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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 2,452

Of the 2016 reports, 39 involved a crash and 14 involved a fire. 59 people were injured.

Primary concernStructure585 reports · 24% of complaints
Owner complaints2,452Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship15 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Structure585
  2. Steering529
  3. Other or unspecified430
  4. Engine381
  5. Power train214
  6. Electrical system125
  7. Engine and engine cooling114
  8. Fuel/propulsion system104

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  1. Steering, Feb 7, 2019

    WHILE DRIVING, DASHBOARD ALERTS STARTED WITH: ADVANCE TRAC/TERRAIN MANAGEMENT FAULT. STEERING LOSS/STOP SAFELY. POWER STEERING SEIZED UP AND ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE FOR 5 MINUTES BUT COULD FEEL POWER STEERING TIGHTENING UP. PARKED AND TURNED OFF VEHICLE; THEN COULD NOT TURN STEERING WHEEL.

  2. Steering, Feb 1, 2019

    VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY THANKFULLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND DOES NOT MOVE .

  3. Steering, Jan 31, 2019

    STEERING WHEEL NOT MOVING, NOT ABLE TO CONTROL IT.MILAGE ON CAR 42,000. CAR TOWED TO A DEALER. THEY FOUND, THAT THE RACK AND PINION IS COMPLETELY LOCKED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ESTIMATE REPAIR AT 2,400. WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER IT. A CASE WAS OPEN WITH FORD.

  4. Steering, Jan 30, 2019

    POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING CAUSING UNCONTROLLED STEERING.

  5. Steering, Jan 22, 2019

    STEERING WHEEL LOCKED

  6. Steering, Jan 22, 2019

    I HAVE 28,452 MILES ON MY CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I GET A WARNING WHICH SAYS STEERING ASSIST FAULT SERVICE REQUIRED, TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT, AND SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC ERRORS UPON STARTING MY VEHICLE. IN RESEARCHING THESE ERRORS, IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLORERS AND A COSTLY ONE TO FIX. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT, DUE TO THE SHEER NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND LOW MILEAGE. IN ADDITION, THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM IF ONE WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD WHICH ALSO SEEMS TO HAPPENED.

  7. Steering, Jan 18, 2019

    POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING RIGHT. PRIMARILY WHEN IT IS COLD. NEEDS A STEERING RACK WITH ONLY 50K MI AND 2 YRS OLD. DEALER WOULD NOT LET US DRIVE IT UNTIL PART CAME IN. THEY PUT US IN A RENTAL AT THEIR EXPENSE AND WE HAVE HAD A FULL SIZE QUAD CAB TRUCK. STEERING RACK IS ON BACK ORDER WITH FORD AND WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR 16 DAYS AND NOTHING IS IN SIGHT. DEALER IN BEDFORD VA. HAS TAKEN GOOD CARE OF US.

  8. Steering, Jan 16, 2019

    STEERING NOISE IS A WHEN TURNING.

  9. Steering, Jan 10, 2019

    AT APPROXIMATELY 35000 THE STEERING STARTED TO SLIP AND BECOME PERIODICALLY UNRESPONSIVE. AT 35975 MILES IT FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING ALMOST LEADING TO AN ACCIDENT. IT WAS TAKEN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SAID THE ENTIRE STEERING SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND QUOTED $3000 FOR THE REPAIR.

  10. Steering, Jan 10, 2019

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE STEERING FAULT SERVICE AND SERVICE ADVANCE TRACK WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CENTURY FORD OF MT. AIRY (302 CENTURY DR, MT AIRY, MD 21771, (301) 829-2800) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,135.

  11. Steering, Dec 31, 2018

    MY POWER STEERING HAS BEEN MAKING A SNAPPING NOISE AND I'M AFRAID OF CATOSTROFIC FAILURE. I NO LONGER TRUST DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IT HAS ONLY 36,000 MILES.

  12. Steering, Dec 29, 2018

    WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES, MY STEERING BEGAN TO BIND WHEN TURNED FULLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. THIS WAS ONLY NOTICEABLE AT LOW SPEEDS, BUT DUE TO MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE SAFETY HAZARDS OF STEERING FAILURES I TOOK IT TO DEALER FOR AN EVALUATION. THEY REPORTED THAT THE STEERING MODULE HAD FAILED AND IT WOULD COST >$2300 TO REPAIR. MY WARRANTY EXPIRED DUE TO TIME (42 MONTHS) SO UNLESS FORD OFFERS A WARRANTY EXTENSION I WILL HAVE TO PAY AN EXORBITANT AMOUNT FOR WHAT SHOULD NEVER FAIL - CERTAINLY NOT WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD I NOT BROUGHT THE CAR IN IMMEDIATELY, BUT THE NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING SYSTEM SUGGESTS IT WAS VERY SERIOUS.

