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, Jun 8, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO STEER THE VEHICLE IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MITCHELL SELIG FORD (801 BLOOMFIELD AVE, WINDSOR, CT 06095, (860)688-3651), WHERE THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE FOR $2,200. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.*DT*JB
Steering, Jun 5, 2020
AT ABOUT 60,000 THE STEERING STARTED CATCHING. AT ANY SPEED THIS HAPPENED. IT WOULD FEEL LIKE THE TIRES WERE IN A RUT, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WOULD BREAK FREE, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SWERVE OVER ABOUT A FOOT. IT HAS GONE ON TO A GRINDING NOISE. VERY UNNERVING TO DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEED! FORD TELLS ME THE STEERING RACK IS BAD, AND SINCE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY WILL NOT COVER REPAIRS. I'VE OWNED QUITE A FEW NON-FORD VEHICLES WITH OVER 150,000 MILES AND NEVER HAD A STEERING ISSUE WITH THEM. *TR
Steering, Jun 2, 2020
STEERING BECOMES STUCK WHILE MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN. THIS HAPPENED ON A STOP LIGHT WHILE TURNING. IT ALSO HAS A SLIDING/GRINDING FEEL WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL WHILE IN IDLE. ISSUE SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM WITH FORD VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL SYSTEM. *TR
Steering, May 28, 2020
I WENT TO PULL OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND MY VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND I WAS UNABLE TO STEER MY VEHICLE. I MANAGED TO AT LEAST BACK IT STRAIGHT BACK INTO MY DRIVEWAY TO BE OUT OF THE ROAD, AND CALLED THE CLOSEST FORD DEALERSHIP TO ME. I HAD 3 LIGHTS COME ON MY DASH WITH THESE MESSAGES; HILLSTART ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE, SERVICE ADVANCETRAC, AND STEERING ASSIST FAULT SERVICE REQUIRED. MY VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING HAS TO BE REPLACED, WHICH THE REPAIR COSTS $2300 TO FIX. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN MOVING AT A FASTER SPEED THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MUCH WORSE STORY, BECAUSE WHEN THE STEERING LOCKED UP YOU COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD DIRECTLY, AND THEY HAVE SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO, BUT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND A LOT OF OTHERS HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLE. BUT YET THEY REFUSE TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS. *TR
Steering, Suspension, May 20, 2020
THE RACK & PINION STEERING BROKE AND FORD IS REFUSING TO INCLUDE IT IN THE RECALL THEY HAVE ON THIS EXACT PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, May 19, 2020
2016 EXPLORER XLT WITH 70K MILES AND THE POWER STEERING STARTED TO FAIL REQUIRING THE STEERING RACK AND PINION TO BE REPLACED. SYMPTOM INCLUDED STICKING AND UNPREDICTABLE STEERING WHILE STOPPED AND AT ALL DRIVING SPEEDS AND CONDITIONS. *TR
Steering, May 5, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WITH AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. FREEDOM FORD (3941 ADMIRAL PEARY HWY, EBENSBERG, PA 15931, (800)215-0042 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
Steering, May 5, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING ASSIST, HILL ASSIST AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN AUDIBLE SOUND IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT DROVE SLOWLY TO THE RESIDENCE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED STEERING WHEEL WAS STUCK AND COULD NOT TURN AT ALL.*JB
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 20, 2020
AFTER GETTING MY AIRBAG RECALL TAKEN CARE OF I NOTICED THE STEERING STARTED GETTING TIGHT MORE AND MORE AFTER 2 DAYS IT WAS REALLY TIGHT UNTIL IT RAINED AND IT GOT LOOSE AGAIN BUT THE STREET LINE SENSORS AND THE RUMBLE STOPPED WORKING. ONE DAY AFTER THE RAIN DRIED THE WHEEL TIGHTEN UP AGAIN WHERE I CAN BARELY TURN IT. I ASK FORD ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID I HAD TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC FOR $179 TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS WRONG. ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE EMISSIONS PASSING BECAUSE THE AIR FILTER SENSOR IS NOT WORKING. TRYING TO GET AN OUTSIDE MECHANIC . FORD IS A RIPOFF.
