UsedScore

2016 Ford Explorer: Avoid

Owners filed 1,014 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Explorer in its first five years on the road, about 408 for every 100,000 sold: 2.2× the rate of a typical Explorer year. That's more than twice a typical year, across more than one problem area.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the engine (26% of complaints, median 13,000 miles).

Complaint index
2.2×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Explorer year
Rank
14th of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
1,014
first five years; 408 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
14
campaigns
5th generation, 2011–2019 · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2017 Ford Explorer XLT (facelift)

Photo: 2017 Ford Explorer XLT (facelift) · Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Engine26% · 265 complaints · median 13,000 miles
  2. Steering24% · 245 complaints · median 50,000 miles
  3. Fuel and propulsion9% · 91 complaints · median 9,000 miles
  4. Powertrain9% · 95 complaints · median 11,000 miles
  5. Electrical6% · 63 complaints · median 14,000 miles
  6. Speed control6% · 60 complaints · median 7,000 miles
  7. Air bags3% · 33 complaints · median 45,000 miles
  8. Body and structure4% · 45 complaints · median 29,000 miles
  9. Wheels and tires5% · 47 complaints · median 20,000 miles
  10. Suspension3% · 31 complaints · median 56,000 miles

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Engine

Many owners describe their Explorer suddenly losing acceleration or stalling in traffic, often tied to a failed throttle body, sometimes repeated after repair. Others report exhaust fumes entering the cabin during acceleration, with dealers struggling to permanently fix either issue.

Warning signs:
Owners report a wrench-shaped warning light, check engine light, rough idle, sudden deceleration or stalling, and sometimes a burning or exhaust smell before power loss.
What shops did:
Dealers commonly diagnosed and replaced the throttle body, sometimes after long waits for backordered parts, and attempted various fixes for exhaust odor with mixed or no success.
Mileage:
most between 10,000 and 75,000 miles, among 344 complaints that give it

“Sudden loss of acceleration, with service indicators lighting on dashboard. Pulled off road, restarted, worked ok for 10 miles, then the problem returned.”

“I've had a near-constant exhaust smell, similar to what natural gas or sulfur smells like, in the cabin of my vehicle that is resulting in headaches”

Fuel and propulsion

Many 2016 Explorer owners describe suddenly losing power on the road due to what dealers identified as a throttle body problem, sometimes forcing them to coast to the shoulder. Separately, many owners report persistent exhaust or fuel odors entering the cabin that dealers struggled to permanently fix.

Warning signs:
Owners report wrench or check engine lights, rough idling, sputtering, or shuddering before the throttle failure, and a strong gas, rotten-egg, or exhaust smell (often with headaches, dizziness or nausea) before or during the odor issue.
What shops did:
Dealers often replaced the throttle body, sometimes with the same part, or attempted reseals, muffler replacements, exhaust system swaps or reprogramming for the odor, with many owners saying the smell returned or was never resolved.
Mileage:
most between 5,000 and 45,000 miles, among 86 complaints that give it

“The car did a slight jolt and then lost all power. The engine remained running, power steering and brakes still worked, but there was no acceleration.”

“A few seconds after this harder throttle application, there is a very strong odor of "sulfur" smelling exhaust which fills the vehicle.”

Steering

Owners describe sudden or gradual loss of power steering, often preceded by warning lights or grinding noises, sometimes causing the wheel to lock while driving. Repairs commonly involve replacing the steering rack or EPAS system, often at owners' expense once warranties expired.

Warning signs:
Many report warning messages like "steering fault, service now" or "service advance trac," along with grinding, popping, or clunking noises before the steering stiffened or locked.
What shops did:
Dealers commonly diagnosed a failed steering rack, gear assembly, or EPAS unit and replaced it, though some owners say the vehicle could not be repaired or was out of warranty.
Mileage:
most between 40,000 and 80,000 miles, among 344 complaints that give it

“At highway speed my steering locks up and takes great effort to steer.”

“At approximately 35000 the steering started to slip and become periodically unresponsive.”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (14)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 26V448000July 2026288,314 vehicles

    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.

    Risk: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: 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.

  • NHTSA 25V685000October 202559,006 vehicles

    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 coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

    Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

    Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied.

  • NHTSA 25V347000May 2025492,145 vehicles

    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.

    Risk: Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will repair the B-pillar trim, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 24V031000January 20241,889,110 vehicles

    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.

    Risk: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 21V537000July 2021631,176 vehicles

    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, 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.

    Risk: A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 21V316000May 2021616,967 vehicles

    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.

    Risk: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 20V675000March 2021454,941 vehicles

    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, 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.

    Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: 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.

  • NHTSA 20V692000November 202015,587 vehicles

    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.

    Risk: 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.

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the link shaft bracket, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 19V435000June 20191,194,173 vehicles

    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.

    Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: 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.

  • NHTSA 17V767000November 2017177,264 vehicles

    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.

    Risk: In the event of a crash, a seat occupant that is not properly restrained has an increased risk of injury.

    Fix: 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.

  • NHTSA 16V475000June 20165,280 vehicles

    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) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."

    Risk: The seat back may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat back frame, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 16V183000March 20161,543 vehicles

    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 engines and engine block heaters. These engine block heaters have elements that may overheat while plugged in.

    Risk: Overheating of the engine block increase the risk of a fire.

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine block heater, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 15V605000September 2015203 vehicles

    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 straps may fracture and the fuel tank could separate from the vehicle.

    Risk: If the fuel tank separates from the vehicle, a fuel leak may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the fuel tank attachment bolts, as necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 15V464000July 20157,165 vehicles

    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, 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."

    Risk: 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.

    Fix: 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.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Ford sent NHTSA 198 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2016 Explorer. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • 25B51 · May 2026Certain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model Year Corsair and Escape, 2016-2024 Model Year Explorer, 2019-2020 Model Year Fusion, 2016-2018 Model Year Focus…
  • SSM 52335 · March 2024For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and…
  • 20B27 S1 · September 2022Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer Vehicles Equipped With the 2.3L Engine and 6F35 Transmission Powertrain Control Module Reprogram Submitting Owner Letters
  • TSB-17-0044 · May 2022Exhaust odor in vehicle
  • SSM 50395 · January 2022Some 2016 Explorer vehicles equipped with factory remote start (on the key fob) may exhibit erratic operation of the climate control seats and/or heated steering wheel during a remote start event.
  • 21N01 · August 2021This program provides a no-cost, one-time repair (if needed) to the high-speed cooling fan relay and respective electrical terminals, if affected, to ten (10) years of service or 150,000 miles from…
  • SSM 49821 · May 2021Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025.
  • TSB 20-2271 · December 2020Some 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine may exhibit a vibration/rough idle when the vehicle is in DRIVE or REVERSE.

All 2016 Explorer bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2016 Ford Explorer reliable?
Owners filed 1,014 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Explorer in its first five years on the road, about 408 for every 100,000 sold: 2.2× the rate of a typical Explorer year. That's more than twice a typical year, across more than one problem area. Ratings compare Explorer years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2016 Explorer problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the engine (26%), the steering (24%) and the fuel or propulsion system (9%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2016 Ford Explorer been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for the 2016 Ford Explorer, the most recent in July 2026 (structure). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Ford. The 2016 Ford Explorer on NHTSA.gov · How we rate