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, May 4, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (FAIRWAY FORD OF EVANS, 4333 WASHINGTON RD, EVANS, GA 30809, (706) 854-9200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERNAL FAULT ELECTRIC RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,442.
Steering, May 2, 2018
THE ELETRIC POWER STEERING FAILED. AND WOULD FAIL AND THEN BE OK AFTER RESTARTS BUT WOULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AND MAKE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AT ALL SPEEDS, OFTEN LOCKING ITSELF DURING A TURN AND REQUIRING SIGNIFICANT EFFORT TO CORRECT. OFTEN DANGEROUSLY HARD TO STEER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I NOTICED THIS WAS A PREVIOUS ISSUE WITH FORD VEHICLES...
Steering, Apr 5, 2018
WE WERE DRIVING OUR 2016 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED (34,731 MILES) THROUGH TOWN AT APPROX. 25MPH, SLOWED DOWN, AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN ONTO A TOWN ROAD, BUT OUR VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN. AT THE TIME WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS HAPPENING EXCEPT THAT THE VEHICLE WASN'T STEERING. AFTER WE CAME TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WE REALIZED THAT WE COULD STILL TURN THE VEHICLE IF WE MANHANDLED THE STEERING WHEEL. A STEERING CODE FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD. AT THAT POINT WE REALIZED WE HAD NO POWER STEERING. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY AND CAREFULLY DROVE IT OVER TO THEM TO FIX. THEY VERIFIED THE POWER STEERING WAS INOPERABLE, RAN DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, AND REPLACED STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY R&I FRONT SUB FRAME. SEE ATTACHED SERVICE RECORD. AFTER RESEARCHING, WE FOUND THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME ISSUE. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE HAD WE BEEN ON A HIGHWAY. THIS IS A SERIOUS FAILURE THAT COULD HAVE HURT OR KILLED PEOPLE. HOW IS THIS NOT A RECALL?
Steering, Apr 2, 2018
MY WIFE AND I WERE TRAVELING IN OUR 2016 FORD EXPLORER ON SATURDAY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED "STICKING" WHILE GOING AROUND CURVES. I WAS DRIVING AT 60-65 MPH ON A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY, GOING AROUND A CURVE TO THE LEFT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL STUCK AND HAD TO BE FORCEFULLY PULLED BACK TO STRAIGHTEN UP. I SLOWED THE VEHICLE TO ABOUT 45 MPH AND WAS PREPARING TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER WHEN MESSAGES STARTED APPEARING ON THE INFORMATION CENTER. THE MESSAGES STATED "STEERING FAULT STOP NOW" AND "SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC". THANKFULLY, AS I WAS PULLING OFF THE NEXT EXIT, THERE WAS A FORD DEALERSHIP. AT THIS POINT, THE I AS STILL ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE WITH SOME FORCE. AFTER PULLING INTO THE DEALERSHIP PARKING LOT, I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE MESSAGES STILL APPEARED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN AT ALL, EVEN WITH FORCE. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED TODAY AND SAID THAT THE STEERING GEAR RACK NEEDED REPLACED AND THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND THE ISSUE ISN'T COVERED UNDER RECALL. HE STATED THAT THE TOTAL REPAIR WOULD BE $1842. I FEEL THAT BEING A SAFETY ISSUE IS THIS MAGNITUDE, FORD SHOULD STEP UP CORRECT THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT.
Steering, Service brakes, Apr 2, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE NOISE WAS HEARD, THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING AND BRAKE FUNCTIONALITY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION WITH THE MEDIAN WALL AND THE VEHICLE OVERTURNED. THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT AND HER DAUGHTER SUFFERED MODERATE BRUISING THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY'S LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,064.
Steering, Mar 14, 2018
STEERING/RACK: PROBLEM BEGAN WITH AN INTERMITTENT NOISE (CLUNK) IN THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WHILE UNDER FULL WARRANTY. THEY FAILED TO DOCUMENT MY CONCERN. NOISE BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND TURNED INTO MORE OF A GRINDING SOUND WHILE STEERING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED OR MOVING SLOWLY. HAD PROBLEM LOOKED AT BY MECHANIC DOING OIL CHANGE WHO SENT ME BACK TO DEALERSHIP STATING I NEEDED A NEW RACK (STEERING PART). AT THIS POINT, MY VEHICLE HAD SURPASSED THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. DURING THIS TIME WHILE DEBATING WITH DEALERSHIP IF PART SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO THEIR FAILURE TO DOCUMENT MY INITIAL VISIT, THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS HAS BECOME "DARTY" OR "JERKY" AND DOES FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND HAS UNDER 50,000 MILES. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND TO DATE BOTH FORD AND DEALERSHIP HAS FAILED TO TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE. COST QUOTED FOR REPAIR IS $2100. SERVICE DEPT AT LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS INCOMPETENT, FAILED TO ADMIT FAULT IN LACK OF DOCUMENTATION, AND FAILED TO BACK UP THE PRODUCT, ADDRESS SAFETY CONCERNS.
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Feb 26, 2018
2016 FOR EXPLORER SPORT - PURCHASED BRAND NEW. VEHICLE HAS 15K MILES NOW AND I AM HEARING A LOUD POPPING / CREAKING SOUND THAT OCCURS WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. IT'S MOST NOTICEABLE AT A SLOWER RATE OF SPEED WHEN TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE OR TURNING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. TODAY, ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WHEN TURNING LEFT THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND I HAD TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO GO STRAIGHT AGAIN. EACH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED THERE IS ANOTHER LOUD POP SOUND THAT CAN BE HEARD. THIS IS A MAJOR COMPLAINT ACROSS THE BOARD WITH 2014 - 2016 EXPLORERS ALONG WITH THE WHEEL BEARING, SUSPENSION AND LOSS OF POWER COMPLAINTS.
Steering, Jan 18, 2018, crash
I WAS DRIVING MY PREGNANT WIFE (31 WEEKS) AND MY 22 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER TO CHURCH THIS PAST SUNDAY (1/14/18), WHEN WE ENTERED A SHARP LEFT HAND CURVE. WE GOT TO THE HALFWAY POINT IN THE TURN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND SENT US INTO A DITCH AND BANK. THANK GOD NOBODY WAS COMING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OR WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR WORSE! THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING; NO LIGHT, NO SENSOR, NOTHING. THE WHEEL SIMPLY LOCKED TIGHT IN THE TURNED POSITION AT ROUGHLY 30 MPH. I LATER LEARNED FORD HAS BEEN USING ELECTRONIC CONTROLLED POWER STEERING AND THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ACROSS VARIOUS FORD MODELS WITH NO KNOWN RECALLS. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED THAT CAN'T TELL THEIR STORY? THERE IS NO WAY WE'LL BE KEEPING THIS VEHICLE AND FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO REDESIGN THEIR STEERING OR RETURN IT BACK TO THE ORIGINAL, BELT-DRIVEN DESIGN.
Steering, Nov 11, 2017
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, ALARMS GO OFF AND A NOTICE SAYING 'STEERING ASSIST FAULT' IS DISPLAYED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 DIFFERENT TIME AT RANDOM. 1 TIME, THE STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AS THIS IS A FAMILY VEHICLE TRANSPORTING VERY YOUNG CHILDREN.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 18, 2017, crash
WAS TRAVELING DOWN A CITY SURFACE STREET WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE TRIED TO BEAT ME TO GETTING ONTO THE SAME STREET I WAS TRAVELING ON MADE A SUDDEN TURN BEFORE I COULD GET TO HIS LOCATION. UPON TRYING TO MANEUVER AND AVOID A COLLISION THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DID NOT RESPOND TO THE MANEUVER AND INSTEAD VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A RESIDENCE. STEERING FAILED TO FUNCTION AS INTENDED, ABS SYSTEM ALSO FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THIS HAS NOT BEEN THE FIRST TIME I GOT INTO A WRECK LIKE THIS WITH THIS VEHICLE. MAKING A SUDDEN TURN IN THIS VEHICLE WILL LIKELY SUFFER SOME SORT OF ACCIDENT, VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND LIKE IT SHOULD WITH ALL THEM ELECTRICAL SAFETY FEATURES.
Steering, Oct 17, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED AND MADE THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE "AUTO STEERING SYSTEM FAULTY, HILL START ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE, SERVICE ADVANCE TRACK, AND TORRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT" WARNING MESSAGES DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CURRIE FORD IN VALPERASO, IN WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Steering, Oct 6, 2017
I PURCHASED A 2016 FORD EXPLORER 5 MONTHS AGO. THE CAR HAD 38K MILES WHEN PURCHASED AND NOW HAS 42K MILES. LATELY I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE STEERING WHEN IN CURVES THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND GETS VERY STIFF AND YOU HAVE TO FIGHT IT TO GET THE WHEEL STRAIGHTENED OUT TO KEEP FROM WRECKING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDS REPLACED COSTING $1900.00. FORD STATED THAT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER MY EXSISTING WARRANTY. I CONTACTED FORD REFERENCE THE ISSUE AND THEY STATED THEY WOULD OPEN A CASE AND HELP WITH COST. I RECENTLY HEARD BACK FROM FORD AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT HELP WITH THE ISSUE EVEN THOUGH IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED IT DOES NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE BUT ONCE YOU ARE MOVING IS WHEN THE STEERING LOCKS. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 6K MILES OVER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY AND STILL UNDER POWER TRAIN BUT FORD SAYS THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO HELP FIX THIS ISSUE.
Steering, Oct 5, 2017
AT HIGHWAY SPEED MY STEERING LOCKS UP AND TAKES GREAT EFFORT TO STEER. THEN LOOSENS FOR A BIT UNLESS KEPT IN THE SAME POSITION FOR MORE THAN SAY 30 SECONDS THEN LOCKS UP AGAIN. SOMETIMES WORSE THAN OTHERS. I ALMOST HIT A BARRIERS AT 75 TODAY 10/5/17.TURNS ARE WORSE THAN STRAIGHT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE FORD ELECTRONIC STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A MIN. COST OF $1800 AS I HAVE 55000 MILES ON MY 2016. THIS IS UNSAFE! PLEASE HELP
Steering, Sep 25, 2017
WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING ABOUT 70MPH AND AN ALERT POPPED UP ON THE DASH THAT SAID TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT. FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER ALERT THAT SAID SERVICE ADVANCETRAC. FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER ALERT THAT SAID OUR TRACTION CONTROL WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL DRIVING FINE SO WE DROVE TO THE NEAREST EXIT TO TURNNOFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT. WHILE WE WHERE PULLING OFF THE EXIT RAMP GOING ABOUT 30MPH THE CAR ALERTED US THAT THE HILL ASSISTANCE WAS TURNED OFF. AND ONCE WE STOPPED AT THE GAS STATION AND TURNED THE CAR OFF ONCE WE TURNED IT BACK ON IT ALERTED US EVERY SINGLE ALERT AGAIN AND THEN A NEW WARNING THAT OUR STEERING WAS LOST AND TO PLEASE PULL OVER SAFELY. WE HAVE TRIES TO TURN CAR ON SEVERAL TIMES AND ITS STILL NOT WORKING.
Steering, Seat belts, Structure, Aug 8, 2017
SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 2016 I HAVE HAD SEATBELT RETRACTABLE MECHANISM IN THE THIRD ROW REPLACED; I HAVE HAD THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM REPLACED; I HAD TO HAVE THE KEYPAD ON THE DOOR PANEL REPLACED; I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING EPAS REPLACED (MOST RECENT). MOST HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY THANK GOODNESS. THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM DID GO OUT WHILE DRIVING.
Steering, Jul 26, 2017
ON JULY 26 AT ABOUT 10:40 AM I WAS DRIVING MY STOCK (NO ADDED EQUIPMENT) 2016 FORD EXPLORER (PLATINUM EDITION). I HAD JUST MERGED FROM NORTHBOUND I-680 ONTO WESTBOUND I-580 (NORTHERN CALIFORNIA). I WAS MOVING AT A CONSTANT FREEWAY SPEED (ABOUT 60 MPH) FROM LANE #5 (RIGHTMOST LANE) TO LANE #1. A FEW SECONDS AFTER ENTERING LANE #1 THE POWER STEERING FAILED. A WARNING APPEARED ON THE VEHICLE WARNING INDICATOR THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. A FEW MINUTES LATER I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE OFF THE FREEWAY AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. POWER STEERING RESUMED AFTER RE-STARTING THE VEHICLE.
Steering, May 2, 2017
WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED THE POWER STEERING FAILED GOING INTO A CORNER, AT THE SAME TIME THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH. IT WAS A DANGEROUS CURVE. I DROVE THE CAR THE NEXT DAY AND IT HAPPENED A SECOND AND THIRD TIME. WAITING FOR DEALER RESPONSE IT IS UNSAFE AT THE LEAST OR WORSE....
