KnownCarProblems2016 Ford Explorer Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 2,462 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Explorer, most often about the body and structure (24% of complaints, typically around 83,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Explorer model year since 2000 and has 14 recalls.
Most common 2016 Ford Explorer problems
Body and structure
591 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 83,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, interior panels.
The recalled toe link on the rear suspension broke 3 months after it was replaced and cause a crash while diving down the highway, slowing for a speed zone for a town. Involving body damage. And the vehicle was repaired and 1 week after getting it back from the dealer the link broke for a second time, while on a curve…
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.
Steering
532 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion, electric power assist system, gear box (other than rack and pinion), linkages.
The contact owned a 2016 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 70 MPH, an abnormal noise was heard from the front of the vehicle. After the noise was heard, the vehicle lost steering and brake functionality. As a result, the contact was involved in a side impact collision with the median wall and the vehicle…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. While driving various speeds, a grinding noise was heard coming from the steering wheel. The steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact also stated that the vehicle jerked when attempting to change lanes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (fairway Ford of evans…
Engine
483 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 26,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, cooling system, engine.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. When the accelerator pedal was depressed at 50 MPH, the vehicle failed to respond and stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The service vehicle soon and air bag warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body failed and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure…
Other or unspecified
431 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 20,000 miles.
Exhaust fumes (carbon monoxide) is coming into the cabin under heavy acceleration. It doesn't matter whether the AC is on or off. Usually happens when merging onto the freeway. Causing health problems, and have a newborn.
Above 60 MPH, when accelerating to pass another vehicle or climbing up a grade, if the engine downshifts to a lower gear, a strong exhaust odor enters the cabin. When the vehicle's operation returns to normal, the odor dissipates within about 15 seconds. The entire event is over within a minute.
Transmission
215 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 47,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly, driveline, transfer case (4-wheel drive).
I was on a trip away from home, coming down a 2 lane country road and my 2016 Explorer just began to slow down. I hit the gas, but no reposne from the vechile. I could only throw on my flashers and cringe as the cars piled up behind me, hoping no one would hit me. We coasted at least half a mile before finding a place…
My 2016 Ford Explorer will lose power under various driving conditions. While on the highway at 45-55 MPH the car engine dropped to idle (~800 RPM) and would not respond to the accelerator. This occurred in traffic and created many close calls. It has occurred three times to me, and researching it on the internet has…
Electrical
129 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 42,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel, instrument cluster/panel, 12v/24v/48v battery, wiring.
The steering failure light came on about 2 weeks ago and I brought to dealer. They said it was not the steering but the battery putting out the wrong voltage and caused the sensor to come on. Today I actually lost steering on the vehicle while driving about 30 miles on a local street. The street curved and I could not…
The airbag warning light has come on. In taking the car to the dealership, this was traced back to Ford's error code dtc b141b and/or b141c. This error code has to do with Ford installing a defective wiring harness for the rear seat inflatable airbags and could cause them to fail to operate during a collision. The…
Fuel system
112 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 10,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, fuel injection system.
Vehicle was proceeding and all power to throttle stopped. Power steering went out. Vehicle coasted to stop in traffic turn lane. Ford stated this is a problem with vehicles throttle body
While driving at 60 MPH on a 4 lane highway, the car suddenly shut down with no warning. The wench light came on and the engine would only rough idle - pressing the accelerator did nothing. We had to coast to the side of the road; fortunately there was very little traffic at the time, had traffic been heavy we could…
Air bags
99 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 51,500 miles.
Airbag light comes on - when light is on airbags do not deploy in case of an accident. Took to dealer told wiring harness under back seats need replaced, not covered under warranty. This is an issue with more than just my vehicle. There is a fix and should be a recall.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the air bags warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the air bags wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred three times. The…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Ford Explorer recalls
Body and structure: body
Risk: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed august 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in january 2027. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26s54. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 21v316. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on july 16, 2026.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
Equipment: engine block heater
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed december 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated september 2026. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25sa4. Vehicle identification
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 lincoln mkc, 2016-2023 explorer, 2019-2020 fusion, 2019-2024 ranger, 2020-2022 lincoln corsair, escape, 2021-2024 bronco, bronco sport, and 2022-2024 maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Body and structure: body
Risk: Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will repair the b-pillar trim, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed june 5, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated november 2026. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25s53.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger b-pillar door trim may detach while driving.
Body and structure: roof and pillars
Risk: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the a-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between july 18, 2024 and december 16, 2025. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24s02.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 explorer vehicles. The a-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
Suspension: rear
Risk: A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (cabj) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 16v-245, 19v-435, and 20v-675. Certain vehicles previously repaired will need to return for the new remedy. An interim notification letter notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on september 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on march 16, 2022. Owners may contact ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21s32.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
Body and structure: body
Risk: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge. The interim owner notification letter was mailed on june 22, 2021. Owner notification letters (remedy available) were mailed on october 1, 2021. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21s22.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.
Suspension: rear
Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint (cabj) knuckle attached to the rear suspension toe link and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began november 27, 2020. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20s62.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in connecticut, delaware, the district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, and wisconsin that were previously repaired under a prior recall numbers 16v-245 or 19v-435. The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fracture.
Transmission: axle shaft
Risk: The failed bracket could result in a loss of park function which can cause unintended vehicle movement, and loss of motive power while driving which increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the link shaft bracket, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners received an interim notification detailing safety risk december 8, 2020. A second letter will be mailed when parts become available in january 2021. The recall began february 2, 2021. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20s63.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 explorer, 2014-2015 taurus and 2014 edge vehicles equipped with 2.0l or 2.3l engines and front wheel drive. The support bracket for the front drive axle halfshaft may fail.
Suspension: rear
Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began june 26, 2019. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19s17.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Seats
Risk: In the event of a crash, a seat occupant that is not properly restrained has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tightness of the power seat track upper pivot link bolt, either applying threadlocker or replacing the lift link and hardware, free of charge. Interim letters are expected to go out january 15, 2018. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17s40.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2016 f-150 and explorer vehicles. Loose power seat adjuster pivot bolts may cause the front seat cushions to detach and not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash.
Seats: recliner
Risk: The seat back may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat back frame, free of charge. The recall begin on august 18, 2016. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 16c11.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 ford explorer and f-150 vehicles equipped with a manual recline driver's seat. The seat back frame may have insufficient welds which may not meet the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) numbers 202, "head restraints" and 207, "seating systems."
Engine
Risk: Overheating of the engine block increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine block heater, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and replace the electrical cord, as necessary. The recall began on may 18, 2016. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16s14. Note: owners should not use the engine block heater until the vehicle has been remedied.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 lincoln mkc vehicles manufactured november 25, 2013, to january 25, 2016, and 2016 ford explorer vehicles manufactured october 20, 2014, to january 28, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with 2.3l gtdi engines and engine block heaters. These engine block heaters have elements that may overheat while plugged in.
Fuel system: mounting
Risk: If the fuel tank separates from the vehicle, a fuel leak may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the fuel tank attachment bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on october 19, 2015. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15s26.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 ford taurus, lincoln mks, and 2016 ford explorer vehicles manufactured on july 24, 2015. During vehicle production, the fuel tank attachment bolts may not have been properly tightened. As a result, the fuel tank straps may fracture and the fuel tank could separate from the vehicle.
Brakes: parking brake
Risk: If the parking brake does not fully engage and the transmission is left in a gear other than 'park' while on a slope, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the operation of the parking brake system, and if necessary, replace the parking brake control assembly, free of charge. The recall began on september 4, 2015. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15c07.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 ford taurus, ford flex, and lincoln mks vehicles manufactured may 4, 2015, to may 23, 2015, lincoln mkt vehicles manufactured may 4, 2015, to may 21, 2015, and 2015-2016 ford explorer vehicles manufactured may 4, 2015, to may 23, 2015. The affected vehicles have a parking brake that may not fully engage when applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 135, "light vehicle brake systems."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Windshield trim molding item detachment
Summary
On january 27, 2023, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe23-001 to investigate allegations of a-pillar trim panel detachment on model year (my) 2011-2019 ford explorer vehicles. At the time of opening, the office had received 164 vehicle owner questionnaires (voqs) reporting this failure. Odi has received 671 voqs regarding this failure, including 1 alleged crash and 2 alleged injuries. Some consumers have reported that the failure occurred while they were driving at highway speeds, with the detached trim panel entering the path of travel of the vehicle behind them, requiring the driver of the following vehicle to take evasive action. It is noteworthy that motorists who experi
Exhaust odor in passenger cab
Summary
During the ea17-002 investigation, the agency reviewed and analyzed reports of exhaust odors in the passenger cabins of model year 2011 to 2017 ford explorers. This investigation required an approach that incorporated knowledge and expertise from the automotive, medical, environmental health, and occupational safety fields. The agency conducted an in-depth investigation that encompassed the review of over 6,500 consumer complaints, conducting field inspections, and testing the relevant vehicles, both independently and in coordination with ford and other entities. During the investigation, the evolution of ford service bulletins intended to reduce the level of exhaust odors and carbon monoxid
Questions about the 2016 Ford Explorer
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Explorer?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (591 complaints, typically around 83,000 miles); steering (532 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles); engine (483 complaints, typically around 26,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Explorer have?
- 14 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 14, 2026 (body and structure). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Ford Explorer?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Explorer model year since 2000, with 2,462 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.