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

WE TOOK OUR 2016 EXPLORER LIMITED BACK TO THE SHOP FOR THE SECOND TIME AFTER SMELLING EXHAUST IN THE CABIN AGAIN WHILE IN OPERATION. DURING THE FIRST VISIT THE DEALER BEGAN DISCUSSING THE FORD REPAIR BULLETIN THAT CAME OUT 30 DAYS OR SO AGO THAT WAS TO FIX THE EXHAUST LEAK. HOWEVER, AFTER A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER WE RECEIVED A CALL THAT THE BULLETIN HE REFERENCED WAS SPECIFICALLY FOR 2011 THRU 2015". WE WERE TOLD THAT PER THE BULLETIN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM FROM THE ENGINE MANIFOLD TO THE TAIL PIPE GETS REPLACED, A FRESH AIR VENT NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE GETS "RE-ROUTED" AND THE BUMPER COMES OFF TO GAIN ACCESS TO SOME METAL SEAMS NEEDED TO BE FILLED. OUR SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STATED HIS HANDS WERE TIED AND COULD NOT DO ANYTHING MORE THAN TAKE IT IN A CHECK IT OUT. THEY CALLED A FOUND THE EXHAUST OUTLETS WERE RECESSED TOO FAR INTO THE BUMPER AND RESET THEM TO THE ORIGINAL POSITION. WE PICKED IT UP MONDAY AND THEN DRIVING IT TUESDAY THIS WEEK A HORRIBLE SMELL CAME TOR THE CABIN AND TOOK MY BREATH AWAY. BLACK SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER YESTERDAY.

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WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE SUBDIVISION THE CAR STALLED. THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. WE PARKED IT AND TOOK ANOTHER CAR WE HAD AT THE TIME. WE WILL MAKE MENTION OF IT TOMORROW WHEN I CALL THE DEALER AND ADD IT THE SERVICE TICKET REGARDING THE EXHAUST PROBLEM.

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THROTTLE BODY HAS FAILED TWICE. FIRST TIME AT 7275 ODOMETER; SECOND OCCURRED AT A BIT OVER 16,000 MILES. FAILURE OF THIS PART RESULTS IN NO THROTTLE RESPONSE TO THE ENGINE AND A MAXIMUM OF ABOUT 10MPH SPEED. LUCKILY, BOTH TIMES, I WAS NOT ON THE INTERSTATE OR OTHER HIGH SPEED HIGHWAY. BOTH INSTANCES WERE IN MOTION AT 35-45 MPH. THE ONLY WAY TO CLEAR THE PROBLEM IS TO SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN AND WAIT FOR 1-5 MINUTES; THEN BE PREPARED FOR NO THROTTLE RESPONSE WITHIN A FEW MILES.

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WE PURCHASED A CERTIFIED USED 2016 EXPLORER FROM LITHIA FORD DECEMBER 2016. UPON DRIVING HOME THERE WAS AN EXHAUST SMELL AND WE THOUGHT IT MAY HAVE BEEN A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US. BUT THAT PROVED FALSE, AND IT IS A SERIOUS DISTRACTION AND I NOW AM GETTING HEADACHES WHEN I RIDE IN MY NEW CAR. TODAY I STARTED THE CAR AND A VERY STRONG EXHAUST SMELL FILLED THE CABIN. MUCH LIKE A VERY OLD CAR. THE EXHAUST SMELL LINGERED IN THE CABIN FOR A LONG TIME. WE FEEL THE CARBON MONOXIDE INFILTRATION THREAT IS VERY WORRISOME AND NEED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. AND SINCE OUR TERRIBLE WINTER WEATHER I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE PUT VERY MANY MILES ON IT. WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO GET IN ON A CLASS ACTION SUIT SINCE WE ARE READING MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH THIS 2016 MODEL JUST LIKE THE PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS 2011 - 2015 ALREADY NOTED IN A SUIT. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT FORD IS NOT CONCERNED ENOUGH YET TO THINK THE PROBLEM IS EXTENDING INTO THE NEWER MODELS. *TR

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I PURCHASED A FORD EXPLORER XLT BACK IN SEPTEMBER OF 2015. NOW, AFTER ONLY 16 MONTHS OF DRIVING AND 23,000 MILES DRIVEN MY DEALER IS TELLING ME THAT I NEED NEW TIRES ON THE CAR. WE HAVE HANKOOK VENTUS S1 NOBLE2 TIRES (H452) AND THE TIRES CARRY A TREAD WARRANTY OF 50,000 MILES HOWEVER THE DEALER SAYS THEY DON'T GUARANTEE THE TIRE AND I CALLED HANKOOK AND THEY SAID THEY ONLY GUARANTEE TIRES THAT YOU PURCHASE SECONDARILY AND NOT ON OEM TIRES INCLUDED IN THE PURCHASE OF THE CAR. TIRE SIZE IS 255/50R20. I WOULD THINK THAT EITHER THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURE WOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT INSTEAD OF PAWNING IT OFF ON ONE ANOTHER WHILE I APPARENTLY HAVE TO FORK OUT $1,000.00 FOR A BAD PRODUCT. NOT SURE WHAT ELSE TO SAY EXCEPT I WOULD ADVISE ANYBODY LOOKING FOR TIRES TO NEVER BUY HANKOOK TIRES. *TR

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE RANDOMLY OPENED WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO REMAIN SECURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE RANDOMLY FELL DOWN WITH FORCE AND STRUCK A PASSENGER. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. ALSO, THE LIFTGATE RANDOMLY OPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE LIFTGATE WAS DAMAGED WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN, BUT THERE WAS NO RECOMMENDED REPAIR SOLUTION. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW MODULATOR WAS NEEDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,500.

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WHEN ACCELERATING EXHAUST FUMES ENTER CABIN. THIS HAPPENS NO MATTER IF THE AC IS ON OR OFF AND NO MATTER IF THE VENT IS ON OR OFF. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO FORD DEALERSHIP TWICE RESULTING IN THEM KEEPING IT 43 WORKING DAYS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE PURCHASED. WE PURCHASED THIS EXPLORER NEW HOWEVER IT HAD APPROXIMATELY 160 MILES ON IT. WE ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THE SMELL WAS JUST THE NEW WEARING OR THE ENGINE BREAKING IN, BUT AFTER A FEW THOUSAND MILES IT WAS EVIDENT SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT. I KNOW ALL EXPLORERS DON'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I PREVIOUSLY HAD A 2013 EXPLORER AS A COMPANY VEHICLE IDENTICAL TO THIS ONE AND IT NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP FINALLY TOLD ME TO COME GET THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY HAVE DONE EVERYTHING FORD TOLD THEM TO DO TO FIX IT. THEY SAID I WILL HAVE TO TAKE IT UP WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. I'M NOT SURE IF CARBON MONOXIDE IS ENTERING THE VEHICLE BUT YOU CAN STAND AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IT IS RUNNING AND THE SMELL COMING FROM THE EXHAUST IS THE SAME SMELL THAT ENTERS THE VEHICLE WHEN ACCELERATING. THE SMELL IS VERY HARSH SMELLS LIKE BURNT HAIR OR SULFUR. ON LONG TRIPS MY WIFE HAS HAD SEVERE HEADACHES. THIS EXPLORER IS THE VEHICLE MY WIFE AND KIDS (AGES 14, 5, & 2) USE TO GET TO WORK AND SCHOOL; I NEED TO GET THIS VEHICLE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. PLEASE HELP!!

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER POLICE INTERCEPT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ABNORMAL EXHAUST ODOR AFTER EXTENDED OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.

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SINCE EARLY OCTOBER 2016, I'VE HAD A NEAR-CONSTANT EXHAUST SMELL, SIMILAR TO WHAT NATURAL GAS OR SULFUR SMELLS LIKE, IN THE CABIN OF MY VEHICLE THAT IS RESULTING IN HEADACHES (LITERALLY) FOR MY ENTIRE FAMILY. DEALERSHIP HAS MADE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR AND HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. THE EXHAUST FUMES ARE COMING INTO THE CABIN WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTED AND VEHICLE IS PARKED OR MOVING. IN MY ONLINE RESEARCH, I'VE FOUND THAT FORD IS UNDER INVESTIGATION BY NHTSA FOR THIS ISSUE FOR 2010-15 MODELS, BUT I BELIEVE MY 2016 MODEL IS AFFECTED AS WELL. *TR

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WHILE MY 2016 FORD EXPLORER IS RUNNING AND STOPPED/PARKED THE CABIN FILLS UP WITH EXHAUST. THIS ONLY OCCURS WHILE AC/HEATER FAN IS RUNNING AT THE SAME TIME. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY DID NOT FIND AN EXHAUST LEAK. I WOULD DISAGREE WITH THIS. I PLACED A CO2 DETECTOR IN THE CAR WHILE PARKED AND THE DETECTOR WENT OFF. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE EXHAUST LEAKING INTO THE CABIN OF FORD EXPLORERS.

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I JUST GOT BACK MY VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIPS SERVICE CENTER AND ACCORDING TO THEIR FINDING THEIR WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLES STARTER. I DROVE HOME PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE THEN TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN OFF, SO I PUSHED THE START BUTTON AGAIN BUT STILL DID NOT TURN OFF THEN SECONDS LATER I SMELL SMOKE. I IMMEDIATELY BACKED UP TO HAVE THE CAR OUTSIDE THE GARAGE . I HIT THE START BUTTON AGAIN TO TURN OFF AND THIS TIME THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. HEAVY SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SO I JUST STOOD AT A DISTANCE . 10-30 MINUTES LATER AS THE SMOKE SUBSIDED I DECIDED TO POP THE HOOD OPEN AND STILL THERE'S SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I HAVE A VIDEO BUT CANNOT ATTACH.

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FORD EXPLORER - I KNOW THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR 2011-2015 EXPLORERS HAVING AN EXHAUST FUME LEAK THROUGH THE AC. HAS THE ISSUE BEEN FIXED ON THE 2016 MODEL? WHAT HAS BEEN DONE DIFFERENTLY IN THE 2016 MODEL TO ENSURE THIS ISSUE DOES NOT EXIST? *TR

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PURCHASED A USED 2016 FORD EXPLORER W/24K ON 8/23/16. CAB FILLS WITH CARBON MONOXIDE. CALLED DEALERSHIP, WE WERE 260 MILES AWAY, THEY SAID IT WAS AN EASY FIX, WAS TOLD TO TURN OFF RECYCLE FOR OUR TRIP BACK. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP. THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND USED TSB FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. I TALKED TO THE FINANCE MANAGER AND HE SAID HE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BACKING OUT A DEAL BECAUSE OF THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM AND WHEN ASKED IF THEY COULDN'T FIX IT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN? I WAS TOLD THEY'D HAVE TO GET US INTO SOMETHING ELSE. THE FIX WAS TO RE-CALIBRATED THE RECYCLE SWITCH TO TURN OFF UPON HEAVY ACCELERATION. THE PROBLEM IS WE LIVE IN ARIZONA, TO USE MAX AC, THE RECYCLE FEATURE HAS TO BE ON. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM AND OTHER ITEMS NEEDING FIXED. WAS INFORMED BY DEALERSHIP SERVICE WRITER, HE HAD CONTACTED FORD TECH, CURRENTLY THERE'S NO FIX FOR THE KNOWN PROBLEM. PURCHASED A CO TESTER. ACCELERATING (65 TO 75MPH) UP STEEP INCLINES AND ON SOME LOWER INCLINES AT HIGHER SPEED AND PASSING, TESTED WITH METER AND HAD READINGS FROM 29PPM TO 112PPM. AT TIMES STAYING AT 34PPM. MY WIFE HAS TO TRAVEL 120 MILES ROUND TRIP, ON A WEEKLY BASIS, THAT INCLUDES THE INCLINES WHERE TEST RESULTS WERE PERFORMED. SHE PICKS UP OUR 3 GRANDCHILDREN FROM THERE AND ALSO TRANSPORTS HER 84 YEAR OLD MOTHER TO AND FROM THE HEART AND PULMONARY SPECIALIST AT THE HOSPITAL AT THAT LOCATION. MY WIFE ALSO HAS A HEART CONDITION. EXPOSURE TO THESE CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES ARE UNACCEPTABLE. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE DETECTOR WITH VARIABLE READINGS. THERE SHOULD BE ABSOLUTELY NO CARBON MONOXIDE COMING INTO THE CAB OF ANY VEHICLE FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME. IT IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS TO MY FAMILIES HEALTH, EVEN IN SMALL AMOUNTS. FORD NEEDS TO BUY THIS HEALTH HAZARD BACK AND PERFORM A RECALL. WE ARE HEADED TO THE DEALERSHIP[ TOMORROW TO COMPLAIN ONCE AGAIN.

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THE TRANSMISSION DRAIN PLUGS WERE LOOSE. THE VEHICLE HAS 5064 MILES. I HAD BEEN NOTICING AN ODOR AND THOUGHT I HAD A COOLANT LEAK. BUT THE SMELL WAS NOT "SWEET" ENOUGH. I CRAWLED UNDER THE CAR AFTER A 700 MILE TRIP BECAUSE THE ORDER WAS VERY PREVALENT. I NOTICE TRANSMISSION FLUID ON ONE OF THE TRANSMISSION DRAIN PLUGS. THERE WAS A PLUME OF TRANSMISSION FLUID GOING FROM THE TRANSMISSION TO THE BACK OF THE CAR. SOME OF THE FLUID HAD CONTACTED THE EXHAUST COMPONENTS. I CHECK THE FLUID LEVEL ( FLAT SURFACE, ENGINE HOT AND RUNNING) AND THE FLUID DID NOT EVEN CONTACT THE DIP STICK. I THEN WENT TO SEE IF THE PLUG(S) WAS LOOSE. IT IS A 11MM. I WAS ABLE TO GET 2.5 TURNS ON THE PLUG USING JUST MY FINGERS. ON THE SECOND PLUG I WAS ABLE TO GET 1 FULL TURN WITH JUST MY FINGERS. THE 1ST PLUG ONLY HAD ABOUT 3 THREADS ENGAGED. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF OTHER VEHICLES HAVE THIS CONDITION, A FIRE OR COMPLETE LOSE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID COULD OCCUR. IF A PLUG FALLS OUT WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR.

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CAR HAS AN AWFUL SMELL WHEN USING THE CLIMATE CONTROL, DEALER SAID THERE WAS AN EXHAUST LEAK INTO THE TURBO, THEY REPLACED THE TURBO AND THE SMELL STILL PERSIST. CAR HAS BEEN AT DEALERSHIP FOR A MONTH NOW. SMELL IS STRONGEST WHEN DRIVING AND CLIMATE CONTROL IS ON. *TR

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CAR HAS STALLED TWICE IN TRAFFIC..ONE INSTANCE TRAVELING 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE... OTHER TIME WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN IN TRAFFIC...BOTH TIMES COLLISIONS WERE BARELY AVOIDED. I HAVE RECEIVED RECALL 16B32 ON VEHICLE. AM CONCERNED WHETHER IT IS AN IMPROVED VERSION, OR JUST THE SAME THROTTLE BODY. THIS CONDITION CREATES SOME VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS.

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PARTS OF THE HANKOOK VENTUS S1 NOBLE2 255/50R20 105H TIRE TREADS ARE JUST RIPPING OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON ON ALL MY TIRES AND THIS IS AN AWD VEHICLE. IT HAS 17,000 MILES. THIS VEHICLE IS JUST USED BY WIFE TO DROP OFF MY SON AT SCHOOL. THEY ARE BREAKING OFF WITHOUT BEING MISTREATED. JUST NOTICED TODAY 12-13-2016

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WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE A-PILLAR WINDSHIELD MOULDING/APPLIQUE FLIES OFF. NOT ONLY IS IT UNACCEPTABLE FOR BODY/TRIM PANELS TO FLY OFF A VEHICLE DURING NORMAL DRIVING, BUT THIS POSES A SAFETY RISK, AS IT CREATES FLYING DEBRIS FOR VEHICLES TRAVELING BEHIND THE AFFECTED VEHICLE. *TR

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WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR LOST POWER AND THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. WAS ABLE TO ROLL OUT OF TRAFFIC TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. *TR

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WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR LOST POWER HAD TRY AND GET OUT OF TRAFFIC WITH NO POWER. THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED. *TR

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THE FUEL LINE ATTRACTED A CRITTER MOST LIKELY A SQUIRREL WHICH CHEWED THROUGH THE RUBBER HOSE AND CAUSE A SEVERE FUEL LEAK THAT COVERED THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WE HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT A FIRE. ACCORDING TO THE FORD TECHNICIAN, THE HOSES NOW CONTAIN SOY AND THEY HAVE SEEN SEVERAL CASES IN WHICH CRITTERS HAVE CHEWED THROUGH VARIOUS HOSES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENTS OF VEHICLES.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR WHILE PARKED, THERE WERE STRONG EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

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EXCELLERATION ON AN INCLINE, HILL OR PASSING OTHER VEHICLES, CAB FILLS WITH NAUSEOUS FUMES. SMELLS LIKE A BAD CAT CONVERTER. THE FUMES CAN BE OVERPOWERING. TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO LAKE HAVASU CITY BRADLEY FORD DEALERSHIP. CAR WAS RETURNED TO US WITH ASSURANCE THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN RESOLVED, IT HASN'T, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. WE TRANSPORT OUR 3 GRANDCHILDREN 60 MILES IN THIS VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY THAT HAS STEEP INCLINES AND NOW FEAR ENDANGERING THEIR HEALTH AS WELL AS OUR OWN, WE ARE SENIORS. WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINEERS AT FORD ARE WORKING ON THE PROBLEM, BUT THE TSB HAD BEEN PERFORMED THAT CUTS THE AC RECYCLE FEATURE OFF UPON ENGINE LOAD, BUT WE ARE STILL GETTING THAT SMELL. I CAN'T EXPRESS MORE CONCERN ABOUT HOW UNSAFE THIS CO PROBLEM IS. I CAN'T RISK THE HEALTH OF MY GRANDCHILDREN OR OURSELVES. FORD EITHER NEEDS TO REFUND MY MONEY OR OFFER A PERMANENT FIX TO THE PROBLEM. THESE ARE ROLLING GAS CHAMBERS. MAY TRY TO UNDO THE DEAL ON THIS CAR. THEY HAVE HAD TO DO THIS ON ANOTHER CUSTOMERS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM

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EXHAUST IS SEEPING INTO THE CABIN WITH THE AC RECIRC BUTTON ENGAGED. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT IS OCCURRING TO THE 2015 AND PRIOR MODEL YEARS.

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ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY REPLACEMENT REQUIRED. I WAS GOING 75MPG ON A HIGHWAY IN OHIO TRAVELING TO ILLINOIS. 2 OF 3 LANES CLOSED. CAR LOST POWER GOING FROM 70-40 IN SECONDS. LUCKILY I WAS ON A DOWNHILL AND WAS ABLE DRIFT TO THE RIGHT FAR ENOUGH NOT TO GET HIT. DANGEROUS. I HAD GONE TO FORD WHEN I READ ABOUT THE OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE BACK IN AUGUST. THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR MY THROTTLE BODY UNLESS I PAID. "YOU HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT BREAKS"

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