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

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the water pump. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred 4 years later. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11573111

My steering wheel completely locked up and we couldn't turn it or anything. After repetitively trying to move it the steering wheel finally came loose. I was able to take it to a mechanic and he said its the steering rack but since it completely locked up and was unable to move the steering wheel I needed to contact you. Ford does have a recall for the steering rack but it does not include my year of Explorer.

NHTSA ODI 11572996

The rack and pinion steering has gone bad. This is causing the vehicle to be hard to drive as it is very difficult to turn the wheel and control the vehicle. This is making it dangerous to drive as you are unable to turn the wheel very well.

NHTSA ODI 11573001

Subject: Urgent Vehicle Safety Complaint Regarding Defective Water Pump in Ford and Lincoln Vehicles I am writing to bring to your attention a critical safety concern affecting numerous Ford and Lincoln vehicles worldwide, specifically those equipped with Cyclone (Duratec) engines. The issue at hand revolves around a defective water pump, which has manifested in various models, including but not limited to: - Ford Edge - Ford Explorer - Ford Flex - Ford Fusion - Ford Taurus - Lincoln Continental - Lincoln MKT - Lincoln MKX Owners of these vehicles are experiencing a significant and alarming risk of stalling in traffic, posing a severe threat to both driver and passenger safety. The potential consequences, including the increased likelihood of accidents and fatalities, demand immediate attention and action from Ford Motor Company who has been sued multiple times and is avoiding to respond to the judgements against them trying to use any excuse not to pay. It is imperative to address this widespread concern promptly, as the safety and well-being of Ford and Lincoln vehicle owners are at stake. I urge your organization to conduct a thorough investigation into the defective water pump issue, implement a comprehensive recall, and provide a reliable solution to rectify the problem. Your commitment to prioritizing the safety of consumers is paramount, and I trust that Ford Motor Company will take swift and decisive action to remedy this situation. By addressing this issue promptly, you not only ensure the protection of current owners but also uphold the reputation of Ford and Lincoln in the automotive industry. It's impossible to say that it is a mere coincidence that thousands of Ford vehicles have the same defect with exactly the same engine and symptoms. Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter, and I anticipate a proactive response that prioritizes the safety and satisfaction of Ford and Lincoln vehicle owners.

NHTSA ODI 11571881

went to drive my vehicle and when i turned exiting my driveway , my steering was stiff, hard to turn. shutting off vehicle and restarting sometimes helps, but now it is always no power assist. No warning lights, messages or check engine lights at all. just lost power assist. I figure it is another rack n pinion steering assy by all i read online. This should deffinately be a recall. 2011-2013 had the same issue and was issued a recall. Why is this not? it is so dangerous. Get on the ball and do something. 2016 explorer xlt

NHTSA ODI 11572018

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed MPH, the roof rack rails detached from the vehicle. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and it was confirmed the entire roof rack rails had detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was previously repaired under the Customer Satisfaction Program recall 21S22. The contact stated the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired due to cost. The contact stated the dealer informed him he must pay for the repairs because the vehicle had been previously repaired under the recall program. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ODI 11571713

On 1/28/24 We were traveling 50-60 mph when all of a sudden we heard a popping noise and noticed the trim on drivers side was loosening. We were able to slow down and pull over which was when the trim then blew off. My husband retrieved the trim (which we now know is referenced as the a-pillar) off the side of the road. obviously this could have been worse if it had struck another vehicle /caused someone to swerve. I then contacted the ford dealership as we learned this was part of a recall. They came out and ended up fixing the roof rack of which that was not my complaint. Clearly there was a miscommunication on what my problem was when called in. I then took it into dealership for them to observe. He printed out a quote to fix pillar at 400-500$ but could not guarantee reimbursement by Ford. I called Ford motor company who gave me a case number and corresponded with local dealership. Essentially I have been told bc this is an advanced notice recall there is nothing that can be done to fix current situation. I will now be driving my vehicle without the trim and also concerned how long til the passenger side blows off as there was no loosening or sign of defect prior to this event. How will weather affect the exposed trim and windshield/aerodynamics. I just hope Ford will expedite the process of repair for safety first but also the look of the vehicle as this is a reflection of their company . My case number is CA547669778 approx mileage 123,000

NHTSA ODI 11571155

Trim piece on passenger side broke in half while driving and hit another car. No damage reported but it almost caused accident. Confirmed this is the recalled piece.

NHTSA ODI 11571213

The water pump failed causing coolant to leak into the oil pan causing my vehicle to die suddenly and without any warning lights or messages on a high speed, heavy traffic metropolitan interstate/highway (35W in Minneapolis). I was commuting home from work. It was completely dark. I was in the far left lane and had to quickly maneuver across 4 lanes to the right shoulder narrowly missing being slammed into by other cars before the vehicle completely died. I waited for a towing service in the dark while other vehicles including semis sped extremely close to my vehicle with only my hazards to warn them I was there. Vehicle was towed to a local repair shop and they confirmed the water pump failed and coolant leaked into the oil, ruining the engine. I've been researching online and am reading that this is a very common and known issue with lawsuits. My vehicle only had 132k miles. This issue put me in a dangerous, potentially life-threatening situation that could have caused harm to me and the many other drivers and their passengers on the highway - and it needs to be addressed and dealt with - for me and apparently the many others that have been affected by this manufacturers defect.

NHTSA ODI 11570998

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The service stability track, traction control, and the loss of power steering warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that he used physical strength to steer the vehicle after the power steering assist failure to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the angle sensor was defective and there was a loss of communication. The contact was informed that due to the failure and the loss of communication, the power steering assist, hill assist, and traction control features were disabled. The vehicle was not repaired due to a needed part being on backorder since November 2023. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

NHTSA ODI 11570731

My engine sounded strange at startup in the mornings so I asked the ford dealer to look at it because Firestone could not find anything wrong with it and I had two recalls needing addressed. I took it to the dealership in diberville, MS first and scheduled the current recalls to be fixed. I was told my engine needs to be replaced because there is evidence of coolant in the cylinder head causing a random misfire but couldn’t tell me if that was it for sure without breaking down the engine to diagnosis properly. I bought an extended warranty policy incase there was an issue in the future. I was actually told by one dealer to “clear the code and trade it in immediately or wait till the engine blows up”. They didn’t even fix the recall because they had to order the parts… The same problem kept happening randomly this time with the engine light coming on and then going off while I am waiting parts to come in, it was a “cold start” type of engine sound when starting up first thing in the morning. I then took it to the dealership in Gulfport,ms and they said they thought they knew what the problem was and my extended warranty would cover it. Turns out they do not cover the block and that is what the mechanics said the issue was, because it is not a moving part and it seems to be a manufacturer quality of the block. Since it was not caused by moving part damage. How can I get this addressed by ford? I have seen that a similar engine from ford had a recall for this and my engine has the same block as that one. (2.0 ecoboost ford escape) I have the 2.3 ecoboost ford explorer. I also have knowledge of another explorer with the same issues and a total engine replacement through diberville MS dealership. My car still runs but the cylinder no longer builds or sustains the pressure for the engine to run properly causing a safety risk during operation.

NHTSA ODI 11570210

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was a loud popping sound coming from the driver's side window trim panel detaching from the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.

NHTSA ODI 11568768

2016 Ford Explorer. the air bag warning light was illuminated it was coming off and on and now stays on. took the vehicle to the dealer who confirmed that the vehicle was not under recall for the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired.

NHTSA ODI 11568100

Several weeks ago we noticed a propane or natural gas smell in the vehicle' cab and around the vehicle. The smell was stronger sometimes and lesser others, but more so when the heater was on. In the very cold weather, I would have to dress in extra warm layers and keep the windows lowered with fresh air flowing through - in order to drive it... to keep the cab warm enough to drive with the heater on. The smell would be stronger when the heater/air was on. The smell would make me cough and gave me a headache. At first, we thought it was a bad batch of gas. Our mechanic couldn't say what it was and referred us to our local Ford dealer. I also researched on-line and found that several thousand U.S. customers have had the same problem [XXX] ; [XXX] ; [XXX] ). It looks from one article as if Ford settled a class action law suit on this issue in 2016, yet when I called the Ford Customer Service Help Line today, they said they cannot offer us any financial help for this repair, which is costing us over $3,100.00! The car is not that old! 2 days before we brought our vehicle to the Ford dealer, thick black liquid drained onto our garage floor under the front of the vehicle. The Ford dealer says the transfer case is going bad and spitting fluid on the vent/onto the exhaust and the smell was coming from that. The vehicle is still at the Ford dealer and repairs should be complete by 1/31/24. I am writing to you for help with this. It seems to me that Ford has already offered and should continue to offer some repair expense reimbursement for this apparently widespread problem! Can you help advocate for us in this? Thank you - [XXX] , [XXX] , [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11568132

The heated seats went out. Took to mechanic shop, the wires burned out and also melted the fuse box. All that has to be replaced. Ford Dealership only sells the whole wiring harness which is over $1,000. With the wires burning out and then melting fuse box, lucky my car didn't burn.

NHTSA ODI 11567847

I REPORTED A PROBLEM 1/23/24 CONCERNING THE TRIM BLOWING OFF BY THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, I SAW ON THE NEWS THAT THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE BUT I ALSO THINK THAT THE COWLING WHERE THE WIPERS ARE ATTACHED SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO, THIS PIECE IS FALLING APART AND WHEN DRIVING THE WIND GETS UNDER THE TRIM PIECES CAUSING IT TO BLOW OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11567745

I was driving down the interstate and heard a tapping/clicking sound from the right side of my windshield that got progressively worse. Before I could stop at the next exit to examine the cause, I noticed an object falling to the ground in my rearview mirror just as the noise stopped. After exiting and looking at the area where the noise was coming from, I noticed a trim piece missing. I later identified the missing trim piece as the passenger side Windshield Outer A-Pillar Trim Molding. Our 2016 Explorer was purchased new in 2015 and has never been in an accident or suffered any damage that could have caused the trim piece to detach. Since replacing the trim piece, I can hear faint fluttering from the same area. The trim piece appears slightly loose, although I've been told it's as secure as it can get. This happened around a year ago. I didn't think to report it until I read an article earlier about a recall for a loose trim piece on Ford Explorers. My first thought was that it was going to be about the same issue I experienced, but it was for a trim piece on the roof rails. I decided to submit this report in case this has happened to others with similar generations of our Explorer.

