personal safety system. The component has not been inspected or confirmed by a dealer, as Ford Motor Company has indicated this will be an out-of-pocket cost replacement due to the extended warranty on this buckle no longer being applicable - Ford issued voluntary special field action 23L06 related to the driver's side buckle that expired March 31 2025.

Ford diagnosed the A-Pillar recall (Ford Recall Notice 24S02) condition on January 13, 2026, confirmed that the vehicle requires the recall repair, and placed the vehicle in the repair queue. The obstacle preventing completion of the repair is not the dealership. Rather, it is Ford Motor Company's continued inability to provide sufficient replacement parts to its dealer network. I have been advised that the waiting list for this repair is approaching 300 customers and the dealer is receiving only a very limited number of replacement parts from Ford. Based on the information provided to me, the dealership is receiving approximately three to four replacement parts at a time. As a result, the inability to complete the repair is attributable to the supply of parts from Ford, not the actions of the dealership. Ford's suggestion that I simply return to the dealer does not address the underlying issue. The dealer has already diagnosed the defect, identified the required repair, and acknowledged that the repair cannot be completed until Ford supplies sufficient replacement parts. Further, the current allocation of parts suggests that the delay may be substantial. Assuming a waiting list of approximately 300 customers and replacement parts being supplied at a rate of only three to four units at a time, many customers could potentially face wait times measured in years rather than weeks or months. While actual delivery schedules may vary, this demonstrates why directing affected owners back to the dealership does not provide a meaningful resolution when the necessary parts remain unavailable. The Ford dealer used tap to temporary repair the condition as seen in photos which keeps the A-Pillar covers from detacting while driving the vehicle.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving, the driver's side B-Pillar trim detached and was hanging off the vehicle with the wiring exposed. The contact used a bungee cord to secure the driver's side B-Pillar trim to the vehicle. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the parts to repair the vehicle were unavailable. The contact was informed that the parts were unavailable until July 2027. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 63,500.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure); however, the failure recurred with the front and rear driver's side roof rail covers detaching. The contact also received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the driver’s and front passenger’s side door B-pillar trims had detached. The contact duct-taped the front and rear driver's side roof rail covers and the driver’s and front passenger’s side door B-pillar trims. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The contact had to pay for the front and rear driver's side roof rail covers to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

Ever since my B pillar came off my car my cabin lights stay on longer than usual and my trunk cant be opened, both being an inconvenience. Dealer agreed the lights stay on because of what broke off but since theres no remedy they cant do anything about it. Ive already had to purchase a battery and will soon prob going to need to again but ford will not pay for one despite it being they're fault.