Home · 2016 Ford Explorer · Complaints

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

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (2,429)Crash / fire / injury (77)Body & structure (574)Steering (527)Engine (379)Transmission & drivetrain (213)Electrical system (124)Engine & cooling (114)Fuel system (110)Airbags (99)Speed control (76)Suspension (73)

124 of 2,429 complaints match · Electrical system · clear filters · page 4 of 5

Jun 12, 2019Electrical system

1. RIGHT REAR PASSENGER HEATED SEAT SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. THE LIGHT TURNS ON BRIEFLY BUT SHUTS OFF. I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT NOT ON THIS SITE. 2. FRONT CAMERAS BECAME FOGGED THIS WINTER AND ARE USELESS NOW SHOWING A CLOUDY SCREEN. 3. EVERY TIME I PUT THE VEHICLE IN GEAR I GET A MESSAGE STATING PARK AID FAULT CHECK PARK AID #1 AND #3 ARE KNOWN PROBLEMS AND HAVE HAPPENED TO MULTIPLE OWNERS OF 2016 FORD EXPLORERS.

NHTSA ODI 11219595

May 29, 2019Electrical system

2016 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO INADVERTENT OPENING OR CLOSURE OF REAR CARGO DOOR. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE REAR CARGO DOOR INADVERTENTLY CLOSES IT STRIKES THE OCCUPANT ON THE HEAD OR BACK. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11209877

May 29, 2019Electrical systemAirbagsSeat belts

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON. IN TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THIS WAS TRACED BACK TO FORD'S ERROR CODE DTC B141B AND/OR B141C. THIS ERROR CODE HAS TO DO WITH FORD INSTALLING A DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE REAR SEAT INFLATABLE AIRBAGS AND COULD CAUSE THEM TO FAIL TO OPERATE DURING A COLLISION. THE DEALERSHIP (SHEEHY FORD, MIDLOTHIAN, VA) REFUSES TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. I ALSO CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TWICE (5/29/19 AND IN APRIL 2019) AND THEY ALSO REFUSE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DESPITE IT BEING AN OBVIOUS SAFETY DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THEIR SAFETY RESTRAINT WARRANTY. THE FACT THAT FORD IS REFUSING TO STAND BEHIND THE SAFETY OF THEIR VEHICLE HAS ME CONCERNED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11210582

Apr 25, 2019SteeringElectrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

LOSS OFF POWER STEERING AND STABILITY CONTROL

NHTSA ODI 11203629

Mar 9, 2019Electrical systemAirbags

THE AIRBAG CONTROLLER LIGHT IS ON ON THE DASH. I HAD A DIAGNOSED AND MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY COME TO SAY THAT THE WIRING HARNESS CONTROL IN THE REAR AIRBAGS IS DAMAGED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP I SAID THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN NOTICING IN 2016 FORD EXPLORE MODELS MORE AND MORE. I AM CURIOUS IF THIS IS A SAFETY RECALL THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BY FORD.

NHTSA ODI 11185516

Jan 23, 2019Electrical system

NAVIGATION AND RADIO SCREEN KEEPS GOING OUT OR TURNING BLACK REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCK WON'T LOCK OR UNLOCK.

NHTSA ODI 11171688

Oct 29, 2018Electrical systemAirbagsSpeed control

ON A CITY STREET EXPERIENCE LOSS OF ACCELERATING POWER WHILE COMING TO STOP AND CROSSING AN INTERSECTION THE VEHICLE WILL STAR AT A SNAIL PACE BRINGING UP THE SPEED TO 40 MPH ON LIMP MODE SINCE THE VEHICLE SERVICE WRENCH TOOL AND AIR BAG LIGHT UP ON THE DASH BOARD VEHICLE WILL NOT RESPOND PUSHING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL.

NHTSA ODI 11143823

Oct 4, 2018Electrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND LOST POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STEVE ROGERS FORD (LOCATED AT 9760 OH-64, WATERVILLE, OH 43566, (419) 878-8151) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT AND PRIMARILY OCCURRED DURING HOT, HUMID WEATHER WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ACTIVATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,400.

NHTSA ODI 11133246

Sep 10, 2018Electrical systemEngine

I WAS DRIVING ON THE NYS THRUWAY AROUND 70-75MPH AND THE CAR DECELERATED TO 55MPH THEN WAS LIKE IN A COAST MODE. THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND IT SAID SEE MANUAL. I PUSHED THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND IT WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED CAR OFF AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON AND PUSHED OK TO THE SEE MANUAL. I WAS THEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT. WE COULD OF BEEN KILLED IF SOMEONE WAS BEHIND ME. I BROUGHT IN TO DEALER AND SAID THEY REALLY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG OR SEE ANY INFO ON THE COMPUTER WHEN CAR WAS HOOKED UP. VERY SCARY AS I HAVE READ ONLINE MORE PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM.

NHTSA ODI 11128575

Sep 8, 2018Electrical system

THE CAR WAS WEAK TO START FOR 2DAYS.. DAY 3@ 5AM I PUSHED THE KEY 2XS TO START MY 2016 FOR EXPLORER FROM INSIDE MY HOUSE. IT DIDN'T START SO I GOT INSIDE THE CAR & PUSHED THE START BUTTON, IT MADE CLICKING SOUND THEN SAID SYSTEM SHUTTING DOWN! LATER THAT. AFTERNOON I LOOKED UNDER HOOD & BATTERY ACID WAS EVERYWHERE. THE MOTOR CRAFT BATTERY EXPLODED!

NHTSA ODI 11128234

Jul 26, 2018SteeringElectrical system

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY (75 MPH), SEVERAL ALERTS POPPED UP OUT OF NOWHERE - HILL ASSIST ERROR, STEERING CONTROL ERROR, TERRAIN ASSIST ERROR, STABILITY ERROR. IT TOLD ME TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY. ONCE I STOPPED MY CAR AND RESTARTED IT, MY POWER STEERING WAS NO LONGER WORKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW - BOTH TIMES ON THE FREEWAY. IT'S EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO HAVE STEERING GO OUT - I'M CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. THE FORD DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE ELECTRIC STEERING COMPONENT FOR $2,000. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT, SO IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THAT THE STEERING COMPONENT WOULD ALREADY NEED REPLACING.

NHTSA ODI 11113953

Jul 20, 2018Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS INTERMITTENTLY DIMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHUCK COLVIN FORD NISSAN (1925 N HWY 99 W, MCMINNVILLE, OR 97128, (503) 472-6124) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

NHTSA ODI 11112763

Jul 9, 2018SteeringElectrical system

ORIGINALLY I HAD A LIGHT COMING ON WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD SAYING "STEERING FAULT SERVICE NOW" IT WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF OR OCCASIONALLY I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART MY TRUCK TO RESET. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK I STARTED HAVING MULTIPLE LINES COME ON AT ONE TIME FLASHING AT ME WHILE DRIVING SAYING "SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC, HILL START ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE, SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC AND STEERING FAULT SERVICE NOW". WHEN THESE LIGHTS COME ON I LOSE ALL POWER STEERING IN MY VEHICLE AND I'M UNABLE TO STEER AT ALL. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND IT HAS BECOME EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN WHILE DRIVING, BUT OTHER THAN THAT I SEE NO RHYME OR REASON OR OTHER FACTORS THAT ARE THE SAME WHEN THE LIGHTS HAVE CAME ON. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO MY MECHANIC TO LOOK AT AND HE FOUND ONLINE THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE MANY PEOPLE ARE BLOGGING ABOUT AND COMPLAINING ABOUT. HE HOOKED MY TRUCK UP TO THE COMPUTER BUT COULD NOT GET ANY TYPE OF ERROR CODE TO COME BACK AND SUGGESTED I FOLLOW UP WITH FORD TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT BUT ALSO SUGGESTED THAT I CONTACT SOMEONE TO SEE IF THIS HAS SOME TYPE OF RECALL BECAUSE IN HIS WORDS "THIS IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE". I HAVE CHECKED BUT NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN MADE AS OF NOW BUT DID SEE THERE WAS A VERY SIMILAR PROBLEM IN THE 2011-2013 EXPLORERS AND A RECALL WAS MADE. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT THIS WEEK FOR MY TRUCK TO GO TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO BE LOOKED AT BUT FEEL STRONGLY THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED NOW ON THE 2016 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE 2 YOUNG DRIVERS THAT OCCASIONALLY DRIVE MY VEHICLE, IF ONE OF THEM WERE TO DRIVE IT WHEN THE STEERING WENT OUT, I DON'T WANT TO THINK WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. THIS IS TO SERIOUS TO IGNORE AND I SEE TO MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER PEOPLE ONLINE SO I KNOW THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT ONLY I AM GOING THROUGH. PLEASE RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND HAVE THIS CHECKED.

NHTSA ODI 11110267

May 12, 2018Electrical systemVisibility & wipers

THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE FRONT PARKING SENSORS WHERE AFTER FREEZING, WATER CAN ENTER THE OPENING OF PARKING SENSOR AND SHORT CIRCUIT THE WIRING HARNESS CAUSING THE PARKING AID SYSTEM TO FAULT. THIS PREVENTS THE DRIVER FROM UTILIZING THIS KEY SAFETY FEATURE WHEN PARKING OR BEING ALERTED ON THEIR CLOSE PROXIMITY OF SURROUNDING OBJECTS.

NHTSA ODI 11093440

May 5, 2018Electrical systemEngine

I BOUGHT MY FORD EXPLORER 2 YEARS AGO BRAND NEW AND EVERYS SINCE I BOUGHT IT I HAVE HAD HEADACHES. DIZZINESS WHILE DRIVING AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH IT. MY HUSBAND HAS ALSO BEEN TREATED FOR HEADACHES AND WE BELIEVE IT IS FROM OUR FORD, WE DON'T HAVE THESE ISSUES UNTIL WE ARE IN THE CAR FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. THE DASHBOARD GOES BLANK A LOT AND IT LOSES POWER.

NHTSA ODI 11092049

Apr 2, 2018Electrical system

DASH/SPEEDOMETER WENT BLACK - HEAT AND AIR SYSTEM INOPERABLE - NO TURN SIGNALS - POWER DECREASED AND POWER STEERING NOT FULLY FUNCTIONING. ALL OF THIS HAPPENED WHEN I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND REALIZED THE RADIO AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE NOT AUTOMATICALLY SHUTTING OFF SO I RESTARTED THE CAR AND STILL NOTHING. DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY - THIS DID FIX PART OF THE PROBLEMS BUT THE SYNCH HEALTH REPORT IS STILL NOT SHOWING COMPLETLELY CLEAR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN WENT OFF AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES . CONCERNED IF IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE ESPECIALLY IF THIS IS A POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM - CAR IS JUST AT 23K MILES AND ALSO HAD TO HAVE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED AT AROUD ONLY 3K MILES. NOT FELING SAFE IN THE CAR AT THIS POINT.

NHTSA ODI 11082611

Jan 26, 2018Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY STARTED ITSELF WITHOUT WARNING. WOODY SANDERS FORD (235 W MITCHELL AVE, CINCINNATI, OH) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THIS PARTICULAR FAILURE ONLY APPLIED TO THE POLICE CRUISERS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ODI 11065296

Jan 5, 2018Electrical system

"SYSTEM OFF TO SAVE BATTERY" MESSAGE ON FORD EXPLORER 2016. I HAVE READ OVER 500 POST TO THIS PROBLEM WHICH MY WIFE'S SUV JUST STARTED TO SHOW. MOST OF THEM ARE SAYING IN SOME CASES THE SUV DIED WHILE IN TRAFFIC. THE DEALERS ARE SAYING ITS THE BATTERY BUT IN MOST CASES THE SUV HAS ONLY A COUPLE OF THOUSAND MILES ON IT OR IS ONLY A YEAR OLD. SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED IF THIS IS NOT ADDRESSED SOON. AS OF NOW, OURS HAPPENS WHEN EITHER IN PARK PRIOR TO RUNNING OR SHUTTING DOWN THE SUV HOWEVER IN RESEARCHING IT, THIS IS HAPPENING IN THE F150, EXPLORER, AND A NUMBER OF OTHER FORD CARS AND TRUCKS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND CANADA. SHE DRIVES APPROX 10 MILES EACH WAY TO WORK AND ON WEEKENDS MAYBE 20 OR 30 MILES. THIS IS NOT COUNTING NUMEROUS ERRANDS RUN SO ITS NOT LACK OF DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11060739

Nov 17, 2017Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND ENGINE CONTROL MODULE FAILED UNDER HIGH SPEED ON A 4 LANE ROAD. WE WERE ALMOST KILLED BY BEING REAR-ENDED TRAFFIC AS VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, ENGINE OFF, AND COMPLETELY DEAD. NOT ABLE TO STEER OR BRAKE. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 12,854 ACTUAL MILES. PLEASE FIX THIS BEFORE OTHERS ARE KILLED AND/OR MAIMED.

NHTSA ODI 11047089

Nov 1, 2017Electrical systemFire

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND WHEN WE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BY PUSHING THE START BUTTON, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START BUT A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE POURED OUT OF THE DASHBOARD. THE REPAIR FACILITY PERFORMED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WORK WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BUT STATED THAT THEY DID NOT DISCOVER WHAT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE ISSUE WAS.

NHTSA ODI 11041892

Sep 11, 2017Electrical systemEngine

I HAVE A 2016 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED EDITION UNDER MY DADS NAME AND MY WIFE IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER ON IT. AFTER GETTING OUR CAR I DROVE IT DAILY AS COMMUTER FOR 2 MONTHS AND SOMETIMES I SMELL SOMETHING BAD INSIDE LIKE BURNED TIRES BUT I JUST IGNORED IT BECAUSE I SAID MY CAR IS BNEW AND MAYBE ITS FROM OUTSIDE AND AFTER THAT MY WIFE START DRIVING IT BUT LAST DECEMBER 2016 WE WENT TO VEGAS AND I JANSSEN (HUSBAND) IS THE ONE DRIVING ON THE CAR AND SMELLED SOMETHING BURNED TIRES INSIDE THE CAR WHILE CRUISING ON IT, I CHECKED THE TIRES/BREAK OUTSIDE BUT I DONT SMELL IT FROM OUTSIDE, SO AFTER THAT WE WENT TO OUR DEALER AND CHECKED IT FOUND OUT THERES A CARBON MONOXIDE PRESENT INSIDE AND THEY FIXED IT BY COVERING THE HOLES OF THE CAR THAT MAY BE THE ENTRY OF SMOKE FROM OUTSIDE AND UPDATING THE SYSTEM AS PER SERVICE GUY TOLD ME "RENE" AND SAID EVERYTHING WORKS WELL NOW. AFTER FEW MONTHS IT WAS JUNE 2017 I SMELLED IT AGAIN AND CONCERNED ME MORE BECAUSE MY WIFE IS PREGNANT AND I KNOW CO2 IS REALLY BAD ON OUR HEALTH AND I KNOW THAT BECAUSE WE ARE BOTH NURSES AND WE SENT IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND MY SERVICE GUY "LUIS " TOLD ME THEY PUT SOME RUBBER IN THE REAR DOOR FOR THE PURPOSE OF SEALING THE DOOR THAT MAYBE THE SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST IS THE ONE CAUSING IT AND TAKE NOTE " THE CAR STAYS 1 WEEK IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT". AND NOW SEPT 2017 THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING AND I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP, I SPOKE TO LUIS AND CASEY AND THEY TOLD ME THERE'S STILL WAITING FOR THE SERVICE MANAGER BECAUSE THEY ARE BUSSY, I TOLD THEM MY CONCERN THAT MY WIFE IS PREGNANT SHE'S ON 8 MONTHS NOW AND IT MAKES ME REALLY CONCERNED OF WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE CAR BUT THEY JUST TOLD ME TO WAIT, AND MY WIFE DAILY CAR IS IT. SO INCASE SOMETHING HAPPEN WITH MY FAMILY THIS IS NOT REALLY SAFE FOR US, SO I REALLY NEED A BIG HELP FROM YOU NHTSA THAT WE CAN SOLVE THIS PROBLEM, I HEARD OTHERS TOO ESP POLICE. TY

