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

ONE MORNING, I BEGAN TO SMELL A SULFUR OR GAS-LIKE SMELL INSIDE THE CAR. I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT BUT IT PERSISTED FROM 5:00 A.M. -9:00 A.M. MY 7 YEAR OLD SON EVEN SMELLED IT WHEN ENTERING THE CAR. AFTER DROPPING HIM OFF AT SCHOOL I DROVE TO DEALERSHIP TO GET IT INSPECTED. DURING THAT DRIVE, WITH THE WINDOWS CRACKED, I BEGAN TO FEEL A DULL HEADACHE, DIZZINESS AND MUSCLE WEAKNESS. ONCE I DROPPED MY CAR OFF FOR INSPECTION AND WAS OUT OF THE CAR I DIDN'T FEEL ANY BETTER AND MY HEADACHE AND WEAKNESS GOT WORSE. MY WIFE TOOK ME TO THE ER OUT OF PRECAUTION AND AFTER BLOODWORK WAS TAKEN, I WAS CONFIRMED TO HAVE HAD CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. I AM A NON-SMOKER AND MY COHB LEVELS WERE TWICE THAT OF A NON-SMOKER : 3.8% IT WAS RAINING OUT SO I COULD NOT UNROLLI WINDOWS AS MUCH AS I WANTED TO. I WAS NOT DRIVING WITH THE A/C ON, WAS NOT SITTING IDLE. MINIMUM SPEED WAS 5-10 MPH AND MAX SPEED WAS 70 MPH FORD IDENTIFIED THE SMELL AS A FAILING PTU BUT CLAIMED THERE WAS NO CO PRESENT AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH A CO SENSOR INSIDE THE CAB. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 32 MONTHS WITH NO ISSUE BUT I CANNOT IGNORE THAT I DID IN FACT HAVE CARBON MONOXIDE EXPOSURE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE EXISTENCE OF THE STRONG SULFUR SMELL SHOWING UP. I AM NOT CONVINCED CARBON MONOXIDE GETTING INSIDE THE VEHICLE WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11196870

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO REVERSE, IT JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WOODY ANDERSON FORD (2500 JORDAN LN NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL 35810, (877) 315-0514) TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING CARBON MONOXIDE. PRIOR TO TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THE CONTACT BECAME VERY SLEEPY WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

NHTSA ODI 11196688

2016 EXPLORER LIMITED PURCHASED NEW, CURRENTLY HAS 32,000 MILES ON IT AND TIRES ARE SHREDDING AND NEED TO BE REPLACED, WELL BELOW THE RATING OF 50,000 MILES. HANKOOK TIRES

NHTSA ODI 11196501

STARTED HEARING GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. RACK AND PINION WENT BAD AT 78000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11193295

WHISTLE OR BUZZ-TYPE NOISE FROM FRONT COWL PANEL GRILLE COVER. FORD DEALERSHIP CONFIRMS THIS "BODY DEFECT ISSUE" BUT WILL NOT COVER IT UNDER ANY WARRANTY. WANT $1,300 TO FIX. THIS IS THE ISSUE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=VWC3-PTT3L0&T=49S

NHTSA ODI 11192841

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH. HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THOUGHT I HAD SCRAPED A TREE AS WAS IN AN AREA WITH ALOT TREES. THE NEXT DAY NOTICED THAT THE PILLAR TRIM ON MY PASSENGER DOOR WAS GONE. CHECKED THE REST OF MY CAR AND THE PILLAR TRIM ON THE WINDSHIELD IS LOOSE ALSO. RESEARCHED THIS ON THE WEB AND IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS TRIM FLYING OFF AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED AND STRIKING EITHER MY OWN WINDSHIELD OR ANOTHER VEHICLE BEHIND ME. CONTACTED FORD AND WAS TOLD THANK YOU FOR CONCERN BUT NO SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE. I AM PRETTY SURE PIECES FLYING OFF A VEHICLE GOING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED SHOULD BE OF CONCERN. I NOW KNOW WHAT THAT WHISTLING SOUND WAS THAT I WOULD HEAR WHEN DRIVING. IT WAS THE LOOSE TRIM CATCHING THE WIND.

NHTSA ODI 11193098

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GILBOY FORD (2805 MACARTHUR RD, WHITEHALL, PA 18052) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MARCH 28, 2019. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,500.

NHTSA ODI 11192344

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ROUNTREE FORD (318-798-3673, LOCATED AT 8770 BUSINESS PARK DR, SHREVEPORT, LA 71105) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE SEAT BELT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WRAY FORD (318-686-7300, LOCATED AT 2851 BENTON RD, BOSSIER CITY, LA 71111) WHERE THE SEAT BELT HARNESS, BUCKLE, AND COMPUTER MODULE WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, STATING THAT NOTHING ELSE COULD BE DONE. LATER ON, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING LOST POWER. AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR REGARDING A VISIT TO THE DEALER ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO WRAY FORD WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11190928

I HAVE HAD MY FORD EXPLORER FOR ALMOST TWO MONTHS AND JUST TOOK MY FIRST LONG TRIP. I TRAVELED 6 HOURS IN THE CAR STOPPING TWICE FOR REST STOP BREAKS. ABOUT 4 HOURS INTO THE TRIP I BEGAN EXPERIENCING DIZZINESS AND NAUSEA. THESE SYMPTOMS CONTINUED FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS AFTER ARRIVING AT MY DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY WITH HEAT ON AND BEING RECIRCULATED THROUGH THE ENTIRE DRIVE. I SAW A NEWS ARTICLE REGUARDING THE CONCERNS OVER FORD EXPLORERS CARBON MONOXIDE CONCERNS AND THOUGHT I MIGHT HAVE EXPERIENCED IT. I NEVER GET SICK OR EXPERIENCE MOTION SICKNESS.

NHTSA ODI 11190573

WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT ~78 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION APPEARED TO SHIFT INTO A LOW GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY DECELERATE AND THE ENGINE TO REV TO MATCH THE SET SPEED. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED FROM 78 TO ABOUT 40 AS IF I HAD SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. AFTER STOPPING AND TALKING WITH MY DEALER HE RECOMMENDED TO CONTINUE AS NO WARNING LIGHTS OR INDICATORS APPEARED ON THE CAR. I CONTINUED ON THE ROAD AT A MUCH REDUCED SPEED. AFTER A SHORT DISTANCE THE VEHICLE AGAIN SELF SHIFTED TO A LOWER GEAR WITH THE ENGINE RPM'S SHOWING APPROXIMATELY 3000 AT ABOUT 55 MPH. DEALER IS INSTALLING A NEW TRANSMISSION BUT CAN NOT IDENTIFY WHAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT GEARS ON ITS OWN.

NHTSA ODI 11190300

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUMES WERE COMING THROUGH THE HEATER VENTS. THE FUMES CAUSED THE CONTACT TO BECOME ILL, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN IN THE COLD TEMPERATURES BECAUSE OF THE ABNORMAL FUMES COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO LARRY H. MILLER FORD LAKEWOOD (11595 6TH AVE, LAKEWOOD, CO 80215) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,600. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA ODI 11186785

I RECEIVED A "TERRAIN MANAGEMENT FAULT" ALERT WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, AND IMMEDIATELY HAD A LOSS OF POWER AND VERY SLOW ACCELERATION AFTER STOPPING. UPON REACHING MY HOME THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE UP A SMALL INCLINE IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" CAME ON AND THERE IS NOW A LOUD METALLIC CLANG WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 13, 655 MILES ON IT. I CALLED FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY WILL HAVE A TOW TRUCK TAKE IT TO A FORD DEALER IN THE MORNING FOR TESTING..

