10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
24 / 0
Average Mileage:
18,318 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.

problem #362

Nov 062023

Explorer

  • miles
Ford has a recall for the A pillar but my B pillar trim flew off. The other side was loose.

- Hilton Head, SC, USA

problem #361

Feb 142024

Explorer

  • miles
Subject: Urgent Vehicle Safety Complaint Regarding Defective Water Pump in Ford and Lincoln Vehicles I am writing to bring to your attention a critical safety concern affecting numerous Ford and Lincoln vehicles worldwide, specifically those equipped with Cyclone (Duratec) engines. The issue at hand revolves around a defective water pump, which has manifested in various models, including but not limited to: - Ford Edge - Ford Explorer - Ford Flex - Ford Fusion - Ford Taurus - Lincoln Continental - Lincoln MKT - Lincoln MKX Owners of these vehicles are experiencing a significant and alarming risk of stalling in traffic, posing a severe threat to both driver and passenger safety. The potential consequences, including the increased likelihood of accidents and fatalities, demand immediate attention and action from Ford Motor Company who has been sued multiple times and is avoiding to respond to the judgements against them trying to use any excuse not to pay. It is imperative to address this widespread concern promptly, as the safety and well-being of Ford and Lincoln vehicle owners are at stake. I urge your organization to conduct a thorough investigation into the defective water pump issue, implement a comprehensive recall, and provide a reliable solution to rectify the problem. Your commitment to prioritizing the safety of consumers is paramount, and I trust that Ford Motor Company will take swift and decisive action to remedy this situation. By addressing this issue promptly, you not only ensure the protection of current owners but also uphold the reputation of Ford and Lincoln in the automotive industry. It's impossible to say that it is a mere coincidence that thousands of Ford vehicles have the same defect with exactly the same engine and symptoms. Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter, and I anticipate a proactive response that prioritizes the safety and satisfaction of Ford and Lincoln vehicle owners.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #360

Jan 142024

Explorer

  • miles
I am writing to you as I just read an article about my Explorer being recalled for a different issue, pieces of trim flying off (which happened to us several years ago). I took to the dealership then, they replaced and it immediately cracked again. They were blaming my door as being off and causing the damage. I took to a repair shop (non-Ford) to look at and they told me that they had seen this alot and Ford knew there was a problem and it wasn't my door. It made me extremely upset as it almost caused an accident while we were on the freeway. This complaint is for a completely different safety issue and is recent. I am mentioning the above incident as my car this time was taken to a different repair shop. Their response was very similar to the above repair shop that Ford knows there is a problem as the part is on a national backorder. After a recent snowstorm, my husband went to drive his car to work. The storm had passed, but roads were still dangerous. As he was pulling out of the garage, multiple alarms showed up on the dashboard. "Hill Start Assist Not Available", Service AdvanceTrac, "Steering Assist Fault Service Required". He didn't fully know what any of these meant and had just driven the car the day before with no issues. As soon as he pulled out on the roads, he realized the power steering was out. He is lucky that he didn't crash as the roads were still icy and snow covered. Up until these alarms, there was NO warning. What if it happened while in the middle of driving? I drive that car every day w my kids and my husband took it that Sunday as it is better in snow. I can't even imagine what would have happened if I was driving as there is NO WAY I could have steered that car. Somehow we got the last replacement part (repair was over $3000!) and I only have 68,000 miles on my car. How can a part that is on an older Ford be on national backorder if there isn't a major problem! The rack and pinion w computer module was replaced.

- Germantown, WI, USA

problem #359

Dec 012022

Explorer

  • miles
Waterpump malfunction. Risk puts the user at financial obligation to repair the car as the waterpump is needed for proper function of heater elements and other internal parts. Unsure of if this has been reproduced or confirmed. Diagnostics was ran on the car, determined the issue to be the water pump. There are no warning lights and or indications that would warranty service for this part.

- Salt Lake City, UT, USA

problem #358

Jan 082024

Explorer

  • 102,411 miles
The heater on the car didn't work, It turns out the coolant was leaking that led to the water pump issue. Things started to fail on the vehicle and lights came on. It left me stranded on the highway. The car shut down on the Intestate. That was so dangerous and scary, too. Took the car to Ford for inspection and they confirmed the water pump issue. This is a very high costly repair. It turns out that Ford has been having issues with this design (and Ford is well aware of this issue) and many, many customers are having to spend thousands about thousands to fix this issue. It's a HUGE job. Aside from a very high costly matter, it's also a very dangerous matter because it makes the car unsafe to drive. There is a Class Action Suit about this (if not mistaken) and a recall in Canada but not the USA. My car is now just sitting there and inoperable. I don't have thousands to repair my vehicle (quoted $3,000-$3,700). In addition to high insurance premiums, car loan payment and high fuel costs. There are a lot of concerned and angry Ford customers. Ford needs to be responsible for their poor design that leads to the water pump failure. This is a BIG deal!! There needs to be accountability on the part of Ford for their poor design that leads to water pump failure. There needs to be a RECALL. Another apparent issue is a leaking sunroof. Both issues are happening to me. Please, help get my car safely back on the road.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #357

Jan 152024

Explorer

  • miles
Water pump is leaking and needs to replace.

- San Gabriel,, CA, USA

problem #356

Jan 122024

Explorer

  • miles
Today while driving on the highway, the windshield trim flew off at a high rate of speed. I am unsure as to which direction it went. The components that were holding it together have also cracked which worries me that it too will fly off. This is the second time that this has happened. We are now without any windshield trim on both sides of the vehicle.

- Mansfield, TX, USA

problem #355

Nov 102023

Explorer

  • miles
While driving on the highway, windshield trim flew off (2 different times, passenger and driver side). It scared me at first when it started to come loose because it flapped around and I wasn-??t really sure what was going on. And can-??t pull over or slow down on highway. When it broke off, it flew up in the air and almost hit another car. I was distracted trying to see what it was and where it landed behind me. So definitely a safety concern. Total repair cost $650

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #354

Sep 062023

Explorer

  • miles
The automatic tailgate in my Explorer Sport accelerates when closing creating a serious amount of force that could kill a small child or even an adult if striking them in the head or neck. I'm shocked that this hasn't been a recall issue for Ford vehicles because of the amount of speed and force this tailgate is generating. It hit my wife (69 years old) in the head unexpectedly a couple of monrhs ago when she was unloading groceries from the back of the car. Until then the tailgate functioned normally. I took the car to the dealer in Santa Monica and they said they did not see any safety issues but unstead said I'd have to pay a couple of thousand dollars to replace the motor. This makes no sense since the motor is hyper functioning and it's more likely a failed safety sensor or accuator that's causing the motor to acceleare the tailgate closure. The internet has a method to reset the sensor by removing and then replacing the fuse, but I do not believe the dealer attempted that process. This is a severe safety issue that Ford should immediately address and fix.

- Santa Monica, CA, USA

problem #353

Oct 202023

Explorer

  • miles
when traveling at highway speed the side fins fly off. i have had them replaced 3 times now at dealership. thank God there was not someone behind me - especially on a motor cycle it could of killed them

- Parshall, ND, USA

problem #352

Oct 282023

Explorer

  • miles
I was driving on the highway and heard a loud noise didn-??t know what it was until I got home and realized my windshield trim on passenger side was not on there anymore. It had flown off while driving down the highway.

- Seaford, DE, USA

problem #351

Oct 282023

Explorer

  • miles
I was driving on the highway and heard a loud noise didn-??t know what it was until I got home and realized my windshield trim on passenger side was not on there anymore. It had flown off while driving down the highway.

- Seaford, DE, USA

problem #350

Oct 312023

Explorer

  • miles
My side pillar on the passenger side of my 2016 Ford Explorer door came off and I had to buy a new one. Now my A-Pillar on the drivers windshield has come off as I was on the freeway. This is safety issue for me and other drivers who may be struck. I read that this is a known issue with the 5th generation Explorers. I wanted to see if Ford has acknowledged this and has a fix in place for this issue. Thanks

- Yorba Linda, CA, USA

problem #349

Jun 022023

Explorer

  • miles
All of the moulding, seals & rubber windshield trim/gasket around the windshield has failed. It has cracked, broken off and much is now missing off the vehicle. Now when I drive the vehicle it makes scary noises due to the cracked/missing moulding/seals. This has created some scary driving situations that almost caused accidents while on highways. Now I worry my windshield will leak and damage the interior. This does not seem to be something that should be happening to my Ford Explorer and why isn't this a recall issue.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #348

Oct 192023

Explorer

  • miles
I was driving my 2016 Ford Explorer on I-65 October 19, 2023, in the afternoon. I thought something flew off of one of the two semis in front of me and hit my windshield on two separate times, within a few seconds of each other. When I arrived home, I checked to see if I had any damages, and I was surprised to see pieces missing from the passenger side of my windshield. This morning, October 20, 2023, I went to a local Ford Dealership and was informed there is no recall regarding the upper and lower pillars (windshield trim pieces). I called Ford Headquarters and was told they hadn't heard of this issue before, and I filed a claim. I researched and found two articles: January 31, 2023, USA Today and Carscoops, February 03, 2023, regarding NHTSA investing these same pieces flying off of Ford Explorers, and I found pictures on the internet that look exactly like my vehicle when these pieces flew off.

- Hendersonville, TN, USA

problem #347

Sep 232023

Explorer

  • miles
The roof rail cover blew off going down the highway on saturday 9/23/23. I'm not sure if it hit any cars. I saw it fly off in my rearview mirror but there was nothing I could do.

- Sanger, TX, USA

problem #346

Jul 062023

Explorer

  • miles
The power liftgate stop working. The liftgate light on dashboard shows liftgate open and the power liftgate does not work open nor closes.

- Magee , MS, USA

problem #345

Sep 052023

Explorer

  • miles
Windshield trim on right side of windshield detached while driving and flew off behind the vehicle

- Zachary, LA, USA

problem #344

Aug 012023

Explorer

  • miles
While driving down the highway the passenger side A pillar windshield trim broke in half and flew backwards impacting passenger window. The broken piece of trim remain attached by a rubber seal. At highway speeds this caused the piece to impact the side window many times. Had to pull off the road and cut the seal to remove the broken trim.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #343

Aug 212023

Explorer

  • miles
I was driving down the interstate when the passenger side windshield moulding flew off of my vehicle. Parts flying off of a vehicle at 70+ mph could cause accidents and injur other drivers.

- Monroe, LA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »