10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 3 / 3
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 8 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 27,814 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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« Read the previous 20 complaints
I was driving along in town and heard a real loud pop sound and the car jerked. The front started smoking heavily. I get off to the nearest parking lot and fluids had spewed underneath and there was a small fire from this that went out. I had two children both in child restraints that had to be removed from the vehicle, thankfully my husband was with me. It was towed to two repair shops whom both stated the PTU had exploded and broke the transmission as well. I tried to get assistance through Ford and have hit a dead end. It is at the local dealership where they claim the ptu exploded, broke transmission and cracked the engine block resulting in close to $14,000 dollars needed in repairs. This vehicle was running completely fine, no lights had been displaying on the dash. Consumer stated dealer is blaming the defects on a tread pattern on 1 tire(not size).
- Farmington, MO, USA
There is a VERY STRONG sulfur odor emiting into the cabin without an engine warning light. Tested for error codes and inspected by Ken Towery in Louisville and the seriviceperson couldn't detect the source of the odor. The defect appeared at 98458. The smell causes me to gag and feel light headed. Please advise.
- Louisville, KY, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission and engine mounts were damaged and needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the transmission and engine mounts; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that a recall for the transmission had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,235.
- Richmond, TX, USA
When my Explorer was in for routine service on Friday, 3/11, it was explained to me by my authorized Ford dealership's service department that my water pump was leaking and that it was a risk to continue driving the vehicle, since engine failure was possible as fluid mixed into the oil. I agreed to allow them to do the work. I was quoted a price of $3300+ given 12 hours of labor for a water pump placed inside Ford's cyclone-style engine (Duratec). I was also assured that Ford had upgraded the pump and that the new one would likely not leak so prematurely. My vehicle has been dealer serviced since I purchased it in July of 2016 and only has 53k miles on it. I have been in touch with Ford directly, hoping to hold them responsible for the repairs. I initiated a case with Ford on Saturday, 3/12 and at present, I am still waiting to hear from them.
- Neshanic Sta, NJ, USA
The 2016 Ford Explorer has a leaking water pump which Ford knows is an issue and has not issued a recall. The price of the pump is cheap but the labor is making this a $4000 maintenance cost.
- Auburn, WA, USA
My wife has been reporting experiencing nausea, dizziness, sleepiness and headaches during and after her drive home from work throughout October/November 2021and into December 2021. Our vehicle was involved in a high speed collision on December 24, 2021 while traveling EB on I-90 at approximately MP 101. I was driving at the time. It was at about 3:29pm. I couldn't quite recall what had happened and I was disoriented and confused for some time after the collision though I hadn't hit my head. Everyone else in the car had fallen asleep despite being well rested and it being the middle of the afternoon. My symptoms and condition were the same as oxygen deprivation. I believe exhaust has been getting into the cabin of our vehicle and causing my wife's symptoms and caused the accident. The vehicle is totalled.
- Bridgeport, WA, USA
My vehicle have been leaking coolant which causes the engine to overheat. I had the same issue in 2020 and had it repaired, which cost a lot of money to repair. I have not driven the vehicle as much since the last leak. Now 2 years later, it's the same issue. I don't have money like that to continuously repair a defect Ford has on it vehicles. Now I'm afraid to even drive my vehicle not knowing what might happen.
- Mebane , NC, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle began to emit white smoke from the tailpipe. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the head gasket replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.
- Tujunga, CA, USA
Using the FORD PASS ap, I have two recalls for my 2016 Ford Explorer Sport. Recall 21S22 for the roof rack trim detachment and 21N01 for high speed cooling fan motor relay. I use Miracle Ford in Gallatin, TN. They have made incident reports on two separate occasions for my car. First, they lost the report in July and then the manager, Robert, brought me back in for a second report. I keep getting text messages that my service is complete, but it hasn't been completed. They haven't called me to bring my car back in for repair and I get the run around every time I call. I've attempted to reach supervisor and Robert, the manager, with no success. I'm starting to get worried!
- Gallatin, TN, USA
The vehicle surges when drive at low speeds, I have to keep my foot on the brake so it don't take off or hit something in front of me. About a month ago the surging almost made me hit a child in the roadway in front of my house. I am really uncomfortable driving the vehicle and don't feel its safe to drive due to this problem. Ford dealership is not giving any info on what tis problem could be. I found several problems on here related to this issue.
- Texarkana, TX, USA
2016 Ford Explorer 3.5 Liter (non-turbo) front wheel drive, 52k miles. We noticed coolant puddling on the ground and took the car in to the dealer for an inspection. The dealer pressure tested the cooling system and confirmed the internal water pump is failing. This issue could lead to engine overheating and engine shutdown at any given time, causing unknown safety issues. Dealer quoted $3,400 to repair.
- San Marcos, CA, USA
Observed white smoke from exhaust, Took vehicle to for dealership, dealership said coolant was leaking into cylinder head and cylinder head was cracked. Car is 6 months and 1000 miles out of Ford Powertrain warranty. Ford TSB advisors I need a new engine. Looked at vehicle history report and discovered numerous other mechanical issues with the engine including a transmission replacement and turbo replacement all under 50 k miles on vehicle.
- Waldorf , MD, USA
Anytime I accelerate above 55-60mph my vehicle smells like it is burning. This smell consumes the cab area for a period of time. I have owned the vehicle for 1 year now and it has done this since the day I purchased it.
- Kingman, AZ, USA
With less than 75k miles, the steering began to grind when turning. We had to get an entirely new rack and pinion unit replaced for over $2400. Thousands of 2016 Explorers have reported this problem but it is still not been deemed a recall. Recently, at 84K miles, the clutch on the AC compressor went out causing a $720 bill for a new compressor. We have also just found out the water pump is now bad and appears to be defective. In fact there was a class action lawsuit in 2020 regarding these defective pumps but this wonderful government we pay exorbitant taxes to, threw the case out on technicalities. Absolutely shameful.
- Acworth, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while having a routine oil change at waldorf Ford (2440 crain hwy, waldorf, md 20601, (888) 709-3528) the technician informed the contact that the engine block was leaking and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. A few days later a bystander informed the contact that there was water in the passenger's side rear brake lamp and that the brake lamp failed to illuminate when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact mentioned NHTSA campaign number: 15V605000 (fuel system, gasoline) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
- Washington, DC, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving there was a strong odor coming into the cabin of the vehicle causing the contact and her husband to become lightheaded. When the contact returned to her residence she checked under the hood and smelled an abnormally strong odor coming from underneath the engine. The contact stated the odor smelled like sulfur and rotten eggs. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer balise Ford (1979 boston rd, wilbraham, MA 01095) to have the vehicle diagnosed however, the dealer was unable to find the cause of the odor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,000.
- Grandy, MA, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the water pump leaked fluid without warning. The contact took the vehicle to stevens Ford of milford (717 bridgeport ave, milford, ct 06460) where she was informed that the vehicle needed a new water pump. The contact declined the repair. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where she had the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
- Fairfield, CT, USA
Vehicle started to misfire as I was driving. It would get worse every time I was idle at stop lights. Had to pull over to assess the situation and I shortly scheduled a service appointment with a Ford dealership. Ford techs said it was the spark plugs and coils. Had all 6 spark plugs & coils replaced but the issue continued. Still no resolution as of today. Vehicle only has 47K miles.
- Upland, CA, USA
I'm experiencing limp mode. While driving at any speed the truck loses power and cuts back almost like I put it in park while driving. The wrench and engine lights are on.
- Greenville, SC, USA
- Mebane , NC, USA