NHTSA ODI 11186957

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PARKWAY FORD LINCOLN (LOCATED AT 311 COMMERCIAL PKWY, DOVER, OH 44622, (330) 343-6681) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ODI 11183978

WHEN DRIVING THE 2016 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED, HAVING THE VEHICLE IN CIRCULATION MODE, AND GOING ABOVE 4000 RPMS, CARBON MONOXIDE IS ENTERING MY VEHICLE. I HAVE PURCHASED AN CO METER THAT READS A LITTLE AS 9PPM. IT EASILY GETS UP OVER 15PPM AND SMELLS TERRIBLE. LIKE ROTTEN EGGS. I MUST ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS AND WAIT IN ORDER FOR THE GAS TO DISSIPATE. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS. IT HAPPENS WHILE IN MOTION, STATIONARY DOESN'T SEEM TO CAUSE ANY LEAKS. I DON'T HAVE PICTURES BUT WILL TAKE SOME IMMEDIATELY IN CASE THERE NEEDED.

NHTSA ODI 11183347

RANDOMLY, CAR BEGAN MAKING A GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING ONE DAY. TOOK CARE INTO SHOP AND DISCOVERED THAT STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CAR ONLY HAS 70K MILES AND WILL COST $2,300 TO REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI 11182551

"TAKATA RECALL "WAS DRIVING SLOWLY MAKING TURN AND SUDDENLY COULD NOT MOVE STEERING WHEEL BUT VEHICLE WAS STILL MOVING A BIT .. COULD NOT STOP IT ... COULD NOT GO FORWARD ... NO BACKWARD ....THANKS GOD THAT WAS IN THE ALLEY WITH NO PEOPLE OTHERWISE SOMEBODY WOULD GET HIT... JUST CARS AROUND BUT I DID NOT HIT ANY ...THANKS GOD ...HORIBLE EXPERIENCE ...

NHTSA ODI 11182333

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE STEERING LOST POWER AND THE POWER STEERING, BRAKE ASSIST, AND OTHER UNKNOWN INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO QUIRK FORD OF AUGUSTA (207-560-1371, LOCATED AT 7 WATER ST, HALLOWELL, ME 04347) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST STEERING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,000.

NHTSA ODI 11182372

CARBON MONOXIDE INSIDE THE CABIN

NHTSA ODI 11181727

STARTED HEARING NOISE AND FEELING VIBRATION WHEN STEERING TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING AND PARKING; GOT MORE PRONOUNCED OVER SEVERAL DAYS. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED NEED TO REPLACE STEERING GEAR/RACK & PINION ASSEMBLY. REPAIR COST $2125. VEHICLE HAD 51K MILES. SEEMS UNUSUAL TO HAVE MAJOR PART FAIL AFTER 3 YEARS OF DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11180726

EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE EXPLORER I GET TERRIBLE HEADACHES. MY 11 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER COMPLAINS OF THE SAME THING. HAVE TO KEEP WINDOWS CRACKED TO LET BAD SMELL OUT OF THE CABIN. WHEN WALKING NEAR CAR YOU CAN SMELL IT AND FILLS GARAGE WITH TERRIBLE SMELL

NHTSA ODI 11180573

VEHICLE STEERING BECAME STIFF WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT, WITH MULTIPLE ERRORS. CANNOT DRIVE VEHICLE SAFELY. HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. -HILL START ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE -SERVICE ADVANCETRAC -TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT

NHTSA ODI 11180650

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ONGOING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ARROWAY FORD (LOCATED AT 519 N BEDFORD RD, BEDFORD HILLS, NY 10507) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING GEAR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

NHTSA ODI 11180251

WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITH EPS FAILURE ERROR MESSAGES: "STEERING ASSIST FAULT SERVICE REQUIRED" AND "SERVICE ADVANCETRAC" COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE EFFECTIVELY AND NEEDED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS OR PREVIOUS ISSUES. NO RESTART, BATTERY DISCONNECT OR FIX WAS/IS AVAILABLE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO RECOGNIZED FULL STEERING RACK/PINION FAILURE AT ONLY 50,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11180260

DURING ACCELERATION, A BRIEF PAUSE IN ACCELERATION OR DOWN SHIFTING OF GEARS. FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. USUALLY NOTICED DURING 30 MINUTES OF NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ODI 11180097