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

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's side windshield trim detached and flew off the vehicle. Additionally, the windshield rubber gasket was flapping while driving, and the contact removed the rubber gasket from the windshield. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the windshield trim clips had fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

NHTSA ODI 11523786

Window trim pieces detached while driving on the highway, hitting window hard and then flying back into traffic. This is the 2nd piece of trim that has detached while on the highway. First piece was on further back on side.

NHTSA ODI 11523425

The waterpump of the vehicle causes excessive leaking which causes the vehicle to overheat.

NHTSA ODI 11522752

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for a routine oil change, the mechanic discovered that fluid was leaking from the water pump. No further information was available. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA ODI 11522304

The rack and pinion has gone up with only 60,000 miles on the car. Steering control was lost The problem has been confirmed by the dealer No warning lights went on the steering wheel started grinding and steering control was limited.

NHTSA ODI 11522367

A piece of the windsheild pillar trim flew off at highway speed on the passenger side

NHTSA ODI 11521943

The 2nd row seatbelts in my 2016 Ford Explorer contain mini-airbags. There is a design flaw that causes the connection to the seatbelts to fail, disabling all airbags in the vehicle. Ford issued a CSP in January of 2021 and was supposed to notify all owners of all affected vehicles. I was never notified. In April 2022 my vehicle was left with a Ford dealership for 1 month due to constant electrical problems- the dashboard would go dark, the car would lose power, the maps would shut down, etc. That dealership repositioned the faulty wires. In December of 2022 the airbag light came on. I had to take it to another dealership and learned because of a failed connection to the 2nd row seatbelt, my car had no operational airbags. I paid approximately $1200.00 for the repair. Ford is refusing to reimburse me for the costs I incurred due to their design flaw. The safety of everyone who has ridden in that car was put at risk- if there was a collision, there would be no protection. The airbag light was not on when the wires were first repositioned. My son drove the car from CT to Florida and was unaware of that the light meant that all airbag s were disabled.

NHTSA ODI 11521854

Vehicle is undriveable due to the steering system locking up as so many others have reported. Started as just being stiff during turns and is not completely locked, and the dealer claims they cannot get parts to repair and there is no recall.

NHTSA ODI 11521669

While traveling at highway speed on Interstate 20 W in Texas, the right A-pillar molding detached and flew off. There were no indications of the part beginning to loosen prior to detaching. I have not taken the vehicle to the dealer as it is out of warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11521470

I’ve had two instances of the windshield moulding becoming detached and flying off the car while on the highway. The first was a couple of years ago and involved the right side windshield moulding, this last one involved the left side windshield moulding. Each time I can’t be sure that the moulding didn’t fly into another car because it came off with such force, it actually scratched my car when it flew off. This is the second time I’ve had to pay over $300 to get the moulding replaced because of what I feel are faulty clips that hold it on. This poses a safety hazard to not only me (distraction when it comes off while on the highway) as well as other drivers around me. I feel this needs to be a recall issue and, if owners have paid to have said repairs already done, a reimbursement made for the repairs done to date. As an added note, I was at my grandson’s baseball game Friday night and there were three explorers in the parking lot, I ring mine. ALL THREE were missing one side of their windshield mouldings!!

NHTSA ODI 11521450

I was driving my vehicle only a month after getting oil change and service. I was confident my vehicle was in good condition as it had passed the inspection. I suddenly noticed the temperature needle was rising. I immediately pulled over and asked for help and was told i needed water. My water pump was not working.

NHTSA ODI 11521119

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing the vehicle, the back over prevention camera malfunctioned and failed to display an image. The contact stated that the message "rear camera not available" was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that the front driver’s side and passenger’s side window trim molding became unsecured and might detach from the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 89,320.

NHTSA ODI 11521141

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the windshield trim panel was partially detached. The contact applied double-sided tape to prevent the windshield trim panel from completely detaching. The contact stated that the windshield trim panel had previously been replaced; however, the failure recurred. 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 225,000.

NHTSA ODI 11520891

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65-70 mph, there was an abnormal exhaust odor entering the vehicle. When the accelerator pedal was released, the odor dissipated. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. The driver and passenger sustained a headache due to the odor but medical attention was not provided. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the seal was broken. Additionally, the mechanic informed her to use premium or Chevron fuel. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who opened a case, and referred her to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

NHTSA ODI 11520907

While driving on the interstate at 65mph, the driver side windshield trim cover and outer rubber windshield seal flew off the vehicle. There was no evidence of this possible issue prior to the event and no previous damage to the part.

NHTSA ODI 11520921

Coolant leaking, could be water pump issues? Also foul order inside vehicle. I just bought this so I don't know when these problems started. I have not taken it to a shop yet

NHTSA ODI 11520850

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the temperature gauge indicated that the engine had overheated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who replaced the thermostat, but the failure recurred, and the vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was later examined by the mechanic who diagnosed that the water pump and coolant fan had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,000.

NHTSA ODI 11520458

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became firm. The contact stated that extra effort was needed while steering the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ODI 11520476

The contact owns 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the passenger’s side air bag wiring harness was faulty. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

NHTSA ODI 11520131

I had my ford explorer 2016 for only 2 years and the rack and pinion already failed. Luckily I wasn’t on the free way when it failed on me and it would be a safety hazard. I heard clanking noise whenever I steer the steering wheel. My Dealership can’t replace it due to a extended warranty not valid anymore

NHTSA ODI 11519901

While I was driving on the highway at about 65 mph the passenger side plastic piece that runs from the top of the windshield to the bottom of the windshield flew off suddenly. This piece was large and had it hit the driver behind me could have caused serious damage. This has not been confirmed by a dealer yet. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone yet. There was no warning that it was about to come off the vehicle, it happened instantly.

NHTSA ODI 11519141

Everytime my ac/heat is on it affects my engine as I’m driving. My speedometer fast jumps. As soon as I turn it off it seems to run better. I made a complaint a week ago about something going on with my fuel and fan running high speed. I have a foul smell in my car. I thought for awhile it was something outside but now I believe it’s coming from my car. It smells like fuel/rubber/sewer if that makes sense.

NHTSA ODI 11518316

19April2023 at approximately 13:30 HRS, While traveling northbound highway 65 between Cullman and Hartselle Alabama, the right side windshield moulding detached while traveling approximately 70 MPH. The detached moulding flew rearward into traffic behind me. Upon inspection, it appears the piece is held in place by a single clip and a small strip of hook and loop tape. There were no warnings prior to the piece detaching itself from the vehicle

NHTSA ODI 11517905

Torque converter

NHTSA ODI 11517918

I was traveling on I 95 at around 55 to 60 mph when all of a sudden, the plastic trim on the side of the windshield the passenger side flew off cracked and started dangling over my passenger side window and mirror. The piece blocked my view of my mirror while I was traveling in the left lane approaching a left exit. I had to pull to the left shoulder because I was blinded by the piece on my right and could not see if the lanes were clear for me to go right. I put my hazards on and had to get out on I-95 and remove the hanging trim so I could see through my passenger mirror again. The piece probably would have become a flying object at highway speed endangering any motorist behind or beside me.

NHTSA ODI 11517948