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

In August 2023, my vehicle began to make a popping noise and began to lose power when attempting to accelerate. It was diagnosed by the repair shop as a turbo going bad. I repaired the turbo. In December 2023, the check engine light came on. The repair shop indicated that the lifters and cam shafts were bad and caused scoring to the engine block, requiring the engine to be replaced. The repair shop asked if I had been changing the oil regularly. I indicated that I did change the oil per when the vehicle would notify me it was time. The repair shop noted that I changed the oil every 10k miles. Per the repair shop, not changing the oil regularly (because the Ford vehicle system designed to tell me when to change the oil) ultimately caused me to need to replace the turbo and the engine. All because the oil was not changed more frequently 3-5k miles per the repair shop. I've spent $15k in repair costs since August 2023 because I was relying on the Ford vehicle's notifications as to when it needed oil. The vehicle is not even worth this much blue book. For a 8.5 year old vehicle that has been well cared for, I do not think these parts should have failed and I think Ford should have set the timing for oil change notifications more frequently if this is what is needed by the engine to keep it in good repair. It literally indicates the % of time before the oil needs to be changed.

NHTSA ODI 11578895

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the passenger side of the vehicle. The contact stated the front passenger side door handle trim was then separated from the vehicle. The door handle trim was replaced by the owner. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11578418

On 3/19/24, my left side exterior A-pillar trim part flew off my car on the highway. I have had a constant wind noise in my windshield for a very long time. I didn't think this was going to happen. Thank God there was no cars directly behind me because it came off and was hanging and then blew off before I actually knew what was going on and could pull over. I called the Dealer regarding repair and was informed that there is no fix but they could replace with the part that they have existing in stock which would cost me $366 for the part. Since this is a recall I was asking if I will be reimbursed and the Dealer told me I would need to call Ford. I did and they told me I would need to wait for a parts letter to be sent to me. I explained that I do not want to drive my car around with this piece missing. But they were unable to provide me guidance for reimbursement. I am wondering if you have any information or guidance re: reimbursement for the current parts fix until Ford provides a permanent solution to this recall?

NHTSA ODI 11578538

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel became very firm. The contact stated that the "Steering Assist Failure" message was displayed, and the Traction Control Warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.

NHTSA ODI 11577572

There has been many reports of electronic steering issue where it would just swerve you off the road and loose full control while driving for years 2013-2015 cars but 2016 years are also being effected. A dealership confirmed it was an electronic steering rack causing the issue. No warning lamps had went off either

NHTSA ODI 11577640

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that rainwater had leaked into the driver's side B-pillar trim panel causing electrical failures to occur which included the battery failure and the keyless entry failure. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 125,000.

NHTSA ODI 11577643

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 contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rain was entering into the interior of the vehicle. The contact stated that the rain was entering from the left and right sides of the front windshield. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a fractured windshield trim and the windshield trim needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirm parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11577213

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 contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front windshield trim detached and flew off the vehicle. The contact stated that it was the third time that the failure had occurred. The contact stated that the first two times the failure occurred, the repair was paid for out of pocket. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11576979

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's side air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently, however, the failure had occurred three times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

NHTSA ODI 11576984

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the passenger’s side exterior A-pillar trim dislodged from the vehicle and struck another vehicle. The contact stated that the driver's side A-pillar trim was also unsecured and loosened. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet notified. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000.

NHTSA ODI 11576543

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 contact stated that the keypad to unlock the driver-side front door with the passcode detached from the vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 58,630. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11576660

Our 2016 Ford Explorer suddenly the steering started making a loud grinding noise while rotating the steering wheel. The noise is anytime you move the steering wheel left or right parked or moving. The steering wheel locks up without warning while driving making it momentarily impossible to move and dangerous while driving. The explorer was diagnosed as a faulty steering rack and pinion assembly with is electronic assisted. No warning lights are illuminated on the dash.

NHTSA ODI 11576426

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 80 MPH, the passenger’s side exterior middle trim panel had dislodged from the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure and explained that the failed part was not listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 30,000.

NHTSA ODI 11576168

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact stated that when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the transmission started slipping. In addition, the vehicle was jerking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times and the contact was informed that the failure was due to transmission failure and the contact was informed that the repair had been completed; however, the contact was unaware of the diagnostic results. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred and became persistent. The contact stated that the failure had been ongoing since the purchase of the vehicle in 2017. The contact was informed after each failure that the vehicle had been repaired. 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 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 11575738

The roof rack on the left side of the vehicle became unattached in transit, and flew off into traffic.

NHTSA ODI 11575284

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel was making an abnormal grinding sound. The ABS, air bags, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the parts were not available to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000.

NHTSA ODI 11574942

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 contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the trim detached and flew off the vehicle. The rear driver's side door applique trim was impacted by the detached trim. The rear driver's side door applique trim was damaged. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 205,040.

NHTSA ODI 11574684

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 contact stated that while driving approximately 65 - 70 MPH, the vehicle emitted a loud bang that came from the passenger’s side of the front windshield. Once the contact was able to park the vehicle, the vehicle was inspected, and the contact became aware that the trim on the passenger’s side of the front windshield had detached. The same failure occurred on the driver’s side of the windshield about a week later while driving at approximately 55 MPH. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11574492

Grinding banging noise when turning steering wheel driving and parked. Milage had just reached 100,000 . Contacted Ford for inspection was told my steering gear needed replaced, car not drivable. Cost almost 3000.00 to repair. At the time there was already a recall on my model for this issue but my VIN didn't match and they would not repair it cost free.

NHTSA ODI 11574593

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the driver’s side front door panel became loosened due to failed adhesive exposing wiring in the door. The front door lights remained illuminated while the door was closed. The contact stated that the rear door failed to open however, the door ajar light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and tape was placed on the vehicle however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed that the Keyless entry door panel and actuary for the rear door needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 195,000.

NHTSA ODI 11574255

Ford has a recall for the A pillar but my B pillar trim flew off. The other side was loose.

NHTSA ODI 11574089

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that there was windy sound coming from the front passenger's side door while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that there was water accumulated between the front driver's side door and the body of the vehicle, which caused water to pour inside the vehicle while opening the door. The contact also noticed that water was leaking from the driver's side of the windshield during inclement weather. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal popping sound while making a left turn. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

NHTSA ODI 11573627

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that when the vehicle was shifted into drive(D), the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed transmission and that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact was informed about TSB: [XXX]. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11573690

The explorer started having issues with the heater not working when stopped. After some research it recommended that we check the coolant level. The coolant was low. Then we refilled it and then it happened again 3 weeks later and the coolant was low. This made us believe there was a coolant leak. After removing the bottom cover under the car it was saturated with coolant with drops coming from various areas on the passenger side. We took it to a mechanic and then transferred to a dealer and both confirmed it was the water pump. Ford negligently designed the water pump within the engine with the timing chain. If enough of the coolant mixes with oil it will cause the engine to seize and the car to shut off. I have two little kids that are in the car with me. This negligent placement can lead to cars seizing in unsafe areas. It was confirmed by a private mechanic and a ford dealer and there were no warning lights. Other than the heat not functioning properly there we no other signs or lights of water pump failure.

NHTSA ODI 11573259

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 contact stated that the front driver’s and passenger’s side window trims had detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local body shop where the trims were replaced. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 70,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11573090