MYRModel Year Report

2016 Ford Explorer

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2016 Ford Explorer
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Explorer Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2016 highlighted. 1984: 1 complaints 1984 1985: 1 complaints 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 4 complaints 1989: 1 complaints 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 616 complaints 1992: 640 complaints 1993: 944 complaints 1994: 1231 complaints 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1450 complaints 1996 1997: 1731 complaints 1998: 1959 complaints 1999: 1348 complaints 2000: 952 complaints 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3294 complaints 2002 2003: 1131 complaints 2004: 1304 complaints 2005: 497 complaints 2006: 630 complaints 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 148 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2011: 1196 complaints 2012: 824 complaints 2013: 2229 complaints 2014: 1674 complaints 2014 2015: 1771 complaints 2016: 2443 complaints 2016 2017: 1677 complaints 2018: 720 complaints 2019: 291 complaints 2020: 1198 complaints 2020 2021: 412 complaints 2022: 257 complaints 2023: 106 complaints 2024: 19 complaints 2025: 95 complaints 2026: 29 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints 2027
2016: 2443 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19841
19851
19863
19873
19884
19891
199012
1991616
1992640
1993944
19941231
1995843
19961450
19971731
19981959
19991348
2000952
2001375
20023294
20031131
20041304
2005497
2006630
2007208
2008148
200933
2010115
20111196
2012824
20132229
20141674
20151771
20162443
20171677
2018720
2019291
20201198
2021412
2022257
2023106
202419
202595
202629
20270

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

STRUCTURE 24%

24% of complaints: structure — 586 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and door.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260723

The contact's wife owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The owner received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260721

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the front windshield rattled and shook. No warning lights illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260709

STEERING 22%

22% of complaints: steering — 535 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rack and pinion and electric power assist system.

CRASH INJURY
ENGINE 16%

16% of complaints: engine — 380 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

CAR SMELLS STRONGLY LIKE NATURAL GAS INSIDE CABIN WHEN DRIVING, AND WHEN SITTING STILL - EYES BURN, THROAT SORE, HEADACHE AFTER DRIVING IT FOR 5 MINS OR MORE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171217

Also filed under FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 216 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing torque converter and automatic transmission.

CRASH FIRE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5%

5% of complaints: electrical system — 128 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing speedometer/odometer and instrument cluster/panel.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

There has been many reports of electronic steering issue where it would just swerve you off the road and loose full control while driving for years 2013-2015 cars but 2016 years are also being effected.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240315

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND WHEN WE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BY PUSHING THE START BUTTON, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START BUT A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE POURED OUT OF THE DASHBOARD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171101

WIFE WAS DRIVING CAR & STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT , CALLED ME & SAID CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE & SMELLED BURNING , UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND COOLING FAN MOTOR & FAN SHROUD CAUGHT ON FIRE

NHTSA ODI report, 20160210

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20150904 — parking brake

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...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 15V464000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20151019 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 15V605000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2016 — complaint volume: 2443
R 20160518 — engine and engine cooling

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 16V183000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160818 — seats

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Explorer and F-150 vehicles equipped with a manual recline driver's seat.

Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed

I 20170727 — EA (closed 20230117)

Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab

R 20170731 — suspension, wheels

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 17E048000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180316 — seats

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 17V767000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190626 — suspension

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 19V435000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20201127 — suspension

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,...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 20V675000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210202 — power train

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 20V692000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20211001 — structure

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 21V316000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20220316 — suspension

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...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 21V537000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20230127 — PE (closed 20240208)

Windshield trim molding Item detachment

R 20240718 — structure

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 24V031000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20260714 — structure

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.

Remedy: 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, are expected to be mailed August 24, 2026.

Campaign 26V448000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — equipment

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.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge.

Campaign 25V685000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — structure

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 25V347000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2016 Ford Explorer — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for structure issues (586 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (535 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (380 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 25V685000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 25V347000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V464000 (parking brake) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V605000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V183000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V475000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17E048000 (suspension, wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V767000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V435000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V675000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V692000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V316000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V537000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V031000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 26V448000 (structure) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2009 ▲ 2025 ▲ 2023

WORST YEARS

■ 2002 ■ 2013 ■ 1998

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2016 Ford Explorer reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Ford Explorer is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Explorer?

The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Explorer have?

15 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.