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

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to a dealer for an oil change, the contact was informed that there was a leak in the water pump. The contact was given an estimate for the repair. The contact also stated that the parking brake had failed to operate as needed. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the parking brake was replaced; upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V464000 (Parking Brake). The manufacturer had yet to be notified about the failure. The water pump had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

NHTSA ODI 11477631

Both of my roof side rails have come off while driving down the road. This could have seriously harmed another driver behind me. There were no warnings of this. Nobody can inspect them because they are in pieces now as they were ran over.

NHTSA ODI 11477314

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved a fault code for the second-row seat air bag sensor. The contact was informed that the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.

NHTSA ODI 11477422

Vehicle (2016 Ford Explorer) returned from the dealer following standard maintenance and a recall repair for the rear toe link. Operator noted the vehicle’s steering seemed somewhat stiff. Vehicle sat parked for two days and when driven again the steering was incredibly stiff require a great deal of effort to turn the wheel in either direction. Steering continues to be stiff and difficult whenever the vehicle is operated. Dealer was contacted and vehicle was brought back in for assessment. Dealer diagnosed the problem as the Steering Rack and advised it would need to be replaced. Per dealer the part is on national backorder and no time frame is available for when the part may be available. Dealer was unwilling to provide alternate transportation because the vehicle is no longer under warranty and part is on national backorder.

NHTSA ODI 11477118

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V692000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 180.000.

NHTSA ODI 11476854

July 28,2022 while driving on the highway at 55mph the power steering began to fail. It didn't fail completely but the steering felt awkward. I slowed up considerably. Fortunately I was less than 2 miles to my home. As I was getting home a power steering warning light illuminated and then went off. Not sure exactly what it said as I was too busy driving. At that point the power steering hadn't failed completely but still felt awkward (I would say the steering alternated between smooth steering and like the steering wheel was starting to lock in place). I managed to get to my driveway. I shut the suv off and called the local Ford dealership. They advised restarting the suv and to see if the power steering returned. It didn't. It was completely locked up at that point and I couldn't even turn the steering wheel. I called a tow truck and had it towed to the closest Ford dealership. Russ Hubler Automotive in Greensburg Indiana. The dealer called on July 29, 2022 and said the power steering had failed. I'm not a mechanic so I don't know the mechanical details but they said it wasn't the electric steering motor or module. It would cost about $2,200.00 to fix. As of today August 1, 2022 it is sitting at the dealership waiting on parts to be repaired. As I did more research I found that MANY other people had reported the same problem. I called Ford Customer Service on August 1, 2002 and spoke to a rep and then finally her supervisor. They refused to help. I was on the phone with them for 46 minutes. The supervisor finally admitted the power steering was a recall issue but it did not as yet include my VIN number even though I had the exact same experience as hundreds of other owners. She advised filing this report with the NHTSA and the BBB. She admitted that Ford was not to going to address this issue until they were required to by the NHTSA. She advised saving my receipts so that if and when the recall included my VIN number I could be reimbursed. Disappointed in Ford.

NHTSA ODI 11476866

Steering gear asy replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11476999

On 6/16/22 my vehicle was put in the shop for overheating. It was a water pump leak. It is a timing chain run water pump. The water pump is located in the engine. It was a very expensive repair. Due to the amount of labor this took to fix I was out of a vehicle for almost a month. I paid for the repair. Less that a week after I got it back my AC stopped working. Back to the shop it went. More money later... Mechanic explained to us that the water pump is located on top of the compressor. When it leaked it got all over everything destroying it. Now I must get a new compressor. No telling what else it ruined under there. This is a huge problem with this year model of Ford. Matter of fact in Canada it has already been recalled. Why is this problem not getting recalled in the US? Many people have gone after Ford with no luck and one judge threw of the case.

NHTSA ODI 11476649

My vehicle build date is May 10, 2015 @ Chicago plant. NHTSA put out a recall on my vehicle but it wasn't attached to my VIN # and my vehicle is currently having said recall problems. The recall was NHTSA-20-V-692. Is there a way to get it added to my VIN please

NHTSA ODI 11476524

My 2016 Ford Explorer only has 26,815 miles. Was driving vehicle when suddenly started to have steering issues. One of the message(s) was: Steering Fault Service Now.

NHTSA ODI 11476602

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, a ticking noise was present within the steering column while turning in either direction. The contact stated that eventually the noise became louder. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH and turning the steering wheel to the right, the steering wheel seized causing the driver to forcefully turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction to avoid losing control of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the steering column rack and pinion was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 102,000.

NHTSA ODI 11476096

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. Additionally, while attempting to accelerate the vehicle failed to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with failure with the torque converter. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to Manufacturer Communication Number: 20N07-S2. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11475885

Water pump broken. Causing engine to overheat. Please recall

NHTSA ODI 11476026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the rear seat passenger noticed that a black material had detached from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that the plastic trim from the windshield had detached. The contact called and notified the dealer about the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

NHTSA ODI 11475721

The rack and pinion failed and need to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11475276

2016 Ford Explorer water pump malfunction. Car runs hot and could cause engine failure.

NHTSA ODI 11474449

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle unintentionally downshifted without warning. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that his vehicle was included in a customer satisfaction program; the contact scheduled an appointment at a local dealer for service. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where she was informed that the transmission was defective and that the recall did not apply to the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was 72,000.

NHTSA ODI 11474457

The side panel behind the front passenger and driver side windows detached while driving. Specifically, the passenger side window panel detached while driving approximately 60 mph on the highway, which caused flying debris that could have harmed other drivers. Three days later the driver side panel detached while driving on the freeway at approximately 60 mph; however, this panel stayed hanging from the car due to wires for the keyless entry. When the panel detached at 60 mph, the tailgate open indicator light turned on inside the car. To ensure our tailgate was secure and we would not lose items out the back causing more of a hazard, we navigate to the side of the highway. This placed my family at risk while other cars passed by at 60 mph. The tailgate was shut; however, we were unable to open the tailgate. The car indicted the tailgate is open; however, there was no way to open the tailgate from inside the car, outside the car, or from the key. This reduced our exit pathways if there was an emergency in the car and caused an uncertainty if the tailgate would at some point open on our three hour trip home. Since we were three hours from our home, we found a means to attach the hanging panel to our car and proceeded driving. About five minutes into the driving, the panel split in half. The top portion detached from the car causing a debris hazard. The half with wires remained hanging from the car. Prior to reaching to NHTSA, we reached to Ford to report the safety issue. They stated this is not a recall, took no information, and offered to provide NHTSA information for reporting any concerns we had.

NHTSA ODI 11474230

A leak developed due to a faulty water pump. When I first noticed the leak in my garage I took the truck to a mechanic who told me there was evidence the leak had been going on for some time and that he could not do the repair due to the embedded location of the pump. After some research I see this is a big issue with explorers (especially 2016 models) and that the leak can mix with the engine oil causing permanent damage. I took this to Ford to be repaired at a cost of over $3K. Not sure how long I was driving with this leaking and what damage was done to the engine. This has been a known issue with many Ford vehicles and should be a recall

NHTSA ODI 11474090

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, a low coolant warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective water pump. The dealer was then notified of the failure where they acknowledge that the failure was common with her model vehicle. The contact was then provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11473862

Power steering tends to go out at random. When car is turned off and then restarted, power steering goes back to functioning normal until it goes out at random again. Rack and pinion unavailable for replacement.

NHTSA ODI 11474008

When driving my vehicle my steering wheel sticks to the right and left when making a turn and also making a slight turn. I have to pull the wheel back into place hard. I have tried to call the manufacturer but they stated that there is no recall and I could bring it in for 170 dollars to get it looked out. I have read online that the same year, make, and model of the vehicle has had the same recall. It scares me to drive it but unfortunately I don’t have a choice I have too.

NHTSA ODI 11473246

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The vehicle had previously been serviced by an independent mechanic who replaced the engine and two engine cylinders. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the gear shifter was unable to shift to the intended gear. Additionally, the vehicle jerked and hesitated during acceleration. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,600. The consumer stated this is the 2nd engine and still having problems with the engine stalling.

NHTSA ODI 11472796

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while at a stop, the steering wheel seized with the "Power Steering Failure - Drive Slowly" message displayed on the instrument panel. The contact was unable to notify a dealer due to the national holiday. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not towed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

NHTSA ODI 11472313

Upon driving the steering locked up and was stiff to turn and maneuver. It locks up and fault steering sign comes on .It happened on freeway . I am attempting to try and get it fixed but having difficulty with company going back and forth with my extended warranty. It is used for my wife to transport my grandkid. Unfortunately no resolution yet and this seems to be a continuous issue for this vehicle this year 2022. Ford should as previous years take care of this dangerous issue. This is my 3rd and last Ford car.

NHTSA ODI 11471838