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 19 of 98

Dec 11, 2024Body & 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 11630090

Dec 11, 2024Body & 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. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11630129

Dec 11, 2024Body & structure

One of the Pilar (passenger side )flew off

NHTSA ODI 11630220

Dec 9, 2024

I have an open recall. I received the letter in Feb of this year. It is now Dec... Everytime I call the dealership, I get put on hold with no resolution. The recall states that parts will be available late 2024. I would say it's late 2024... when will this issue get rectified? The part has been off since March. I have noticed some leaking condensation/water recently on the inside of the front windshield. Thank you for your help in this matter. Respectfully, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11629768

Dec 6, 2024Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated after the failure had occurred. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that when the vehicle was parked, the engine seized. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed there was water from the water pump on the ground underneath the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to a nearby auto parts store. The contact was informed that the failure might be due to the coolant pump failure. The technician refilled the coolant reservoir with water. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ODI 11629167

Dec 6, 2024Body & 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11629266

Dec 3, 2024Airbags

As I was driving the vehicle the airbags deployed without a collision. I was in the car with my wife and 2 month old son. Had we been going full speed it could've been much worse than it was. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The car has not been inspected in any way. The insurance company is currently attempting to deny the claim based on pictures alone. There were no warning lamps prior to the airbag deployment regarding the airbags. We did not hit another car. I was able to stop the car in the middle of the onramp.

NHTSA ODI 11628617

Dec 2, 2024Body & structure

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while the contact's wife was driving at 70 MPH, the passenger front windshield trim detached and flew off. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. In addition, the driver's side windshield trim was detached. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fractured passenger's side windshield trim, however the contact was informed that the parts were unavailable. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 34V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however was unable to confirm when the part was to become available. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ODI 11628393

Nov 27, 2024Body & 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11627691

Nov 26, 2024Body & 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11627607

Nov 22, 2024Body & structure

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the Exterior A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. 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 98,250. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11626806

Nov 14, 2024SuspensionWheels

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH exiting a residential area. The front wheel axle came apart. The contact's husband removed the shocks. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to her residence. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17E048000 (Wheels, Suspension). The contact called the local dealer, who confirmed there were no associated recalls. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.

NHTSA ODI 11625307

Nov 12, 2024Body & 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11624738

Nov 12, 2024Body & structure

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The contact stated that while diving on several occasions at various speeds, he and his wife observed an abnormal sound coming from the windshield. On one occasion, the contact’s wife observed that the hard rubber had detached and was flopping against the window. The contact stated that the vehicle was inspected, and he became aware that the A-pillar trims were missing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.

NHTSA ODI 11624831

Oct 31, 2024Body & 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 on three separate occasions, while driving, the A-pillar trim had detached from the vehicle. The contact stated that the detached trim piece had damaged other vehicles. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the trim pieces were replaced. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11622911

Oct 28, 2024SteeringSuspension

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V435000 (Suspension), and the dealer confirmed that the recall repair was performed. However, the contact stated while driving at various speeds on a bumpy road surface, the vehicle jerked significantly, and there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the suspension. The contact stated that the failure progressively worsened, causing the steering wheel to seize. The contact stated that the vehicle had become undrivable. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the recall repair had been performed. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the recall repair had not been performed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 199,000.

NHTSA ODI 11622327

Oct 28, 2024Body & 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 and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11622350

Oct 24, 2024Engine

A engine getting hot light came on in our Explorer and we checked the coolant levels and most of the coolant had leaked out. We filled the coolant but the check engine light was still on.A mechanic did a thorough assessment and found 3 codes were being thrown. He discovered that the coolant was leaking into the combustion chamber. After much research online, we found that there was a class action lawsuit on other ecoboost Ford engines that had the same issue. Out particular Model was not included, but it was the same safety issue. The engine could become overheated and start on fire or the engine could fail and seize up while driving. We personally experienced a few times where the engine would hesitate and almost not go forward but we thought it was a spark plug issue. It was a little scary while driving in traffic and could have caused a rear end situation. We called Ford and they offered no solution. Case #CXH-02862684-P9D9B2

NHTSA ODI 11621792

Oct 23, 2024SuspensionTransmission & drivetrainEngine

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that oil from the turbo booster had leaked onto the catalytic converter and both the turbo booster and catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact indicated that previously the power transfer off unit was faulty, causing the vehicle to suddenly lose accelerating power; and the front control arms and ball joints were replaced. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 85,000.

NHTSA ODI 11621498

Oct 17, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to shift into reverse properly, the vehicle would reverse a few feet and suddenly stall or stop from reversing when reversing out of a parking lot while a crunching sound could be heard from underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed that the PTU needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11620353

Oct 15, 2024Body & structureCrash

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURER); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced the failure while driving approximately 40 MPH the passenger side A-Pillar trim ejected from the vehicle. During the failure, the driver became distracted and crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. During the crash, no injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000. The VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11619783

Oct 11, 2024Wheels

Rear toe link (driver side) just purchased the car from a Police department and i was not aware of the recall. 10/8/24 i made an appointment for other service and was informant by Elk river MN ford dealer and recall is scheduled to be preformed 10/17/24. [XXX] at [XXX] when turning left at approximately 30mph (2 lane country roads) the vehicle became uncontrollable mid turn. vehicle did not hit anything. After stopping found driver rear toe link had broken at the weld joint on the knuckle side. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11619311

Oct 7, 2024Body & structure

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the exterior A-pillar trim detached. No warning light was illuminated. 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 notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11618492

Oct 7, 2024SteeringWheels

Other Explorers have a recall for electric steering problems but my VIN is not included in the recall. I only have 52,000 miles on the vehicle with clunking sounds when we back up with the wheels turn to the right. I also have had really bad tire wear on the back with the inside edge completely worn off. Toe in adjustment way off, says that this vehicle already had the fix for that but looks like it was not fixed right. We are still driving vehicle at this time but not sure if we should or not? We just had new tires put on vehicle and they checked for the clunking sound. There are no warning lamps on. I will be taking the vehicle to thr Ford dealer on October 23, 2024.

NHTSA ODI 11618596

Oct 4, 2024Steering

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the steering wheel locked inadvertently. The message "MultiTaction Failure" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.

NHTSA ODI 11618060

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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 →