NHTSA ODI 11567458

I am writing to you as I just read an article about my Explorer being recalled for a different issue, pieces of trim flying off (which happened to us several years ago). I took to the dealership then, they replaced and it immediately cracked again. They were blaming my door as being off and causing the damage. I took to a repair shop (non-Ford) to look at and they told me that they had seen this alot and Ford knew there was a problem and it wasn't my door. It made me extremely upset as it almost caused an accident while we were on the freeway. This complaint is for a completely different safety issue and is recent. I am mentioning the above incident as my car this time was taken to a different repair shop. Their response was very similar to the above repair shop that Ford knows there is a problem as the part is on a national backorder. After a recent snowstorm, my husband went to drive his car to work. The storm had passed, but roads were still dangerous. As he was pulling out of the garage, multiple alarms showed up on the dashboard. "Hill Start Assist Not Available", Service AdvanceTrac, "Steering Assist Fault Service Required". He didn't fully know what any of these meant and had just driven the car the day before with no issues. As soon as he pulled out on the roads, he realized the power steering was out. He is lucky that he didn't crash as the roads were still icy and snow covered. Up until these alarms, there was NO warning. What if it happened while in the middle of driving? I drive that car every day w my kids and my husband took it that Sunday as it is better in snow. I can't even imagine what would have happened if I was driving as there is NO WAY I could have steered that car. Somehow we got the last replacement part (repair was over $3000!) and I only have 68,000 miles on my car. How can a part that is on an older Ford be on national backorder if there isn't a major problem! The rack and pinion w computer module was replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11567539

Water pump went out and water and oil mixed started smoking and loss of power then engine just shut off now wont turn over

NHTSA ODI 11567566

We were driving down [XXX] between Houston and San Antonio on [XXX], when we heard a loud noise but felt nothing. When we were ready to leave our destination, the front-driver's side windshield panel was gone. It had blown off going down the road. There was no warning that the panel was loose nor any warning that it was gone. We could have been seriously hurt or killed if the part had come through the windshield. We are thankful that it did not hit and or kill a motorcyclist or cause a wreck where someone else could have been hurt or killed. There is no way to know if a later travelling car received damage due to the part being in the freeway or if it caused a wreck. I am also concerned that the windshield will leak since there is nothing covering the edge of the windshield. My car is available for inspection, but I do not have the panel. I spoke with Mia at Ford Customer Service (800-392-3673) on January 22, 2024. There is nothing that Ford is doing at the time to help car owners. Mia said to keep all paper work incase Ford decides to do some repairs in the future. I will get my car fixed but not at Ford. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11567149

Waterpump malfunction. Risk puts the user at financial obligation to repair the car as the waterpump is needed for proper function of heater elements and other internal parts. Unsure of if this has been reproduced or confirmed. Diagnostics was ran on the car, determined the issue to be the water pump. There are no warning lights and or indications that would warranty service for this part.

NHTSA ODI 11567260

Complete failure of steering rack, causing the car to be completely undriveable. Poses a massive safety risk which could have resulted in injury or death had it occured at the wrong time or place.

NHTSA ODI 11566419

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the contact became aware that antifreeze leaking from the vehicle. The temperature gauge light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to antifreeze leaking into the engine. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided the contact with a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

NHTSA ODI 11566446

The cowling where the windshield wipers are attached is falling apart this caused the pillar molding bracket to blow off on I-95 may have struck another vehicle. The ford dealer estimated it would cost $1223.72 to repair.

NHTSA ODI 11566207

The heater on the car didn't work, It turns out the coolant was leaking that led to the water pump issue. Things started to fail on the vehicle and lights came on. It left me stranded on the highway. The car shut down on the Intestate. That was so dangerous and scary, too. Took the car to Ford for inspection and they confirmed the water pump issue. This is a very high costly repair. It turns out that Ford has been having issues with this design (and Ford is well aware of this issue) and many, many customers are having to spend thousands about thousands to fix this issue. It's a HUGE job. Aside from a very high costly matter, it's also a very dangerous matter because it makes the car unsafe to drive. There is a Class Action Suit about this (if not mistaken) and a recall in Canada but not the USA. My car is now just sitting there and inoperable. I don't have thousands to repair my vehicle (quoted $3,000-$3,700). In addition to high insurance premiums, car loan payment and high fuel costs. There are a lot of concerned and angry Ford customers. Ford needs to be responsible for their poor design that leads to the water pump failure. This is a BIG deal!! There needs to be accountability on the part of Ford for their poor design that leads to water pump failure. There needs to be a RECALL. Another apparent issue is a leaking sunroof. Both issues are happening to me. Please, help get my car safely back on the road.

NHTSA ODI 11565930