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

Ford Dealer reports 3 toe link recalls are for 2013-2017 Ford Explorer are not on my 2016 Ford Explorer Limited but my toe links are out of spec and unable to be adjusted. Private mechanic (independent service center) reports this condition can lead to a crash. Vehicle was purchased and driven in New Jersey. Vehicle is available for inspection. No warning lights or messages.

NHTSA ODI 11534632

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated intermittently on the instrument panel, causing the deactivation of all the other air bags. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the seat belt wiring harness and seat belt pretensioner on the second row. The vehicle was repaired three times for the same failure, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11534667

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the driver’s and passenger’s side windshield trim panel detached. Additionally, while driving, the roof rail detached. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to NHTSA Hotline. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Action Number: PE23001 (Structure). The failure mileage was 98,000.

NHTSA ODI 11534267

The windshield trim blew off while driving on the Highway. Happened so fast I couldn’t tell if it blew into the ditch or what happened to it. Could have easily hit a vehicle behind me and cause an accident. Very distracting for the driver as well. I almost veered into other lane with oncoming traffic with how loud and surprising it was.

NHTSA ODI 11534096

The drivers side windshield trim panel came off of the car while driving down a highway at 55mph. Luckily, there were no other cars on the highway and no further damage or injury occurred.

NHTSA ODI 11534113

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while making a right turn, there was a grinding sound coming from the steering wheel. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the steering rack had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 96,500.

NHTSA ODI 11533632

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while cold starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle seemed to be operating normally; however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that after a week with the check engine light remaining illuminated, the vehicle was driven to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the long block needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to manufacturer Customer Satisfaction Program Number: 21N12 - Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

NHTSA ODI 11533678

While driving on the highway, the passenger side windshield trim flew off hitting my windshield. I've been told by the police that it happens frequently on their vehicles, but never thought it would happen to me. It did. Now. I have to pay for the repair and it could have easily caused an accident, because it scared me so much that I swerved thinking something hit me. Which it did. My own car!

NHTSA ODI 11533143

I have had a malfunction with what may be the front right break or steering component. Occasional metal on metal/grinding noise made when making a hard right turn or reversing left. Vehicle had been taken in a few times after purchase (Honda dealership), sound was duplicated but no issue detected by mechanics. Vehicle has been taken to ford and no issue detected. No warning lamps have ever come on.

NHTSA ODI 11533157

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated upon conducting a routine inspection on the vehicle, he became aware that the battery was leaking acid onto the terminal connectors, and the terminal connectors were severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the battery and the terminal connectors were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the battery and the terminal connectors needed to be replaced again. 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 approximately 36,421.

NHTSA ODI 11532146

Windshield trim piece came loose and broke off while driving on the highway. I had to tape down the part that was still on there two times before I could have it repaired so that I did not lose the rest of it on the highway and cause an accident. The driver's side failed first and now my passenger side has split apart and is rattling while on the highway, so I have to have both sides repaired out of safety concerns!

NHTSA ODI 11531757

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 21V316000 (Structure), 21V537000 (Suspension), and 19V435000 (Suspension). The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel became stiff. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was restarted and returned to normal operation. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11531765

The seat belt buckle for the second row passenger-side broke, making it impossible for the seat belt buckle to lock. Ford said the part was back ordered. When the part arrived and the car was being fixed, we received a call from the service manager advising the second row driver-side buckle broke as well. This seems to be a recurring issue.

NHTSA ODI 11531690

Windshield trim blew off going down the interstate. I replaced it and it blew off again! Now I have extra wind noise and I’m scared it’s going to leak. I would try to glue another one down but do not want to affect my windshield integrity.

NHTSA ODI 11531694

Coolant, water pump, and timing chamber. Last year I had it replaced for $1,800 not knowing this is a common issue for the make and model. Never received any info concerning a recall about this issue or other recalled issues. In 1yr the water pump has malfunctioned again causing the engine to overheat and oil leakage.

NHTSA ODI 11531010

Vehicle is experiencing a loss of power steering at all speeds. Steering stiffens and loosens erratically. Repair shop reports failure to electronic steering system and state that a replacement of the electronic steering gear assembly is required.

NHTSA ODI 11530841

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the roof of the vehicle. After a visual inspection, the contact became aware that the passenger’s side roof rack rail had detached from the roof. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that parts for the repair were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,000.