NHTSA ODI 11022723

Aug 7, 2017Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE SERVICE "WRENCH" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (NORTHTOWN FORD IN MENOMONIE, WI) WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE SAME DEALER REPLACED THE RETAINING CLIP, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MADE THE MANUFACTURER AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND REQUESTED A BUY-BACK. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ISSUES DID NOT WARRANT A BUY-BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,000.

NHTSA ODI 11013522

Jul 19, 2017Electrical system

I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE REARVIEW CAMERA ON THE FORD SYNC SYSTEM WOUND UP SHOWING A FROZEN IMAGE. IT TOOK ME SEVERAL SECONDS TO REALIZE THAT THE IMAGE I WAS LOOKING AT WAS ACTUALLY AN OLD IMAGE! I WAS LUCKY I DID NOT RUN INTO SOMEONE SINCE I WAS ESSENTIALLY BACKING UP WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO SEE ANYTHING.

NHTSA ODI 11006460

Jul 6, 2017Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel system

I AM AN OWNER OF A 2016 FORD EXPLORER THAT WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW AT A DEALERSHIP HERE IN AZ LAST YEAR IN JANUARY. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE, I STARTED NOTICING FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE VEHICLE AND VEHICLE USING A LOT OF GAS EVERYDAY. I TOOK MY TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD EVERYTHING IS OK. AS TIME WENT ON, I NOTICED THAT EVERY TIME I ACCELERATED ON THE GAS, THE TRUCK SLOWED DOWN. TOOK TRUCK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD ONCE AGAIN NOTHING IS WRONG. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, THE BATTERY DIED. I HAVE THE TRUCK TOOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE BATTERY DIES AGAIN. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY AGAIN AND NOTICED A RECALL ON THE TRUCK. A WEEK LATER I'M DRIVING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL WHEN THE DASHBOARD GOES BLACK AND THEN LIGHTS UP AGAIN. ALL OF A SUDDEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN, THE DASHBOARD GOES BLACK AND THE SPEED STARTS DECELERATING. I HURRY UP AND GET TO THE SAFETY SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. I CUT THE TRUCK COMPLETELY OFF, WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND IT STARTED RIGHT BACK UP. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP. ONCE AGAIN, I'M TOLD THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. YESTERDAY THE TRUCK DASHBOARD STARTS GOING ON AND OFF. THEN THE TRUCK COMPLETELY DIES. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAITED FOR OVER 5 HOURS AT THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE THEY TOLD ME WHAT "MIGHT" BE THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THERE MIGHT BE AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE BETWEEN THE MONITOR, RADIO, ODOMETER, AND CLIMATE CONTROLS THAT IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T HAVE PARTS TO FIX IT BUT CAN ORDER THEM AND IT MIGHT TAKE A FEW WEEKS TO GET THEM. AS OF NOW I HAVE NO AIR CONDITIONER AND MY RADIO ISN'T WORKING. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGERS ABOUT THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THERE ISN'T ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE EXCEPT WAIT FOR FORD TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI 11003473

Apr 1, 2017Electrical system

AUTO HATCH CLOSES WITHOUT WARNING WHEN LOAD THE REAR OF CAR TRAPPING PERSON BETWEEN DOOR AND CAR. DOOR DOES NOT REVERSE TO OPEN.

NHTSA ODI 10969905

← NewerOlder →

Working with the data? Download all 2,429 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 22, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 Ford Explorer verdict →