10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
9 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
25 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,840 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 #394

Jul 012024

Explorer

  • miles
The rear camera, mounted on the lift gate, is no longer operating correctly. At times, it will flicker off and on, camera picture 'rolls', or does not work at all (black screen with error message - "camera is no longer operational, contact the dealership"). These incidents with the camera have occurred multiple times each month over the last year. When reversing in the dark especially, this becomes a major safety issue. Currently do not see a NHTSA or Ford recall for this defect.

- Glenwood, IA, USA

problem #393

Sep 052024

Explorer

  • miles
Spoke to Maplecrest Ford in Union NJ about the front Pilars recall. Maplecrest ford took pictures of the pilars in September 2024 and told me in January that they will replace them. January became April, Abril became June. Now Maplecrest ford is back to the beginning by taking pictures again and waiting on Ford for approval to replace the pilars.

- Union, NJ, USA

problem #392

Jan 312024

Explorer

  • miles
There was no incident however I received a recall for a windshield piece that was back in 2024 and supposedly would be available for repair in the latter half of 2024. However nothing has been sent to me regarding this and when the piece came off it cracked my windshield so I have a crack across that as well.

- Pasco, WA, USA

problem #391

May 292024

Explorer

  • miles
Ford has been unable to repair our vehicle for over a YEAR because they say they can't get parts for recall # 25V347. We have contacted multiple Ford dealerships in a 300 mile radius. The outside noise coming from around the windshield area has increased. This is a major safety issue. I'm fearful that many people will be killed when the windshield and connected components start blowing out while driving. If Ford had been serious about getting manufactured parts out to dealers, they would be available. It appears that Ford has made a calculated decision to attempt to wait out owners. This is a dangerous situation for all concerned. We request repairs or an equitable solution.

- Church Hill , TN, USA

problem #390

Jun 072025

Explorer

  • miles
Was driving on the highway at an high speed and abruptly received a message -??power steering failure-?? the steering wheel locked up. After a few seconds I was able to find a way to safely maneuver lanes but it was very difficult to maintain control Of vehicle. Upon re starting car the error popped up again and the wheel is now completely locked. Upon conversation with a family member about the occurrence we found out this happened to their car as well. Same make year and model. Upon research this sounds to be a problem in the 2016 Explorers and is a major safety concern. This could have ended extremely badly.

- Keller , TX, USA

problem #389

Jun 052025

Explorer

  • miles
A-pillar trim has been under recall since Jan. 2024. Ford estimated having the parts "the later half of 2024". Here it is June of 2025 and still no repair. Is it going to take a tragedy to motivate Ford? In no way could this be considered a "timely repair".

- Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #388

May 312025

Explorer

  • miles
I-??ve had it twice be an issue where the engine didn-??t run quite right. The first time I took it to the mechanic it was determined the timing chain was bad and they also said this is a well known issue with the ecoboost engines in these explorers. Only about a year later after replacing that and the water pump I went to start the explorer and it wouldn-??t start. Took it to the mechanic again and they found that the timing chain, again, had failed and this time it also caused damage to a piston rod. They said they were surprised it wasn-??t catastrophic damage to the engine because of this. I-??ve now had to spend literally thousands of dollars on this vehicle for timing chain related issues alone in just over 3 years of owning it. Searching online finds unending reports of similar issues to this as well as massive issues with the turbos and the cam phasers that also commonly are causing catastrophic engine failures despite routine preventative maintenance being performed. And the a pillar recall issue. I had it inspected December of 2024 and determined it needed them replaced. I was not given a time frame when that would be completed. I got a call over a month ago from the dealer saying to call them to schedule a repair. I did so and then was told that while I was on the list they still are unable to get any parts from Ford to repair this mandated recall and also cannot get a timeline on when said parts would be available. I-??m almost six months past them saying it-??s been ordered and still no idea when it-??ll be repaired. And now a second recall was just announced for the b post coverings and I-??m sure this will be just as bad. As many issues as this car is having I think Ford should have to pay for a lot more recalls than they have so far. I also had to have two other recalls fixed that the selling dealer didn-??t address before selling to me.

- Byron Center, MI, USA

problem #387

May 162025

Explorer

  • miles
The Backup camera stopped working and has a message that says contact dealership. It is blacked out and may cause a crash while reversing. Thank you. Ford has known issues and already has a recall for 2020-2023. This is a 2016.

- Hilton Head, SC, USA

problem #386

May 052025

Explorer

  • miles
I experienced two failures associated with other model years. The first was the right side A-pillar trim. It pulled free on the highway. I noticed it fly off and was able to recover the majority of it. It smashed on impact and there is a large piece missing. The remaining piece is available for inspection upon request. The A-pillar exterior trim flew off on a one-lane section of divided highway, there would have been no place for anyone to go if it flew back and there was a car behind me. This problem is a known issue I found out about on this (NHTSA) website. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others" No, it flew off on the highway and has not been reported yet. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" No warning at all that this was going to break loose. I also have an issue with the PTU. I was driving home from the airport and at a a stoplight, I noticed a ticking noise when I stopped at the exit of the parking lot. I noticed it again closer to home, after a fifty mile drive. When I stopped on the off ramp from the highway, I noticed smoke coming from under/behind my explorer. It smelled like antifreeze, but when I arrived home, and checked under the vehicle, I found black residue on the PTU and what looked like leaks from the axle seals that were not there for the last five months I've owned the vehicle. The vehicle smoked heavily when I stopped on the exit ramp, and when I went to accelerate into the traffic round-about, the vehicle lagged before moving, with an audible clunk and a lurch when it finally moved. Any reasonably hard acceleration produces a noise and will usually lag before moving. It may make a ticking noise when at idle cold, but is more pronounced the hotter the drivetrain gets. I had an OBD II scan done with no codes produced.

- New Salem, MA, USA

problem #385

Apr 282025

Explorer

  • miles
The active recall for the trim only includes the front two trim pillars. There are trim pillars down each window on this vehicle, making that a total of 8 pieces of trim for the windows. Driving down the highway my drivers side window trim pillar (which includes a lock panel with wiring) blew off and almost hit another vehicle that was passing me, while with my children, causing me to have to pull over multiple times and even try to find a back road home. There are so many Ford Explorers missing various pieces of trim from the window areas. I-??ve been told by Ford mechanics that they all have cracking on the rear window trim pillars due to brackets so I am assuming those will fly off soon as well. Now I can-??t drive on the highway to doctor-??s appointments due to the safety issues of this vehicle. I cannot afford to keep forking thousands into this vehicle nor should I have to. Overall the whole Ford Explorer model should be rechecked. We purchased this car due to safety awards only to be dealing with very unsafe conditions. From pieces of the vehicle flying off down the road to air bag lights, etc. Please if you-??re able, look into these other trim pieces on the car. Also the front piece of plastic running under the windshield is lifting and not sealed appropriately to the window causing a loose windshield, in addition the rubber going around the inside of the windshield is not sealed causing the rubber to lift and slap around on the vehicle. I have notified Ford of these issues and they directed me here. Thank you for your time.

- Hutchinson , KS, USA

problem #384

Mar 032025

Explorer

  • miles
Top pillar on car came off and almost hit vehicle. Ford really did a bad job with the graphics of this vehicle. Just like the pillars on the front of the car now this.

- Tuscaloosa, AL, USA

problem #383

Mar 072025

Explorer

  • miles
The second time my water pump has gone out in this vehicle. Causing over heating of the car and unrepairable wiring. Ford needs to get it right for us 2016 Ford Explorer owners. They [XXX] when it came to this vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Tuscaloosa, AL, USA

problem #382

Mar 012024

Explorer

  • miles
The roof rail on my vehicle became unattached on the interstate becoming hazardous to other vehicles. Worst part is Ford has a recall for roof racks for the year make and model of my vehicle BUT the recall does not include my vehicle as it is not listed under my VIN number. Only because it has not been reported enough to reach the threshold to trigger an investigation and remedy. Ford is not complying with the guidelines that the NHTSA puts forth as even when you are included in the recall the parts /repairs are unavailable. Unacceptable!

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #381

Mar 082025

Explorer

  • miles
Windshield pillar molding has detached. I have called a local dealer 4 times over the past three months for repairs. Local dealer (Tamiami Ford Naples Florida) states that parts are not available. NTHSA has published a letter from Ford on approximately July 18, 2024 that parts are available for the repair. Additionally NTHSA has published a quarterly update in October of 2024 that 51,000 repairs have been done on this recall. I see the parts available at various dealerships around the country. Please advise on what Ford motor Co plans on doing to complete these repairs Or is my local dealer misinformed?

- Gainesville , FL, USA

problem #380

Feb 072025

Explorer

  • miles
"A" Pillar left and right coming loose, right side blowing away on the freeway. Dealer mentioned they have a fix for it but will not repair until recall approval.

- Altoona, IA, USA

problem #379

Aug 142024

Explorer

  • miles
Unknown

- Inglewood, CA, USA

problem #378

Feb 032025

Explorer

  • miles
1. Yes 2. my front window can shatter 3. there is a recall open up on it 4.no 5. yes the trim came off going down the highway and started flapping against my window and it sounded like gun shots My front window is making a god awful sound and the trim is coming loose and flapping. They said the parts would be here in 2024 this is very dangerous with driving

- Alvarado, TX, USA

problem #377

Feb 252025

Explorer

  • miles
Ptu burnt out less than 53k miles. Molding on passenger side broke off while driving 60mph struck another vehicle causing to other vehicle to leave road. Thank God no one was injured. This thing could have killed a motorcycle driver. Checked online and there are thousands of reports of same molding breaking off while driving.ford tn# does not recognize and disconnects call.

- Ellensburg, WA, USA

problem #376

Nov 152024

Explorer

  • miles
I am writing to formally express my profound disappointment with the excessive delay in shipping parts related to the recall of the A-Pillar trim piece for my vehicle. It has been over two months since the dealer removed these trim pieces from my car in compliance with the recall process, yet the replacement parts have not been provided. This delay is both unacceptable and deeply frustrating, as it has resulted in my vehicle being driven in a state that is visibly unprofessional and not reflective of the quality standards I expected from Ford. I trusted Ford to address safety and recall issues in a timely and efficient manner, as required under federal law. Unfortunately, my experience with this matter has fallen far short of those expectations.

- Ballwin, MO, USA

problem #375

Jan 152025

Explorer

  • miles
I was driving 55mph (speed limit) down a curvy country road when the steering wheel became stiff and wouldn-??t turn. A red light flashed and said I had lost steering. I was barely able to get stopped before going of a steep embankment. I was stoped in a dangerous spot with no way get out of oncoming traffic. My vehicle flashed a yellow light that said Terrain management system failure. No only was my life risk everyone that traveled down that road that morning. This included a school bus full of children and several other people that were trying to make it so work just like me.

- Cox’S Creek, KY, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »