Recall 17V401 affects 4 2017 Ford Explorer Police Intercept vehicles for missing second-row seat attachments. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 4 2017 Explorer Police Intercept vehicles because the second row seats are missing two front inboard attachments. In a crash, those seats can fail to restrain an occupant properly and raise the risk of injury; Ford dealers will install the missing attachments free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The second row seat in the 2017 Ford Explorer Police Intercept is supposed to be bolted to the rear floor pan at its mounting points. The front inboard studs and nuts are part of that attachment system. They help keep the seat fixed in position and help the seat belt anchorage work as designed in a crash.
On affected vehicles, the rear floor pan was built without the two front inboard attachments for the second row seat. Ford traced the issue to floor pans supplied with missing hardware, then found that some vehicles were shipped without the intended assembly plant repair. With those attachments missing, the seat is not secured the way the seating system was certified, which reduces occupant crash performance.
Before a crash, the clue is physical movement. A second row seat with missing front inboard attachments can feel loose and make noise when the vehicle moves or when someone sits in that row.
Who's affected?
| 2017 Ford Explorer Police Intercept | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 4 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2017 Ford Explorer Police Intercept SUV is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A second row seat with missing inboard attachments can sit loose and make noise. In a crash, that seat can fail to restrain an occupant properly, increasing injury risk. If the seat feels loose or makes noise, limit passenger use there and schedule the inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017 Ford Explorer Police Intercept is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free inspection and installation of the second row seat attachment studs that secure the rear seat in a crash.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V401 or Ford recall 17C10 when you call.
- Avoid using the second row seat until the dealer confirms the attachment studs are installed.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the vehicle to confirm whether the second row seat attachment studs are installed. If the studs are missing, the technician installs them. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the original warranty program, not through a separate reimbursement program, because Ford says the warranty provides a free repair for this concern. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| June 26, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 14, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 18, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 18, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V401?
Recall 17V401 covers 4 2017 Ford Explorer Police Intercept vehicles missing the front inboard attachments for the second-row seats. The missing attachments mean the seats do not meet federal seating and seat-belt anchorage standards. Ford dealers will inspect the seat attachment studs and install them for free if needed.
What should I do if my 2017 Ford Explorer Police Intercept is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 17V401. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall number 17V401 or Ford recall number 17C10. The dealer will inspect the second-row seat attachments and install missing studs for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Ford dealers will inspect the second-row seat attachment studs and install any missing studs free of charge, including parts and labor.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that a second-row seat with missing inboard attachments will not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash. That increases injury risk. Recall 17V401 addresses the problem through a dealer inspection and free installation of the missing seat attachment studs.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V401000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V401 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V401000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →