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

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 71 MPH, the contact noticed that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The failure mileage was 138,400.

NHTSA ODI 11485725

During inspection the dealership noted that the water pump was leaking coolant into the engine and must be replaced before catastrophic failure profit failure. The cost of the replacement is an excess of $3000

NHTSA ODI 11485322

A ticking/grinding noise coming from the steering column while turning at low speeds. When turning the steering wheel to the right or left, the steering wheel will not center and must be forced back to center/straight. If not manually forced back to center/straight the car would continue in the direction of the turn being performed. The force needed to center the steering wheel is unpredictable and varied. The vehicle was taken to two local mechanics who diagnosed that the rack and pinion is faulty and needed to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11484659

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the A and B molding used to secure the windshield, detached from the vehicle. The contact pulled over and retrieved the pieces. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer who replaced the moldings. The contact stated that the front windshield molding had since started to detach again. The contact stated that the rear and front passenger’s side door moldings were also detaching. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that there was no recall regarding the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 83,913.

NHTSA ODI 11484465

Approximately 2 weeks ago, I received a warning for power assist fault- service soon. Once I turned my truck off and restarted it the warning went away and the truck drove fine. Then about 1 week ago, the warning came back and did not go off. The truck became extremely hard to turn almost locking up while I was driving in traffic. I took the truck to Ford dealership to learn that steering assembly had failed and it would cost $3,000 to fix! I’ve read where this has happened to several others with this same male truck. Luckily, I was not on the highway or this could have resulted in an accident possibly a fatality. This needs to be addressed as this is a very serious issue.

NHTSA ODI 11484134

Complete engine replacement recommended by Ford dealership. Vehicle had the Water Pump and Timing Chain replaced early 2022, has been running good since replacement but out of no where check engine light came on and started running sluggish. Had it towed to Ford and explained the engine is not building compression and recommended new engine. Since purchasing the vehicle brand new had several people we know also had to replace water pump but because of the design was $4000 to replace, find it strange with all the recalls on this vehicle that the water pump isn’t included in the recalls. After hearing from other mechanics the compression could’ve been caused by coolant leak (water pump) into the head gaskets. Basically one problem causing other problems but Ford not admitting any issues but redesigned the engine after 2016, sounds fishy to me.

NHTSA ODI 11483561

Issue with the power steering in the vehicle. Loud grinding when turning vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11483590

We own a 2016 Ford Explorer with only 23,000 miles on it. While driving down the road the steering began to make a noise when trying to turn and shortly after it became very hard to keep control of the car (not a power steering issue). We were only a half mile from a dealer when the problem began and we drove it there so they can diagnose the problem. The dealer found that the steering rack needed to be replaced. No warning lights or any messages came on the dashboard prior to issue nor when the issue started.

NHTSA ODI 11483202

Air bag dashboard light turned in January 2022 until now part is back order. Secondly over heating problems at 60 mph on July 16, 2022 I was told it was the cooling fans and was fixed and didn’t fixed the problem now I was told is the active grilled shutters malfunctioning

NHTSA ODI 11483394

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that his while his son was driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The driver was unable to control the vehicle and the vehicle went across two lanes of traffic to the right. The contact stated that numerous unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact's son was able to steer the vehicle to the residence however, excessive force was needed while steering the vehicle. The contact stated that the steering wheel then seized and the vehicle was towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the power steering rack needed to be replaced; however, the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 11482387

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving and making left and right turns, the contact heard a clunking noise in the steering wheel. Additionally, the contact stated that the steering wheel felt detached. The contact stated that the vehicle was swaying to the left and the right. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was transferred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

NHTSA ODI 11482287

You can smell a sickly metal burning smell in the cabin when accelerating to get onto a freeway.

NHTSA ODI 11481679

Steering wheel started making a rubbing sound. Then it started loud grinding/scraping noise. Steering wheel ‘catches’, hard to turn, or locks up. No warning light/s for service were presented. 2 weeks for an appointment by Ford Co. I have had Ford mechanic inspect, & diagnosis is a Electronic Steering Box, Steering Rack. The vehicle has 60, 005 miles. The Ford service rep did not say anything about not driving it. I parked it, afraid of an accident! Waiting on parts. I have read there have been 2,000 complaints filed. How many have not been officially filed?

NHTSA ODI 11481665

While driving on the freeway, the right front exterior pillar trim came off and flew back toward traffic behind me. That exterior trim was between the door frame and the windshield. Luckily it did not strike any other vehicle. It could have easily struck another vehicle and caused an accident and/or injury. Prior to the detachment, the trim in question did not appear to be lose or coming off. When I checked with my local Ford Dealer, the service technician told me he knew of many other incidents involving that particular trim coming off on both sides of the vehicle. The dealer replaced the trim at a cost of $500. I later did some research on the internet and found that this has happened to may other owners of Ford Explorers. I notified Ford of the incident, no recalls involving this equipment.

NHTSA ODI 11481000

I was driving on the interstate and the power steering stopped work. No signs or anything till it stopped working. I had to pull over asap and it was very hard to turn. Now there is no way of getting the part for my car to fix it because of national back order

NHTSA ODI 11481094

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the engine temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating. The vehicle was immediately taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed the failure was due to a faulty water pump and suggested that the vehicle be taken to the local dealer for servicing. The local dealer was contacted and the service appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,278.

NHTSA ODI 11480536

Water pumps failing with less than 50,000 miles causing coolant leakage and overheating

NHTSA ODI 11479484

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering significantly and was emitting abnormal rumbling sounds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer Big Valley Ford, Inc. (M-28, Ewen, MI 49925), where it was diagnosed that the driveshaft needed to be replaced. However, the parts were on national backorder. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the driveshaft needed to be replaced. The driveshaft was replaced. However, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transfer case needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance as the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 47,075.

NHTSA ODI 11479391

Steering makes occasional clunking/popping noises at very slow speeds backing out and turning form my driveway. It also occurs occasionally making slow speed turns like on a roundabout or U-turn. On one occasion we had a loss of power steering mid corner and jerking sensation. I had it towed to my local Ford dealer as it is a safety concern and they said they could find no noise and no codes stored. There were no warning lamps indicated. I demonstrated it to t he technician and they said it was "normal". No way is this normal and it is a safety issue as I can feel the clunking and my steering wheel fighting me when it happens. I have read others have experienced similar issues. We purchased the Explorer new and have had no accidents.

NHTSA ODI 11479064

Passenger side windshield trim came loose on the freeway and flopped around violently then broke off and went flying behind us. Thankfully it did not hit vehicles behind us as it weighs several pounds and has pointy ends. We purchased this Ford Explorer brand new and it always had some wind noise at freeway speeds on that side. @ 46K miles and the trim replacement was not covered by warranty. The dealer said it is quite common and they see it regularly (and will happily take your $500 to fix it). I have seen several other Explorers (including one Police Ford Explorer) with this missing trim panel and you can find many aftermarket replacement brands selling them online and in auto parts stores. This must be a very common issue to justify several companies making replacements. This issue could be deadly if you are following behind a Ford Explorer when it comes off at speed. Ford has sold millions of these SUV's. Looking at the damage it appears the bottom plastic clip that hold the large trim piece fails then wind gets under the trim and breaks the other clips ultimately sending the part flying.

NHTSA ODI 11479067

The power steering on my 2016 Ford Explorer failed at 73,000 miles. I had a total loss of power steering and had to be towed to the dealership who, upon investigating the cause, said it was corroded but wasn't visible until they opened the Steering Gear Assembly. After doing some web searches on the topic, I found that this is becoming a common issue with Ford Explorers. There have been many reports of people who have lost power steering while driving. The replacement part is currently on backorder and Ford is in the process of releasing 250 within the next week but they said most have been claimed already. Again, indicating that my experience was not an isolated issue. This is a safety issue.

NHTSA ODI 11478609

Check engine light came on low engine oil pressure light come on made loud knocking noise regular maintenance 147k miles vehicle is at mechanic shop estimate total $1500-$2500 to fix do not have money for repairs

NHTSA ODI 11478473

I drove it Wednesday to an apt one hour away with no issues but the next morning the steering wheel would hardly turn at all and made a constant knocking noise. If this had happened to me while on an interstate or highway, I am certain that I would have crashed since I had no control. I did inquire with Vogler service dept. about it having anything to do with the last recall we took care of since it warns of possible loss of steering control but was told it did not. I understand that the whole steering assembly (for lack of parts jargon) has to be replaced and reprogrammed and that this will be difficult to get and also Vogler said they are short staffed so it will take a while. The recalls I am referring to are 20S62 and 21S32

NHTSA ODI 11477924

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the coolant temperature warning light and "Engine Coolant Over Temperature" message were displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who performed a pressure test; however, no coolant leak was found. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

NHTSA ODI 11477755

The engine shut off when driving on the highway at 65 and the wrench light came on ... I could not navigate the vehicle...took it to the Legacy Ford dealership and was informed that the Electronic Throttle Body needed to be replaced...I believe ford had that on a recall back in 2017 but not for my VIN....The dealership said that my VIN does not qualify for the recall to my surprise

NHTSA ODI 11477805