NHTSA data · free2016 Ford ExplorerProblems: Top Complaints, Recalls & Failures (NHTSA)
Every owner complaint and safety recall the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has on file for the 2016 Ford Explorer, ranked by the component that failed most.
Complaints on file
2,443
Recalls issued
15
Crashes reported
38
Fires reported
14
What breaks most
- Structure582 complaints · 23.8%
- Steering528 complaints · 21.6%
- Engine380 complaints · 15.6%
- Power Train214 complaints · 8.8%
- Electrical System125 complaints · 5.1%
Recalls on this model year
- 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.
Campaign 19V435000 · reported 10/06/2019 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Wheels › Hub
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly result
Campaign 17E048000 · reported 28/08/2017 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
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 Restr
Campaign 16V475000 · reported 28/06/2016 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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.
Campaign 17V767000 · reported 29/11/2017 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Mounting
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
Campaign 15V605000 · reported 28/09/2015 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine
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 bloc
Campaign 16V183000 · reported 31/03/2016 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Parking Brake
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. T
Campaign 15V464000 · reported 24/07/2015 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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.
Campaign 21V316000 · reported 05/05/2021 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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.
Campaign 20V692000 · reported 10/11/2020 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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 I
Campaign 21V537000 · reported 15/07/2021 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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 Yor
Campaign 20V675000 · reported 12/03/2021 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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.
Campaign 24V031000 · reported 19/01/2024 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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.
Campaign 25V347000 · reported 23/05/2025 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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 t
Campaign 25V685000 · reported 10/10/2025 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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.
Campaign 26V448000 · reported 14/07/2026 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
What owners report
Structure
- The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle w
- After multiple communications with the local Ford Dealership, the recall on the vehicle has not been completed nor inspected. The Ford Dealership has repeatedly stated that they do not have the parts
- The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the driver’s side B-pillar trim detached from the vehicle and was dangling by two wires. The contact later used bla
Steering
- Hello. I purchased my car in 2018. 2-3 years later, the power steering would randomly go out while driving - on the highway and city roads. This could happen once and then not again for 6+ months.
- 2016 Ford Explorer, VIN [XXX]. Filing against Planet Ford Dallas regarding incomplete Regional Program 21R01 (Rear Toe Link Replacement), tied to Federal Safety Recall 21V537. May 11, 2026: Vehicle pr
- The electronic power steering failed Yes its available for inspection My child and my safety were put at risk when I warning came up and said "steering loss, stop safely" and the steering wheel was lo
Engine
- Truck turns off
- Vehicle: 2016 Ford Explorer 2WD V6-3.5L VIN: [XXX] rchase: January 20, 2026 Odometer at Purchase: 70,929 miles (fraudulent — true mileage approximately 123,779 miles) Dealer: Drive Time Car Sales Comp
- When acceleration hot air blows through dashboard fogging front driver windows. Weather strips in doors are coming apart.
Power Train
- The contact called on behalf of his wife, who owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently accelerated. The check engine warnin
- My 2016 ford explorers torque converter has failed. It causes a extremely rough idle while in drive or reverse, the rpms vary and at a complete stop the car will continue to lunge forward. If I were t
- Vehicle: 2016 Ford Explorer 2WD V6-3.5L VIN: [XXX] rchase: January 20, 2026 Odometer at Purchase: 70,929 miles (fraudulent — true mileage approximately 123,779 miles) Dealer: Drive Time Car Sales Comp
Electrical System
- Truck turns off
- I have a 2016 ford explorer limited and it has 2 separate recalls on it one being the exterior a pillar applique trim clip attachments are not properly engaged due to improper assembly which borders t
- I was driving on the highway and the driver side trim piece on the window flew off onto ongoing traffic. This is the second piece that flew off. The passenger side also flew off but was fixed. But no
Excerpts are anonymized owner complaints as filed with NHTSA, trimmed to 200 characters.
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