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

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (2,429)Crash / fire / injury (77)Body & structure (574)Steering (527)Engine (379)Transmission & drivetrain (213)Electrical system (124)Engine & cooling (114)Fuel system (110)Airbags (99)Speed control (76)Suspension (73)

Newest first · 2,429 complaints · page 85 of 98

Jul 28, 2017Engine

EXHAUST SMELL IN VEHICLE: AUTOMOBILE CONTINUES TO HAVE EXHAUST SMELL IN CABIN OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. VERY EVIDENT UPON ACCELERATION. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11011311

Jul 28, 2017Engine

CONSTANT EXHAUST SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS ROUGHLY 13,000 MILES AND MY CHILDREN HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT ON ROAD TRIPS.

NHTSA ODI 11011359

Jul 28, 20172 injuries

EXHAUST SMELL INSIDE OF CAR AT MODERATE TO HEAVY ACCELERATION . FOR DEALER REPAIRED AT 23000 MILES PROBLEM HAS COME BACK AFTER 11 MONTHS AND 15000 MILES. FUMES CAUSE HEADACHES AND NAUSEA

NHTSA ODI 11011390

Jul 26, 2017Steering

ON JULY 26 AT ABOUT 10:40 AM I WAS DRIVING MY STOCK (NO ADDED EQUIPMENT) 2016 FORD EXPLORER (PLATINUM EDITION). I HAD JUST MERGED FROM NORTHBOUND I-680 ONTO WESTBOUND I-580 (NORTHERN CALIFORNIA). I WAS MOVING AT A CONSTANT FREEWAY SPEED (ABOUT 60 MPH) FROM LANE #5 (RIGHTMOST LANE) TO LANE #1. A FEW SECONDS AFTER ENTERING LANE #1 THE POWER STEERING FAILED. A WARNING APPEARED ON THE VEHICLE WARNING INDICATOR THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. A FEW MINUTES LATER I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE OFF THE FREEWAY AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. POWER STEERING RESUMED AFTER RE-STARTING THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11010804

Jul 24, 2017Engine & cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL HYDROGEN SULFIDE ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (HAYFORD FORD LOCATED AT 1330 301ST AVE NW ISANTI, MN 55040 763-689-5555), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: CAS12775863. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000. ..UPDATED 08/22/17 *BF UPDATED 09/28/2017*JS *CN

NHTSA ODI 11010277

Jul 24, 2017Engine & cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, EXHAUST FUMES ENTERED INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS HIGH SPEEDS. ARSENAL FORD OF NEW IBERIA, LOUISIANA WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE EXHAUST WAS REPLACED IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND AN EXHAUST OPENING WAS SEALED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000.

NHTSA ODI 11010354

Jul 24, 2017

THE CAR PRODUCES A ROTTEN EGG SULFUR SMELL IN THE PASSENGER CABIN WHILE ACCELERATING THE ENGINE UNDER MODERATE TO HEAVY LOAD. THE FUMES ARE DANGEROUS AND YOU HAVE TO OPEN ALL THE WINDOWS TO VENT THE SMELL FROM THE PASSENGER CABIN OR I BECOME DIZZY AND LIGHTHEADED FROM THE FUMES. THERE IS DEFINITELY AN EXHAUST LEAK THAT IS COMING INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATES UNDER LOAD.

NHTSA ODI 11010426

Jul 21, 2017Engine

SMELL IN CABIN WHEN DRIVING EVEN AFTER 2 OF FORD'S TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS WERE PERFORMED. PROBLEM STILL NOT RESOLVED. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING MORE THEY CAN DO, THAT IS THE ONLY FIX FORD CAN PROVIDE.

NHTSA ODI 11006690

Jul 20, 2017Engine

DURING ACCELERATION, A STRONG ODOR FILLS THE CABIN. ACCORDING TO THE CARBON MONOXIDE MONITOR WE USED, IT REGISTERED AT 5-9 PPM AS THE ODOR CAME THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. THE AIR WILL RETURN TO 0 PPM AFTER DRIVING WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN FOR ~1 MINUTE.

NHTSA ODI 11006657

Jul 19, 2017Electrical system

I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE REARVIEW CAMERA ON THE FORD SYNC SYSTEM WOUND UP SHOWING A FROZEN IMAGE. IT TOOK ME SEVERAL SECONDS TO REALIZE THAT THE IMAGE I WAS LOOKING AT WAS ACTUALLY AN OLD IMAGE! I WAS LUCKY I DID NOT RUN INTO SOMEONE SINCE I WAS ESSENTIALLY BACKING UP WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO SEE ANYTHING.

NHTSA ODI 11006460

Jul 18, 2017

WHEN I ACCELERATE MY FORD EXPLORER THE EXHAUST FUMES ARE FILLING THE CABIN, WE ARE EXPERIENCING A ROTTEN EGG ODOR THAT BASICALLY MAKES YOU SICK. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES, THEY ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BUT THEY WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL. WE CANNOT USE THE VEHICLE FOR LONG TRIPS LAST TIME WE TRY IT WAS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE, I GOT SICK WITH THE FUMES.

NHTSA ODI 11006089

Jul 17, 2017Engine

EXHAUST IN CABIN LEASED NEW 2016 FORD EXPLORER XLT MARCH OF 2016. IMMEDIATELY SMELLED EXHAUST IN CABIN UPON ACCELERATION. TOOK BACK TO DEALER. TOLD IT WAS FIXED. IT WAS NOT. STILL SMELL EXHAUST. DAUGHTER FEELS SICK RIDING IN BACK SEAT. TOOK BACK TO DEALER. TOLD THEY NEED CAR A FEW DAYS. WAS GIVEN NO EXPLANATION. ASKED FOR LOANER CAR. WAS REFUSED. MANAGER OUT FOR 2 MORE DAYS SO WILL WAIT UNTIL HE IS IN TO SPEAK TO. WAS TREATED RUDELY.

NHTSA ODI 11005902

Jul 17, 2017Engine

FORD EXPLORER CABIN HAS A BAD EXHAUST TYPE SMELL. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED IN DECEMBER 2016. SMELL WAS MORE EVIDENT IN MARCH TO JULY WHEN WE RAN THE AIR CONDITIONER MORE. WHEN WE ACCELERATED TO HIGHWAY SPEED THE SMELL WOULD FOLLOW A FEW SECONDS LATER. THIS WAS EXPERIENCED BY SEVERAL PEOPLE ON MANY OCCASIONS. THIS IS MY WIFE'S DAILY DRIVER. TOWARD THE END OF MAY 2017 SHE BEGAN COMPLAINING DAILY OF DIZZINESS AND HEADACHES. THE SMELL WAS STILL PRESENT AFTER ACCELERATING. WE TOOK THE CAR IN TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER ON JUNE 13. THEY PERFORMED THE RECOMMENDED REPAIR PER THE FORD BULLETIN TSB 170044. WE TOOK THE CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP ON JUNE 22 AND STILL SMELLED THE BAD SMELL THAT EVENING. RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY (JUNE 23). THEY THEN REPLACED THE MAJORITY OF THE MUFFLER AND TAIL PIPE ASSEMBLY. CAR WAS PICKED UP ON JULY 7 AND DRIVEN THAT EVENING. SMELL WAS STILL NOTICEABLE IN THE CABIN. WENT TO ANOTHER FORD DEALER THE NEXT DAY TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM AND THEY RECOMMENDED WE TALK TO THE SERVICE DIRECTOR AT THE FIRST FORD DEALERSHIP AND GIVE THEM ONE MORE CHANCE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIRD TRIP TO THE SAME DEALER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY INSPECTED ALL OF THE PREVIOUS WORK AND TEST DROVE THE CAR AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS.THE SERVICE DIRECTOR ALSO TOLD US WE COULD NOT PROVE THERE WAS ANY EXHAUST FUMES OR CARBON MONOXIDE INSIDE THE CABIN. (I TOLD HIM HE COULD NOT PROVE THAT THERE WAS NOT ANY EXHAUST FUMES OR CO IN THE CABIN). CAR STILL HAS A BAD ODOR IN THE CABIN WHEN ACCELERATING TO HIGHWAY SPEED WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER RUNNING. (THE SMELL MAY BE LESS BUT IS STILL NOTICEABLE). WE HAVE ORDERED A BATTERY OPERATED CONTINUOUSLY MONITORING CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR TO PUT IN THE CAR. WE HAVE NOT INSTALLED IT YET, BUT WE CAN LET YOU KNOW WHEN WE DO AND ANY RESULTS. WIFES DIZZINESS AND HEADACHES WENT AWAY WHILE THE EXPLORER WAS IN THE SHOP.

NHTSA ODI 11006042

Jul 16, 2017

CONSISTENT ENGINE EXHAUST ODORS IN THE CABIN AFTER ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ODI 11005604

Jul 14, 2017Engine & cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A SULFURIC, EGG-LIKE ODOR ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOR WAS NOTICED OVER A DOZEN TIMES, ESPECIALLY DURING HEAVY ACCELERATION OR DRIVING UP AN INCLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ASTORG FORD IN PARKERSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA WHERE THE O2 SENSOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO ISSUES WERE FOUND WITH EITHER OF THEM. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN TSB THAT APPLIED TO THE VEHICLE THAT CAME OUT IN MAY OF 2017. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

NHTSA ODI 11005366

Jul 13, 2017

THERE ARE EXHAUST FUMES COMING INTO THE CABIN OF THIS 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE SMELL STINKS AND THE GASES HAVE MADE THE OCCUPANTS OF THE EXPLORER SICK. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE SMELL. IT HAS HAD AT LEAST NINE OPPORTUNITIES TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT IT HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE EXHAUST FUMES COME INTO THE CABIN AT VARIOUS TIMES. THE PROBLEM USUALLY OCCURS WHEN THE REAR A/C RE-CIRCULATION IS ON AND WHEN THERE IS HEAVY ACCELERATION OR GOING UPHILL. THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY ALTERATIONS TO THE EXPLORER EXCEPT FOR THE REPAIRS ATTEMPTED BY THE DEALERSHIP. IN MAY 2017, THE DEALERSHIP USED TSB 17-0044 TO TRY TO STOP THE FUMES FROM COMING INTO THE CABIN. AGAIN, IT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. IT APPEARS THE FORD TOLD THE DEALERSHIP TO ALSO TRY TSB 14-0130. THAT REPAIR DID NOT WORK EITHER.

NHTSA ODI 11005076

Jul 13, 2017EngineFuel system

MY STOCK (UNALTERED) 2016 FORD EXPLORER SPORT WITH ECOBOOST ENGINE EMITS A ROTTEN EGG, SULFUR-LIKE ODOR INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN UPON FULL THROTTLE ACCELERATION. THIS CONDITION DOES NOT OCCUR DURING NORMAL (LESS THAN FULL THROTTLE ACCELERATION) DRIVING. THIS CONDITION OCCURS ONLY DURING FULL THROTTLE ACCELERATION AND IS REPLICABLE. THIS CONDITION HAS OCCURRED SINCE ORIGINAL PURCHASE IN 04/2016 AND CONTINUES TODAY.

NHTSA ODI 11005080

Jul 13, 2017Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, A STRONG FUEL ODOR BECAME PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD TO OPEN ALL THE WINDOWS. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, CHECKED INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE BUT THERE WERE NO NOTICEABLE LEAKS. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES AND GOT INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND STARTED DRIVING BUT THE ODOR BECAME STRONGER ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ODOR WAS EMERGING FROM THE AIR VENTS. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE AIR CONDITIONING AND DROVE TO THE DEALER BRADLEY FORD OF LAKE HAVASU, ARIZONA. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR EVALUATION AND THEY HAD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE NUMBER: CAS-12708860 WAS OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,500.

NHTSA ODI 11005124

Jul 13, 2017EngineFuel system

EVERY TIME I STEP ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY, THE INSIDE OF MY CAR STARTS TO SMELL LIKE SMOKE OR SOMETHING IS BURNING. I HAVE TO LOWER MY WINDOWS FOR ABOUT A MINUTE TO CLEAR THE AIR OUT. IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI 11005164

Jul 7, 2017

UNDER ACCELERATION, A VERY STRONG "ROTTEN EGG" ODOR ENTERS THE VEHICLE'S CABIN. THE ODOR IS SO FOUL THAT IT HAS AT TIMES CAUSED HEADACHE AND/OR A QUEASY FEELING. THIS HAPPENS CONTINUOUSLY ON AND OFF THE HIGHWAY, ONLY UNDER ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ODI 11003639

Jul 6, 2017Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel system

I AM AN OWNER OF A 2016 FORD EXPLORER THAT WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW AT A DEALERSHIP HERE IN AZ LAST YEAR IN JANUARY. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE, I STARTED NOTICING FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE VEHICLE AND VEHICLE USING A LOT OF GAS EVERYDAY. I TOOK MY TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD EVERYTHING IS OK. AS TIME WENT ON, I NOTICED THAT EVERY TIME I ACCELERATED ON THE GAS, THE TRUCK SLOWED DOWN. TOOK TRUCK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD ONCE AGAIN NOTHING IS WRONG. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, THE BATTERY DIED. I HAVE THE TRUCK TOOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE BATTERY DIES AGAIN. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY AGAIN AND NOTICED A RECALL ON THE TRUCK. A WEEK LATER I'M DRIVING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL WHEN THE DASHBOARD GOES BLACK AND THEN LIGHTS UP AGAIN. ALL OF A SUDDEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN, THE DASHBOARD GOES BLACK AND THE SPEED STARTS DECELERATING. I HURRY UP AND GET TO THE SAFETY SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. I CUT THE TRUCK COMPLETELY OFF, WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND IT STARTED RIGHT BACK UP. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP. ONCE AGAIN, I'M TOLD THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. YESTERDAY THE TRUCK DASHBOARD STARTS GOING ON AND OFF. THEN THE TRUCK COMPLETELY DIES. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAITED FOR OVER 5 HOURS AT THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE THEY TOLD ME WHAT "MIGHT" BE THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THERE MIGHT BE AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE BETWEEN THE MONITOR, RADIO, ODOMETER, AND CLIMATE CONTROLS THAT IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T HAVE PARTS TO FIX IT BUT CAN ORDER THEM AND IT MIGHT TAKE A FEW WEEKS TO GET THEM. AS OF NOW I HAVE NO AIR CONDITIONER AND MY RADIO ISN'T WORKING. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGERS ABOUT THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THERE ISN'T ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE EXCEPT WAIT FOR FORD TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI 11003473

