2016 Ford Explorer Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report window and door trim that loosens or detaches while driving, followed by steering complaints. Steering reports range from gradual noise and stiffness to a sudden loss of power assist, and many trim complaints describe recall repair parts that were not yet available.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Window and door trim coming loose or detaching

   • 418 complaints (17%)
   • median 85,932 mi at 8.7 yrs old (213 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $500 (median of 13 quotes)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe A-pillar windshield trim, door trim or molding separating while driving, sometimes at highway speed, and a few say pieces flew off into traffic. Several say the dealer could not complete the recall repair because parts were not available, and some describe the trim loosening again after a dealer repair. Reports range from very low mileage to about 246,000 miles, and most are at 35,000 miles or more.

   Recall 24V031000Recall 25V347000

   What to check: Ask whether the A-pillar trim recall (24V031000) and the door trim recall (25V347000) have been completed for this VIN. Check the windshield and door trim by hand for looseness before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Obeying speed limit driving down the highway on n127 towards jackson michigan, going past an on ramp and my passengers windshields outer pillar cover flew off out of no where, no reason, very unexpected. Almost hit a car that was coming onto the highway on a on ramp. I have found 5 other reports of exactly same thing. My vehicle only has 37k miles on it, have only drove it barely 3 months. This should not have happened or be happening to vehicles. Other complaints I found vehicles were at 40k miles or 41k miles. Timing of all 6 incidents is not a coincidence. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11306603, filed 2020-02, 37,500 miles

   “Driving on highway, windshield trim on drivers side broke off. Once stationary, inspected where the trim was and it's completely gone & appears that the clips holding it there are broken and some gone. Passengers side trim is warped and appears loose. Also, drivers doors trim is now partly detached from door”

   NHTSA complaint #11407271, filed 2021-04, 5 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Sudden loss of power steering assist

   • 421 complaints (17%)
   • median 57,500 mi at 4.2 yrs old (280 state mileage)
   • 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,300 (median of 90 quotes)
   • filed 2015–2026

   Owners describe the steering wheel suddenly becoming very stiff or locking, or power assist cutting out while driving, sometimes during a turn or at highway speed. Warnings such as steering assist fault or power steering failure appeared in several reports, and some dealers found a failed power steering module or rack that needed replacement. In many of these complaints the vehicle was diagnosed but not repaired at the time of the report. Reported between about 28,000 and 147,000 miles, with a median near 86,000.

   What to check: Ask the seller to have the power steering control module and any stored codes checked, and whether the steering part was ever replaced. On a test drive, turn the wheel at low speed in both directions and watch for steering assist warnings on the dash.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicle was in motion on a state highway when the following warning messages were displayed steering assist fault service required, hill start assist not available, service advance trac, terrain management system fault. At this point I had complete loss of power steering. I was able to pull to the side of the road safely and had to have towed. Local Ford dealership diagnosed the problem as power steering control module.which is integral with the rack and pinion assembly.”

   NHTSA complaint #11351246, filed 2020-08, 133,080 miles

   “While driving 70 MPH on i81 in va the power steering on our 2016 Ford Explorer with less than 70,000 miles died. The only warning was a message on the dash saying lane keeping syst malfunction and steering assist fault. After wrestling the car to a safe site I shut if off. Upon restarting the car the steering returned to normal. While driving to the nearest Ford dealer to have it checked out if failed again. The dealership performed pinpoint test b for u3000 code stored in the pscm. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11301610, filed 2020-01, 69,479 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Steering noises, stiffness, and clunking

   • 210 complaints (9%)
   • median 56,442 mi at 4.5 yrs old (143 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,200 (median of 48 quotes)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe popping, grinding, clunking or clicking from the steering column or rack, along with a steering wheel that sticks, pulls to one side or feels heavy in turns. Some say the trouble began gradually and grew worse, and dealers most often found a worn rack and pinion or steering gear that needed replacement, at out-of-pocket repair costs. Reported between about 25,000 and 150,000 miles, with a median near 51,500.

   What to check: Turn the wheel slowly from lock to lock with the engine running and listen for grinding, clicking or popping. Ask whether any steering repair was done under warranty, since some owners say the part was outside coverage.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When turning right at a slow speed, heavy knocking/thumping noise and steering was jerky. Vehicle has 33,400 miles. Had it repaired at the Ford dealership yesterday and they replaced the rack and pinion at a cost of $1800. Since I read this seems to be a common problem I asked if this issue has been recalled and was informed it was not.”

   NHTSA complaint #11355650, filed 2020-09, 33,400 miles

   “Heard noises when I turn my steering wheel. I was told I need to have my rack and pinion steering replace-est cost mid 2k. Starting to research online and I see that this is a common problem with potential severe consequences if not fixed. Why hasn't this been recalled??? Also we had to replace the struts. The car does not have 50k miles yet. I do have the repair for the struts. Have not repaired the rack and pinion yet.”

   NHTSA complaint #11415231, filed 2021-05, 49,125 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Water pump leaks and coolant loss with overheating

   • 158 complaints (6%)
   • median 85,000 mi at 7.1 yrs old (79 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,150 (median of 24 quotes)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe coolant or fluid leaking near the water pump, the engine running hot, and temperature or coolant warnings. In one case the engine seized after a recently replaced water pump, and another owner was told the pump was not covered because they were not the original owner. Reported between about 12,000 and 110,000 miles, and most are at 60,000 miles or more.

   What to check: Check the coolant level and look for dried residue or drips around the water pump, and ask whether the pump has already been replaced. Ask the dealer to confirm the cooling system was inspected before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased a 2016 Explorer limited from a Ford dealer and noticed it was low on coolant, was told it would be filled and of course it wasn't, I filled it myself. A week later it was low again, took it to a chevy dealer and was told the water pump is leaking. I contacted the selling dealer and left a voicemail and no one returned my call. I called back a couple weeks later and was told it isn't covered under their 30 day/1000 mile warranty. I contacted Ford and was told no assistance because I'm not the original owner, should that matter with 69500 miles??? …”

   NHTSA complaint #11389204, filed 2021-01, 69,500 miles

   “The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for a routine oil change, the mechanic discovered that fluid was leaking from the water pump. No further information was available. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11522304, filed 2023-05, 110,000 miles

Buying note. Check the windshield and door trim, the steering feel and the power steering warnings on a test drive, and ask for records of any water pump or steering work. Ask whether the open trim and steering recalls were completed for the specific VIN.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 80 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.