Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2016 Ford Explorer — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2023 to Dec 2024
The most reported issue is structure problems (492 complaints). 37 complaints involved crashes. 14 involved fires.
Open Safety Recalls (14)
NHTSA Campaign: 19V435000
Component: SUSPENSION:REAR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.
NHTSA Campaign: 17E048000
Component: WHEELS:HUB
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.
Risk: A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA Campaign: 16V475000
Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Explorer and F-150 vehicles equipped with a manual recline driver's seat. The seat back frame may have insufficient welds which may not meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
Risk: The seat back may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat back frame, free of charge. The recall begin on August 18, 2016. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 16C11.
NHTSA Campaign: 17V767000
Component: SEATS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 F-150 and Explorer vehicles. Loose power seat adjuster pivot bolts may cause the front seat cushions to detach and not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash.
Risk: In the event of a crash, a seat occupant that is not properly restrained has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tightness of the power seat track upper pivot link bolt, either applying threadlocker or replacing the lift link and hardware, free of charge. Interim letters are expected to go out January 15, 2018. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S40.
NHTSA Campaign: 15V605000
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured on July 24, 2015. During vehicle production, the fuel tank attachment bolts may not have been properly tightened. As a result, the fuel tank straps may fracture and the fuel tank could separate from the vehicle.
Risk: If the fuel tank separates from the vehicle, a fuel leak may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the fuel tank attachment bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S26.
NHTSA Campaign: 16V183000
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured November 25, 2013, to January 25, 2016, and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured October 20, 2014, to January 28, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with 2.3L GTDI engines and engine block heaters. These engine block heaters have elements that may overheat while plugged in.
Risk: Overheating of the engine block increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine block heater, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and replace the electrical cord, as necessary. The recall began on May 18, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S14. Note: Owners should not use the engine block heater until the vehicle has been remedied.
NHTSA Campaign: 15V464000
Component: PARKING BRAKE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015, Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 21, 2015, and 2015-2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015. The affected vehicles have a parking brake that may not fully engage when applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: If the parking brake does not fully engage and the transmission is left in a gear other than 'Park' while on a slope, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the operation of the parking brake system, and if necessary, replace the parking brake control assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 4, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C07.
NHTSA Campaign: 21V316000
Component: STRUCTURE:BODY
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge. The interim owner notification letter was mailed on June 22, 2021. Owner notification letters (remedy available) were mailed on October 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S22.
NHTSA Campaign: 20V692000
Component: POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Explorer, 2014-2015 Taurus and 2014 Edge vehicles equipped with 2.0L or 2.3L engines and front wheel drive. The support bracket for the front drive axle halfshaft may fail.
Risk: The failed bracket could result in a loss of park function which can cause unintended vehicle movement, and loss of motive power while driving which increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the link shaft bracket, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners received an interim notification detailing safety risk December 8, 2020. A second letter will be mailed when parts become available in January 2021. The recall began February 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S63.
NHTSA Campaign: 21V537000
Component: SUSPENSION:REAR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
Risk: A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 16V-245, 19V-435, and 20V-675. Certain vehicles previously repaired will need to return for the new remedy. An interim notification letter notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2022. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S32.
NHTSA Campaign: 20V675000
Component: SUSPENSION:REAR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin that were previously repaired under a prior recall numbers 16V-245 or 19V-435. The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fracture.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle attached to the rear suspension toe link and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S62.
NHTSA Campaign: 24V031000
Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
Risk: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 18, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
NHTSA Campaign: 25V347000
Component: STRUCTURE:BODY
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
Risk: Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The remedy is currently under development. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated November 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S53.
NHTSA Campaign: 25V685000
Component: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 2376)
Structure →15 issues
Your driver's side roof rack cover panel ejected while driving at 30 MPH and hit another vehicle, causing that driver to swerve and collide with a third car. You've also experienced detachment of the driver's door A-Pillar trim and loosening of both B-Pillar trim pieces on both sides. The roof rack cover and trim pieces may need to be reattached or replaced, and the attachment points should be inspected for secure fastening.
Parts you may need:
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Your 2016 Ford Explorer has two open recalls affecting the A pillar and B pillar (structural supports), but replacement parts haven't been available for over a year in both cases. Because these parts haven't been replaced, your windshield seal has failed and water is leaking into your car's floorboards after rain. Ford needs to provide and install these structural repair parts immediately to prevent further water damage and restore your vehicle's integrity.
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You received a recall notice (Campaign 24V031000) for your 2016 Ford Explorer regarding a structural issue, but the required parts weren't available at your dealer. Despite contacting the manufacturer, your vehicle hasn't been repaired. While driving, the trim piece on your A-pillar (the vertical support between your windshield and door) detached from the vehicle.
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While driving at 70 mph, you heard an abnormal popping sound from your vehicle, and the next day you discovered that the A-pillar trim on the driver's side had blown off. You were notified of a recall (NHTSA Campaign 24V031000) for this issue, but the replacement part wasn't available, and the manufacturer took longer than a reasonable timeframe to provide the repair. The fix will involve replacing the A-pillar trim assembly on the driver's side of your vehicle.
Parts you may need:
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The trim pieces covering the A-pillars (the vertical supports on either side of your windshield) detached and flew off your vehicle while you were driving. You received a recall notice about this issue, but the replacement parts needed to fix it have been unavailable for over a year. The fix will involve replacing the A-pillar trim covers with new parts from Ford once they become available.
