What 2,423 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Explorer

I felt a thumping when turning the steering wheel and took it to the dealership who kept it for two days to attempt to replicate the same noise but they were unable to reproduce or replicate. Two or maybe three months later, the thumping noise turned into a clicking noise. Again, I immediately took it to the Ford dealership and fortunately a mechanic was still on duty. They test drove the vehicle and heard the same noise. They ask if I could leave the vehicle for more testing with their suspension specialist and they will contact me the next day. The next day they contacted me and I was told 'this is a common problem and Ford is aware of issue but has not issued a recall'. Concerned about the comment I took it to a second Ford dealership. The second dealership kept it for a day and of course they could not replicate the thumping or clicking sound. They even inspected the steering/wheel components but found nothing. Worried, I did some additional research and found this website with other people complaining about the same issue https://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explorer/2016/steering/steering-rack_and_pinion.shtml I even found a few YouTube videos addressing the same problem. October is here and winter is about to set in and my vehicle is still thumping and clicking. I am driving the vehicle but concerned I am putting my safety and the safety of others at risk. Based on the information I found, it is clear that I am not the only one with this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11488083

Driving to work through mountain passes as I live in northern Montana, warning lights came on in dash. Lost power steering ran off road, regained control, took it to ford dealership they said $2200 to fix, I've only had the car just over a month, I pay $750, and now the car sits

NHTSA ODI 11460993

When driving made horrible noises but took into the dealer Purvis Ford, we showed them the recall letter but then stated it was only the control arms which we ended up paying for .

NHTSA ODI 11460833

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V537000 (Suspension) 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. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11459680

My rack and pinion steering column and power steering pump went out causing a hefty cost to replace and it is starting to fail again creating hazardous conditions while driving. I do believe there is a steering issue in these models. Also my power lift gate in the back closes without stopping automatically while I’m loading the rear or unloading. There is NO STOPPING SAFETY SENSOR, I HAD THE BACK CLOSE ON ME MULTIPLE TIMES AND ALMOST CRUSH ME. there is no safety sensor to stop the power lift gate from closing on you, I have had to crawl in my rear end to avoid being crushed by my liftgate! This is not safe!

NHTSA ODI 11448158

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer 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 11438059

The tie rod on my 2016 Ford Explorer BROKE. Luckily my husband was just backing it out of our garage He heard a loud noise sounding like he had run over something metal and the car would not move. He got out to take a look and the right front wheel was turned completely sideways The dealership told us to bring it in. We had to hire a flat bed truck to get it there.so that was at our expense.When the flat bed truck driver came from another repair shop to help us, he immediately said "Oh,you have a broken tie rod huh?" We did not know. He said there is a rubber boot around the tie rods and our tie rod broke.My husband told the garage dealership this.They said they had never heard of that. BUT in taking it apart they discovered that was the case. We were without a car for 3 weeks as they had troubles locating a part. I wanted both sides fixed but they only fixed the one. They did give me the old part. It is a rusty, horrible looking piece of crap. It looks like it is 100 years old. It absolutely BROKE. Here is my concern. What if my husband and I and our friends would have been in the car driving 65 down the highway? I know what would have happened. There would have been deaths and severe injuries.THANK GOD it happened in our drive at home. We had no warning.Had there been an accident the report would have been "the driver and his passengers were killed after the driver lost control of the car". Never probably would have found this MAJOR LIFE THREATENING flaw in the car. How many accidents have there been with that conclusion. Did the driver really lost control or was there a major safety issue? I am scared to death to get in this car and go anywhere,Now we get a recall notice regarding possibility of a rear toe link fracture. REALLY? AND PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE ACCORDING TO THE LETTER? Are we to park the car and wait for the parts to become available? we need a car to drive. Ford needs to replace or reimburse for these damaged vehicles. I feel very, very unsafe.

NHTSA ODI 11433456

The contact owned a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 65 - 67 mph, the contact lost control of the vehicle when the rear driver side toe link fractured. The vehicle ended up in a ditch and crashed into several trees. The contact was transported to the hospital by ambulance but his wife, who was a passenger, did not receive medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a towing yard and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The contact stated that the rear toe link had fractured a month prior to the collision and was replaced by an independent mechanic. The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 91,000.

NHTSA ODI 11423212

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V435000 (SUSPENSION) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was notified about the recall however, the contact was informed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to NHTSA. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11417943

HEARD NOISES WHEN I TURN MY STEERING WHEEL. I WAS TOLD I NEED TO HAVE MY RACK AND PINION STEERING REPLACE-EST COST MID 2K. STARTING TO RESEARCH ONLINE AND I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH POTENTIAL SEVERE CONSEQUENCES IF NOT FIXED. WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN RECALLED??? ALSO WE HAD TO REPLACE THE STRUTS. THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE 50K MILES YET. I DO HAVE THE REPAIR FOR THE STRUTS. HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE RACK AND PINION YET.

NHTSA ODI 11415231

I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE IN OCTOBER 2020 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER20S62 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER20V675. WHEN ATTEMPTING THE SCHEDULE WITH KOONS FORD ANNAPOLIS, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE PARTS ARE STILL ON BACK ORDER. THIS IS NOW MONTH 5 AND THE RECALL HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED.

NHTSA ODI 11402554

CAR WENT IN FOR RECALL NHTSA #20V675 AND DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE AND INFORMED US, IT HAS FAILED INSPECTION AND WILL REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. THEY HAVE PARTS QUOTED AT 4-6 WEEKS OUT AND WE ASKED ABOUT A RENTAL VEHICLE AND WERE INFORMED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED. WE ASKED IF THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AND THEY WILL NOT STATE IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE, SO THEREFORE WE CANNOT DRIVE IT. CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WERE INFORMED OUR RENTAL REQUEST WAS DENIED AND THEY WILL NOT SAY THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. WE CANNOT BE WITHOUT A CAR FOR 6 WEEKS AND CANNOT AFFORD A RENTAL FOR THAT AMOUNT OF TIME. FORD SHOULD COVER RENTAL WHEN PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11387609

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V675000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CONTACTED BEAU TOWNSEND FORD (1020 W. NATIONAL RD, VANDALIA, OH 45377, (937) 898-5841) TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AND THE DEALER CONTACTED THE CONTACT BACK TO INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11386779

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE TAKEN LOCAL DEALER KEVIN'S ROYAL FORD OF COOPERSTOWN (5069 NY-28, COOPERSTOWN, NY 13326:(607) 547-9924) AND HAD THE RECALL COMPLETED. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE'S TOE LINK DETACHED AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL AND DROVE INTO A DITCH. ALL 5 AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAINED ANY INJURIES OR SEEK ANY MEDICATION ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A JUNKYARD. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V675000(SUSPENSION) ON NOVEMBER OF 2020 AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,300. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11386786

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD ON THURSDAY. EVERYTIME I CALL TO MAKE A SERVICE APPOINT, I TOLD RECALL COMPUTERS ARE DOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11378291

WHILE MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL THERE IS A WEIRD CLUNK/POP NOISE AND FEELS A BIT LOOSE. SO THIS IS CONCERNING 66,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE. ALSO THE FRONT SUSPENSION IS VERY ROUGH AND I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOT SURE WHAT IT WAS BUT STATED IT WAS SAFE

NHTSA ODI 11373195

TWO SEPARATE FAILURE WITHIN A FOUR DAY TIME SPAN. COMPANY SOLD ME THE VEHIXAL SAID IT WAS A TIE ROD AND FIXED THE RIGHT PASSENGER REAR WHEEL. THE VEHICAL WAS REAL EASED TO ME TODAY WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS FULLY REPAIRED. I HAD A HIGH SPEED ACCIDENT AFTER THE LEFT REAR TIR ROD BROKE AT A SPEED OF 80 MPH. DUE TO THE SUSPENSION BREAKAGE, THE CAR WENT OFF THE INTERSTATE AT HIGH SPEED. THE REAR END SUSPENSION HAD COMPLETE FAILURE AND THE AUTO DEALERSHIP RELEASED THE VEHICLE TO ME WITH THE FULL WITH ASSURANCE THE ISSUE WAS FIXED. THIS WAS A VERY SERIOUS INCIDENT WITH A POTENTIAL DEADLY OUTCOME.

NHTSA ODI 11363338

I HAD THE REAR TOE LINKS REPLACED DUE TO A SAFETY RECALL DECEMBER 2, 2019. ON 09/27/20, I WAS RETURNING HOME AFTER DROPPING MY KIDS OFF TRAVELING 70 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, WHEN THE RECAL PART I HAD REPLACED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO BREAK. THIS CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I NOTIFIED FORD OF THIS 09/28/20 AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECAL WAS COMPLETED, NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I INFORMED THEM THE PART BROKE AT THE WELD WHICH IS A DEFECTIVE PART. AGAIN, I WAS TOLD OT THEIR PROBLEM. THIS HAS CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO TO BE TOWED , DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER AND MYSELF BUYING A NEW PART OUT OF POCKET TO GET VEHICLE ON ROAD AGAIN TO GO TO WORK. THIS IS ALSO ANY OTHER PROBLEMS THAT IT MAY HAVE CAUSED DUE TO STRESS ON VEHICLE, LIKE OTHER TOE LINK, TIRES, BRAKES, OTHER SUSPENSION PARTS. ENCLOSED IS PART AND PART NUMBER THAT WAS THE RECAL PART REPLACED BY A FORD DEALERSHIP AND DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. I WAS LUCKY I DID NOT HIT THE OTHER VEHICLES AROUND ME, HIT HEAD ON WITH CENTER DIVIDER OR GUARDRAIL, ROLL THE VEHICLE OR HAVE SERIOUS INJURY.

NHTSA ODI 11361496

NOTICED PROBLEM WITH STEERING. WHEN I CHANGED LANES THE VEHICLE CONTINUED IN THAT DIRECTION UNTIL I CORRECTED IT. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK SO I WENT STRAIGHT TO MATT BOWERS FORD IN METAIRIE. I WAS TOLD THE STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE MODULE REPROGRAMMED AND AN ALIGNMENT. I'VE SEEN QUITE A FEW RECALLS CONCERNING THIS BUT WAS NOT TOLD THAT MY VHEICLE VIN WAS NOT AFFECTED. I NOW SEE MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED AT CAREFULLY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT.

NHTSA ODI 11351128

BROKEN TOE LINK. FORD REFUSING TO RECOGNIZE IT AS A FAILURE UNDER FORD RECALL 19S17. THEY SAY IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER FORD RECALL 17S11. REAR DRIVER SIDE TOE LINK BROKE 7/25/20 WHEN GOING OVER A RAILROAD GRADE CROSSING. OEM REPLACEMENT PART PURCHASED FROM FORD DEALER BROKE 8/24/20 TURNING GENTLY TO THE LEFT. ATTACHED PICTURE IS THE ORIGINAL LINK THAT BROKE 7/25/20. REPLACEMENT PART BOUGHT THROUGH FORD DEALER BROKE IN APPROXIMATELY THE SAME AREA.

