What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2016 Ford Explorer

Typical pattern

12.5% of complaints about the 2016 Ford Explorer came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2016 vehicle — around the middle of the 199 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.7 yr in service. The most-reported system is structure (589 complaints), typically at 8.5 yr or about 83,000 miles.

Complaints
3,020
Median age at failure
5.7 yr
Median mileage
47,000 n=1878
Crash / fire / tow
5.9% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Structure
589 reports · 83,000 mi
8.5 yr
1.9%
Steering
536 reports · 58,000 mi
5.3 yr
5.2%
Other
421 reports · 20,000 mi
3.0 yr
5.2%
Engine
380 reports · 16,650 mi
2.9 yr
6.1%
Power train
216 reports · 49,000 mi
5.5 yr
9.7%
Electrical system
128 reports · 41,785 mi
4.1 yr
8.6%
Engine cooling
115 reports · 76,000 mi
7.1 yr
13.9%
Fuel / propulsion
102 reports · 10,000 mi
1.8 yr
3.9%
Air bags
99 reports · 52,000 mi
5.6 yr
8.1%
Speed control
75 reports · 7,900 mi
11 mo
8%
Suspension
74 reports · 70,000 mi
5.3 yr
12.2%
Wheels
50 reports · 22,000 mi
2.6 yr
4%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

26V448000 2026-07-14
Structure:body

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.

A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

25V685000 2025-10-10
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater

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.

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

25V347000 2025-05-23
Structure:body

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.

Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

24V031000 2024-01-19
Structure:body:roof and pillars

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.

A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

21V537000 2021-07-15
Suspension:rear

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.

A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

21V316000 2021-05-05
Structure:body

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.

A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

20V675000 2021-03-12
Suspension:rear

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.

A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

20V692000 2020-11-10
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft

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.

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.

19V435000 2019-06-10
Suspension:rear

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.

A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

17V767000 2017-11-29
Seats

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.

In the event of a crash, a seat occupant that is not properly restrained has an increased risk of injury.

In owners’ own words

Electrical system 1,900 mi 4 mo in service crash / fire / tow
WIFE WAS DRIVING CAR & STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT , CALLED ME & SAID CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE & SMELLED BURNING , UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND COOLING FAN MOTOR & FAN SHROUD CAUGHT ON FIRE
Electrical system 7,200 mi 7 mo in service
COOLING FAN SHUT DOWN NOISE, SINCE NEW THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MAKES A LOT OF NOISE WHEN "SPINNING DOWN" AT THE FAN COMES TO A STOP/SHUTTING DOWN ENGINE. FAN IS WORKING, BUT FOR HOW LONG?
Electrical system 4,642 mi 8 mo in service
WHILE PLACING GROCERIES INTO THE TRUNK TODAY THE LIFT GATE BEGAN TO CLOSE SPONTANEOUSLY ON MY DAUGHTER AND I. WE WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO JUMP OUT OF THE WAY BEFORE IT CLOSED. WE TRIED TO PUSH ON IT BUT IT CONTINUED TO DESCEND. THE MILEAGE IS 4642. I HAVE HAD 5 OTHER ISSUES WITH THE LIFT GATE SPONTANEOUSLY OPENING AFTER I HAVE WALKED AWAY FROM THE CAR. THANKFULLY I HAVE BEEN ALERTED TO IT WHEN I HIT THE LOCK BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB AND GET THE OPEN DOOR SIGNAL. I HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO USE THE "HANDS-FREE" LIFT GATE THREE TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY.
Seats 10,000 mi 6 mo in service
HAD MY FORD EXPLORER 6-MO'S AND WAS DRIVING WITH FAMILY APPROX 45-MPH IN TRAFFIC ON A MAIN STREET WHEN THE GAS PADEL JUST STOP WORKING HAD TO TRY TO GET TO SIDE OF ROAD, VERY DANGEROUS !! . CAR WAS AT FORD DEALER GETTING FIXED FROM 3/14- 3/25 , IT NEEDED A NEW THROTTLE BODY AIR INTAKE, (AT4Z*9E926*B ) AND MOTOR ASY.

Other Explorer model years

20252023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020082007200620052004200320022001200019991998

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