2016 Ford Explorer problems and recalls
Owners filed 927 complaints on the 2016 Ford Explorer in the last three full years, out of 2,443 on record. The most cited component is the Structure.
2,443
Complaints
15
Recalls
38
Crash reports
14
Fire reports
59
Injuries
30.2
Severity index
Severity index 30.2 Low. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.
Ranked 132 of 141 by severity index among 2016 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 6% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2016 ranking.
Components cited in complaints
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| STRUCTURE | 582 | 23.8% |
| STEERING | 528 | 21.6% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 426 | 17.4% |
| ENGINE | 380 | 15.6% |
| POWER TRAIN | 214 | 8.8% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 125 | 5.1% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 114 | 4.7% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 104 | 4.3% |
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 213 |
| 2017 | 260 |
| 2018 | 182 |
| 2019 | 229 |
| 2020 | 167 |
| 2021 | 158 |
| 2022 | 197 |
| 2023 | 313 |
| 2024 | 269 |
| 2025 | 345 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 106 |
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 1.8x those in 2020 to 2022 (927 against 522).
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V435000 | 10/06/2019 | SUSPENSION:REAR | 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. |
| 17E048000 | 28/08/2017 | WHEELS:HUB | 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 feat |
| 16V475000 | 28/06/2016 | SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 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) numb |
| 17V767000 | 29/11/2017 | 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. |
| 15V605000 | 28/09/2015 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING | 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 str |
| 16V183000 | 31/03/2016 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 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 eng |
| 15V464000 | 24/07/2015 | 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 vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015 |
| 21V316000 | 05/05/2021 | STRUCTURE:BODY | 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. |
| 20V692000 | 10/11/2020 | POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT | 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. |
| 21V537000 | 15/07/2021 | SUSPENSION:REAR | 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, P |
| 20V675000 | 12/03/2021 | SUSPENSION:REAR | 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, |
| 24V031000 | 19/01/2024 | STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS | 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. |
| 25V347000 | 23/05/2025 | STRUCTURE:BODY | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving. |
| 25V685000 | 10/10/2025 | EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER | 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 coolan |
| 26V448000 | 14/07/2026 | STRUCTURE:BODY | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle. |
Other Ford Explorer model years
Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 14 years side by side.
- 2012sev 26.0
- 2013sev 35.6
- 2014sev 34.3
- 2015sev 52.0
- 2017sev 37.5
- 2018sev 31.4
- 2019sev 29.8
- 2020sev 43.4
- 2021sev 53.6
- 2022sev 89.1
- 2023sev 84.0
- 2024sev 79.8
- 2025sev 62.0
Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-07. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.