2016 Ford Explorer
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 2,452 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 39 involved a crash and 14 involved a fire. 59 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, bodyJul 14, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S54. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 21V316. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
Campaign 26V448000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, electrical, engine block heaterOct 10, 2025
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.
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. 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.
Campaign 25V685000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, bodyMay 23, 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will repair the B-pillar trim, free of charge. 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.
Campaign 25V347000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, roof and pillarsJan 19, 2024
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.
A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
Campaign 24V031000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearJul 15, 2021
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.
A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 21V537000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, bodyMay 5, 2021
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.
A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 21V316000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearMar 12, 2021
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.
A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 20V675000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, axle assembly, axle shaftNov 10, 2020
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 20V692000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearJun 10, 2019
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.
A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 19V435000 on NHTSA.gov
SeatsNov 29, 2017
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.
In the event of a crash, a seat occupant that is not properly restrained has an increased risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 17V767000 on NHTSA.gov
Wheels, hubAug 28, 2017
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.
A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 17E048000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, reclinerJun 28, 2016
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."
The seat back may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 16V475000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 31, 2016
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.
Overheating of the engine block increase the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 16V183000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assembly, mountingSep 28, 2015
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.
If the fuel tank separates from the vehicle, a fuel leak may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 15V605000 on NHTSA.gov
Parking brakeJul 24, 2015
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."
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.
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.
Campaign 15V464000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: steering
529 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Apr 8, 2021
I TOUCHED THE STEERING WHEEL BOTTOMS FOR AND WHEN I TRUN THE STEERING WHEEL I HERE A POPING SOUND. I'M SACAR IT MAY LOCK AND THEN CRASH. WHILE IN MENTION. CITY AND HIGHWAYS.
Steering, Apr 7, 2021
MY EXPLORER STARTED HAVING POPPING NOISES WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. IT IS BAD ENOUGH TO GIVE SIGNIFICANT FEEDBACK IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND VIBRATIONS THROUGHOUT THE FRONT PASSENGER AREA. WHEN I JACK UP THE FRONT END UNLOADING THE WHEELS, THERE IS NO NOISE OR POPPING. WITH FULL WEIGHT ON THE WHEELS, WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED SLIGHTLY LEFT AND RIGHT AND GET SIGNIFICANT POPPING AND CRACKING FEEDBACK VIA THE TIE RODS, THE NOISE HAS PROGRESSED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL FREEZING IN PLACE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR IS A MAJOR LIFE SAFETY ISSUE IF NOT ADDRESSED THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE MAJOR INJURIES OR DEATH. IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE ISSUES AND I FIND COUNTLESS ONLINE INSTANCES OF THIS MECHANICAL DEFECT.
Steering, Mar 17, 2021
I WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT AND STARTED THE VEHICLE TO FIND MESSAGES STEERING ASSIST FAULT SERVICE REQUIRED, HILL START ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE, SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC, AND TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT ALL DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS INCREDIBLY HARD TO TURN. IN THE DAYS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE I NOTICED ON A FEW OCCASIONS THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT CENTER AFTER EXITING A 90 DEGREE TURN AND I WOULD HAVE TO PROVIDE INPUT TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEELS. THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING RACK HAS FAILED AND THERE ARE NOT EVEN ANY PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THIS, NOR DOES IT APPEAR FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGE THEY HAVE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM..
Steering, Forward collision avoidance, Lane departure, Mar 15, 2021
WENT TO THE BEACH THIS PAST SATURDAY AND AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE TURNING LANE FOR THE STATE PARK AND ALARM WENT OFF SAYING DRIVE ASSIST CONTROL FAILURE, AND NUMEROUS THINGS THAT NO LONGER WORK, SINCE THEN THERE HAS BEEN NO POWER STEERING AND IT WAS A MIRACLE WE GOT IT HOME WHICH WAS AN HOUR AND A HALF AWAY, HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE GOING FASTER THEN I COULD OF LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND I WAS GOING ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN IT ALARMED. THE PICTURES SHOW WAS ALERTS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED NOW. THIS MORNING THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE SO MY GIRLFRIEND WHO DRIVES THE EXPLORER HAS TO USE THE BACK UP CAR THAT CAN'T HOLD ALL OF OUR KIDS.
Steering, Mar 3, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE PRIOR TO THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AND THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT STATED A TIRE SENSOR WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BANNER FORD OF MONROE (6300 FRONTAGE RD, MONROE, LA 71202) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE RACK AND PINION NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 101,509.