Steering, Apr 15, 2020
STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT FOR TURNING AND REVERSING IN TO MY DRIVEWAY. I WAS DRIVING ON MAJOR HIGHWAY AND ABLE TO FORTUNATELY GET OFF AND RETURN HOME. BUT WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR A FEW DAYS LATER TO TAKE IT TO AUTOSHOP, THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT MOVE AT ALL AND SO HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED
Steering, Mar 30, 2020
I GOT INTO MY CAR ONE MORNING AND THE CAR MADE A TERRIBLE SOUND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT TO RIGHT. THE STEERING ALSO WANTS TO STICK WHEN GOING AROUND A TURN. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THE SAID THE RACK AND PINION WAS GOING BAD AND IS COMMON IN MY YEAR OF CAR AND MILEAGE. THEY SAID AT ANY POINT MY CAR STEERING COULD COMPLETELY BE LOST. HOW DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING WITH A TODDLER?!?!
Steering, Mar 26, 2020
STEERING MAKES A POPPING SOUND WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL AT SLOWER SPEEDS. THIS IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE STEERING SLIPPING WHILE DRIVING. THE EXPLORER HAS 53000 MILES ON IT. OUT OF POCKET AT A COST OF $2,200 TO $2,500 DOLLARS FOR A PREMATURE FAILURE OF STEERING SYSTEM COMPONENTS. THESE PREMATURE/DEFECTIVE STEERING PROBLEMS CAN LEAD TO DEATHS OR SERIOUS INJURIES WHILE DRIVING.
Steering, Mar 25, 2020
THE STEERING MAKES POPPING AND GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. ALSO AT TIMES THE STEERING IS HARD, THERE IS RESISTANCE . I HAVE TO USE TWO HANDS FORCE-ABLY TO TURN. AT FIST I THOUGHT THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INDECENT BUT REALIZE ITS GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. WAS ROUGHLY AROUND 65,000 MILES WHEN I FIRST NOTICED POPPING NOISE.THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 80,165 MILES ON IT. THE MAJORITY IS HIGHWAY MILES.
Steering, Mar 10, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST AND THE STEERING BECAME FIRM. NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AFTER THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH SEVERAL ADDITIONAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO MOUNTAINEER FORD LOCATED AT (615 EISENHOWER DR, BECKLEY, WV 25801) AND AN UNKNOWN REPAIR WAS PERFORMED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Steering, Mar 6, 2020
ON FEBRUARY 4, 2020, MY WIFE'S 2016 FORD EXPLORER (VIN# [XXX]) HAD AN ODOMETER READING OF 29,265 MILES WHEN SHE BEGAN TO NOTICE SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS AFTER THE STEERING SYSTEM HAD MALFUNCTIONED WHILE TURNING AT INTERSECTIONS, DRIVEWAYS AND PARKING LOTS. DURING ONE INCIDENT, THE STEERING SYSTEM TEMPORARILY LOCKED UP AND MAKE A DISTINCT CLUNKING SOUND; IT ALMOST CAUSED MY WIFE TO HIT ANOTHER CAR DURING A LEFT HAND TURN AT AN INTERSECTION. SHE IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE 99% OF THE TIME TO TRANSPORT OUR GRANDCHILDREN WHILE THE REMAINING 1% HAS INVOLVED MY COMMUTE TO WORK. OUR REYNOLDS FORD OF NORMAN DEALERSHIP FAILED TO DUPLICATE THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONS WE EXPERIENCED. THEY ALSO MADE IT KNOWN THAT OUR EXTENDED FIVE-YEAR WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER ANY REPAIRS RELATED TO THE STEERING SYSTEM. ON MARCH 6, 2020, ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION HTTPS://WWW.NHTSA.GOV/VEHICLE/2016/FORD/EXPLORER/SUV/FWD, THERE WERE SEVEN RECALLS, ONE INVESTIGATION AND 918 COMPLAINTS ON THE 2016 FORD EXPLORER. OF THOSE 918 COMPLAINTS, 189 WERE RELATED TO THE SAME SAFETY RELATED STEERING PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED BY OUR VEHICLE. MANY OF THOSE 189 COMPLAINTS ALSO INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE OWNERS HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET AT A COST OF $2,200 TO $2,500 DOLLARS FOR A PREMATURE FAILURE OF STEERING SYSTEM COMPONENTS. FORD NEEDS TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBLE AND OWN UP TO THEIR PREMATURE/DEFECTIVE STEERING PROBLEMS TO PREVENT DEATHS OR SERIOUS INJURIES. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR DEFECTIVE/PREMATURE STEERING COMPONENTS. AT THIS POINT, I HAVE ZERO QUALITY AND SAFETY CONFIDENCE WITH MY CURRENT STEERING SYSTEM AND REPLACEMENT PARTS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Mar 2, 2020
I BOUGHT MY CERTIFIED PREOWNED 2016 FORD EXPLORER ON OCTOBER 22 2019. I HAVE HAD IT FOR 4 MONTHS. YESTERDAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING I NOTICED WHEN SLIGHTLY VEERING TO THE RIGHT THAT THE WHEEL PULLS HARD TOWARDS THE RIGHT AND IT IT HARD TO PULL THE WHEEL BACK TO THE STRAIGHT POSITION. I TESTED THIS ON THE LEFT SIDE AND IT DOES THE SAME JUST NOT AS HARD TO PULL.
