2016 Ford Explorer problems and complaints
Owners have filed 2449 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Explorer. The most-reported areas: Structure (584), Steering (529), Unknown Or Other (428).
Key takeaways
- 2449 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 39 involve a crash, 14 a fire, 59 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 584 | 24% |
| Steering | 529 | 22% |
| Unknown Or Other | 428 | 17% |
| Engine | 381 | 16% |
| Power Train | 214 | 9% |
| Electrical System | 125 | 5% |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 114 | 5% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 104 | 4% |
| Air Bags | 99 | 4% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 76 | 3% |
| Suspension | 73 | 3% |
| Wheels | 50 | 2% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV AWD | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| 2016 Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV FWD | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Unknown Or Other - filed 2026-09-18
I am scared of this in fix recall for my family and kids I travel a lot for my son football on the freeway and road. If this was unsafe they should have been fix for us. Thank you I do not want to deal with trying to fix anymore.
Structure - filed 2026-09-12
B-Pillar door trim came off of 2016 Ford Explorer. There has been a recall on this problem since May 2025. This problem is still listed as no repair or parts available. It is now Sept. 2026. 1 1/2 years is too long for a company to delay in solving this safety problem and/or providing parts for said problem.
Unknown Or Other - filed 2026-09-10
As I was driving down the highway, my A pillar trim began to get loose and flew off and hit the car behind me. It forced them to swerve yet they gained control of their car and approached me letting me know what happened. They were highly upset because it damaged their front windshield. I had no choice but to pay for t...
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More for the 2016 Ford Explorer
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.