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Mar 9, 2017
WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH, I COMPLETELY LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE FOR NO KNOWN REASON. I VEERED ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND BACK ACROSS 2 MORE. CARS WERE SWERVING AROUND ME AND MIRACULOUSLY I WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND OTHER CARS TRAVELING BEHIND ME AT THE TIME DID TOO. WE COULDN'T SEE ANY REASON WHY THE CAR WASN'T WORKING PROPERLY SO AFTER CATCHING MY BREATH, I TRIED TO GET BACK ON THE ROAD. I COULD FEEL MY CAR INTERMITTENTLY "SLIPPING". IT FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS LOSING TRACTION AND I WAS LOSING CONTROL AND NOT ABLE TO STEER. I ULTIMATELY PULLED OVER AND CALLED A TOWTRUCK AS I KNEW MY VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAW THAT MY REAR TIRES WERE COMPLETELY BALD ONLY ON THE INSIDE. MY CAR HAD 27,000MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. I REPLACED THE BACK 2 TIRES THAT DAY. AND THE FRONT 2 THE FOLLOWING DAY. 2 WEEKS LATER, MY CAR WAS NOT DRIVING PROPERLY AND I BROUGHT IT INTO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC. THEY TOLD ME MY REAR SUSPENSION WAS A MESS, THE UPPERCONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE BUSHINGS ON MY BACK RIGHT WHEEL WERE LOSE AND HAD A LOT OF PLAY AND THAT NONE OF THIS WAS COVERED UNDER MY B2B WARRANTY BECAUSE THE RIGHT REAR TOW LINK WAS BENT AND THE WEDDINGS WERE LOSE. ALSO, THE TIRES I PUT ON 2 WEEKS AGO WERE STRIPPED BALD ON THE INSIDES AGAIN AND NEEDED TOMBS REPLACED. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. FORD RECALLED 75,000 EXPLORES MADE IN 2014-15 DUE TO FAULTY REAR SUSPENSION FROM IMPROPER WELDING OF TOW LINKS. I BELIEVE MY CAR IS A DEMONSTRATION THAT THIS IS STILL AN ONGOING MANUFACTURER ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES AND I WANT TO PROPERLY REPORT IT SO THAT OTHER YOUNG MOTHERS DO NOT HAVE THE SAME DANGEROUS ENCOUNTER THAT I HAD.
Steering, Service brakes, Oct 26, 2016, crash
ON OCT. 18 WHILE OPERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 40 MPH ON HWY. 301 SOUTH IN WILSON NC AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN TO STOP FOR THE TRAFFIC STOPPED AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT AHEAD THE BRAKE PEDAL AND STEERING BOTH DID NOT FUNCTION, I WAS UNABLE TO STOP OR STEER THE VEHICLE CAUSING A REAR-END COLLISION TO HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF MINE. MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KENLY FORD LATER THAT DAY FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED, THEY RAN CHECKS AND FOUND NO CODES. ALL I KNOW IS THE BRAKES AND STEERING DID NOT WORK.