Steering, Mar 2, 2021
AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING SHE HEARD A POP NOISE, THEN SHE WENT TURN AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP WHICH FORCED HER TO STAY IN HEAD ON TRAFFIC. AFTER FORCING THE WHEEL BACK AND FORTH SHE WAS ABLE TO GET STEERING BACK AND TOOK THE SUV TO A LOCAL SHOP. IT WAS THEN DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING GEAR WAS BAD. THIS HAPPENED WHEN OUR VEHICLE ONLY HAD ROUGHLY 60,000 MILES. THANKFULLY NO ONE HIT HER HEAD ON. THE STEERING GEAR WAS REPLACED.
Steering, Feb 28, 2021
THIS VEHICLE ALMOST TOOK MY LIFE THE OTHER DAY. ALMOST JUST AS SCARY IS THE FACT THAT THIS ISSUE IS WIDELY REPORTED ON THESE VEHICLES FROM 2011 ON AND FORD HAS ZERO RECALL FOR IT. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY THE OTHER DAY GOING ABOUT 70MPH WHEN INSIDE OF 10 SECONDS (WHILE ON A BEND IN THE ROAD) MY DASH LIT UP AND MY STEERING LOCKED!!! AT 70 MPH!!! I ALMOST HIT 3 CARS WHILE TRYING TO SLOW DOWN AS I COULD ONLY GO STRAIGHT. WHEN I SAY LOCKED, I MEAN AS IF IT WAS CEMENTED IN PLACE. THE DASH READS 'STEERING LOSS STOP SAFELY', 'SERVICE ADVANCETRAC', 'HILL START ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE'. THIS COULD HAVE LIKED NOT ONLY ME BUT OTHER MOTORISTS THIS DAY. ON TOP OF THE INCREDIBLE CONCERN OF SAFETY, THE 'HEAD IN THE SAND' MENTALITY THAT FORD HAS ON THIS ISSUE IS DISGUSTING, AS THEY'RE ALSO LEAVING OWNERS WITH $5000-$10000 REPAIR BILLS DUE TO THIS ISSUE. THIS WAS THE LAST STRAW WITH FORD, AFTER 20 YEARS, I'M DONE.
Steering, Feb 25, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON MAKING A SHARP TURN FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, AN ABNORMAL CLANKING SOUND WOULD EMIT FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO BALISE FORD OF CAPE COD (90 HIGH SCHOOL RD EXT, HYANNIS, MA 02601) WHERE THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A BLOWN SHOCK. THE SECOND TIME, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE NEEDED A FULL STEERING RACK REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Feb 19, 2021
WIFE WAS SHOPPING IN ANOTHER CITY AND STEERING LOCKED UP WHEN SHE STARTED IT AFTER BEING PARKED IN A LOT ,WARNING SIGNALS CAME ON . TURNED EXPLORER OFF AND RESTARTED CAR AND DROVE FINE AND DROVE HOME 50 MILES . WENT TO HOCKEY GAME AT AN ARENA , CAME OUT AND STARTED CAR AND STEERING WAS HARD TO STEER ( NO POWER STEERING ) BUT MANAGED TO DRIVE HOME 2 MILES AND PUT IN GARAGE . LOOKED FOR POWER STEERING RESEVOUR AND THERE WAS NONE UNDER HOOD THINKING LOW ON FLUID . LOOKED IN OWNERS MANUAL AND SAW -- ALL ELECTRONIC ! DROVE IT TO DEALERSHIP NEXT DAY ( WEEKEND ) AND PARKED IT EVEN THOUGH IT WAS HARD TO STEER . GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM AND SAW ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT OTHERS HAD WITH THIS STEERING GEAR ! WENT TO DEALER MONDAY MORNING AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND CALLED ME TO TELL ME IT WAS THE STEERING RACK THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $ 2500 AND PART HAD TO COME OUT OF DETROIT AND WOULD TAKE A FEW DAYS TO GET HERE AND THEN REPAIR IT . CALLED ME YESTERDAY AND CAR WAS DONE ( $ 2395.91 ) WHY NO RECALLS ???
Steering, Feb 10, 2021
I LOST MY STEERING COMPLETELY AND HAD TO TAKE MY VEHICLE INTO A SHOP. THE RACK AND PINION FOR THE STEERING OF MY VEHICLE HAS GONE OUT COMPLETELY AT ONLY 80,000 MILES. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE, AS IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS CRASH. WHILE STATIONARY OR MOVING SLOWLY, THE WHEEL IS HARDER TO TURN AND MAKES A LOUD SLIDING/GRINDING SOUND. AT HIGHER SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL GETS "STUCK" AND IS VERY HARD TO GET OUT OF A CERTAIN POSITION. THIS ISSUE CAUSED ME TO ALMOST HIT ONCOMING TRAFFIC. AS COMMON AS THIS ISSUE IS AT AN AVERAGE OF 52,000 MILES ON THESE EXPLORERS, IT SHOULD BE A RECALL! THE REPAIR IS AT AN ESTIMATED $3,000 TO FIX. NOW I AM OUT OF A VEHICLE UNTIL I CAN COME UP WITH THAT KIND OF FUNDING, WHILE STILL OWING TONS OF MONEY ON IT. NOT ONLY IS THIS A HUGE FINANCIAL NIGHTMARE, BUT IT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE!
Steering, Feb 4, 2021
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN I BEGAN TO TURN OFF THE EXIT I BEGAN HEARING A LOUD GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM MY STEERING COLUMN. IT WAS ALSO EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL. IAM GRATEFUL THAT MY YOUNG CHILDREN WERE NOT WITH ME AT THE TIME BECAUSE THE GRINDING WAS SUPER LOUND AND I WAS ABOSULTELY TERRIFIED THAT I WAS GOING TO CRASH. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE TRUCK TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE HE SAID THAT I SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING THR TRUCK AT ALL BECAUSE I COULD DEFINITELY CRASH AN KILL MYSELF OR ANY OTHERS AROUND ME. ALSO THAT IT IS GOING TO COST $2500.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I JUST PURCHASE THIS TRUCK FROM AUTOFAIR FORD IN JULY 2020 FOR 20K AND 6 MONTHS LATER AM FORCED TO DUMP 2.5K INTO IT WHEN MONEY IS TIGHT AND MY FAMILY IS STRUGGLING AS IT IS...I AM EXTREMELY UPSET THAT THIS HAPPENED AND TO LEARN THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, YET THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. AOMETHING SHOULD BE DONT TO HELP ME AND MY FAMILY BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO BE GOING BROKE BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE AND THE CAR IS JUST 5 YEARS OLD.
Steering, Jan 21, 2021
DRIVING 45MPH SUDDENLY LOST STEERING CONTROL, WAS ABLE TO DECELERATE AND GET OFF THE ROAD, THEN SLOWLY GET HOME. AFTER THIS IT SEEMED TO WORK FINE. HOWEVER, EVERY DAY, A LOUD POPPING CREAKING SOUND THAT YOU CAN EVEN FEEL IS COMING FROM THE ELECTRIC POWER-ASSIST STEERING. ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN PULLING IN OR OUT OF A PARKING LOT/DRIVEWAY/GARAGE. LOCAL SHOP SAYS IT WILL COST ABOUT $2500 TO REPLACE THE ELECTRIC POWER-ASSIST STEERING RACK AND PINION, AND IT MUST THEN BE PROGRAMMED TO THE VEHICLE. THIS EXPLORER HAS 78,000 MILES ON IT. THANKS.
