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

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound near the windshield. The contact then stated that the windshield trim panel detached from the windshield. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was transferred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11524392

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's side windshield trim detached and flew off the vehicle. Additionally, the windshield rubber gasket was flapping while driving, and the contact removed the rubber gasket from the windshield. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the windshield trim clips had fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

NHTSA ODI 11523786

Window trim pieces detached while driving on the highway, hitting window hard and then flying back into traffic. This is the 2nd piece of trim that has detached while on the highway. First piece was on further back on side.

NHTSA ODI 11523425

While traveling at highway speed on Interstate 20 W in Texas, the right A-pillar molding detached and flew off. There were no indications of the part beginning to loosen prior to detaching. I have not taken the vehicle to the dealer as it is out of warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11521470

I’ve had two instances of the windshield moulding becoming detached and flying off the car while on the highway. The first was a couple of years ago and involved the right side windshield moulding, this last one involved the left side windshield moulding. Each time I can’t be sure that the moulding didn’t fly into another car because it came off with such force, it actually scratched my car when it flew off. This is the second time I’ve had to pay over $300 to get the moulding replaced because of what I feel are faulty clips that hold it on. This poses a safety hazard to not only me (distraction when it comes off while on the highway) as well as other drivers around me. I feel this needs to be a recall issue and, if owners have paid to have said repairs already done, a reimbursement made for the repairs done to date. As an added note, I was at my grandson’s baseball game Friday night and there were three explorers in the parking lot, I ring mine. ALL THREE were missing one side of their windshield mouldings!!

NHTSA ODI 11521450

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the windshield trim panel was partially detached. The contact applied double-sided tape to prevent the windshield trim panel from completely detaching. The contact stated that the windshield trim panel had previously been replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 225,000.

NHTSA ODI 11520891

While driving on the interstate at 65mph, the driver side windshield trim cover and outer rubber windshield seal flew off the vehicle. There was no evidence of this possible issue prior to the event and no previous damage to the part.

NHTSA ODI 11520921

While I was driving on the highway at about 65 mph the passenger side plastic piece that runs from the top of the windshield to the bottom of the windshield flew off suddenly. This piece was large and had it hit the driver behind me could have caused serious damage. This has not been confirmed by a dealer yet. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone yet. There was no warning that it was about to come off the vehicle, it happened instantly.

NHTSA ODI 11519141

19April2023 at approximately 13:30 HRS, While traveling northbound highway 65 between Cullman and Hartselle Alabama, the right side windshield moulding detached while traveling approximately 70 MPH. The detached moulding flew rearward into traffic behind me. Upon inspection, it appears the piece is held in place by a single clip and a small strip of hook and loop tape. There were no warnings prior to the piece detaching itself from the vehicle

NHTSA ODI 11517905

While driving on I75 at 65MPH the front passenger side windshield panel on the edge of windshield flew off and and almost hit vehicle behind me. They had to swerve out of way of the flying object. Very scary incident on the highway. Had to have it replaced so as not to have an rust occur.

NHTSA ODI 11517055

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving on the freeway approximately 70 MPH, the front passenger’s side windshield trim detached from the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11515722

The piece between the windshield and the passenger side door came off while I was driving on the interstate.

NHTSA ODI 11515052

My wife and I were driving on the interstate at 80 mph and without warning, the passenger side exterior A-pillar molding flew off of the car ,hit our windshield and disappeared behind us.

NHTSA ODI 11514689

Pillar Trim piece next to windshield on the passagener side flew off my car while driving the speed limit of 65 on highway 20 in Iowa. Piece could have hit other cars, was fortunate no cars were near me.

NHTSA ODI 11513581

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the trim on the front windshield separated and detached from the vehicle. The dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated the failure was a known issue, and that there was no recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 16,000.

NHTSA ODI 11512180

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the trim between the driver’s side door and the windshield detached and flew off the vehicle. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The dealer informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle regarding the failure. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

NHTSA ODI 11511530

The passenger side windshield trim, separated from the vehicle at highway speeds, and landed onto the windshield of the vehicle behind me. Both vehicles were traveling at 75 mph when the incident occurred. I contacted my servicing Ford dealership, service, and parts department, to which both entities acknowledged this was a common problem for this year and model vehicle. I further inquired if any additional recalls for this trim component work on Ford’s recall list to which they said no. I am concerned because in 2020 a recall on the Ford Explorer roof rack rails, work executed, because those were separating from the vehicle at high rate of speed as well. Ford dealership quoted me $851 to replace both windshield trim components, both passenger and driver side a total of four plastic pieces. Ford also stated that the repair work would need to be done by a train service technician vice the end users themselves. Estimating approximately two hours of labor for both components would require the Ford vehicle owner to pay for $1000 to affect a repair which clearly is defective and unsafe at highway speeds. Separation of this component from the vehicle could have resulted in a high-speed collision and potential loss of life as a result of the failure of this part. I have also notified the Ford dealership that I intend to file a formal complaint on the defective parts with Ford motor company, as well as the NHTSA.

NHTSA ODI 11511337

On two separate occasions, the windshield trim panel blew off my Explorer while I was driving at highway speeds. This was the trim panel on the driver's side in both instances. I had it repaired the first time and then it happened again. I was told by Safelight, who repaired it the first time, that they have done dozens of these repairs. And, it happened to my brother-in-law's Ford Excursion. Just look around while you're driving and you will see many Ford SUVs with missing trim panels. The dealership refuses to fix it even under my extended warranty - even though it's clearly a defect - and it costs hundreds of dollars for the repair. I know Ford is aware of the problem and doesn't seem to care. A recall needs to be issued. The last time the trim blew off I was driving 65 miles an hour on I-10 in traffic - the trim could have easily hit another car - and may have for all I know.

NHTSA ODI 11510987

Passenger windshield trim detached and flew off at highway speed.

NHTSA ODI 11510078

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a rattling noise was heard underneath the vehicle. Additionally, water was entering the vehicle from the roof rack. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V675000 (Suspension), 21V537000 (Suspension), and 21V316000 (Structure). The contact stated that after taking the vehicle to a local dealer for the recall repairs, he was made aware that there was no mechanic available to complete the needed recall repairs. The contact stated that he was rescheduled on two other occasions. The vehicle was not repaired, and the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11509003

The molding for the windshield driver side flew off while driving on the highway

NHTSA ODI 11508659

2 pieces of the trim/body have fallen off while driving. One piece fell off and hit a car behind me in the windshield. This is common on these vehicles.

NHTSA ODI 11508478

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the driver’s side windshield side trim loosened. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and placed the trim back in place, but the failure reoccurred. The dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that the part was okay as-is. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be inspected. The failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA ODI 11508381

Windshield trim pieces flying off while driving down the highway.

NHTSA ODI 11507652

Windshield post molding flew off and damaged our mirror at 70MPH. I took it to the Ford dealer and they have had a number of these incidents, but they still charged me $335.

NHTSA ODI 11507356