What 2,423 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Explorer

Transmission failure, not shifting consistently, multiple times would not shift out of second gear after down shifting during driving. This is dangerous when merging into higher speeds where acceleration is needed, such as on highway. Took Vehicle to Ford dealership twice while under power train warranty and they stated they could not replicate the concern. They reset adaptive learning transmission, because they said shifting was likely due to different driving styles between husband and wife. Now 6 months later, issue continues and they admit it is a faulty transmission, but is no longer under warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11442213

Vehicle power stalled on acceleration after pulling onto lane of travel. Road traffic heavy in both directions. Vehicle would not shift beyond initial gear of automatic transmission. Available travel speed of 40-45 mph only. Wrench light/powertrain light came on. No prior warning lights. No prior operational issues detected. After stopping vehicle, would not operate in reverse. Warning light indicator and manual reported to get to dealer asap. Dealer indicated transmission issue. Transmission was replaced. Vehicle had 56,418 miles (within 60,000 warranty) but beyond 5 year warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11439458

The vehicle surges when drive at low speeds, I have to keep my foot on the brake so it don't take off or hit something in front of me. About a month ago the surging almost made me hit a child in the roadway in front of my house. I am really uncomfortable driving the vehicle and don't feel its safe to drive due to this problem. Ford dealership is not giving any info on what tis problem could be. I found several problems on here related to this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11439286

2016 Ford Explorer 3.5 Liter (non-turbo) front wheel drive, automatic, 44k miles. Loss of power, vehicle jerked and stayed in one gear. We limped the car home and let it cool down. After the car cooled down, we went on small test drive and confirmed it was shifting erratically. We took the car to the dealer and they confirmed a component in the transmission had failed, disabling the vehicle. Over $3,000 worth of transmission repairs were made under warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11439070

Was driving on I-40 at approximately 75mph and vehicle lost all acceleration, wrench icon came on in dash. Pressed. Gas pedal to the floor, no acceleration. Had to pull over on side of road. Pulled over vehicle stared shaken. Cut off vehicle for about 1min. Tried to retest vehicle, vehicle did not want to restart/crank. Tried again vehicle stared up. Vehicle power is not the same. Thank God I was on the right side of the highway instead of the middle so I could get off the road. This could have been worse.

NHTSA ODI 11430121

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while yielding to merge onto the highway, the vehicle would not accelerate above 3 mph, with the accelerator pedal depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with transmission failure. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the Vin for the transmission. The failure mileage was 104,000.

NHTSA ODI 11424123

Our Ford Explorer lost power in the rear gear position. It also had trouble shifting from certain gears to the next. We took it into the shop when we lost full reverse. The transmission transfer case had blew out a piece of the casing. This left a gaping hole in the case, exposing a gear in the transfer case. This also allowed fluid to drain from transmission. The mechanic said this should never happen on a 76,803 mile car, let alone on a part such as the transmission. This was the second one her did in a two week period. This not only put our family out of a car, it posed a huge safety concerning not being able to move the vehicle. I would hate for this to happen to any owner who is not automotive educated. I was luck I was driving and could get us to move.

NHTSA ODI 11417665

The transmission is constantly slipping. While driving up or down any steeper grades, the RPMs are so high we have to adjust speed to get the transmission to shift properly as to not blow the engine. The suv surges and shifts hard while going only 15 to 20 mph on regular pavement. This has all been happening since we purchased the vehicle (in 2018 @ 27,000 miles). We took in right away and they did replace the transfer case. Since then we’ve taken it to two different Ford dealerships in the area and they state there is nothing wrong. We were told ‘sorry it’s not like we can drive it up a hill to see what the issue is and it’s just not bad enough to warrant replacing the transmission at this time’ We’ve had to swerve to the side of the highway to avoid rear end collisions due to poor shifting and reduced speeds. It’s not trustworthy to travel and at our first chance we’re dumping it for a Chevy. Ford knows there’s an issue with their transmissions, but they push you off until you’re outside of your warranty to tell you to replace the transmission. We helped our elderly mom purchase a Ford and her transmission went out with the same issues and she had to purchase another vehicle as well due to being put off outside of her warranty (by three days - WOW Ford!). ‘It’s not bad enough’ - we’ll it’s not going to get better!!