NHTSA ODI 11350961

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 65 IN HAM LAKE, MN SEVERAL WEEKS AGO WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE LUNGED TO THE LEFT TOWARDS THE DITCH. I WAS ABLE TO FISHTAIL IT BACK ONTO THE ROAD, ALMOST ROLLED THE VEHICLE AND BARELY KEPT IT UNDER CONTROL. I GOT OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND CALL THE ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF FOR ASSISTANCE. A DEPUTY ASSISTED BUT I DON'T BELIEVE A FORMAL POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THIS WAS SUNDAY JULY 19TH. WE WERE ABLE TO GET TO LOCAL MECHANIC WHO LOOKED AT IT THE FOLLOW DAY AND DETERMINED THAT THE TOE CONTROL LINK HAD BROKEN. THEY REPAIRED IT WITH A NEW PART FROM THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THE VEHICLE SEEMED FINE. LAST NIGHT THE NEW PART THAT THEY INSTALLED BROKE AS WELL. I LOOKED ONLINE AND SEE THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PART, THE TOE CONTROL LINK ON 2011-2017 FORD EXPLORERS. I CHECKED THE VIN ON THE NTSB WEBSITE BUT IT INDICATES THAT OUR CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WE HAD BROUGHT THE CAR INTO METROPOLITAN FORD IN EDEN PRAIRIE EARLIER IN THE YEAR FOR OTHER RECALL ISSUES. HAD THE RECALL BEEN COMPREHENSIVE, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT AND FIXED. AT 65 MPH, MY DAUGHTER AND I SHOULD HAVE BOTH BEEN KILLED IN THE ORIGINAL INCIDENT. IT HAD BEEN SEVERAL WEEKS SINCE THE (NEAR) ACCIDENT AND WE ARE STILL SHAKEN UP BY IT. FORTUNATELY, LAST NIGHT'S INCIDENT WAS AT MUCH SLOWER SPEED. I AM FEARFUL THAT THERE ARE OTHER FAMILIES WHOSE LIVES IN DANGER AS WELL. I HAVE A PHOTO THAT I TOOK OF THE CURRENT (SECOND) BREAK THAT OCCURRED THAT IS ATTACHED.

NHTSA ODI 11348930

THIS CAR HAS EXTREMELY BAD SWAY IN THE REAR END, IT CANNOT BE DRIVEN OVER 40 MPH OR YOU WILL LOSE TOTAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI 11344099

49000 MILES, ELECTRONIC STEERING IS STARTING TO GO OUT. WHEN DRIVING MODERATE SPEEDS CAR MAKES LOUD AUDIBLE NOISES ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. RACK AND PINION WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. FORD TOLD ME IT WAS 100% SAFE TO DRIVE. TOOK TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO SAID THE EXACT OPPOSITE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BEFORE IT GOES OUT HEAVEN FORBID AT HIGH SPEEDS.FAMILY OF 4 YOUNG KIDS, THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFE, FAMILY CAR. FORD IS PUTTING A LOT OF FAMILIES AT RISK NOT RECALLING THIS. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 49K MILES. THEY ARE LOSING LOTS OF RETURN CUSTOMERS BY NOT HANDLING A SAFETY ISSUE PROPERLY. I HOPE NO DEATHS HAVE TO HAPPEN TO BRING MORE SEVERITY TO THIS PRESSING ISSUE. IF YOU HEAR A CLICK WHEN STEERING, GET THE CAR INSPECTED ASAP! CLICKING OCCURS WHEN STATIONARY AND IS MORE INTENSE WHEN DRIVING. IT COULD GO OUT AT ANY MOMENT.

NHTSA ODI 11343987

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT START-UP OR WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOZARD FORD LINCOLN (540 OUTLET MALL BLVD, ST. AUGUSTINE, FL 32084, (904) 824-1641) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE STRUT TOWER AND STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 78,105.

NHTSA ODI 11342318

I STARTED HEARING A KNOCKING IN THE FRONT END AND THE STEERING WAS VERY LOOSE, WHEN I TURNED RIGHT AT FIRST AND ON OCCASION TO THE LEFT MECHANIC SAID IF I HAD GONE MUCH FURTHER IT WOULD HAVE BROKEN ALL THE WAY AND I WOULD HAVE LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE SUV. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11328818