2016 Ford Explorer Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 129about this part
- Share
- 5%of 2,463 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,785miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 129 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Ford Explorer, 5% of the 2,463 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,785 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 6 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Seat heat under driver seat keeps going bad. Only the seat bottom, not the top. I noticed as this is the 3rd time it has been in for this, that when I have the seat in the farthest back position it works, but when the seat is moved further it pulls on the wires. I wonder if this could be causing a short in the wiring, which potential could be a fire hazard.”
NHTSA complaint #11309763, filed 2020-02, 35,000 miles“Per Ford website, I was told that my sync software need an upgrade when I typed in the VIN, then I follow the instruction on website but the program I downloaded messed up my apim module on my car and radio, GPS, and other function ae not working. So I took my SUV to the dealer and they said it will cost me $1050 to fix the issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11355467, filed 2020-09, 55,236 miles“I bought my Ford Explorer 2 years ago brand new and everys since I bought it I have had headaches. Dizziness while driving and electrical problems with it. My husband has also been treated for headaches and we believe it is from our Ford, we don't have these issues until we are in the car for long periods of time. The dashboard goes blank a lot and it loses power.”
NHTSA complaint #11092049, filed 2018-05, 5,000 miles“The airbag controller light is on on the dash. I had a diagnosed and my dealership and they come to say that the wiring harness control in the rear airbags is damaged and needs to be replaced. The dealership I said this is a significant issue that has been noticing in 2016 Ford explore models more and more. I am curious if this is a safety recall that needs to be taken care of by Ford.”
NHTSA complaint #11185516, filed 2019-03, 38,000 miles“I was backing out of a parking space. The rearview camera on the Ford sync system wound up showing a frozen image. It took me several seconds to realize that the image I was looking at was actually an old image! I was lucky I did not run into someone since I was essentially backing up without the ability to see anything.”
NHTSA complaint #11006460, filed 2017-07, 20,500 milesRelated recalls
- 25V685000Oct 10, 2025Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair…Covers: Ford Explorer 2016–2018, 2020–2023, Ranger 2019–2024, Lincoln MKC 2016–2019 +6 more
Related service bulletins
- 11037788Sep 30, 202625E10-S1 Owner letter
- 11035464Jul 2, 2026NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 25E10 - Supplement #1 Certain 2018-2020 Model Year F-150 Vehicles With 3.3L Engines and 2016-2019 Model Year Explorer, Taurus, and…
- 11029052Feb 24, 2026Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing…
- 11025611Nov 12, 2025Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
- 10219060Aug 31, 2022Certain 2016-2018 Model Year Explorer Vehicles High-Speed Cooling Fan Motor Relay; Reason for supplement: Vehicles Covered by this Program: all open / unrepaired vehicles from…
- 10212957May 24, 2022Some 2013-2023 Ford or Lincoln vehicles with modems activated through FordPass or LincolnWay may experience 12 volt battery drain symptoms when the customer uses non-Ford/Lincoln…
- 10206858Jan 21, 2022Customer Satisfaction Program 21B11 Certain 2014-2016 Model Year Explorer Vehicles 2nd Row Inflatable Seat Belt: In all of the affected vehicles, the air bag light may illuminate…
- 10207116Jan 14, 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…
- 10205725Dec 16, 2021Certain 2016-2018 Model Year Explorer Vehicles High-Speed Cooling Fan Motor Relay ; Reason for supplement: Vehicle Build Date: Ending build date for Chicago Assembly built…
- 10201582Sep 9, 2021Some 2016-2017 Ford and Lincoln vehicles with a new body control module (BCM) installed may exhibit a programming error when using IDS versions 122.03 through 123.01 stating…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 | 21% |
| 2025 | 23 | 22% |
| 2024 | 2 | 10% |
| 2023 | 14 | 13% |
| 2022 | 39 | 14% |
| 2021 | 48 | 11% |
| 2020 | 188 | 15% |
| 2019 | 20 | 7% |
| 2018 | 58 | 8% |
| 2017 | 94 | 6% |
| 2016 | 129 | 5% |
| 2015 | 93 | 5% |
| 2014 | 100 | 6% |
| 2013 | 163 | 7% |
| 2012 | 64 | 8% |
| 2011 | 95 | 8% |
| 2010 | 12 | 10% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 38 | 26% |
| 2007 | 25 | 12% |
| 2006 | 39 | 6% |
| 2005 | 36 | 7% |
| 2004 | 55 | 4% |
| 2003 | 54 | 5% |
| 2002 | 148 | 4% |
| 2001 | 29 | 8% |
| 2000 | 78 | 8% |
| 1999 | 92 | 7% |
| 1998 | 114 | 6% |
| 1997 | 80 | 5% |
| 1996 | 47 | 3% |
| 1995 | 55 | 7% |
| 1994 | 75 | 6% |
| 1993 | 45 | 5% |
| 1992 | 45 | 7% |
| 1991 | 52 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2016 Ford Explorer
591 complaintsSteering
532 complaintsOther or unknown
434 complaintsEngine
382 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
215 complaintsEngine cooling
114 complaintsFuel system
112 complaintsAir bags
99 complaintsVehicle speed control
76 complaintsSuspension
73 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
68 complaintsWheels
50 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology