Ford Explorer Recall

Big News from Ford: Another Recall

So, get this. Ford is back in the spotlight, and not in the way they’d like. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has just announced a recall that’s bound to make some heads turn. We’re talking about nearly half a million Ford Explorers, specifically the ones rolling out from June 11, 2015, to April 19, 2017. These are the 2016 and 2017 models that need some attention due to a pretty quirky yet potentially dangerous issue.

The Problem

What’s all the fuss about? It’s the “driver and front passenger door B-pillar trim appliques.” These are the small bits of plastic near the handles that could suddenly decide to break free while on the road, which isn’t just annoying but could be risky for everyone nearby. The good folks at the NHTSA say this could up the chances of an accident, especially if those trim parts become road hazards.

Recognizing the Issue

If there’s a rogue Explorer in the driveway, there are a couple of tells to look out for. Check for trim pieces coming loose when opening the doors or strange noise when cruising down the highway. If the Explorers are acting noisy from the B-pillar areas, that’s a good hint of trouble.

Why it Happened

The root cause? Well, it’s said to be a mix of design adjustments and manufacturing inconsistencies. Ford revamped the use of foam donuts on the adhesive side of the panel, which beefed up the outward force on the trim. There was also a manual roller process in place during assembly that didn’t quite do its job every time.

Inside the Investigation

Ford caught the issue early, way back in July 2019. They even went as far as issuing a technical service bulletin at that time. But they didn’t see it as an “unreasonable risk to safety.” Fast forward to March 2025, the NHTSA had received over three dozen vehicle owner reports.

Now, as Ford digs deeper, they’ve found over 1,400 warranty claims related to this issue in the U.S. alone. Lucky for all, no injuries or accidents have been tied to this problem, which is a relief.

The Bigger Picture

This isn’t Ford’s only hiccup lately. On the same day, they also flagged a recall on the 2025 Ford Maverick for airbag issues. Then, there’s 1.1 million Ford vehicles needing fixes for rearview camera glitches, all happening within the same week. Ford’s having a bit of a rough time shaking off these recall headaches, but the good news is that most of these imperfections are caught before causing real harm.

Seems like Ford’s quality control crews are really earning their keep. The future holds hopes for smoother, more dependable rides from Ford, with these quality checks tightening up the game.