NHTSA ODI 11530502

The steering felt stiff as I was pulling out this morning. It was fine yesterday, and today it felt as if the lane assist was trying to be active when it didn't need to be; I can street the car, but it feels like it's constantly trying to correct the course and keep the car going straight forward. I tried turning off the land assist to see if it changed, but didn't really see a difference. Speed did not matter; it was noticeable at all speeds. The car was recently repaired due to a turbocharger failure, and at that time they discovered and also repaired the front drive shaft; it has operated perfectly until today.

NHTSA ODI 11530311

While driving on the interstate and set MPH were 55, a series of notifications popped up on my dashboard. One stated “Steering assist fault repair required.” After I hit Ok to clear the screen my steering wheel tightened up and locked and caused me to almost crash into another family. We were able to move it to a safe location.

NHTSA ODI 11530035

While driving/turning vehicle becomes hard to steer as if power steering is failing. It will tighten up and loosen consistently. Most noticeable when turning or shifting lanes. Started out being occasional then increased within a couple weeks. On occasion, there is a faint winding noise coming from the steering column. No noises noticeable from the outside as of yet. Mechanics can not figure out the issue. No codes or visible failures.

NHTSA ODI 11529907

I was driving down Highway 90 in Houston Tx, doing roughly 60 mph when all of a sudden the drivers side window trim, I believe it's called a pillar, just detached and flew behind the car causing the cars behind me to swerve almost crashing into each other. When it detached, the car besides me abruptly swerved to the right almost hitting a car which caused them to swerve back towards me, almost hitting me which caused me to swerve towards the right almost hitting a concrete barrier. I drove maybe a block up, pulled over and had a panic attack. This could have been a horrific outcome and would have had to carry the responsibility, that's if I didn't get injured by the wall, things could have been very bad maybe deadly if EVERYONE wasn't paying attention. I'm actually mentally disturbed by this. There was no reason for the part to fly off, it just popped off on its own. This needs to be fixed immediately before someone dies.

NHTSA ODI 11529714

Power steering gear rack assembly failed. Lost power steering assist when turning at intersection and almost lost control of vehicle to collision and pedestrian injury. Power steering assist recovered after engine shut down and restart and again lost power steering when driving around curve and almost collided with on coming traffic head on. Afterwards the power steering did not recover and it was confirmed defective and replaced by Midas repair shop. There were no warning lamps, messages or symptoms prior to failure. The messages that appeared on the dash display after failure are: 1. STEERING ASSIST FAULT - SERVICE REQUIRED. 2. HILLS START ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE. 3. SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC.

NHTSA ODI 11529825

In the past week or two I have noticed the steering in my 2016 Ford Explorer starting to feel "heavy" and that progressed to being really stiff and kind of hard to turn. Called Ford and they advised to have the vehicle examined. Took the car to my preferred repair facility and there were no codes for an issue; they found my battery was bad and suggested changing it to see if that would help the steering. Battery was replaced and still issues with the steering, the mechanic at my facility said "the rack is still bad". I will make contact with Ford again however based on the number of complaints I see from others I am sure that will get me no where. It appears there are hundreds of complaints about this issue I see for the 2016 Explorers, and many others from prior years too. And these are just the people who have taken the time to complain. This clearly can turn into a large safety issue if people aren't able to control their vehicles while operating. I have no issue with making repairs to my cars, things break. I do have an issue with having to go into my own pocket to fix issues that are a known problem. While not safety issues I also have two other seemingly "known" issues with my car. The rear air conditioning line is leaking so my air is out; and the paint on my hood is bubbling and chipping away, apparently an issue with manufacture of the hood.

NHTSA ODI 11529291

The windshield trim on right side of the car is coming ungluded. Now weather strip is flapping all over the place damaging my passenger window and mirror. I am now noticing trim is coming unglued on drivers side door. I already replaced the passenger door trim a few years back. Please help us consumers by demanding that Ford issue this recall. It is clear this is a defect in their vehicles.

NHTSA ODI 11529139

The power steering assist failed and malfunctioned. Power steering assist does not work either standing still or driving. Turning engine off and back on corrects the problem but problem comes back without warning when driving. This conditions creates dangerous situation of crash or injury. No inspection has been done yet but will have it repaired tomorrow. Warning message on dash says, "Loss of Steering Power Assist". Also, messages light up, "Service Advance Trac" and "Hills Start Assist Not Available" There were no prior warning lamps or messages of symptoms of problem prior to failure.

NHTSA ODI 11529253