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: other or unspecified
430 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Aug 2, 2017
SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS UPON ACCELERATION
Other or unspecified, Aug 2, 2017
EXHAUST FUMES COMING INTO CABIN, CAUSING BURNING OF EYES AND NOSE, HEAD ACHES, AND NAUSEA.
Other or unspecified, Aug 1, 2017
BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2017, MY 2016 FORD EXPLORER BEGAN TO SMELL LIKE SULFUR OR MOLD WHENEVER I START THE CAR. I SUSPECTED IT WAS AN AC COIL ISSUE, BUT THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS. I WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT MY COMPLAINT AS PART OF THE ONGOING EXHAUST INVESTIGATION INTO THE FORD EXPLORERS CARBON MONOXIDE ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Aug 1, 2017
LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I SAW A NEWS REPORT THAT NHTSA WAS LOOKING INTO THE ISSUE AND IT COULD BE RELATED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WITH THE A/C ON AND WINDOWS UP WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET.
Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2017
CARBON MONOXIDE INSIDE CAR, CAUSING SLEEPINESS OF SLEEP!
Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2017, crash
I FELL ASLEEP FROM CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING AND I HIT THREE OTHER CARS CAUSING ME TO TOTAL MY VEHICLE. WEEKS BEFORE I HAD THE ACCIDENT I WAS EXPERIENCING DROWSINESS AND HEADACHES. I HAD THIS VEHICLE LESS THAN TWO MONTHS.
Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2017
EXHAUST SMELL IN CABIN UPON HARD ACCELERATION OR HILL CLIMBING. PROBLEM OCCURS ANY TIME RPMS EXCEED 3000-3500 FOR MORE THAN A FEW SECONDS. WIDE OPEN THROTTLE IS NOT REQUIRED, JUST MODERATE ENGINE STRAIN IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. EXHAUST SMELL SEEMS TO COME THROUGH A/C VENTS AND IS WORSE WITH SYSTEM ON RECIRCULATE, BUT IS DEFINITELY PRESENT WHEN SYSTEM IS SET TO FRESH AIR AS WELL. REAR A/C SYSTEM DOES NOT HAVE TO BE ON IN ORDER TO GET THE SMELL. EXHAUST SMELL IS BAD ENOUGH TO BURN YOUR THROAT IF NOT VENTED BY ROLLING DOWN WINDOWS QUICKLY. PERSONS IN BACK SEAT COMMONLY COMPLAIN OF HEADACHES WHEN RIDING IN THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER A TOTAL OF 5 TIMES FOR REPAIRS. NONE HAVE CORRECTED THE ISSUE. TSBS 14-0130 HAS BEEN PERFORMED, MUFFLERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, HVAC MODULE HAS BEEN UPDATED, BUT PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS AS BAD OR WORSE THAN EVER. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW. PROBLEM BEGAN AROUND 1,500 MILES. THERE HAVE BEEN NO AFTER-MARKET MODIFICATIONS TO THE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 31, 2017
CARBON MONOXIDE AND GASOLINE SMELL IN CABIN
Other or unspecified, Jul 30, 2017
I BELIEVE C0 IS LEAKING INTO MY CAR AND WHILE DRIVING I HAVE BECOME DIZZY AND GET HEADACHES ON A REGULAR BASIS. I ALSO BECOME QUITE TIRED. I DRIVE FOR A LIVING AND DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS HAPPENING. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY WINDOWS CLOSED. I NEVER DRIVE WITH MY WINDOWS OPEN BUT NEED TO OPEN THEM TO GET RID OF THE DIZZY AND TIRED FEELING.
Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2017
EXHAUST FUMES ENTER THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE UPON ACCELERATION. THE DEALER STATES THAT THERE IS NO PART TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. I AM SUFFERING WITH CHRONIC HEADACHES. PLEASE HELP!! MY NEXT STEP IS TO INSTALL A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR IN MY VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2017
VEHICLE EMITS ODOR LIKE SULPHUR OR ROTTEN EGGS, POSSIBLY CARBON MONOXIDE, WHEN ACCELERATING RAPIDLY OR UNEXPECTDLY. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING, PRESSING GAS TO MERGE ONTO HIGHWAYS OR TO PASS CARS ON HIGHWAYS. I TOOK MY EXPLORER TO DEALERSHIP PURCHASED FROM SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING, BUT WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. NETWEEN FEB AND MAY 2016 IS WHEN I MADE APPOINTMENT AT DEALER FOR THEM TO TAKE A LOOK. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS TO THIS DAY. I ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN TO LET THE SMELL OUT WHEN IT HAPPENS.
Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2017
WHILE ACCELERATING A WEIRD SMELL FILLS THE CABIN OF MY EXPLORER. OTHER PEOPLE SMELL IT AS WELL NOT JUST ME. SOMETIMES AFTER DRIVING FOR MORE THAN 30 MINUTES I GET A HEADACHE OR I AM DIZZY.
Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2017
EXHAUST GAS SMELL IN CABIN WHEN ACCELERATING
Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2017
EXHAUST SMELL INSIDE OF CAR AT MODERATE TO HEAVY ACCELERATION . FOR DEALER REPAIRED AT 23000 MILES PROBLEM HAS COME BACK AFTER 11 MONTHS AND 15000 MILES. FUMES CAUSE HEADACHES AND NAUSEA
Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2017
ON ACCELERATION HAVE SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS. HAVING HEADACHES ALSO. REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP BUT SAYING THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS WITH EXHAUST FUMES. I HAVE REPORTED TWICE BUT NO WORD UNTIL SEEING ON CBS ISSUES ON OTHER EXPLORERS. HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. THOUGHT AT FIRST IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.
Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2017
WE ARE EXPERIENCING AN ONGOING SMELL OF EXHAUST IN THE CABIN OF OUR 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE SMELL IS NOTICEABLE IN DIFFERENT CONDITIONS, BUT TWO CONDITIONS SEEM TO ALWAYS BE IN PLACE - WHEN ACCELERATING AND WHEN THE RECIRCULATE OPTION IS ON.
Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2017
FUMES AND ODOR IN CABIN FOLLOWING ACCELERATION; SICKENING SMELL; MUST ROLL DOWN WINDOWS
Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2017
YES I AM HAVING HUGE COUGHING FITS AND LIGHTHEADEDNESS AND EXHAUST FUME SMELL ENTERING MY CABIN ON NEW 2016 FORD EXPLORER I PURCHASED. I AM EXPERINCING HEADACHES AS WELL AFTER DRIVING LONG TRIPS. BOTH ON STREET NORMAL AND HIGHWAY TRAVEL
Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2017
POSSIBLE CARBON MONOXIDE INFILTRATION. I WAS SITTING IN THE CAR WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING WAITING FOR MY WIFE WHILE SHE WAS SHOPPING. I SUDDENLY GOT A HEADACHE AND BECAME DIZZY. WENT HOME AND HEADACHE AND DIZZINESS WENT AWAY AFTER ABOUT 2 HOURS.
Other or unspecified, Jul 24, 2017
THE CAR PRODUCES A ROTTEN EGG SULFUR SMELL IN THE PASSENGER CABIN WHILE ACCELERATING THE ENGINE UNDER MODERATE TO HEAVY LOAD. THE FUMES ARE DANGEROUS AND YOU HAVE TO OPEN ALL THE WINDOWS TO VENT THE SMELL FROM THE PASSENGER CABIN OR I BECOME DIZZY AND LIGHTHEADED FROM THE FUMES. THERE IS DEFINITELY AN EXHAUST LEAK THAT IS COMING INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATES UNDER LOAD.
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Jul 24, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL HYDROGEN SULFIDE ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (HAYFORD FORD LOCATED AT 1330 301ST AVE NW ISANTI, MN 55040 763-689-5555), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: CAS12775863. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000. ..UPDATED 08/22/17 *BF UPDATED 09/28/2017*JS *CN
Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2017
WHEN I ACCELERATE MY FORD EXPLORER THE EXHAUST FUMES ARE FILLING THE CABIN, WE ARE EXPERIENCING A ROTTEN EGG ODOR THAT BASICALLY MAKES YOU SICK. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES, THEY ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BUT THEY WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL. WE CANNOT USE THE VEHICLE FOR LONG TRIPS LAST TIME WE TRY IT WAS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE, I GOT SICK WITH THE FUMES.
Other or unspecified, Jul 16, 2017
CONSISTENT ENGINE EXHAUST ODORS IN THE CABIN AFTER ACCELERATION.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 13, 2017
EVERY TIME I STEP ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY, THE INSIDE OF MY CAR STARTS TO SMELL LIKE SMOKE OR SOMETHING IS BURNING. I HAVE TO LOWER MY WINDOWS FOR ABOUT A MINUTE TO CLEAR THE AIR OUT. IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MONTHS.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 13, 2017
MY STOCK (UNALTERED) 2016 FORD EXPLORER SPORT WITH ECOBOOST ENGINE EMITS A ROTTEN EGG, SULFUR-LIKE ODOR INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN UPON FULL THROTTLE ACCELERATION. THIS CONDITION DOES NOT OCCUR DURING NORMAL (LESS THAN FULL THROTTLE ACCELERATION) DRIVING. THIS CONDITION OCCURS ONLY DURING FULL THROTTLE ACCELERATION AND IS REPLICABLE. THIS CONDITION HAS OCCURRED SINCE ORIGINAL PURCHASE IN 04/2016 AND CONTINUES TODAY.