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 14, 2016
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED TO ME WHILE DRIVING MY 2016 EXPLORER LIMITED. MY CAR HAS EVERY OPTION AVAILABLE. A FEW MONTHS AGO AS I WAS TURNING ONTO THE HIGHWAY A "LANE KEEPING SYS MALFUNCTION" ALERT CAME ACROSS MY DISPLAY AND MY STEERING LOCKED IN PLACE. I COULD NOT TURN MY STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. I HAD A SKETCHY VEHICLE FOR MY FIRST VEHICLE AND KNEW THAT I NEEDED TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURN IT OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS AND RESTART THE CAR. DOING THIS FREED MY STEERING WHEEL AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE SENSITIVITY WAS SET TOO HIGH. FFW MONTHS LATER. 9/13/16 I AM DRIVING BACK AT ABOUT 65 MPH, FROM A DR. APT ON A BUSY ROAD AND THE CAR TELLS ME MY STEERING IS MALFUNCTIONING TO SERVICE MY VEHICLE. MY GAME PLAN WAS TO PULL OVER SAFELY AND RUN A VEHICLE HEALTH REPORT AND CALL THE DEALER. SECONDS LATER I GET THE SAME MESSAGE ALONG WITH LANE KEEPING MALFUNCTION & MY STEERING LOCKED. I HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HWY WITH A CAR COMING AT MY REAR AND THROW IT IN PARK AND KILL MY ENGINE AND RESTART MY CAR FOR THE STEERING TO UNLOCK. I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE DEPT. AFTER THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND MY VEHICLE IS "SPITTING OUT CODES LIKE CRAZY" AND WAS TOLD IT MAY BE A MODULE IN MY COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS STEERING & LANE KEEPING SYSTEMS OR MY KEY FOB IS NOT BEING DETECTED BY MY COMPUTER AND IS NOT SENDING AN ALERT AND MY CAR THINKS IT IS BEING STOLEN. CRAZY. DEFINITELY NOT SAFE. THIS IS MY DAILY DRIVER. I HAVE 4 SMALL CHILDREN. I LIVE IN MY CAR. PLEASE RESEARCH THIS AND ISSUE A RECALL. THIS IS NOT SAFE AT ALL. THANKFULLY I WAS NOT ON AN INTERSTATE GOING 70+ MPH. ALSO MY CAR WAS PURCHASED DEC 2015 AND WAS A DEALER TRADE FROM A TX DEALER.
Steering, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 26, 2016
WHILE DRIVING BELOW 30 MPH ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND FELT A JOLT,ENGINE CUT OFF,"WRENCH" LIGHT AND AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON (LAST ONE PROBABLY WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF).HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE,RE-STARTED ENGINE AND IT STARTED SHAKING,RPMS KEPT GOING UP AND DOWN BETWEEN 1-2000.TURNED OFF AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES.STARTED ENGINE AGAIN AND IT WAS RUNNING NORMAL EXCEPT CHECK ENGINE WAS ON.WENT TO LOCAL FORD DEALER (WE WERE ON VACATION) WHO COULDN'T TAKE US IN FOR AT LEAST 6 HRS AND WANTED US TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSTIC (NEW CAR,JUST HAD FIRST OIL CHANGE).WENT TO AUTO ZONE AND THEY READ CODE P2112 -THROTTLE BODY FAILURE AND ARMED WITH THAT SCHEDULED SERVICE AT MY LOCAL DEALER.ON THE WAY BACK ISSUE REPEATED ITSELF TWO MORE TIMES.ALL ON LOWER SPEEDS (CITY DRIVING).CURRENT MILES 6200.
Steering, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 10, 2016
WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WITH MY THREE CHILDREN I LOST ALL POWER TO MY VEHICLE JUST BARELY MAKING IT OUT THE WAY OF A SENI TRUCK. THE EXPLORER WAS PURCHASED IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR BRAND NEW TO AVOID PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE A RECALL IS ISSUED?!?!?!?!!!
Steering, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 10, 2016
VEHICLE WAS PROCEEDING AND ALL POWER TO THROTTLE STOPPED. POWER STEERING WENT OUT. VEHICLE COASTED TO STOP IN TRAFFIC TURN LANE. FORD STATED THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH VEHICLES THROTTLE BODY
Steering, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 17, 2016
HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS ABOUT TO ACCELERATE TO GET UP A HILL ON A CITY STREET AND ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE TRANSMISSION OR OTHER MAJOR PART JUST "DROPPED". STEERING WHEEL FROZE, CAR IDLED VIOLENTLY, COULD NOT MOVE VEHICLE, STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS UNTIL EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED.ACCELERATION WENT TO LITERALLY ZERO,SUV WOULD NOT MOVE. ORANGE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON, STATED TO SEE MANUAL.PLACED CAR IN PARK SHUT OFF ENGINE AND WAITED AND STARTED AT BACK UP AGAIN. SCARRY STUFF, 2 CHILDREN 2 AND YOUNGER IN VEHICLE. WON'T LET ME INPUT ON NEXT PAGE, APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MILES AN HOUR, SUV HAS 5,500 MILES ON IT
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 11, 2016
I WAS DRIVING MY 2016 FORD EXPLORER ON A BUSY STREET WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE ORANGE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE.IT LOST ALL POWER. I AM TERRIFIED OF DRIVING IT NOW. IT WOULD NOT MOVE FASTER THAN 5 MILES PER HOUR. THE CAR HAS 6,000 MILES ON IT.