Home · 2016 Ford Explorer · Complaints

What 2,429 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Explorer

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (2,429)Crash / fire / injury (77)Body & structure (574)Steering (527)Engine (379)Transmission & drivetrain (213)Electrical system (124)Engine & cooling (114)Fuel system (110)Airbags (99)Speed control (76)Suspension (73)

Newest first · 2,429 complaints · page 17 of 98

Feb 24, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11644463

Feb 24, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. While the contact's husband was driving 65 MPH, the driver's side windshield trim clips detached and flew off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that the parts were not yet available to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11644482

Feb 24, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for recall repair. The dealer performed an inspection on the vehicle and informed the contact that the vehicle had passed the recall inspection and did not need the recall remedy; however, the contact stated that the passenger's side windshield exterior A-pillar trim later detached. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that no assistance could be provided because the vehicle had previously passed the recall inspection. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 95,200.

NHTSA ODI 11644581

Feb 24, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the driver's side A-pillar trim had partially detached from the vehicle. There was an abnormal sound of wind detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact informed another local dealer, Suntrup Ford—Kirkwood Service (10340 Manchester Rd, Kirkwood, MO 63122); but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11644607

Feb 19, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the A-Pillar Trim Clip Attachment detached. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11643668

Feb 19, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11643683

Feb 18, 2025Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the message to service the vehicle was displayed. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle, and waited for several minutes before restarting the vehicle and the message was no longer displayed. The contact stated that while depressing accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was inspected to see if there were any leaks coming from the transmission. The contact called the Bob Johnson Auto Group to schedule an appointment for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.

NHTSA ODI 11643355

Feb 14, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where aftermarket A-pillar trims were installed on the vehicle to prevent the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11642784

Feb 13, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH on the highway, the contact saw something flapping on the windshield. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact merged over to the side of the road and his wife became aware that the trim was raised up and removed the trim. The contact drove to a nearby Auto Zone and bought glue for the windshield. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that parts would be available in two months. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11642635

Feb 5, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11640787

Feb 5, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11640832

Feb 4, 2025Steering

Vehicles steering is extremely difficult to turn, power steering fluids have been checked and changed out as well. Issue persists in high and low speeds

NHTSA ODI 11640716

Feb 3, 2025Body & structure

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI 11640378

Jan 28, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the driver's side A-pillar detached from the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted and replaced the A-pillar trim. The contact stated that on a separate occasion while driving 50 MPH, the driver's side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired for the most recent failure. The contact stated that the passenger’s side A-pillar trim was loose. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11639194

Jan 27, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH at nighttime, the passenger's side windshield exterior A-pillar trim separated from the vehicle and flew off. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,850. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11638890

Jan 24, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 55-60 MPH, the front windshield trim detached from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11638207

Jan 24, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the A-pillar trims on the driver’s and passenger’s sides of the vehicle had detached. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11638256

Jan 24, 2025Electrical system

The car will give an error “service charging system now” the car will then lose power steering and the ability to give it gas. Eventually , minutes later it will completely lose all power while in use. This has happened on several occasions, started in 2023. Had it checked and nothing was found and again it happened 01/15/2025

NHTSA ODI 11638275

Jan 23, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11638114

Jan 22, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH on the highway, the contact saw an unknown part separate from the vehicle. The contact pulled over at a rest station and became aware that the A-pillar trim was missing. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 159,944. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.

NHTSA ODI 11637637

Jan 21, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim on the passenger’s side of the windshield started to detach. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11637490

Jan 21, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, one of the roof rails covers separated and struck the windshield of another vehicle. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a roof rail cover was installed. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving on another occasion, the other roof rail cover separated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the roof rail cover was replaced. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that one of the roof rail covers had separated again. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 20N11. The dealer was notified of the failure. The contact declined to pay for additional repairs because the repairs were not correcting the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11637288

Jan 20, 2025

I am writing to formally express my profound disappointment with the excessive delay in shipping parts related to the recall of the A-Pillar trim piece for my vehicle. It has been over two months since the dealer removed these trim pieces from my car in compliance with the recall process, yet the replacement parts have not been provided. This delay is both unacceptable and deeply frustrating, as it has resulted in my vehicle being driven in a state that is visibly unprofessional and not reflective of the quality standards I expected from Ford. I trusted Ford to address safety and recall issues in a timely and efficient manner, as required under federal law. Unfortunately, my experience with this matter has fallen far short of those expectations.

NHTSA ODI 11637137

Jan 19, 2025Visibility & wipers

Molding on front windshield is damaged and coming off affect visibility

NHTSA ODI 11636914

Jan 18, 2025SteeringElectrical system

I was driving 55mph (speed limit) down a curvy country road when the steering wheel became stiff and wouldn’t turn. A red light flashed and said I had lost steering. I was barely able to get stopped before going of a steep embankment. I was stoped in a dangerous spot with no way get out of oncoming traffic. My vehicle flashed a yellow light that said Terrain management system failure. No only was my life risk everyone that traveled down that road that morning. This included a school bus full of children and several other people that were trying to make it so work just like me.

NHTSA ODI 11636708

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How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 Ford Explorer verdict →