  13. Steering, Dec 23, 2018

    2016 FORD EXPLORER WITH 44789 MILES STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE DRIVING. DRIVERS PLEASE BEWARE OF THIS ISSUE

  14. Steering, Dec 15, 2018

    STEERING MAKING NOISES AND HARD TO STEER GOING DOWN THE ROAD

  15. Steering, Dec 10, 2018

    2016 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED 40K MILES, IDENTIFIED MY STEERING WAS LOCKED UP 3 WEEKS AGO, I ATTRIBUTED IT TO SEVERE COLD TEMPERATURES. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED THEY CANNOT TROUBLESHOOT UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN. FRIDAY NIGHT 12/7/18 WHILE DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON A ONE WAY SLUSH COVERED ROAD, I LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER MY VEHICLE. I HAD TO MANUALLY STEER MY VEHICLE TO SAFETY, IT WAS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AND SCARY.I WAS ABLE TO PULL IT ONTO A SIDE STREET AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I AM THANKFUL I WAS NOT GOING ANY FASTER THAN 30MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAVE FOUND 71 REPORTED INCIDENTS WITH FORD EXPLORERS OF THIS YEAR LOSING STEERING AMONG OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS. I AM WAITING A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND CONTACTING FORD IN THE INTERUM.

  16. Steering, Nov 13, 2018

    BEGAN HEARING A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING RIGHT. ONLY HAVE 38K MILES (2K OUT OF WARRANTY) AND IT IS GOING TO COST ME $2,000 TO FIX THIS STEERING PROBLEM.. THIS IS TOTALLY DISAPPOINTING ON A CAR WITH THIS LOW MILEAGE.

  17. Steering, Nov 5, 2018

    WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING STARTED TO MAKE NOISES WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL, THERE WAS A COMPLETE DIFFERENT FEELING WITH A SMALL LIKE BUMP AND THEN THE WHEEL WOULD TURN VERY FREELY WITH THE CAR WHEELS NOT TURNING. DROVE STRAIGHT TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID I CANNOT DRIVE IT BECAUSE THE STEERING SHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED FROM FAILURE. THEY DETERMINED THIS WITH A VERY SHORT TEST DRIVE IN THEIR OWN PARKING LOT.

  18. Steering, Oct 16, 2018

    AT STARTUP A WARNING APPEARED ON THE DASH READING "STEERING LOSS- STOP SAFELY" ALONG WITH OTHERS CONCERNING ADVANCE TRAC, TERRAIN MANAGEMENT, AND HILL ASSIST. UPON TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IT WAS LOCKED COMPLETELY. NOT JUST HARD TO STEER LIKE THE POWER STEERING QUIT - IT WAS LOCKED TIGHT. IT WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALER AND THE TECH THOUGHT HE WOULD DRIVE IT INTO THE SHOP, BUT COULD NOT BECAUSE HE AGREED THE STEERING WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. THE TECH TELLS ME HE WAS ABLE TO RESTORE STEERING BY CLEARING OUT SOME ABS CODES THAT WERE STORED. THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE IT SEEMS THERE IS A COMPUTER FAULT CONDITION WHICH LOCKS UP THE STEERING COMPLETELY. THE TECH NOW SAYS THE RACK AND PINION MODULE IS MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND THEY PLAN TO REPLACE IT. THANKFULLY THE VEHICLE HAD THIS PROBLEM AT STARTUP AND NOT WHILE IN MOTION AS THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO CONTROL OVER VEHICLE DIRECTION.

  19. Steering, Oct 11, 2018

    INTERNAL ELECTRONIC FAILURE IN THE STEERING RACK. EXPLORER IS TWO YEARS OLD WITH ONLY 44,173 MILES. STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING!!

  20. Steering, Sep 24, 2018

    WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WETHER STOPPED OR MOVING, THERE WAS A POPPING/CLUNKING NOISE. SOMETIMES THE CLUNK NOISE WAS LOUDER, SOMETIMES IT WASN'T AS LOUD. NOISE COULD BE FELT AND HEARD FROM STEERING COLUMN AND FLOORBOARD. STEERING WHEEL WOULD ALSO GRAB AT TIMES WHERE YOU PHYSICALLY HAD TO FORCE THE WHEEL TO TURN. THIS SEEMED TO HAPPEN MORE AT SLOW SPEEDS. WHILE DOING A SERVICE ON THE VEHICLE, I INSPECTED ALL STEERING COMPONENTS. WHILE ANOTHER PERSON WAS TURNING THE WHEEL, I COULD HEAR POPPING IN THE RIGHT SIDE STEERING BOOT THAT COVERS THE INNER TIE ROD END. I GRABBED THE BOOT AND SHOOK IT AND COULD HEAR METAL RATTLING INSIDE OF IT. LEFT SIDE DID NOT MAKE ANY NOISE. I REMOVED THE BOOT OFF OF THE RACK AND PINION AND FOUND 2 PIECES OF METAL THAT WERE HANGING ON THE GEAR OF THE RACK AND DAMAGED. THE PRICES OF METAL APPEARED TO BE A GREASE SEAL AS THERE IS RUBBER ATTACHED TO THE INSIDE PIECE(SEE PICTURE ATTACHED). FROM LOOKING AT THIS, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE HANGING METAL PIECE COULD GET HUNG UP ON THE CORKSCREW GEAR CAUSING CLINCH NOISE AND ALSO CAUSE THE STEERING TO GRAB. I DID CUT BOTH PIECES OFF FOR SAFETY AND IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING IT INTO THE FORD DEALER OF THE CERTIFIED WARRANTY WILL COVER IT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE WITH NO FIX NOTED BY FORD.

  21. Steering, Sep 18, 2018

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS LOW SPEEDS, THE RACK AND PINION WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. D'ORAZIO FORD (1135 SOUTH WATER STREET, WILMINGTON, ILLINIOIS 60481, (815) 476-5205) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

  22. Steering, Sep 16, 2018

    BOUGHT THE 2016 EXPLORER LIMITED WITH ROUGHLY 28,000 MILES ON IT. RAN GREAT FOR ABOUT 2,000 MILES AND THEN STARTED NOTICING A POP/CLUNK NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT GOING 5MPH OR LESS. MAINLY HAPPENED WHEN PULLING INTO AND OUT OF PARKING SPACES. WOULD ALSO RANDOMLY DO THIS WHILE PARKED. TOOK INTO 2 FORD DEALERSHIPS AND SURPRISE, THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. WAS TOLD TO KEEP DRIVING IT AND IF IT GETS WORSE TO BRING IT BACK IN. DROVE IT FOR ANOTHER FEW THOUSAND MILES WITH IT HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY. FINALLY AFTER HEARING THE NOISE MORE CONSISTENTLY AND EVEN FEELING THE STEERING SLIGHTLY JERK TO THE SIDE ON ONE OCCASION , I TOOK IT BACK INTO A FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY WERE FINALLY ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE SOUND THIS TIME AND SAID IT NEEDED A NEW STEERING RACK. THIS INCLUDES THE WHOLE RACK AND PINION. SO FAR SO GOOD. MY ISSUE IS I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT ALL THESE EXPLORERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES (MOST OF THEM WORSE THAN MY CASE) AND CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY THEY'RE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL? SOME EXPLORERS STEERING LITERALLY LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING BASED ON ALL THE COMPLAINTS I'VE READ. I FEEL I WAS ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES CATCHING THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT GOT WORSE. NOW I'M KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED THAT THE PROBLEM DOESN'T COME UP AGAIN LIKE I'VE HEARD ALSO HAPPENS. OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING IS FAULTY WITH THE STEERING ASSEMBLY. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN TO A CAR THIS NEW?

  23. Steering, Sep 13, 2018

    WHILE DRIVING MY 2016 FORD EXPLORER ON A STATE HWY AT 55 MPH, SUDDENLY BELLS AND WARNING ON DASH INDICATING STEERING FAILURE ISSUE. WITHIN 1 BLOCK, I WAS UNABLE TO STEER AT ALL. HAD TO BE TOWED. TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT THE POWER STEERING GEAR WAS BAD. TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THE COST TO REPAIR WOULD BE $2200. VEHICLE HAS 76,000 MILES. VERY UNSAFE CONDITION HAD IT HAPPENED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. COULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURY OR DEATH.

  24. Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 10, 2018

    WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I HAVE AROUND 50,000 MILES ON MY 2016 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE HAD IT WORKED ON 3 TIMES AND IT CONTINUES TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE CAR AND THOSE ON THE ROAD. MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE, YET FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL.

  25. Steering, Sep 8, 2018

    WHEN DRIVING MY FORD EXPLORER 2016 THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING A SOUND WHEN THE WHEEL WAS TURNED, BOTH WHEN TURNING FROM A STOP OR GOING AROUND A CURVE. IT WOULD ALSO CATCH AND SORT OF STICK WHEN THE WHEEL WAS TURNED AND WOULDN'T EASILY TURN BACK TO NORMAL AFTER THE TURN OR CURVE HAD BEEN MADE. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE RACK AND PINION HAS TO BE REPLACED, COSTING $1885. IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BC OF THE STEERING WELL STICKING.