Steering, Power train, Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2021
I TOOK MY 2016 FORD EXPLORER XLT ON DEC 29TH 2020 TO GET A OIL CHANGE ETC. THEY HAD THE VEHICLE ALL DAY EVEN THOUGH I TOOK IT IN AT 7AM. I PICK IT UP A 4:45 PM THEN DRIVE IT HOME BECAUSE I WORK FROM HOME I DID NOT DRIVE IT AGAIN UNTIL SATURDAY JAN 9TH 2021, WHILE DRIVING IT THAT MORNING I REALIZED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO STEER AND THE TRUCK WOULD MAKE NOISES WHEN I TURN THE STEERING IN EITHER DIRECTION. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT MORNING AND ASKED THE SERVICE CONSULTANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT. HE TOLD ME WHILE MY FATHER WAS ON THE PHONE THAT HE BELIEVES IT THE RACK AND PINION AND HE CAN'T TAKE IT BECAUSE THEY ARE BUSY AND IT'S OKAY FOR ME TO DRIVE IT. I ALSO TOLD HIM AT THAT TIME I AM SUPPOSED TO DRIVE OUT OF TOWN AND I WON'T BE BACK FOR AWHILE SO IF THERE IS A PROBLEM I RATHER LEAVE IT SO IT CAN BE FIXED. I HAVE DAMAGED ON MY C5 VERTEBRAE SO I CAN FEEL THE HARDNESS IN THE STEERING. HE ASSURED OR DISMISSED ME BUT HE SAID IT'S FINE. A FEW HOURS LATER THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED UP AND THE DASHBOARD STARTED MAKING NOISE AND THE WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES STARTED TO DISPLAYING. IT ALMOST KILLED BOTH MY MOTHER AND I ON THE HIGHWAY. IF YOU KNOW NYC HIGHWAY YOU KNOW THERE IS NO SHOULDERS. WHEN I PULLED OF THE ROAD THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I COULD NOT MOVE IT. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE TRUCK TO BE TOWED AND A UBER FOR MYSELF BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEN PAID FOR ME TO GET HOME. NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY $2719.81 FOR THE RACK AND PINION REPAIR AND THE ALSO PAY FOR THE STRUT BEARING TO BE REPAIRED WHICH THEY HAVEN'T GIVEN ME THE PRICE FOR IT BECAUSE "IT WAS TOO MUCH TO GIVE ME BOTH PRICE AT ONCE." OH BY THE WAY, THIS IS THE SAME SERVICE CONSULTANT THAT TOLD ME IT WAS FINE FOR ME TO DRIVE AND ALMOST KILLED 2 GENERATION OF MY FAMILY AT THE SAME TIME. I AM PISSED!! NOW I SEE OTHER CUSTOMERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE ON THERE SUV!!
Steering, Jan 5, 2021
MY 2016 FORD EXPLORER XLT TURBO 4WD IS HAVING POWER STEERING PROBLEMS, THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 65,000 MILES AND IT'S HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL AND IT MAKES A GRINDING RUBBING SOUND WHEN TURN THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. IT MAKES THAT NOISE WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED.
Steering, Jan 5, 2021
WENT TO VISIT FAMILY ON CHRISTMAS MORNING AND WHILE DRIVING POWER ASSIST WENT OUT AND POPPED UP THE DISPLAY WARNINGS. DROVE IT ANOTHER 8 MILES TO DESTINATION. VEHICLE SAT FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS IN THE DRIVEWAY. 30 DEGREE WEATHER. WENT TO LEAVE AND AS I PULLED ONTO THE MAIN ROAD THE STEERING LOCKED AND WARNING MESSAGE LOSS OF STEERING BRAKE SAFELY. I COULD JERK THE WHEEL HARD TO GET IT TO SLIGHTLY MOVE ENOUGH TO GET BACK IN THE DRIVEWAY. JUST HIT 100K MILES. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK HOME.
Steering, Dec 30, 2020
I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM LAST WINTER, WHEN WE WOULD DRIVE OUR EXPLORER IN THE SNOW THE CAR WOULD PULL IN RANDOM DIRECTIONS, IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE I WAS SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR IN FEET I WOULD BE PULLED INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG OTHER THAN MY REAR SHOCKS WERE BAD, SO I REPLACED THEM. THEN OVER THE SUMMER I NOTICED WHEN I TURN GOING AT SLOW SPEEDS THE CAR WOULD MAKE A LOUD POP AND SOMETIMES THE STEERING WOULD GET STUCK WHEN IT POPED, SO I DID SOME RESEARCH A THOUGH MAYBE IT WAS MY TOE LINKS. SO I JUST REPLACED THEM AND THIS CAR IS STILL TERRIFYING TO DRIVE IN THE SNOW. I HAVE SEEN THAT A CONCERNING NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE AND THEY END UP REPLACING THEIR RACK AND PINION AND IT COSTS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.
Steering, Visibility/wiper, Dec 30, 2020
THE STEERING WHEEL AT TIMES WHEN EVEN MAKING A SLIGHT TURN POPS BACK AND SHAKES. RESTRICTING THE TURN THE WIPERS HAVE NOW MULTIPLE TIMES IN RAIN STOPPED IN THE UPRIGHT POSITIONS CAUSING A GRAVE DRIVING HAZARD
Steering, Dec 25, 2020
ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING HAS FAILED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION TURNING ON A HIGHWAY. IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY DUE TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING.
