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

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT THERE IS A DISTINCT CLUNKING SOUND. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE BLOGS WHERE MANY SIMILAR STORIES ARE BEING TOLD AND IT SEEMS THERE'S A DEFECT IN THE RACK AND PINION. OWNERS ARE SAYING THEIR VEHICLES WILL DRIFT IN THE LANE AND THE STEERING BECOMES LOOSE AND UNCONTROLLABLE. FORD DEALERS ARE CHARGING AT LEAST $2000.00 TO REPLACE THE PARTS CAUSING THIS EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE. I KNOW OF THE RECALL FOR THE REAR SUSPENSION BUT THIS IS VERY DIFFERENT. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED NOW, WHO CAN AFFORD SUCH AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR ON SOMETHING THIS CRITICAL. FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. MY VEHICLE HAS 65,000 MILES. THIS HAPPENS WHEN YOU TURN TO THE RIGHT AND I HEAR IT AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN PARKING OR JUST RIGHT TURNS.

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WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, APPROXIMATELY 45MPH, THE CAR STARTED TO JAR, THEN THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST, MOMENTS LATER THE DASH LIT UP WITH A SLEW OF TRACTION AND STEERING WARNINGS.LESS THAN A MILE FROM HOME I WRESTLED IT HOME. NO LEAKS OBSERVED, MY HUSBAND STARTED IT, AND TRIED TO TURN THE WHEEL, SEIZED COMPLETELY. TOWED IT TO NORTHHAMPTON FORD IN MASSACHUSETTS THE FOLLOWING MORNING. AFTER DIAGNOSIS THE STEERING RACK AND COMPUTER CONTROL HAS TO BE REPLACED. $2800+ TO REPAIR. FORD KNOWS OF THIS, PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL..HELP..

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WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT THERE IS A DISTINCT CLUNKING SOUND. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE BLOGS WHERE MANY SIMILAR STORIES ARE BEING TOLD AND IT SEEMS THERE'S A DEFECT IN THE RACK AND PINION. OWNERS ARE SAYING THEIR VEHICLES WILL DRIFT IN THE LANE AND THE STEERING BECOMES LOOSE AND UNCONTROLLABLE. FORD DEALERS ARE CHARGING AT LEAST $2000.00 TO REPLACE THE PARTS CAUSING THIS EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE. I KNOW OF THE RECALL FOR THE REAR SUSPENSION BUT THIS IS VERY DIFFERENT. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED NOW, WHO CAN AFFORD SUCH AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR ON SOMETHING THIS CRITICAL. FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. MY VEHICLE HAS 65,000 MILES. THIS HAPPENS WHEN YOU TURN TO THE RIGHT AND I HEAR IT AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN PARKING OR JUST RIGHT TURNS.

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND I GOT ERRORS SAYING MY ADVACE TRAC SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. ALSO THAT MY POWER STEERING FAILED AND I NEEDED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER SAFELY. I WAS GOING ABOUT 65MPH AND MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT!. I HAD TO TAKE AN OFFRAMP SHORTLY AFTER (I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK) AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. VERY DANGEROUS!

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROOF RACK RAIL CLIPS FAILED. THE CLIPS CONSTANTLY DETACHED FROM THE RAILS WHEN DRIVING OR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT A CAR WASH. THE ROOF RAIL CLIPS WERE REPLACED TWICE PER THE WARRANTY, BUT THE REPAIRS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TWICE TO MONTROSE FORD OF FAIRLAWN (3960 MEDINA ROAD, FAIRLAWN, OHIO 44333, (330) 666-0711) FOR REPAIRS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE ROOF RACK RAIL CLIPS CONTINUED TO DETACH WHEN DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS25022197K8H8N2. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

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THE OEM ROOF RACKS WILL NOT STAY MOUNTED ON THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. FORD RECOMMENDED THAT I TAKE IT TO TRUCKING THUNDER AND SEE IF THEY COULD HELP. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TRUCKING THUNDER AND THEY SAID I SHOULD FOLLOW UP WITH CORPORATE AT FORD BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING FORD NEEDED TO CORRECT. I PURCHASED NEW RETAINER CLIPS (THIS IS WHAT HOLDS THE RACKS DOWN) AND REPLACED THEM BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM (PART #FB5Z-7851050-A). THE ROOF RACKS WILL NOT STAY MOUNTED ON EITHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. LAST WEEK I SUPER GLUED THEM DOWN AND THIS HAS HELP SO FAR. THE RACKS WERE POPPING OFF WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I MAKE IT A POINT TO INSPECT OTHER EXPLORER ROOF RACKS WHEN I SEE THEM AND I HAVE NOT FOUND ONE THAT WAS NOT HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME.

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GOING DOWN HILL AT SPEED OF 40KM/H, THEN SLOW DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT STOP, THE GAS RPM SUDDENLY JUMPS TO 3000RPM , EVEN I STEPPED HARD ON THE BRAKE PADEL, THAT 3000RPM STILL EXISTING AND LAST FOR 5 SECONDS, THEN IT BACK TO NORMAL OF 900RPM.

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MY 2016 FORD EXPLORER SPORT DURING ACCELERATION SMELLS BAD FROM EXHAUST FUMES THAT ENTERING THE CAR. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ALL THE REPAIRS THAT WERE DONE ARE NOT HELPFUL CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY WHICH DIDN'T HELP EITHER. AT THIS POINT DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO.

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WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE THERE IS A CONSTANT ODOR OF NATURAL GAS OR EXHAUST LIKE SMELL. THE LONGER THE PERIOD OF TIME THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED THE MORE INTENSE THE ODOR BECOMES. IF THE WINDOWS ARE OPENED THE ODOR DISSIPATES BUT SOON RETURNS. A CHECK OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM SHOWED NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF LEAKAGE. THE ODOR IS CONSTANT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OWNED.

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BOTH PIECES THAT HOLD THE WINDSHIELD TO THE CAR ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT OF THE WINDSHIELD HAVE FLOWN OFF ON MY CAR AND SEVERAL OTHERS I KNOW WHO ALSO OWN A 2016 FORD EXPLORER.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A FAST RATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER WAITING IN PARK FOR A MOMENT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

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EXHAUST/ROTTEN EGG SMALL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR WHILE IT IS RUNNING WITH HEAT ON.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR COMING FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA17002 (STRUCTURE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 19,500. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

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I STARTED TO FEEL STRAIN ON THE STEERING WHEEL, AND SINCE I STARTED FEELING THAT TENSION ON NOV. 5TH, IT HAS INCREASED TO A HEAVIER TENSION THAT WHENEVER I MOVE MY STEERING WHEEL TO TURN IN MY CAR, SOMETHING IS HAPPENING TO MY WHEEL, AND IT IS GRINDING TOGETHER. THE STEERING RACK AND PINION SEEM TO BE THE THING THAT IS GRINDING TOGETHER TO MAKE MY STEERING WHEEL HAVE TENSION AND BE UNSAFE.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED, AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR WAS DETECTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHRIS AUFFENBERG FORD (5840 MO-100, WASHINGTON, MO 63090, (800) 264-5110) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE DEALER, HOWEVER, CONFIRMED THE PRESENCE OF THE ODOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT REFERENCED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 70044 (EXHAUST ODOR IN VEHICLE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT RELAY NUMBERS 14 AND 11 IN THE FUSE BOX WERE MELTED AND A BROWN COLOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VILLAGE FORD (23535 MICHIGAN AVE, DEARBORN, MI 48124, (313) 565-3900) WHERE IT WAS CURRENTLY AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. *MP*JB

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MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, WHEN I HEARD AN ODD NOISE. I STOPPED AND DECIDED TO MOVE ONLY TO HEAR A GRINDING NOISE ANY TIME I TURNED STEERING TO LEFT OR RIGHT. WENT TO THE CHANTILLY FORD DEALERSHIP IN VIRGINIA. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A STEERING RACK PINION PROBLEM WHICH COST JUST OVER $2000

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STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING, WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN SAFELY BUT COULD HAVE BEEN REALLY BAD IF GOING AT HIGHER SPEED OR AROUND A CURVE. WAS ABLE TO STOP AND REALLY FORCE WHEEL TO TURN A BIT. DEALER STATED I NEEDED TO REPLACE RACK AND PINION. $2500, BUT MORE OF A SAFETY ISSUE TO ME

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ISSUES STARTED WITH SEVERAL ELECTRICAL GLITCHES THAT OCCURRED AND STILL OCCUR CONSISTENTLY WITH NO RESOLUTION. BATTERY WAS "FRIED" AND REPLACED, SYNC MODULE WAS REPLACED, NOW THE GLITCHES INCLUDE A FROZEN STEERING COLUMN WHILE DRIVING AND A "CHARGING SYSTEM SERVICE NOW" LIGHT THAT COMES ON AND OFF WHILE STATIONARY AND DRIVING. ALSO PASSENGER SIDE VIEW MIRROR GETS STUCK OUTWARDS, INTERIOR ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. TRUCK IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND I AM TIRED OF PAYING $150 DIAGNOSTIC FEES WITH NO RESOLUTION.

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THE POWER STEERING WAS INOPERATIVE WHEN STATIONARY AND THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT IN MY GARAGE AND TEMP WAS BELOW FREEZING. THE STEERING WAS LOCKED UP AND YOU COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FOR ABOUT 20 TO 30 MINUTES (TRYING TO MOVE STEERING WHEEL BACK & FORTH) IT WOULD LET YOU THEN TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT DID THIS 3 TIMES AND I HAD A FORD DEALER CHECK IT OUT. THEY REPLACED THE STEERING SECTOR AND IT REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. ONE OF THE TIMES THE STEERING LOCKED UP IT ALSO WAS BINDING WHEN I STARTED MOVING AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. I FEEL IF THE STEERING SECTOR FAILED IN ABOUT 4 YEARS IS SAFETY ITEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND OWNERS REFUNDED FOR THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. IT COST ABOUT $2300.00 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. IF THIS FAILURE HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING I WOULD HAVE LOST 100% OF THE STEERING.

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PERSISTENT EMISSIONS SMELL IN CABIN CAUSING HEADACHES FOR THE DRIVER. ROESCHE FORD IN ELMHURST ILLINOIS CONDUCTED WARRANTY WORK WHICH CONSISTED OF "REPROGRAMMING" THE CAR. THE FIX DID NOT WORK AND ROESCH FILED AN APPEL TO FORD - WHO IS DENYING LIABILITY AND CLAIMING THE "REPROGRAMMING" IS THE FIX. I HAVE ALSO FILED A CLAIM WITH FORD CAS24714279. THIS IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THE POLICE INTERCEPTOR EXPLORERS IS HAVING AND IS WELL DOCUMENTED - FORD HAS EVEN SET UP A HOTLINE FOR THE POLICE - BUT IGNORE THE INDIVIDUAL OWNER.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HERRING FORD (820 MEMORIAL BLVD, PICAYUNE, MS 39466, (601) 798-8682) FOR AN UNKNOWN RECALL REPAIR REGARDING THE RUBBER GASKET ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO DETECTED A CARBON MONOXIDE ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

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LOUD KNOCKING IN THE FRONT END WHEN MAKING TURNS. ASSUMED IT WAS THE SWAY BAR BUSHING NEEDING REPLACEMENT BASED ON SEARCHES, HOWEVER AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE A WEEK THE DEALERSHIP HAS DETERMINED THAT IT IS A FAULTY STEERING GEAR. I'M SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT SO THAT THERE ARE MORE OF THESE DOCUMENTED OUT THERE. MY VEHICLE WAS STILL OPERATIONAL WHEN I TOOK IT IN, HOWEVER READING SIMILAR STORIES AND PROBLEMS OF OTHER OWNERS, IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE AND RESULTED IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. ADDITIONALLY WHEN TALKING WITH FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT THEY SAID AT 37,500 THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT IT. I'M CONCERNED WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE THERE APPEARS TO BE A LARGE RISK TO OTHER OWNERS.

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FORD REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK RECALL DID NOT NOTIFY ME THROUGH MAIL OR OTHER FORM AND PERIOD HAS CLOSED. I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION LETTER FOR NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 19V435 NHTSA DATE:JUN 10, 2019 FORD RECALL NUMBER: 19S17

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AFTER REAR TOE LINK RECALL WAS COMPLETED, VEHICLE REAR END SWAYED WHILE BRAKING ON ROUGH ROADS. THIS WAS GETTING WORSE AS WAS STARTING TO HAPPEN WITHOUT BREAKING. TOOK VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT DEALER (WILSON FORD SAGINAW, MI) THAN THE ONE WHO DID THE RECALL WORK (LAFONTAINE OF BIRCH RUN). MECHANIC FOUND THAT TWO BOLTS (ONE LH AND ONE RH) WERE NOT TIGHTENED FROM ORIGINAL RECALL WORK.

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