NHTSA ODI 11417369

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND LOST DRIVE POWER AND THE UNDERNEATH OF THE SUV WAS ON FIRE, MY HUSBAND PULLED OVER AD CALLED 911. THE DEALER STATED THE PTU CRACKED FROM PRESSURE LEAKING ALL THE OIL ONTO THE EXHAUST. ALSO STATED ALL OF MY TIRES WERE GOOD .. SO WE ARE UNSURE WHERE THE PRESSURE CAME FROM>

NHTSA ODI 11415784

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING WHICH LED TO AN EVENTUAL COMPLETE FAILURE. EXPLORER WAS ON CA HIGHWAY 76 GOING WESTBOUND WHEN TRANSMISSION FAILED. DRIVER WA FORCED TO DODGE TRAFFIC AND COAST TO AN EMERGENCY STOP AT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. EXPLORER HAD TO BE TOWED.

NHTSA ODI 11407741

THE CAR LOOSE THE POWER AND DON'T GO OVER 20 MILES AN HOUR . RPM GOES OVER 5000 CAR SPEED DON'T CHANGE MAKE NOISE YOU CAN'T GO UP THE HAVE THE POWER TO GO ONLY 20 MILES TO 23 MILES AN HOUR

NHTSA ODI 11404463

94000 MILES THE TRANSFER CASE BURST AND WHEN 70000 MILES CHARGING CYCLE DOES NOT WORK , THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPS.

NHTSA ODI 11397473

I TOOK MY 2016 FORD EXPLORER XLT ON DEC 29TH 2020 TO GET A OIL CHANGE ETC. THEY HAD THE VEHICLE ALL DAY EVEN THOUGH I TOOK IT IN AT 7AM. I PICK IT UP A 4:45 PM THEN DRIVE IT HOME BECAUSE I WORK FROM HOME I DID NOT DRIVE IT AGAIN UNTIL SATURDAY JAN 9TH 2021, WHILE DRIVING IT THAT MORNING I REALIZED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO STEER AND THE TRUCK WOULD MAKE NOISES WHEN I TURN THE STEERING IN EITHER DIRECTION. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT MORNING AND ASKED THE SERVICE CONSULTANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT. HE TOLD ME WHILE MY FATHER WAS ON THE PHONE THAT HE BELIEVES IT THE RACK AND PINION AND HE CAN'T TAKE IT BECAUSE THEY ARE BUSY AND IT'S OKAY FOR ME TO DRIVE IT. I ALSO TOLD HIM AT THAT TIME I AM SUPPOSED TO DRIVE OUT OF TOWN AND I WON'T BE BACK FOR AWHILE SO IF THERE IS A PROBLEM I RATHER LEAVE IT SO IT CAN BE FIXED. I HAVE DAMAGED ON MY C5 VERTEBRAE SO I CAN FEEL THE HARDNESS IN THE STEERING. HE ASSURED OR DISMISSED ME BUT HE SAID IT'S FINE. A FEW HOURS LATER THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED UP AND THE DASHBOARD STARTED MAKING NOISE AND THE WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES STARTED TO DISPLAYING. IT ALMOST KILLED BOTH MY MOTHER AND I ON THE HIGHWAY. IF YOU KNOW NYC HIGHWAY YOU KNOW THERE IS NO SHOULDERS. WHEN I PULLED OF THE ROAD THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I COULD NOT MOVE IT. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE TRUCK TO BE TOWED AND A UBER FOR MYSELF BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEN PAID FOR ME TO GET HOME. NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY $2719.81 FOR THE RACK AND PINION REPAIR AND THE ALSO PAY FOR THE STRUT BEARING TO BE REPAIRED WHICH THEY HAVEN'T GIVEN ME THE PRICE FOR IT BECAUSE "IT WAS TOO MUCH TO GIVE ME BOTH PRICE AT ONCE." OH BY THE WAY, THIS IS THE SAME SERVICE CONSULTANT THAT TOLD ME IT WAS FINE FOR ME TO DRIVE AND ALMOST KILLED 2 GENERATION OF MY FAMILY AT THE SAME TIME. I AM PISSED!! NOW I SEE OTHER CUSTOMERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE ON THERE SUV!!

NHTSA ODI 11387641

WHENEVER PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE THERE WILL BE A LOUD POP AND WILL SLAM INTO GEAR. SIMILARLY WILL HAPPEN WHEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. THEN WHEN CHANGING GEARS FROM SECOND TO THIRD THE VEHICLE WILL HESITATE SWITCHING GEARS AND THE RPM WILL GO INTO THE 5000 RPM. WILL HAPPEN USUALLY WHEN SHIFTING AGAIN INTO A HIGHER GEAR. USUALLY CAN DRIVE AROUND FIVE TO TEN MILES AND WILL SORT ITSELF OUT. HOWEVER IF YOU ARE ENTERING TRAFFIC ESPECIALLY A BUSY ROAD SYSTEM THIS MAY NOT ALLOW YOU TO ACCELERATE TO A SAFE SPEED SINCE THE GEARS NOT SHIFTING WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL AND NOT ACCELERATE.

NHTSA ODI 11383699

WITHIN 10 DAYS OF BUYING IT BRAND NEW I'VE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. REPLACED BACK UP SCREEN WITHIN THOSE 10 DAYS EVEN THOUGH THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. STILL CONTINUES. MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE POWER TRAIN. NOW I'VE BEEN OUT OF A CAR FOR 2 WEEKS BECAUSE I MIGHT NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT 65,000 NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. HOW CAN I PAY $38,000 AND IT GOES BAD INSTANTLY? NO HELP FROM FORD OR DEALER. MY GEARS ARE STALLING AND NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY OR PICKING UP SPEED. I DRIVE LIKE AN OLD LADY AND TAKE CARE OF THIS CAR LIKE IT'S BRAND NEW. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN AND WILL TELL ANYONE WHO WILL LISTEN NOT TO DO THE SAME.

NHTSA ODI 11373105

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE HIS GARAGE WHEN HE STARTED TO SMELL A HEAVY EXHAUST ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DORSCH FORD LINCOLN KIA (2641 EATON RD, GREEN BAY, WI 54311, (920) 469-3000) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED COST ME $3,000 TO FIX BY CONSUMER'S MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 107,000.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11366712

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SURGED BETWEEN GEARS AND DECELERATED BEFORE OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE REVERSED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE NOTICED DURING A TEST DRIVE PRIOR TO PURCHASING THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN AT THE GRIECO FORD OF RAYNHAM LOCATED AT 1651 NEW STATE HWY, RAYNHAM, MA, 02767, INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000.

NHTSA ODI 11362169

INITIAL ISSUES WAS AN ISSUES ACCELERATING. WHEN ACCELERATING TO 3000 RPM, THE RPMS WOULD SUDDENLY DROP BACK TO 2 AND THE CAR WOULD LURCH. STARTED EXPERIENCING ISSUES WHEN SLOWLY DECELERATING LIKE GEARS WOULD NOT ENGAGE CORRECTLY. WHEN STARTING THE CAR AND SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD WITH A GRIND AND THE WRENCH DASH LIGHT CAME ON.

NHTSA ODI 11354357

THIS TRUCK HAS HAD ISSUES SINCE I BOUGHT IT LIKE 5 MONTHS AGO FROM CARMAX WITHIN THAT TIME I REALLY ONLY HAD IT A MONTH REST OF TIME IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP I BOUGHT WITH 26K MILES FROM CARMAX ALREADY HAD REBUILT ENGINE BREAKS ROADERS STILL HAVE ENGINE ISSUES NOW TODAY BELT BROKE AND NEEDS TO BE TOWED I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO HAVE DO MANY ISSUES WITH A NEW TRUCK NOT MENTION IF YOU DO NOT SHUT THE TRUNK HARD IT WILL DRAIN THE BATTERY SINCE IT KEEPS THE LIGHTS ON IN THE TRUCK ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN A LEMON SINCE DAY ONE AND SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN SOLD I FEEL THIS TRUCK IS NOT RELIABLE AND UNSAFE AT TIMES. NOT WORTH THE 26000 I PAID FOR IT. PLUS THE SENSORS GO OFF FOR NO REASON AND NOTHING IS AROUND.

NHTSA ODI 11342731

THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED WITH A WEIRD NOISE, SLOW ACCELERATION DESPITE A RACING ENGINE AND THEN TOTAL FAILURE. THE EXPLORER ONLY HAS ABOUT 60,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11337414

I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL WHEN THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND THEN LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO JUST MAKE IT TO THE TOP OF THE HILL. I PULLED OVER PUT IT PARK AND THEN PUT IT IN DRIVE AND WAS ABLE DRIVE HOME. HOWEVER, NOW THE CAR HAS NO REVERSE. A TRANSMISSION REBUILD/REPLACEMENT NEEDED.

NHTSA ODI 11321524

MY FAMILY AND I WERE AT A A GAS STATION ABOUT TO GET ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY FORD EXPLORER STARTED TO STALL. I PULLED TO THE SIDE AND TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON. THIS ACTION SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM; HOWEVER, AFTER THAT DAY (4 MONTHS AGO) THE FORD EXPLORER HAS BEEN STALLING EVERY TIME I START IT AND START TO PULL OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY. IT WILL LOSE SPEED WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE AND WILL STALL FOR THE FIRST MINUTE OR SO BEFORE RESUMING BACK TO NORMALS I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WITH MY FAMILY AS IT DOES NOT FEEL SAFE AT ALL. ADDITIONALLY, AFTER STALLING I WILL GET THE WRENCH SYMBOL ON MY DASH.

NHTSA ODI 11319622

OUR 2016 FORD EXPLORER SPORT LOST POWER GOING UP A SLIGHT HILL RIGHT BEFORE OUR HOUSE AND BARELY MADE IT HOME. WE IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND ARRANGED TO BRING IT THE FOLLOWING MORNING. THE DRIVETRAIN IS UNDER WARRANTY FOR 5 YEARS OR 60,000 MILES. OUR VEHICLE IS 4 YEARS OLD WITH SLIGHTLY OVER 60,000 MILES AND WE ALSO PURCHASED THE ADDITIONAL WARRANTY FOR 100,000 MILES. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT WE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR THE LABOR OF A TRANSMISSION TEAR DOWN WHICH TAKES 18 HRS AND $2,000 IN LABOR BEFORE WE CAN FIND OUT IF THE WARRANTY WILL COVER THE ISSUE. WE HAVE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE HEATED/COOLED SEATS, THE AIR BAGS, THE PARKING ASSIST, AND STEERING. WE DID NOT SPEND ALL THIS MONEY FOR A NEWER VEHICLE(WAS 2 YRS OLD WHEN PURCHASED) JUST TO HAVE SEVERAL ISSUES THAT WILL END UP COSTING US A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY. THIS IS OUR FAMILY VEHICLE THAT WE DRIVE OUR 3 KIDS AROUND IN. WE SPENT THE EXTRA MONEY TO HAVE SOMETHING RELIABLE AND SAFE THAT WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO SINK MONEY INTO REPAIRS AND ALSO PURCHASED THE ADDITIONAL WARRANTY TO NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT AY REPAIRS. WITH THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WE HAVE SPENT ON THE VEHICLE, WE WERE NOT EXPECTING A BIG OUT OF POCKET COST, ESPECIALLY SINCE WE HAVE THE WARRANTY. WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE VEHICLE AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE WE HAVE RECEIVED AND WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD IF THIS IS THE REPUTATION THEY ALLOW THEMSELVES TO HAVE.

NHTSA ODI 11301608

MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS A LITTLE OVER 91,000 MILES ON IT. HOWEVER, FOR THE LAST 45,000 MILES, I HAVE NOTICED A JERKING IN THE TRANSMISSION ONCE I REACH ABOVE 40MPH. MY MOTHER HAS A 2017 FORD EXPLORER AND HAD THE SAME ISSUES. SHE HAD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY SO SHE WAS ABLE TO HAVE HERS FIXED BUT HAD TO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A WARRANTY FIX... THIS SHOULD BE A MANUFACTURER FIX AND RECALL. MY MOM WAS TOLD BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT FIXED HER CAR THAT THERE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS PROBLEM WITH DEALING WITH THE TRANSMISSION. SHE WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IF THE ISSUE IS NOT FIXED ON YOUR VEHICLE, IT COULD CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT AT ANY TIME . THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN,. I HAVE 4 CHILDREN IN MY VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES, TWO OF THEM BEING UNDER THE AGE OF 3. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN MY VEHICLE AND DO NOT FEEL THAT FORD IS DOING THEIR JOB TO ENSURE THAT RECALLS ARE BEING DONE PROPERLY. I SAW 7 RECALLS FOR FORD EXPLORES FOR YEAR 2016 BUT WHEN I SEARCHED MY VIN... NOTHING CAME UP... WHY IS THAT?

NHTSA ODI 11300654

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT 20-25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS JERKED SPORADICALLY. THE CHECK ENGINE AND IGNITION WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO QUIRK FORD (540 SOUTHERN ARTERY, QUINCY, MA 02169 (617) 770-0070) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO REFERRED CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.

NHTSA ODI 11300715