Steering, Dec 22, 2020
POWER STEERING BEGAN TO GO WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, MAKING ME FEEL LIKE I WAS LOSING CONTROL. WAS ABLE TO GET CAR HOME AND ENDED UP COMPLETELY LOCKING UP NEEDING TO BE TOWED FROM MY DRIVEWAY. I NEED TO HAVE STEERING RACK REPLACED FOR OVER $1800 JUST FOR THE PART ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 80,000 MILES ON IT.
Steering, Dec 20, 2020
WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE AT HIGH SPEEDS THE ADVANCETRAC LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, AND NO STEERING ASSIST LIGHT CAME ON. BEFORE I COULD GET OFF THE INTERSTATE I LOST MOST OF MY STEERING. LUCKILY IT WAS AT NIGHT AND NOT TO MANY ON THE INTERSTATE. IT WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. VERY LUCKY WE DIDN'T GET IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IT WAS WORSE THAN LOOSING POWER STEERING WITH A HYDRAULIC POWER SYSTEM. THERE WAS NO CONTROL AVAILABLE WHILE TRYING TO GET OVER.
Steering, Dec 18, 2020
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND MY CAR MADE A SCREECHY SOUND ONCE I GOT ON THE HIGHWAY AND WENT 45 OR OVER THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE. IN A WAY IT FELT THE STEERING WHEEL OR THE PART THAT HOLDS THE FRONT TIRES WAS LOOSE. IT FELT LIKE IF I WENT ANY FASTER I'D LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR.
Steering, Dec 10, 2020
I STARTED HEARING A GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE IN EITHER DIRECTION IN REVERSE LAST WEEK. I TOOK A LITTLE TRIP ON DEC. 5 2020, GOING UP TO THE MOUNTAINS. IT GOT WORSE WHILE STEERING MY VEHICLE ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT ON DECEMBER 7 TO THE LOCAL DEALER. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AT 50 MPH WHEN THE STEERING STARTED TO LOCK UP AND ALMOST CAUSED A COLLISION.THAT'S WHEN WE DECIDED IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE SO WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ASAP AND WAS HANDED A REPAIR COST OF 2620.00 TO REPAIR STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY . THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 47,700 MILES ON MY 2016 FORD EXPLORE XLT. IT IS NOW AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALER ON DECEMBER 9, 2020 AWAITING COMPLETION OF REPAIR AS VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVE-ABLE UNTIL REPAIRED. MY WIFE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING WHEN SHE ENCOUNTERED ERRATIC BEHAVIOR FROM THE STEERING WHEEL GOING 50MPH. MY PARTS TOTAL FOR REPAIR IS 1,840.44 WITH LABOR TOTAL IS 2,620.00 WITH PARTS.
Steering, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 4, 2020
THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING , JUST SHUTS OFF. EVEN WHILE GOING 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY. IF YOUR LUCKY, YOU CAN COAST OFF THE HIGHWAY BEFORE YOU ARE HIT . FORD REFUSED TO FIX EVEN THOUGH UNDER WARRANTY. SO I HAD TO SELL IT SO I WOULDN'T BE KILLED. HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME THING.
Steering, Dec 3, 2020
48K MILES PLATINUM EDITION , STEERING WHEEL BEGAN STICKING. RECENTLY STARTED PULLING HARD TO THE RIGHT AT TIMES. HAD IT LOOKED AT AND IT LOOKS LIKE AS WITH MANY MANY OTHERS LIKE IT, THE THE RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO REPLACED. FORD SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THE CARS AND FIX THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN IS THE NHTSA GOING TO STEP UP AND DO SOMETHING? AFTER PEOPLE START DYING?
Steering, Nov 29, 2020
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN I GO TO START THE VEHICLE I GET A MESSAGE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH CLUSTER THAT SAYS " STEERING ASSIST FAULT FAILURE, SEEK SERVICE." THE VEHICLE WON'T START. AFTER I KEEP PRESSING THE START BUTTON IF WILL START. I CARRIED IT TO THE DEALER ( PARADISE FORD IN COCOA, FL) AND THEY SAID THERE WERE NO CODES IN THE SYSTEM BUT DID SAY THERE WERE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING FAILURE ON THAT MODEL AND WOULD COST AROUND $2,500.00 TO REPAIR OUT OF MY POCKET. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS A LITTLE OVER 5,000 MILES ON IT AS OF 11/29/20.