2016 Ford Explorer: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 2,432 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 15 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
2,432
Complaints
15
Recalls
38
Crash reports
14
Fire reports
59
Injuries
29.1
Severity index
Severity index 29.1 - Low. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
Among the 140 2016 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2016 Ford Explorer ranks 116 of 140 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 17% of its model-year peers. See the full 2016 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| STRUCTURE | 576 | 23.7% |
| STEERING | 527 | 21.7% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 424 | 17.4% |
| ENGINE | 379 | 15.6% |
| POWER TRAIN | 213 | 8.8% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 124 | 5.1% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 114 | 4.7% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 103 | 4.2% |
The single most-reported system is STRUCTURE, cited in 576 of 2,432 complaints (23.7%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
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) | 95 |
Complaint volume is rising - the last three years carry 1.8x the filings of the three before them, which usually signals a wear-related defect surfacing with age.
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. |
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.