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Your 2016 Ford Explorer has a trim piece on the passenger side B-pillar (the vertical support between doors) that separated from the vehicle while you were driving at 65 MPH on a windy day. Ford issued two recalls to fix this issue, but replacement parts weren't available when you tried to get it repaired at the dealer. The dealer told you the warranty had expired and wouldn't complete the repair. You're concerned that Ford has taken too long to provide the recall parts.
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Your roof rail on the passenger side detached and flew off because the clips holding it broke, even though some clips remained in place. Your car has chrome roof rails that were excluded from a recall affecting other 2016 Explorers with the same plastic rails, but the owner believes the chrome models should have been included since the underlying plastic is identical. The driver's side roof rail is also loose and may detach in the future.
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You received a recall notice two years ago for a structural issue with your 2016 Ford Explorer, but the replacement part still hasn't been made available. While driving on the highway at 75 MPH, the trim clip on the A-pillar (the vertical support between your front and rear doors on the passenger side) came loose and fell off, hitting the car behind you. The dealer confirmed the replacement part is still unavailable. The manufacturer may need to provide an updated timeline or alternative solution for this repair.
Parts you may need:
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Your 2016 Ford Explorer has a known recall (Campaign 25V347000) for a structural issue, but the repair part isn't available yet. You've noticed water leaking inside your vehicle when parked in the rain, pooling on both the driver and passenger side floors. Additionally, the trim pieces around both A-pillars (the vertical supports between your windshield and side windows) have detached while driving at highway speeds, which may be related to where the water is entering.
Parts you may need:
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Your car's roof pillars (the vertical supports between windows) have detached and fallen off. The dealership temporarily glued them back on, but there's no permanent fix available and Ford hasn't offered a solution for the defect.
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Your 2016 Ford Explorer is subject to a recall (Campaign 25V347000) related to the vehicle structure, but Ford hasn't yet released the parts needed to fix it. You took your car to the dealer, but they couldn't repair it because the parts aren't available. You haven't experienced any actual problems with your vehicle yet, but you're frustrated that Ford is taking longer than expected to make the repair available.
Parts you may need:
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Your 2016 Ford Explorer has loose trim pieces on the A-pillars (the vertical supports on both sides of your windshield) that are part of an active recall. You were notified about 2 years ago, but when you contacted Ford dealers and the manufacturer multiple times, they told you the replacement parts weren't available yet. You temporarily used caulk to hold the trim in place. The issue started around 80,000 miles, and you feel the manufacturer has taken too long to provide the repair.
Parts you may need:
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Your 2016 Ford Explorer has two open safety recalls (24V031000 and 25V347000), but the manufacturer hasn't been able to supply the required parts to fix them within a reasonable timeframe. You've noticed the B-pillar trim on the rear driver's side is detaching from the vehicle. Your dealer sold you a replacement trim, but it doesn't match the approved recall part, so the repair wasn't completed under warranty. The fix will require installation of the correct B-pillar trim component once it becomes available from the manufacturer.
Parts you may need:
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Your door trims are loose and making abnormal sounds when the doors close. You've received recall notices for structural issues, but replacement parts aren't available yet. A mechanic tightened the door bolts, but the problem came back, and your driver's side A-pillar trim is also loose. The repair will likely involve replacing the loose trim panels and securing bolts once Ford releases the recall parts.
Parts you may need:
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The plastic cover on the passenger side A-pillar (the vertical support between the windshield and front door) detached from your vehicle and fell off onto the roadside. This is primarily a cosmetic issue, though it exposes the structural pillar underneath. The fix would involve reattaching or replacing the A-pillar trim cover.
Parts you may need:
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Electrical System,forward Collision Avoidance,lane Departure →1 issue
While driving on the NJ Turnpike, your dashboard displayed a "lane assist no longer available" message along with a check engine light. When you stopped, you noticed the front of your car was burned with parts of the bumper melted. An electrical fire started in the front-facing camera, which shorted out and damaged the camera, front bumper wiring harness, and engine wiring harnesses, causing the vehicle to be declared a total loss.
Parts you may need:
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Exterior Lighting,structure →1 issue
Your B-pillar (the vertical trim between your front and rear doors) broke off while driving and struck the car behind you. When it broke, it damaged the wiring that controls your liftgate, causing your SUV's rear hatch to lock and become unusable. You've been unable to access the back of your vehicle for months and must crawl inside to manually release the liftgate, which then may not close properly. The repair will likely involve replacing the B-pillar trim and rewiring or replacing the liftgate control system.
Parts you may need:
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Suspension,structure →1 issue
Your driver's side B-pillar trim (the vertical panel between your front and rear doors) detached while you were driving at 30–35 MPH. Your dealer informed you that the part needed to fix this recall issue wasn't available, and the vehicle hasn't been repaired yet. You're concerned that the manufacturer has taken too long to address this recall.
Parts you may need:
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Unknown Or Other →1 issue
Your car's driver-side B pillar trim piece (the vertical strip between your front and rear doors) has come loose and could potentially detach or blow off while driving at highway speeds. Additionally, your driver-side A pillar trim piece (the vertical strip next to your windshield) has also loosened and poses a similar risk. Both trim pieces should be reattached or replaced to prevent them from becoming projectiles while driving.
Parts you may need:
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Latches/locks/linkages →1 issue
Your driver's side door handle isn't working properly — when you pull the handle, the door won't open, but the power unlock button works fine. Additionally, your driver's side window has stopped operating correctly. This suggests a mechanical issue with the door latch mechanism or window regulator that needs diagnosis and repair.
Parts you may need:
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Related Vehicles
Other Ford Explorer years: