10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 6 / 4
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 34,065 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Transmission died with no warning at under 80k miles. The car lost its ability to accelerate while merging on the highway. Got off highway and to friends home. Car would not reverse and could not accelerate over 15mph. Had it towed to AAA repair shop. According to AAA repair shop a new Transmission is needed. This is unacceptable with only 80k miles, never received warning lights, and regular maintenance. 2016 Ford Explorer has know Transmission issues.
- Pineville, NC, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while stopped in traffic, the vehicle was shuddering and appeared to be going into idle mode. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle responded as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under Customer Satisfaction Program Number: 20N07, which had expired. The failure mileage was 130,000.
- Cadiz, KY, USA
I felt a thumping when turning the steering wheel and took it to the dealership who kept it for two days to attempt to replicate the same noise but they were unable to reproduce or replicate. Two or maybe three months later, the thumping noise turned into a clicking noise. Again, I immediately took it to the Ford dealership and fortunately a mechanic was still on duty. They test drove the vehicle and heard the same noise. They ask if I could leave the vehicle for more testing with their suspension specialist and they will contact me the next day. The next day they contacted me and I was told 'this is a common problem and Ford is aware of issue but has not issued a recall'. Concerned about the comment I took it to a second Ford dealership. The second dealership kept it for a day and of course they could not replicate the thumping or clicking sound. They even inspected the steering/wheel components but found nothing. Worried, I did some additional research and found this website with other people complaining about the same issue https://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explorer/2016/steering/steering-rack_and_pinion.shtml I even found a few YouTube videos addressing the same problem. October is here and winter is about to set in and my vehicle is still thumping and clicking. I am driving the vehicle but concerned I am putting my safety and the safety of others at risk. Based on the information I found, it is clear that I am not the only one with this issue.
- Columbus, OH, USA
You can smell a sickly metal burning smell in the cabin when accelerating to get onto a freeway.
- San Tan Valley, AZ, USA
Check engine light came on low engine oil pressure light come on made loud knocking noise regular maintenance 147k miles vehicle is at mechanic shop estimate total $1500-$2500 to fix do not have money for repairs
- Anderson, AL, USA
The engine shut off when driving on the highway at 65 and the wrench light came on... I could not navigate the vehicle...took it to the Legacy Ford dealership and was informed that the Electronic Throttle Body needed to be replaced...I believe ford had that on a recall back in 2017 but not for my VIN....The dealership said that my VIN does not qualify for the recall to my surprise
- Sugar Land, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V692000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 180.000.
- Catawba, NC, USA
My vehicle build date is May 10, 2015 @ Chicago plant. NHTSA put out a recall on my vehicle but it wasn't attached to my VIN # and my vehicle is currently having said recall problems. The recall was NHTSA-20-V-692. Is there a way to get it added to my VIN please
- Catawba, NC, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. Additionally, while attempting to accelerate the vehicle failed to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with failure with the torque converter. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to Manufacturer Communication Number: 20N07-S2. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
- Greensboro, NC, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle unintentionally downshifted without warning. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that his vehicle was included in a customer satisfaction program; the contact scheduled an appointment at a local dealer for service. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where she was informed that the transmission was defective and that the recall did not apply to the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was 72,000.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle started jerking and sputtering. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed. The vehicle was towed to the transmission specialist where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be rebuilt. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred a year later. The vehicle was taken back to the transmission specialist where the torque converter was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated the vehicle was shifting hard while driving and was jerking upon acceleration. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the engine mounts were replaced twice. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact became aware of Ford Technical Service Bulletin Number: 20-2271, which he associated with the torque converter failure. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the vibration caused by the torque converter failure was damaging the engine mounts, causing the engine mounts to be repaired often. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
- Litchfield Park, AZ, USA
Water pump failure no warning car over heats and water pump cost over $2000 to repair no option but to take to a dealer
- Tulare, CA, USA
Vehicle started overheating, when inspected I notice a coolant leak. Had it diagnosed, outcome was water pump leaking. Vehicle only has about 58685 miles. Warranty expired and extended warranty also expired. Not sure why the water pump started to leak at such low milage. Vehicle is currently at the Ford Dealer for repairs.
- Saint Cloud, FL, USA
The contact owns a?2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a clicking sound coming from the vehicle and then there was an explosion. There was smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the PTU, transfer case and differential had exploded. The mechanic informed the contact that the PTU, transfer case and differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The manufacturer informed the contact that the warranty had expired and to research the lemon law. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
- Travelers Rest, SC, USA
While driving would shudder when getting to approx. 60-65mph. No check engine light. Dealer stated could not diagnose if no check engine light on. This went on for 1.5 years. I kept taking back but still no light. March 2022 it started running really rough while sitting at a stop light, no power at take off. Took to the dealer who said it was covered, diagnosed it as Torque Converter, and pump waited 4 weeks to get parts after being told twice covered 100% but then found out not covered as when it was there previously they did not do the Customer Satisfaction Program 20N07 where PCM reflash was required. Now Ford corp and dealer say they are not covering this. Why did the dealer not advise of this while there before this program expired.
- Woodford, VA, USA
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
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
Water pump has failed. Causing the engine to shutter and stop running normally. This happened on the highway with kids on board. Water pump is internally and cost of repairs are more expensive than what is fair for a consumer. No one should pay for that, it-??s misleading at least. If they were to warn that a regular wear an tear part would causes thousands. No one would buy Ford. The responsibility should be Ford and not the consumer
- La Porte , TX, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, there was a loud snap sound and smoke came from the air vents. The contact rolled down the windows and pulled over while smoke was billowing from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with engine and transfer case housing failure, where the transfer case housing was fractured in half. The vehicle was repaired with an engine and transfer case housing replacement. The dealer and Napleton Ford in Libertyville (1010 S Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, IL 60048) were made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty and the parts for the repair were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
- Antioch, IL, USA
- Moore, SC, USA