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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 7 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $30,316–$38,651 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2017 Ford Explorer is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.2/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.0/10, while Reliability at 6.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.7/10 for reliability, this suv trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 8.0/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.1/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. At 7.1/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $30,316–$38,651, 17 MPG, seating 7, the Ford Explorer sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. At 7.1/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 9 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2017 Ford Explorer sits in the middle of the field. Until its reliability scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2017 Ford Explorer ranks #1611 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 34% of the segment. Its 7.2/10 overall score is 0.2 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $30,316 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 16%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $35k →
Across the Explorer model years we've scored, the 2017 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.6/10 | $39,526 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.6/10 | $39,526 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.5/10 | $38,375 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.4/10 | $37,223 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.6/10 | $36,072 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.4/10 | $34,921 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.3/10 | $33,770 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.3/10 | $32,618 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.3/10 | $31,467 | Read review → |
| 2017 (this review) | 7.2/10 | $30,316 | |
| 2016 | 7.1/10 | $29,165 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.1/10 | $28,013 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Seats 11/09/2019 · 19V651000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with power front seats. The seat frames may have sharp edges. |
|---|---|
| Suspension / Rear 10/06/2019 · 19V435000 | 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. |
| Wheels / Hub 28/08/2017 · 17E048000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured… |
| Steering 28/08/2017 · 17V530000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Explorer, Taurus and Police Interceptor Utility and Sedan vehicles. The steering gear heat shield fasteners may corrode, allowing the heat shield to detach. |
| Seats / Front assembly / Recliner 22/05/2017 · 17V332000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Explorer, F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 vehicles equipped with a manual driver's seat back recliner mechanism. In the event of a crash, the seat back frame may not restrain the occupant due… |
Showing 5 of 13 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
We rate the 2017 Ford Explorer's reliability 6.7/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 13 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
13 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.2/10 overall, ranking #1611 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 34% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2017 Ford Explorer starts at $30,316 and ranges up to $38,651 across trims (MSRP when new). At 17 MPG, expect roughly $3,088/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Ford models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.