10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
34,444 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.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2016 Ford Explorer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #66

Nov 152018

Explorer

  • 37,000 miles
Interior of car began to smell of burning oil, warning message "4WD temporarily disabled". leak from vent hose into ptu system. Ford (santa rosa, ca) says ptu must be replaced. 37K miles on car.

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

problem #65

Sep 152018

Explorer

  • 49,000 miles
The engine will stall and the car will buck/shake and almost die when put into drive after sitting overnight or for several hours takes 1-2 minutes to jerk/shake and then will run fine. Twice the wrench icon has come on in the dash. We have taken it to the dealership 3 times now to be fixed. They were able to validate what happened, as it happened to them but said that the car's computer did not generate any codes so they are unable to diagnose/repair.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #64

Jul 152018

Explorer

  • 40,000 miles
I have been driving my vehicle for the last month it has 40000 miles on it and had no problems until the last couple of weeks my vehicle has been jerking when accelerating and the gear drops.

- Safford, AZ, USA

problem #63

Apr 202018

Explorer

  • 34,000 miles
It jolts, lunges, transmission doesn't engage and slams into gear hard it makes you feel you got rear ended with a big bank. Slow to accelerate and when it finally does it lunges

- Avon Lake, OH, USA

problem #62

Mar 012018

Explorer

  • 7,000 miles
Same issue as NHTSA id number: 11042260. At 7,000 miles when the vehicle goes into reverse we hear a loud thumping sound as though you ran over something. This is happens more when reversing with a turn than straight but seldom while backing straight out as well. At 7,500 mile service the issue was bought to the attention of the dealership, the tech determined that it was a faulty rdu (rear drive unit) which was placed on order. The dealer has not yet responded to the status of the part which has been over a month! yet the dealership asked us why we rated the unsatisfactory! at this point it is unknown if this would solved the problem as the replacement part has not yet been installed.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #61

Mar 272018

Explorer

  • 58,000 miles
When keeping a steady speed, rpms fluctuate up and down causing a jerky movement while driving. Happens randomly or after idling for a few minutes. Also, power decreases during this event, so when taking off, car doesn't want to accelerate, then lurches forward. Also, when accelerating, particularly uphill, a burning smell comes from the vehicle.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #60

Dec 272017

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. While the vehicle was in the drive position, the vehicle stalled, rolled backwards, and crashed into a tree. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to soo motors (391 3 mile rd, sault ste. Marie, mi 49783, (906) 632-2278) for diagnostic testing. The contact was informed that the vehicle performed as intended. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was equipped with hill braking assist. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened case number: [xxx]. the approximate failure mileage was 24,000. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Cedarville, MI, USA

problem #59

Feb 152017

Explorer

  • 18,000 miles
While driving the vehicle in heavy traffic on a city street I lost power. The vehicle would not shift into gear. When I parked the vehicle it would not go in reverse. I had to put the vehicle in neutral and get pushed out of the parking lot. The vehicle would not shift into gear to drive home. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealership. The second time this happened I was on a 600+ mile trip out of state. I was driving at high speed on the interstate. I took the vehicle to a dealership when I reached my destination. There service department could not fit me in T look at it. I drove the vehicle directly to the dealership when I returned home. The third and fourth time I was 150 miles from home. I was driving in heavy traffic on a 4 lane highway. The issue also happened when the car was stationary sitting at a stop light then attempted to proceed into traffic. I have had the same issue 4 times without the "nonconformity" being resolved. I have taken it into the dealer 3 times for service. The vehicle has been out of service greater than 15 days. Carfax indicate the electric throttle body was repaired a month before I purchased the vehicle. That information was not disclosed to me at the time of purchase by the dealership.

- Maitland, FL, USA

problem #58

Nov 152017

Explorer

  • 12,854 miles
Power train control module and engine control module failed under high speed on a 4 lane road. We were almost killed by being rear-ended traffic as vehicle came to a complete stop, engine off, and completely dead. Not able to steer or brake. Vehicle has only 12,854 actual miles. Please fix this before others are killed and/or maimed.

- Haines, AK, USA

problem #57

Feb 012017

Explorer

  • 6,000 miles
When I place my Explorer in reverse to back out of a park, when I am about half way out of the park, there's a loud "bump". I automatically slam on brakes because I think I have ran over someone. Recently, I placed my Explorer in drive so that I could pull out of the garage and I heard the loud "bump". I have taken my Explorer to the dealer several times and they have no idea what it is. I have also contacted Ford and they have no idea what it is. Ford finally offered a 100K mile warranty but that doesn't solve the problem.

- Erwin, NC, USA

problem #56

Sep 142017

Explorer

  • 17,680 miles
2016 Ford Explorer XLT was great until I hit 17,680 miles. Transmission went into "limp mode" and would not accelerate. Engine/wrench light appeared on the dash and I basically crawled to the dealership. Very scary when stopped, put the pedal to floor and would barely move. After a few days at the dealership, they said it appeared to be the clutch and they replaced it. Got it back and two days later, it did it again. Drove back to dealership and they had it for a day, but couldn't get it to do it, so I got it back. Two days later, it happened once again. Dealership said if it happened again, drive it right to the dealership and don't turn it off. A tech went for a ride with me and was able to see what was happening. When were driving back, lights on dash went off and the car drove fine. The tech said not to worry, they'd be able to get a code even though the lights on the dash went off. So I'm on my 3rd rental and waiting to hear what will be done. Luckily I leased my Explorer and everything is covered under warranty. My advice is stay far away from any Ford product with this transmission! it's dangerous and completely unreliable.

- Marshfield, MA, USA

problem #55

Aug 152016

Explorer

  • 875 miles
Can lurch violently when operating at low speed such as in a parking lot

- Modesto, CA, USA

problem #54

Aug 252016

Explorer

  • 9,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle lost power and the service "wrench" warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road and was towed to the dealer (northtown Ford in menomonie, wi) where the throttle body was replaced. The failure recurred and the same dealer replaced the retaining clip, but the failure recurred. The contact made the manufacturer aware of the failures and requested a buy-back. The contact was informed that the issues did not warrant a buy-back. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.

- Stockholme, WI, USA

problem #53

Jun 282016

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 1,200 miles
On 6/28/2016 the vehicle was involved in a loss of control accident due to driver becoming unconscious. The driver and all passengers became unconscious nearly simultaneously. The original assumption was that the driver fell asleep, although she did not remember feeling drowsy prior to the accident. The accident resulted in total loss of the vehicle and no injuries were sustained. The accident occurred on I-85, mp 18 North of montgomery, Alabama. Since seeing the report today about possible co leakage into the passenger cabin on the Ford Explorer vehicles, I would now suspect this as a possible contributing factor in this accident...updated 08/07/17

- Lillian, AL, USA

problem #52

Apr 072017

Explorer

  • 14,000 miles
I was driving on the high way yesterday and the car couldn't be moved with the gas pedal. I coasted to the next exit, turned off the car and back on and it worked again. Today the same thing happened, but this time it didn't work again. I had adac (here in germany) come and take a look at it. They reset the "system" and followed me to my Ford car garage shop.

- Apo, AE, USA

problem #51

Oct 272015

Explorer

  • 100 miles
Smell exhaust fumes inside cabin of vehicle. Exposure to carbon monoxide concern. Happens during full acceleration and driving uphill and with A/C unit on.noticed upon lease reception. Ford replaced exhaust system but not helped, actually now worse. Ongoing issue unresolved.

- Suwanee, GA, USA

problem #50

Jan 312017

Explorer

  • 7,275 miles
Throttle body has failed twice. First time at 7275 odometer; second occurred at a bit over 16,000 miles. Failure of this part results in no throttle response to the engine and a maximum of about 10mph speed. Luckily, both times, I was not on the interstate or other high speed highway. Both instances were in motion at 35-45 mph. The only way to clear the problem is to shut the engine down and wait for 1-5 minutes; then be prepared for no throttle response within a few miles.

- Port Orange, FL, USA

problem #49

Dec 192016

Explorer

  • 5,000 miles
The transmission drain plugs were loose. The vehicle has 5064 miles. I had been noticing an odor and thought I had a coolant leak. But the smell was not "sweet" enough. I crawled under the car after a 700 mile trip because the order was very prevalent. I notice transmission fluid on one of the transmission drain plugs. There was a plume of transmission fluid going from the transmission to the back of the car. Some of the fluid had contacted the exhaust components. I check the fluid level ( flat surface, engine hot and running) and the fluid did not even contact the dip stick. I then went to see if the plug(s) was loose. It is a 11mm. I was able to get 2.5 turns on the plug using just my fingers. On the second plug I was able to get 1 full turn with just my fingers. The 1st plug only had about 3 threads engaged. I am concerned that if other vehicles have this condition, a fire or complete lose of transmission fluid could occur. If a plug falls out while traveling at highway speeds a serious accident could occur.

- Novi, MI, USA

problem #48

Jun 202016

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 6,395 miles
While driving in traffic there was a loud noise and the car lost power had try and get out of traffic with no power. The throttle body failed.

- Ballwin, MO, USA

problem #47

Nov 222016

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 11,600 miles
While driving in traffic there was a loud noise and the car lost power and the wrench light came on. Was able to roll out of traffic transmission went out.

- Ballwin, MO, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »