Worst 2016 Ford Explorer Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
STEERING
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ENGINE
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2016 Ford Explorer.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | 498 | 9 | — | 64,048 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 411 | 9 | 2 | 30,038 mi | |
| ENGINE | 375 | 3 | 3 | 40,164 mi | |
| STRUCTURE | 353 | 3 | 1 | 88,604 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 196 | 6 | 4 | 49,077 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 191 | 1 | — | 40,317 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 117 | 1 | 6 | 58,373 mi | |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 103 | 1 | 1 | 38,662 mi | |
| AIR BAGS | 97 | 6 | 1 | 59,405 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 74 | 1 | — | 23,892 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 69 | 8 | — | 71,652 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 59 | — | — | 93,780 mi | |
| WHEELS | 49 | 2 | — | 27,468 mi | |
| SEAT BELTS | 39 | — | — | 60,644 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 35 | — | — | 28,524 mi | |
| SEATS | 31 | — | 1 | 45,204 mi | |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 29 | — | — | 42,086 mi | |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 18 | 1 | — | 44,468 mi | |
| STEERING:RACK AND PINION | 18 | 1 | — | 74,120 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 17 | 3 | — | 32,203 mi | |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD:CRITICAL FASTENERS | 15 | — | — | 89,325 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:PUMP | 10 | — | — | 92,471 mi | |
| TIRES | 10 | — | — | 19,069 mi | |
| STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 8 | — | — | 72,667 mi | |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 8 | — | — | 67,864 mi | |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL | 7 | — | 1 | 109,642 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER | 7 | — | — | 102,970 mi | |
| VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY | 6 | — | — | 120,500 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 5 | — | — | — | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 5 | — | — | 49,640 mi |
Recalls for 2016 Ford Explorer
23 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~12,178,768 vehicles.
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.
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
+ 13 more recalls
Other Ford Explorer Years
Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2016 Ford Explorer
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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