Jul 4, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY YESTERDAY AND THE CAR COULDN'T BE MOVED WITH THE GAS PEDAL. I COASTED TO THE NEXT EXIT, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND BACK ON AND IT WORKED AGAIN. TODAY THE SAME THING HAPPENED, BUT THIS TIME IT DIDN'T WORK AGAIN. I HAD ADAC (HERE IN GERMANY) COME AND TAKE A LOOK AT IT. THEY RESET THE "SYSTEM" AND FOLLOWED ME TO MY FORD CAR GARAGE SHOP.

NHTSA ODI 11002947

Jul 1, 2017Fuel system

WHILE IN MOTION AND ACCELERATING ABOVE 2500 RPM, EXHAUST FUMES FILL THE CABIN. WE TOOK IT INTO A DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TRIED TO FIX THE ISSUE USING A TECHNICAL BULLETIN FORD ISSUED. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS.

NHTSA ODI 11002674

Jun 27, 2017Wheels

PURCHASED NEW 2016 FORD EXPLORER SPORT IN JAN 2017. LAST WEEK AT 5400 MILES TIRE SENSOR INDICATED THAT FRONT PASSENGER TIRE LOST AIR TO 6LBS WHILE PARKED. TOOK TO DEALER WHO SAID PUNCTURE OCCURRED WHICH NEVER DID OCCUR. SMALL CRACK IN SIDEWALL LOOKS LIKE DEFECT ON SAME TIRE THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED BY HANKOOK BUT IN A SMALLER SIZE. TIRE IS A 20" HANKOOK VENTUS S1 NOBLE 2. TIRE APPEARS TO BE DESIGNED FOR SEDAN OR SPORTS CAR BUT WAS OEM TIRE ON FORD EXPLORER SPORT...COULD BE A PROBLEM? DEALER EVENTUALLY REPLACED TIRE WITH SAME WITHOUT ADMITTING IT WAS DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA ODI 11001642

Jun 27, 2017

PURCHASED 2016 FORD EXPLORER IN APRIL OF 2016. INITIALLY, SHORTLY AFTER THE PURCHASE, I CONTINUALLY NOTICED THE SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC FROM THE ENGINE AREA AFTER A LOT OF CITY DRIVING. I ASSUMED IT WAS THE FACT THE VEHICLE WAS NEW AND WAS STILL BREAKING IN. SEVERAL MONTHS WENT BY AND I SIMPLY BECAME ACCUSTOMED TO IT. READ ONLINE ABOUT PLASTIC BAGS MAKING THAT SMELL SOMETIMES WHEN STUCK ON THE HOT EXHAUST PIPES AND THOUGHT IT COULD BE THAT. DIDN'T THINK ABOUT IT MUCH BECAUSE IT WAS NOT OVERBEARING IN THE CABIN. HOWEVER, AS OF SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, SMELL WAS GETTING WORSE SO I MENTIONED TO DEALER. THEY TOLD ME IT'S AN EXHAUST LEAK. IT'S TAKEN TWO WEEKS TO ORDER THE PARTS AND GET ME RESCHEDULED FOR SERVICE AND THE SMELL HAS BECOME MUCH WORSE SINCE THAT VISIT. WONDERING IF TECH LOOSENED EXHAUST SYSTEM. VERY HARD TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS UP - NEEDS CONSTANT FLOW OF FRESH AIR. SMELLS MORE LIKE "TYPICAL" EXHAUST SMELL NOW - INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. I DRIVE 30-50 MILES IN THE CITY EACH DAY, SO IT'S A CONSTANT SMELL. CAN'T PARK IN THE GARAGE BECAUSE ODOR GETS INTO THE HOUSE. JUST LEARNING THAT IT'S AN EXHAUST LEAK HAS ME WORRIED BECAUSE I HAVE TOLERATED THIS FOR OVER A YEAR.

NHTSA ODI 11001754

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How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 Ford Explorer verdict →