FordExplorer2017Overview/ford/explorer/2017/base/

2017 Ford Explorer

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2017 Explorer.

Body SUV

The 2017 Ford Explorer is an SUV whose 5.7-quart, 5W-30 oil capacity reflects the sort of practical, owner-facing specification researchers should keep handy when evaluating this model year. With 1,668 total owner complaints and 15 recalls, the 2017 Explorer sits well below the model's historical peak of 3,620 complaints in 2002, yet it remains far from the low-water mark of just 12 complaints recorded in 1990. That positioning places this model year in the moderate range of the Explorer's decades-long complaint history — not the worst era by a wide margin, but carrying enough reported problems, with Structure issues leading the tally, that prospective owners should approach with informed caution rather than assumption-free confidence.

Model year202620252024202320212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI W/INTELLIGENT ACCESS: 65 · W/INTELLIGENT ACCESS: 650 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI W/INTELLIGENT ACCESS: 65 · W/INTELLIGENT ACCESS: 650 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnBODYOEM · verified
Tire size245/60R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rimNS inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length198.4 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height69.7 in
Wheelbase113 in
Curb weight4731 lb
Track (front / rear)66.9 / 66.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Explorer of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.8–6.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.80 sec — 2017 Platinum EcoBoost
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017Platinum EcoBoost 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.80 sec14.40 sec365 hpAWD
2017Platinum EcoBoost 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.50 sec15.00 sec365 hpAWD
2016Sport EcoBoost 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.00 sec14.60 sec365 hpAWD
2016Platinum EcoBoost 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.40 sec14.80 sec365 hpAWD
2016Limited 2.3L EcoBoost 2.3L Turbo I-48.20 sec16.30 sec280 hpAWD
2013Sport EcoBoost 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.90 sec14.50 sec365 hpAWD
2013Limited 3.5L V68.00 sec16.10 sec290 hpAWD
2012Limited 2.0L EcoBoost 2.0L Turbo I-49.20 sec16.90 sec240 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.7 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, Synthetic · 75W-80 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity9.0-12.0
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilSynthetic · 75W-80 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.0-4.0
Engine Coolant Capacity11.6
Engine Coolant Capacity13.0-13.5
Engine Oil5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5.7 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.1 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.1 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)Stage 1: 30 lb.ft
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)35.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)14.75 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)35.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug21.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug17.0 ft-lbs
Driveshaft Flange to Transmission83.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts111.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug15.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug19.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug9.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.030 in
Spark Plug Torque9.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.049-0.053 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Standard BCI Group NumberW/INTELLIGENT ACCESS: 65
Standard BCI Cranking PerformanceW/INTELLIGENT ACCESS: 650 cca
Optional BCI Group NumberW/O INTELLIGENT ACCESS: 59
Optional BCI Cranking PerformanceW/O INTELLIGENT ACCESS: 540 cca

Service checks

RPM55.1-75.4 rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)58
RPM58 rpm
RPM55.1-75.4 rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 53; Rear: 24
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 122; Rear: 26
ABS Sensor Torque8.5
Minimum Pad Thickness0.118 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishStamped on rotor
Maximum Rotor Runout0.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
162.0 inch lbs.62 in
212.0
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
171.0 inch lbs.71 in
245.0
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
160
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
189.0 inch lbs.89 in
221.0 ft. lbs.; Step 3; 90.021 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
117.0 ft. lbs.17 ft. lbs
232.0 ft. lbs.32 ft. lbs
390.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
174.0 ft. lbs.74 ft. lbs
2+ 90
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep New cylinder head bolts must be installed.

15.17 ft. lbs.5.17 ft. lbs
211.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
341.0 ft. lbs.41 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees
590 degrees90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
137.0 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
259.0 ft. lbs.59 ft. lbs
383.0 ft. lbs.83 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
144.0 inch lbs.44 in
218.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
390.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep GTDI engines · Cap bolts

124.0 ft. lbs.24 ft. lbs
2135.0 degrees; Side bolts135 degrees
133.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
290.0 degrees; TI-VCT engines; Cap bolts90 degrees
124.0 ft. lbs.24 ft. lbs
2135.0 degrees; Side bolts135 degrees
118.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
2180.0
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
189.0 inch lbs.89 in
217.0

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2017 Ford Explorer sits near the peak of the fifth generation's complaint and recall arc, with 1,668 complaints and 15 recalls—matching the generation's highest recall count seen in 2016. Complaints were notably elevated from 2013 through 2017, then dropped sharply in 2018 (710) and 2019 (285), indicating the 2017 model year was still experiencing the unresolved issues that plagued the earlier part of the generation. The top complaint area for 2017 was Structure (573 reports), followed by Engine and Power Train, though the data does not specify root causes for these patterns. With 33 crash-related and 10 fire-related complaints, safety concerns are present but not dominant relative to the total. Given that the 2017 model has a high recall count and complaint volume compared to the immediately following years, it is not a strong buy in this generation; later model years (2018–2019) show a clear downward trend in both metrics and represent a more reliable choice.

15
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
213
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,668
Owner complaints
33 involved a crash · 10 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,668 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure573
Unknown Or Other267
Engine134
Power Train75
Engine & Engine Cooling57
Wheels42
Steering41
Suspension31

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 14 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V651000SeatsReported 11/09/2019

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

19V435000Suspension:RearReported 10/06/2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension. Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 213 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
25B512026-05-08EngineCertain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model…
25N172026-03-25Unknown Or OtherAdvance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year…
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
TSB 25-25702025-11-26Electrical SystemThis article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles…
SSM 543662025-11-11Power TrainSome 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Explorer. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2017 Explorer take?

5.7 qt of 5W-30 Meeting Ford specification WSS-M2C946-A or equivalent., per the factory manual.

Does the 2017 Explorer have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 15 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.