What 2,428 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Explorer Gas

I REPORTED A PROBLEM 1/23/24 CONCERNING THE TRIM BLOWING OFF BY THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, I SAW ON THE NEWS THAT THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE BUT I ALSO THINK THAT THE COWLING WHERE THE WIPERS ARE ATTACHED SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO, THIS PIECE IS FALLING APART AND WHEN DRIVING THE WIND GETS UNDER THE TRIM PIECES CAUSING IT TO BLOW OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11567745

I was driving down the interstate and heard a tapping/clicking sound from the right side of my windshield that got progressively worse. Before I could stop at the next exit to examine the cause, I noticed an object falling to the ground in my rearview mirror just as the noise stopped. After exiting and looking at the area where the noise was coming from, I noticed a trim piece missing. I later identified the missing trim piece as the passenger side Windshield Outer A-Pillar Trim Molding. Our 2016 Explorer was purchased new in 2015 and has never been in an accident or suffered any damage that could have caused the trim piece to detach. Since replacing the trim piece, I can hear faint fluttering from the same area. The trim piece appears slightly loose, although I've been told it's as secure as it can get. This happened around a year ago. I didn't think to report it until I read an article earlier about a recall for a loose trim piece on Ford Explorers. My first thought was that it was going to be about the same issue I experienced, but it was for a trim piece on the roof rails. I decided to submit this report in case this has happened to others with similar generations of our Explorer.

NHTSA ODI 11567458

We were driving down [XXX] between Houston and San Antonio on [XXX], when we heard a loud noise but felt nothing. When we were ready to leave our destination, the front-driver's side windshield panel was gone. It had blown off going down the road. There was no warning that the panel was loose nor any warning that it was gone. We could have been seriously hurt or killed if the part had come through the windshield. We are thankful that it did not hit and or kill a motorcyclist or cause a wreck where someone else could have been hurt or killed. There is no way to know if a later travelling car received damage due to the part being in the freeway or if it caused a wreck. I am also concerned that the windshield will leak since there is nothing covering the edge of the windshield. My car is available for inspection, but I do not have the panel. I spoke with Mia at Ford Customer Service (800-392-3673) on January 22, 2024. There is nothing that Ford is doing at the time to help car owners. Mia said to keep all paper work incase Ford decides to do some repairs in the future. I will get my car fixed but not at Ford. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11567149

The cowling where the windshield wipers are attached is falling apart this caused the pillar molding bracket to blow off on I-95 may have struck another vehicle. The ford dealer estimated it would cost $1223.72 to repair.

NHTSA ODI 11566207

The windshield Trim panel flew off at highway speed.

NHTSA ODI 11562607

The windshield trim on the drivers side and passenger side has come off while driving 70+ mph on the interstate. The drivers side flew off and hit my windshield. A few weeks later the passenger flew off and the car behind me had to swerve to avoid being hit by it. This is dangerous for me as the driver of the vehicle because it could have cracked my windshield while I was driving and it puts the other drivers in danger from flying objects.

NHTSA ODI 11560891

Passenger-side A-Pillar Molding Windshield Outer Trim flew off while driving on the highway.

NHTSA ODI 11558540

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that water was accumulating in the rear driver’s side cupholder. In addition, the contact also stated that water was leaking through the rear speakers as well. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a crack in the driver-side roof rack panel which was repaired out of pocket. The contact was assured by the dealer that water pressure tests were performed on the vehicle which showed that there were no present leaks on the vehicle. Upon return of the vehicle, the contact stated that the passenger’s side of the vehicle had experienced the same failure. The failure was later linked to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The contact was also referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 11557868

I was driving on the highway and heard a loud noise didn’t know what it was until I got home and realized my windshield trim on passenger side was not on there anymore. It had flown off while driving down the highway.

NHTSA ODI 11555366

In 2021, driving down the highway, our driver side windshield trim partially broke free and started smacking against the driver side window before breaking off and flying behind the vehicle. Then in July 2023, the passenger side windshield trim broke free on the highway. Appears the rubber seal disintegrates allowing the wind to grab it and rip the plastic trim piece off the vehicle. Currently, the rubber seal on the engine cowl windshield trim is disintegrating also.

NHTSA ODI 11554161

Passenger Side windshield molding Trim flew off on the highway speed.

NHTSA ODI 11553537

The driver side panels on my front windshield flew off while driving on the highway and then the passenger side broke and the lining ripped out slapping the side window. I know at least 4 other people whose Explorers have done the same and see them all the time driving around broken and gone. How is this ok? It could have hit another car or person when it flew off.

NHTSA ODI 11550939

The windshield trim on the passenger side of my 2016 Ford Explorer came flying off my car while I was traveling at about 70mph. The piece flew upwards and backwards. I was not able to see if it hit any of the cars behind me. I was not able to stop to retrieve the piece. I've included a picture below. My car is available for inspection upon request. The safety of the drivers behind me was obviously put at risk having to dodge the flying part. I have not brought the car in for the repair yet, so they have not inspected it, nor has the police or insurance company. I just wanted you to know about it. There were no symptoms before the incident occurred.

NHTSA ODI 11550691

Both Front windshield trims flew off while driving. Each side different days. On highway driving when saw something fly on side of my vehicle and almost hit vehicle beside me. I was forced to pull over check my vehicle and noticed windshield trim missing.

NHTSA ODI 11550471

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after it had rained, water entered the vehicle through the sunroof and would accumulate inside the roof of the vehicle. While coming to a stop while driving, the water would flow to the front of the vehicle and leak inside the cabin through the ceiling light console. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer on multiple occasions where they replaced the flooring and the sunroof; however, the failure returned after each repair. The vehicle was also taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the drain tube inside the sunroof had become clogged which resulted in water accumulation inside the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11548057

The power liftgate stop working. The liftgate light on dashboard shows liftgate open and the power liftgate does not work open nor closes.

NHTSA ODI 11544216

Twice I have been driving down the highway and have had the right front passenger side trim break off of the car. The first time it was caught between the door and the passenger side mirror and I was able to retrieve. Took to the dealer and they repaired. The second time it happened the same piece came off and flew off into freeway. A month ago I heard a loud noise while driving sounding like something struck my car and it was the molding on the passenger side door window that came off while driving down the interstate and was unretrievable. I have taken to repair shop to be replaced and see if any other possible issues with the trim and they have found cracks in the same trim pieces on both side rear windows.

NHTSA ODI 11543787

While driving on the freeway, the driver side windshield trim broke and flew off the vehicle. The safety of the vehicle traveling behind us was put at risk due to the flying debris. There were no warning lamps or messages displayed prior to this happening. The vehicle has not been inspected yet.

NHTSA ODI 11543874

The windshield trim on the passenger side flew off the vehicle unexpectedly while driving at highway speeds. The piece hit the windshield and then flew off causing me to almost run off the road. Thankfully, it did not strike another vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11543922

Driving highway speed, passenger side A pillar trim flew off of vehicle. Called Ford, they responded that no support was available for this incident. Self-repaired.

NHTSA ODI 11543574

Driving highway speed, passenger side B pillar trim flew off of the vehicle. Since Ford denied any responsibility with first call (complaint 11543574) I did not contact. Self-repaired.

NHTSA ODI 11543575

Driving highway speed, top part of driver's side B pillar trim (key entry pad) broke off. This required emergency pullover to try and secure remaining bottom part of the pillar that was attached with keypad wiring. Unable to secure, I continued travel on service road at slow rate of speed and secured with duct tape later for my drive home. Since Ford refused assistance for first incident (11543574 passenger side A pillar trim) I did not report this incident. Self-repaired later. Additional complaint filed 11543575 for passenger side B pillar trim.

NHTSA ODI 11543577

As I was driving over a bridge at approximately 45 mph, the A-pillar trim on the driver's side of the windshield broke and flew off of my car and hit the car behind me. Then, a few days later, as I was getting my car washed, the luggage rack cover blew off while going through the dryer at the end. Coincidentally, I received notice of a recall on the luggage rack system in the mail about 2 months after it happened and that has been replaced but my A-pillars have not.....seems to me they are related issues. Luckily, no one was hurt and no accident was caused.

NHTSA ODI 11543601

While driving on the highway the drivers side windshield trim flew off the vehicle, narrowly missing the car behind me. Soon after, the rubber weatherstripping came loose and I had to open my window and pull it inside the vehicle before it, too, flew off and had the potential to hit another vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11543345

Passenger side windshield trim broke and flew off of vehicle as it was being driven.

NHTSA ODI 11542614