Steering, Mar 2, 2020
ADVANCETRAC AND STEERING FAULT WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. STEERING LOCKED UP AND BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SAFELY STEER OFF ROADWAY.
Steering, Feb 14, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, MAKING A LEFT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED WITH THE REMOTE HILL START ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC, POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT VEER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON WHICH FAILED TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BOMMARITO FORD LOCATED AT (675 DUNN RD, HAZELWOOD, MO 63042, (314) 895-0600 WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000.
Steering, Feb 12, 2020
THE STEERING MAKES POPPING AND GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. HAD VEHICLE INSPECTED AT A TRUSTED GARAGE I USE, THEY SAID THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS SHOT. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 53165 MILES ON IT. THE MAJORITY IS HIGHWAY MILES.
Steering, Feb 11, 2020
WHILE GOING TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, I'M IN REVERSE AND MOVING AND GO TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT IS LOCKED AND I GET A "HILL START ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE, SERVICE ADVANCETRAC" NOW MINE YOU THIS CAR IS ONLY 4YRS OLD WITH 25K MILES ON IT. ACCORDING TO ALL THE OTHER COMPLAI TS I'VE READ I'VE GOTTEN OFF EASY IN THE FACT I WAS IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY AND NOT DRIVING ANYWAYS WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR, WHICH IS THE MAIN VEHICLE THEY WOULD BE IN. HAD TOWED TO LOCAL FORD DEALER AND TOLD ITS THE PINION IN THE STEERING COLUMN NOT COVERED UNDER MY 5YR, 60,000 MILES WARRANTY AND WILL COST $2,247 PKUS TAX TO FIX. ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. 4 YEARS OLD BARELY DRIVEN AT 25K MILES TO HAVE THIS CRAZY EXPENSIVE FIX THAT I CANNOT AFFORD! WHERE IS THE RECALL ON THIS KNOWN PROBLEM? ARE WE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO DIE? IS THAT WHAT IT TAKES? IF IT HAPPENED WHILE TAKING NY KIDS TO SCHOOL WHO KNOWS WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING.
Steering, Suspension, Other or unspecified, Feb 4, 2020, crash
MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY TOTALED IN AN ACCIDENT ON 10/21/19. I RECEIVED VERY SERIOUS MULTIPLE BRAIN BLEEDS, FACIAL LAC, FACIAL & HEAD FX'S & A SEVERE TBI. MY MOM REC A CONCUSSION, FACIAL LAC CONCUSSION & A FX CLAVICLE. WE STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN & MOVED TO THE CENTER BETWEEN THE 4 LANES & STOPPED AGAIN & WE WERE HIT BY A LARGE ROLL ON ROLL OFF ROCK CARRYING DUMP TRUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LANES. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY TOTALED & I WAS IN A COMA & AIRLIFTED TO A TRAUMA CTR APPROX 40 MINS AWAY, BUT I WAS IN RESP ARREST & NOT EXPECTED TO LIVE. IT IS UNKNOWN EXACTLY WHAT CAUSED THE UNSAFE CONDITIONS, HOWEVER I NEVER CROSS STRAIGHT ACROSS THE TRAFFIC & WE HAD BEEN ON A VERY VERY BUMPY INTERSECTION THE FRI BEFORE THE ACC ON MONDAY & THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THAT 5 HR TRIP OF EXTREMELY BUMPY ROUGH ROAD CONDITIONS ON INTERSTATE 95 COMING THROUGH PART OF NC, ALL OF SC & PART OF GA.
Steering, Jan 29, 2020
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN APRIL OF 2019, WITH ABOUT 31K MILES ON THE ODOMETER. IT WAS A RETURNED LEASE. IN JANUARY OF 2020, AT JUST OVER 41K MILES, THE STEERING GEAR FAILED AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE PARKING LOT AT WORK. I HAD NO PROBLEM TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT, BUT AS SOON AS I TURNED THE WHEEL EVEN SLIGHTLY RIGHT, THERE WAS AN AWFUL CLICKING NOISE, ALMOST LIKE SOMETHING WAS GRINDING IN THE WHEEL WELL. I LIMPED IT OVER TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP A MILE AWAY AND THEY TOLD ME THE STEERING GEAR HAD FAILED. I WAS OUTSIDE OF THE 3 YR/36000 MI WARRANTY, AND APPARENTLY THE 5 YR/60000 MI POWERTRAIN WARRANTY ONLY COVERS THE STEERING HOUSING, NOT THE GEAR ITSELF, SO I WAS ON THE HOOK FOR THE ENTIRE FIX - $2200 AT THIS POINT. THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT FORD SAID IT WASN'T DUE TO ANY NEGLECT OR "OUTSIDE INFLUENCE" - IT JUST FAILED AND THERE'S NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE TO PREVENT IT. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT SOMETHING SO CATASTROPHIC AND EXPENSIVE SHOULD BE FAILING AT 4 YRS/41K MI. FORD CAN'T ACTUALLY EXPECT PEOPLE TO REPLACE A $2200 PART EVERY 4 YRS/41K MI, RIGHT?! LUCKILY I WAS DOING ABOUT 5 MPH WHEN THE GEAR FAILED - OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND THIS ISSUE IS SURELY GOING TO INJURE AND/OR KILL PEOPLE, IF IT HASN'T ALREADY. FORD NEEDS TO RECTIFY THIS ISSUE!!
Steering, Jan 25, 2020
I PURCHASED THIS 2016 FOR EXPLORER LIMITED IN AUGUST OF 2016 WITH 18,000 MILES ON IT. NOW AT JUST BELOW 60,000 MILES IN JANUARY OF 2020, I HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF MY STEERING GEAR GOING OUT WHICH IN TURN COST ME $2200.00. WHO WOULD OF THOUGHT THAT AFTER ONLY 3 YEARS, THE STEERING GEAR WOULD GO BAD IN A PRACTICALLY BRAND NEW VEHICLE? WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP AND I WOULD HAVE TO FORCEFULLY TURN IT TO VEER BACK IN MY LANE ON THE CITY STREETS AS WELL AS ON THE HIGHWAY. IN MICHIGAN, THAT WAS REALLY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IN THE SNOWY CONDITIONS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THE OBVIOUS DEFECTIVE PARTS. THERE IS NO WAY A DRIVER CAN BRAKE THE ELECTRONIC STEERING GEAR.
Steering, Jan 24, 2020
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON I81 IN VA THE POWER STEERING ON OUR 2016 FORD EXPLORER WITH LESS THAN 70,000 MILES DIED. THE ONLY WARNING WAS A MESSAGE ON THE DASH SAYING "LANE KEEPING SYST MALFUNCTION" AND "STEERING ASSIST FAULT." AFTER WRESTLING THE CAR TO A SAFE SITE I SHUT IF OFF. UPON RESTARTING THE CAR THE STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. WHILE DRIVING TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT IF FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED PINPOINT TEST B FOR U3000 CODE STORED IN THE PSCM. THEIR RECOMMENDATION WAS REPLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING GEAR ASY (P/N FB5Z3504W) AT A COST OF $2,300. I INQUIRED IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS OR SAFETY BULLETINS ISSUED REGARDING PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING IN WHICH THEY INDICATED THERE WASN'T. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, THE CAR IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AT HIGH SPEEDS AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL AT SLOW SPEEDS ESPECIALLY IF YOUR MAKING A TURN. WITHOUT STRONG UPPER BODY STRENGTH, YOU CAN EASILY HAVE AN ACCIDENT. BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS ISSUE, I STRONGLY RECOMMEND A SAFETY BULLETIN AND A RECALL BE ISSUED.
Steering, Jan 17, 2020
LOSS OF EASE OF STEERING DRIVING IN FRIGID WIND CHILL NIGHT TIME NORTH DAKOTA WEATHER. MY WIFE WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO STRONG ARM STEER AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE THE 40 PLUS MILES HOME. A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE- AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND COMPLETE STEERING FAILURE ON THE ELECTRONIC STEERING APPARATUS INSTALLED ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL. THE REPAIR COSTS COULD AMOUNT TO $3000. THE FACT THAT THESE PROBLEMS AND STEERING APPARATUS FAILURE IS OCCURRING ON LOWER MILEAGE VEHICLES IS VERY CONCERNING. OUR VEHICLE HAS 56,700 ODOMETER MILES. THIS ISSUE IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP IS 75 MILES AWAY FROM OUR RURAL FARM LOCATION- I EXPECT I WILL HAVE TO TRANSPORT OUR VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS.